Travel to Easter Island

One of the coolest pieces of South America is actually an island located in the South Pacific, several hundred miles off the coast of Chile.

Easter Island, or Rapa Nui as it is known in Polynesia, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Perhaps best known for the megaliths that adorn all corners of the island, Easter Island is on many people’s bucket lists. There is more to the island than the Easter Island Heads though.

Flying to Easter Island is probably the toughest part of travel to the remote island. There are not a ton of options for flights. LATAM Airlines operates the only flights. A flight goes from Santiago to Easter Island every day, while LATAM also operates a flight connecting Tahiti and Easter Island once per week.

Since Easter Island is part of Chile’s territory, the island goes by all the same rules as mainland Chile. Travelers from America don’t need a visa to visit, but do need a valid passport and proof they plan to leave the country within 90 days.

The biggest attractions on Easter Island, Rano Raraku and Orongo, require a national park ticket for entry. The ticket costs about $60, cash only. Travelers can buy the ticket at the airport after arriving or at the park ranger’s office. No other attractions on Easter Island require the ticket.