Before heading to the island, make sure you: 1. Register for the island (this must be completed in advance!! It will generate a unique number and an email will be sent to you) 2. Purchase a ticket for the national park (you can also buy a paper ticket at the ticket office on the island)
Time ⌚️: Three days is more than enough! Including travel time on the day of arrival and departure, three days will give you a fantastic experience. Unless you are deeply fascinated by the Moai culture (but even then, you might find it repetitive after a few days).
Internet 🛜: Most hotels offer Wi-Fi, and many of the restaurants I visited had Wi-Fi as well. Even with a local data card, the signal at scenic spots can be quite weak.
Hotel 🏨:
Off-island: The Holiday Inn next to the Santiago airport is a no-frills option (no slippers, toothbrushes, etc.). Its main advantage is its proximity to the domestic terminal, just a 2-minute walk away, making it perfect for a quick rest and storing large luggage.
On-island: Hotel Hare Uta is a decent choice, offering a standard resort experience.
During the tail end of the Birdman Festival in mid-February, 3 nights cost $1600. It’s conveniently located just 3 minutes from the airport but a bit far from the city center. A taxi ride to the main street costs around 5000 pesos and takes about 10 minutes. Walking, according to Google Maps, takes 30-40 minutes.
Transportation 🚗:
✈️ Flights between Santiago and Easter Island are operated by LATAM, with two round trips daily. Book your tickets in advance. Some say the Spanish version of the official website offers better deals (though unverified). There’s no need to book an early morning flight; we took the 8-11 am flight and still had to wait to check in at the hotel.
Plus, from 1-4 pm, the heat was intense, and we didn’t feel like going out.
To get to the hotel, provide your flight information in advance, and they will arrange a pickup. Every hotel and guesthouse greets you with a flower necklace, a warm welcome gesture. If you’re filming a vlog, this is a great opportunity to capture the moment!
✈️ For the return flight to Santiago, which departs at 4 pm, arrive at the airport by 2 pm. Many people line up under the scorching sun, so I recommend bringing a travel-sized bag and avoiding checked luggage.
🚕 Transportation on the island: Any vehicle with “taxi” written on the front is a taxi, regardless of its condition.
Many are quite old, so it’s best to confirm the fare before getting in. Cars for rent are left-hand drive.
Stay tuned for more tips in the next post!
