Easter Island (Rapa Nui), a Chilean territory far out in the South Pacific, is famous for its moai, the monumental statues carved by the Rapa Nui people. The only way to get there is by air from Santiago, Chile, and visiting the sites requires a national park ticket and a mandatory accredited guide. Plan on 4 to 5 days; the subtropical climate lets you visit Easter Island year-round, with an edge for December to March, which is warmer and slightly less rainy.
This guide explains how to plan the trip, which sites to see, the park rules taken from the official website, the month-by-month climate and a calculation specific to this page: sunrise times, which are very late on the island, useful for the famous sunrise at Tongariki.
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Easter Island at a glance
- Status Chilean territory (Valparaíso Region); the only town is Hanga Roa
- Languages Spanish and Rapa Nui
- Currency Chilean peso (CLP)
- Time zone the island keeps its own time zone (IANA Pacific/Easter), two hours behind mainland Chile; see time difference in Chile
- Airports Mataveri Airport, reached by flights from Santiago, Chile
- Entry US and UK citizens: no visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in Chile (travel.state.gov, GOV.UK); island-specific rules (entry form, return ticket, registered accommodation) are detailed below
- National park individual ticket required and visits with a guide accredited by Ma’u Henua, according to the official Rapa Nui National Park website
- Electricity 220 V, type C and L plugs (round pins); US and UK travelers need an adapter
What to see on Easter Island: the must-see sites
Ahu Tongariki
The largest ceremonial platform (ahu) on the island lines up fifteen moai with their backs to the sea, on the southeast coast. It is the most photographed sunrise spot on Rapa Nui: see our table below for the exact time by month.
Rano Raraku, the moai quarry
The volcano from which most of the moai were carved: dozens of unfinished statues, or statues buried up to their shoulders, dot its slopes. According to the official park website, Rano Raraku can be visited only once per ticket: plan the visit at the right moment of your stay.
Orongo and the Rano Kau crater
In the southwest, the ceremonial village of Orongo overlooks the huge Rano Kau crater and the islets where the birdman ritual (Tangata Manu) took place. Like Rano Raraku, Orongo can be visited only once per ticket.
Anakena
The island’s main white-sand beach, lined with coconut palms and Ahu Nau Nau, whose moai still wear their topknots (pukao). Swimming and a picnic at the end of a tour.
Ahu Akivi, Puna Pau and Ahu Tahai
Ahu Akivi is one of the few platforms whose moai face the ocean; Puna Pau is the red-tuff quarry of the pukao; Ahu Tahai, on the edge of Hanga Roa, is the sunset spot. The official website also lists Vinapu, Akahanga, Vaihu, Te Pito Kura and the Ana Te Pahu cave among the sites open to visitors.
Hanga Roa
The only town has the accommodation, restaurants, the small fishing harbor, the church and the Sebastián Englert anthropological museum. It is your base for every excursion.
Rapa Nui National Park rules
Almost all the archaeological sites are part of the national park, managed by the Rapa Nui community organization Ma’u Henua. What the official Rapa Nui National Park website says (checked 26 October 2026):
- Individual ticket required for each person; the price is not shown on the home page: check it when you buy.
- Mandatory guide: visits must be made with a guide accredited by Ma’u Henua.
- Rano Raraku and Orongo can be visited only once per ticket.
- Hours vary by season: check them before each visit.
- Do not touch the moai or climb on the ahu: they are sacred, protected sites.
How many days on Easter Island? A 4-day itinerary
- Day 1: arrival, Hanga Roa, museum, sunset at Ahu Tahai.
- Day 2: guided south coast tour: Vinapu, Akahanga, Rano Raraku, Ahu Tongariki; late afternoon at Anakena.
- Day 3: sunrise at Tongariki, then Orongo and the Rano Kau crater.
- Day 4: Ahu Akivi, Puna Pau, caves; hiking, diving or horseback riding as you like.
With a single air route and few flights, allow a buffer day before your international flight home from Santiago.
When to go to Easter Island
The island can be visited year-round: the Dirección Meteorológica de Chile normals give afternoon highs of 21 to 28 °C (70 to 82 °F) and mild nights, never below 15 °C (59 °F) on average. December to March is the warmest and sunniest period (up to 27.5 °C / 82 °F in February), with slightly less rain: this is high season, which includes the Tapati festival. April to August brings more frequent rain (about 12 days a month) and shorter days, but fewer visitors at the sites.
| Month | High °C (°F) | Low °C (°F) | Rain mm (in) | Rain days | Sunshine (h) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26.9 (80) | 20.0 (68) | 81.3 (3.2) | 10.1 | 272 | ✅ Hot, sunny |
| February | 27.5 (82) | 20.6 (69) | 69.3 (2.7) | 9.6 | 256 | ✅ Hottest month |
| March | 26.9 (80) | 20.2 (68) | 86.9 (3.4) | 10.7 | 239 | ✅ Hot |
| April | 25.5 (78) | 19.4 (67) | 123.0 (4.8) | 11.6 | 200 | ⚠️ Wetter |
| May | 23.4 (74) | 17.7 (64) | 116.9 (4.6) | 12.0 | 176 | ⚠️ Wet, cooler |
| June | 21.9 (71) | 16.7 (62) | 109.2 (4.3) | 12.3 | 148 | ⚠️ Wettest |
| July | 21.2 (70) | 15.9 (61) | 113.1 (4.5) | 11.6 | 162 | ⚠️ Wet, cooler |
| August | 21.2 (70) | 15.7 (60) | 97.1 (3.8) | 10.6 | 177 | ⚠️ Cool |
| September | 21.6 (71) | 15.7 (60) | 97.3 (3.8) | 10.2 | 180 | ✅ Mild |
| October | 22.5 (72) | 16.2 (61) | 90.9 (3.6) | 9.3 | 214 | ✅ Mild |
| November | 23.8 (75) | 17.5 (64) | 75.2 (3.0) | 9.4 | 220 | ✅ Pleasant |
| December | 25.5 (78) | 18.7 (66) | 69.6 (2.7) | 9.0 | 251 | ✅ Hot, drier |
Mainland Chile has very different climates: see when to go to Chile to combine the island with the Atacama Desert or Patagonia.
Sunrise at Tongariki: what time?
The island keeps a clock two hours behind Santiago even though it lies much further west, so the sun rises and sets very late. We calculated the times for each month, with the number of rainy days to expect over a week.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length | Rain days per 7 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:37 am | 9:16 pm | 13 h 39 | 2.3 |
| February | 8:01 am | 9:01 pm | 13 h 00 | 2.4 |
| March | 8:18 am | 8:34 pm | 12 h 16 | 2.4 |
| April | 7:34 am | 7:00 pm | 11 h 27 | 2.7 |
| May | 7:50 am | 6:37 pm | 10 h 47 | 2.7 |
| June | 8:04 am | 6:31 pm | 10 h 26 | 2.9 |
| July | 8:05 am | 6:41 pm | 10 h 35 | 2.6 |
| August | 7:47 am | 6:56 pm | 11 h 09 | 2.4 |
| September | 8:14 am | 8:10 pm | 11 h 56 | 2.4 |
| October | 7:41 am | 8:24 pm | 12 h 43 | 2.1 |
| November | 7:18 am | 8:45 pm | 13 h 27 | 2.2 |
| December | 7:17 am | 9:07 pm | 13 h 50 | 2.0 |
The latest sunrise is in March (8:18 am): no need to get up at dawn for Tongariki. Allow for the drive from Hanga Roa, and arrive before the time shown to enjoy the light.
Getting around Easter Island
- With a guide: mandatory for the park sites; most agencies offer full-day or half-day tours with transport.
- Rental car, scooter or bike: handy between sites and the beach, combined with a guide on site. According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 9 October 2026), you cannot get car insurance on Rapa Nui: if you have an accident or damage the vehicle, you pay for repairs yourself.
- On foot: Hanga Roa, Ahu Tahai and the climb to Rano Kau are doable on foot for good walkers.
Where to stay on Easter Island
All accommodation is in or just around Hanga Roa: family guesthouses, cabañas, campsites and hotels. Supply is limited: book early for high season and festival periods.
Entry requirements, health and safety
- US citizens: according to the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated July 2, 2026), you do not need a visa for a tourist or business stay in Chile of 90 days or fewer; your passport must be in good condition and valid for your stay. Keep the Tourist Card you receive on arrival: you must return it on departure.
- UK citizens: according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 9 October 2026), you can visit Chile for up to 90 days without a visa; your passport should expire after the day you leave Chile. Keep the tourist card and hand it back when you leave.
- Island rules: to enter Rapa Nui you must complete a Rapa Nui entry form, show a return ticket and show a reservation registered with SERNATUR, the national tourism service, or an invitation letter from the provincial delegation (UK FCDO). According to the Chilean government service ChileAtiende (chileatiende.gob.cl, updated 8 January 2026), the maximum stay for tourists on the island is 30 days, the return ticket must be within that period, and the free entry form (FUI) is checked by the PDI before boarding.
- Health: there are confirmed cases of dengue on Rapa Nui (UK FCDO); dengue is endemic to Easter Island but not found on mainland Chile (U.S. Department of State). Protect yourself against mosquito bites. There is only one hospital, with limited facilities; serious cases are flown to the mainland by air ambulance: make sure your insurance covers this (UK FCDO).
- Natural hazards: Chile is prone to major earthquakes and tsunamis; the national disaster service SENAPRED issues alerts and guidance (U.S. Department of State). Learn the evacuation instructions where you stay.
- Strikes: strikes are common in Chile and can cause significant delays, especially when traveling to remote areas such as Easter Island (U.S. Department of State).
See also our travel insurance guide.
Practical tips for Easter Island
- Book early for flights between Santiago and Easter Island: it is the only regular air route.
- Money: carry cash in pesos; there are few ATMs in Hanga Roa.
- Sun and wind: there is little shade at the sites; bring sunscreen, a hat and a windbreaker.
- Respect: the moai represent ancestors; follow the instructions of guides and rangers.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Easter Island?
By air via Santiago, Chile, then a flight to Mataveri Airport; check airlines and schedules on the airport website.
How many days should you spend on Easter Island?
Four to five days let you see the main sites with a guide (Tongariki, Rano Raraku, Orongo, Anakena) with a buffer in case of rain or flight changes.
Do you need a guide to see the moai?
Yes: according to the official Rapa Nui National Park website, visits must be made with a guide accredited by Ma’u Henua, in addition to the individual park ticket.
When is the best time to visit Easter Island?
December to March for warmth and sunshine, September to November for mild weather. The island can be visited year-round.
How long can you stay on Easter Island?
According to the Chilean government service ChileAtiende (updated 8 January 2026), tourists can stay a maximum of 30 days on the island; check the current rule before you travel.
Our sources
- Dirección Meteorológica de Chile: 1991-2020 normals, Mataveri Airport station (Hanga Roa), via the Wikipedia article « Easter Island »
- Destination de Voyage calculation: sunrise and sunset, day length (NOAA solar algorithm), rain days per 7 days (IANA time zone database)
- Rapa Nui National Park (Ma’u Henua), rapanuinationalpark.com: visitor rules, checked 26 October 2026
- ChileAtiende, requirements to travel to Rapa Nui (updated 8 January 2026), read on 26 October 2026
- U.S. Department of State, Chile country information (travel.state.gov, last updated July 2, 2026), read on 26 October 2026
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Chile, including Rapa Nui (GOV.UK, updated 9 October 2026), read on 26 October 2026
- Wikipedia: « Mataveri International Airport » and « Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport »
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.
To plan the rest of your trip, see our Chile travel guide and our other destinations in Latin America.