What’s the Best Self-Guided Tour Route for Easter Island on a Budget?

🎓 When I was in elementary school, the first game that captured my imagination was “Uncharted Waters 2.” There was a discovery item, p2, that left an indelible mark on me. From that moment, I dreamed of visiting the mysterious island when I grew up.

What's the Best Self-Guided Tour Route for Easter Island on a Budget?
What’s the Best Self-Guided Tour Route for Easter Island on a Budget?

✈️ Transportation:
1. Easter Island is accessible only by direct flights from Santiago, operated exclusively by South American Airlines, with 1-2 flights per day. During peak season, round-trip tickets on domestic OTA platforms typically cost around 6,000 RMB. However, I discovered a clever workaround and managed to secure round-trip tickets for less than 2,300 RMB!

What's the Best Self-Guided Tour Route for Easter Island on a Budget?
What’s the Best Self-Guided Tour Route for Easter Island on a Budget?

2. For getting around the island, you have two main options: renting a car or joining a guided tour. We opted for the latter, which proved to be both convenient and informative.

What's the Best Self-Guided Tour Route for Easter Island on a Budget?
What’s the Best Self-Guided Tour Route for Easter Island on a Budget?

🏨 Accommodation:
We planned our trip from February 16-19, a total of three days. Luckily, we found another family with the same travel dates, so we decided to rent a cozy three-bedroom house together, making it a very affordable and comfortable stay.

What's the Best Self-Guided Tour Route for Easter Island on a Budget?
What’s the Best Self-Guided Tour Route for Easter Island on a Budget?

⛱️ Attractions:
Exploring the island’s attractions requires a guide who not only drives but also provides fascinating insights at each site. Our itinerary on the 17th was packed with activities, as detailed in p6-11.
On the 16th, immediately after landing, we enjoyed a breathtaking sunset by the sea and caught the tail end of the local carnival, immersing ourselves in the vibrant culture.

What's the Best Self-Guided Tour Route for Easter Island on a Budget?
What’s the Best Self-Guided Tour Route for Easter Island on a Budget?

On the 18th, our friends, a family of three, had to head back home. So, we ventured inland to a Moai site that our guide hadn’t taken us to the previous day. We hiked five kilometers, as shown in p13, passing through numerous residential areas. The dogs along the way were quite aggressive, and I wouldn’t recommend this route unless you are prepared for a bit of a scare.

What's the Best Self-Guided Tour Route for Easter Island on a Budget?
What’s the Best Self-Guided Tour Route for Easter Island on a Budget?

In the evening, we wrapped up our day with another stunning sunset, as captured in p12.

What's the Best Self-Guided Tour Route for Easter Island on a Budget?
What’s the Best Self-Guided Tour Route for Easter Island on a Budget?

🔚 Is Easter Island fun? It really depends on your perspective. Overall, it’s a very relaxing destination. If you stay in a homestay and cook your own meals, it can be quite budget-friendly. If you can secure a good deal on airfare, it’s definitely worth coming here for a few days of relaxation. However, if you’re expecting a checklist of must-see sights, you might be a bit disappointed. For me, it was a dream come true, and anyone who has played “Uncharted Waters 2” will understand the allure!

What's the Best Self-Guided Tour Route for Easter Island on a Budget?
What’s the Best Self-Guided Tour Route for Easter Island on a Budget?