Easter Island is one of the outlying islands of Chile that was annexed in 1888 during an expansion period just following the War of the Pacific.  This island is so isolated that it is considered the most remote island in the world, with just 2,000 in habitants, most being of Polynesian descent.  The population of Easter Island had at one time grown to around 10,000 but because the island’s ecosystem was not able to support that many people, resources became scarce. 

Soon, palm forests were destroyed and cleared for agriculture use but as battles over social order began to decline, a bloody civil war broke out that eventually led to cannibalism.  During the time when there were so many inhabitants, massive stonework was carved, called Moai.  Sadly, all of the pieces that were standing by the coastline were destroyed by the islanders. 

Today, the Moai still erected on the island are there because of archaeological efforts.  Even so, there remains quite a mystery around this stonework as people have tried to discover how such large and intricately detailed pieces were carved in the first place and then moved.  While the beauty of the island is what intrigues people, the stonework is indeed fascinating and an unanswered part of this island’s history. 

Chile, located in South America, is a very diverse location on the map that covers the gamut from dry, arid deserts to snow-capped mountain ranges.  In addition, you will discover beaches, forests, geysers, volcanoes, and much more, making this an amazing place for exploration and adventure.  While you could enjoy bustling nightlife, fine restaurants, and strolls down the boulevards, the natural beauty is what attracts most tourists. 

All the way from the Pacific coastline to the great Andes, there are multiple opportunities to enjoy nature at its finest.  Regarding Easter Island, this is a place that is unique and an excellent place for people who love to hike, climb, and simply explore.  The majority of inhabitants live in a small, quaint town called Hanga Roa.  As you begin to explore the island, you will find that almost all of it is an open-air national park with 300 Moais scattered about. 

Also called Rapanui, Easter Island is located 2,294 miles to the west of the mainland.  To give you an idea of how remote this island is, you could sail on the ocean and not see inhabited land within 1,178 miles in any direction.  Today, Easter Island remains a magnificent destination in Chile that is like an open-air museum that highlights a lost culture.  The people are extremely friendly, eager and willing to welcome everyone that comes to visit. 

In addition to the Moai, you will discover lava formations, crystal blue water, volcanic craters, and wonderful beaches.  When planning a trip to Easter Island and other locations within the country of Chile, the best time to travel depends on the exact location visiting.  For example, if you head toward the middle region of Chile, you want to go from September through November or during the late fall, which runs from February to April, whereas going to the Parque Nacional de Paine region is best visited in the latter part of summer, which runs from December through March.  When visiting Easter Island in late January to early February, you can enjoy a magnificent festival called Tapati, which celebrates the life and culture of the Polynesian people. 

To reach Easter Island, you would actually fly from Santiago to the island, with roundtrip airfare averaging $800.  You might consider working with several hotels in Santiago that offer package deals that would include hotel stay, meals, transportation, tours, and so on.  On Easter Island, there are hotels and guesthouses run by the locals and when you arrive at the Mataveri Airport, you will be greeted personally. 

Now, if you want to understand the island even more and get to know the people, you can arrange to stay in a private home, which is an exceptional experience that we highly recommend.  Just remember that accommodations on Easter Island vary significantly so be sure to do your homework first or work with a reputable travel agency.  Interestingly, all of the tourism on the island is operated by the Rananui people themselves. 

Finally, while Easter Island is not for everyone, if you love the great outdoors and appreciate getting off the beaten track, then it is an ideal place to visit.  The temperatures on the island are a little cooler than other Chilean islands and because it is so remote, the prices are not as high.  In addition, during the summer, the number of tourists is less so this is a great time to visit if you do not like crowed.  However, the people of Easter Island will tell you that the ideal time to go is March.