Rapa Nui is compact, but days fill quickly once you add park sites, weather windows, and limited services. Use this hub to choose activities that fit your pace, budget, and mobility.
Before you head out: most major archaeological areas sit inside Rapa Nui National Park and require the park ticket. Carry cash (CLP) for small shops and some services, strong sun protection, and refillable water. If you want independence for sunrise or remote beaches, read our car rental and mountain biking guides too.
Each tile below opens a focused guide with what to expect and planning tips from frequent visitors—so you can mix archaeology, ocean time, and town life without guesswork.
Beaches
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Anakena, Ovahe, and quieter coves—where to swim, when swell is manageable, and what to pack.
Boat trips
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Sport-fishing runs, combo sightseeing, and opportunistic whale-watching when seas cooperate.
Camping
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Connect with nature by going camping.
Catholic church
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The catholic church is a popular attraction among tourists of any kind of belief.
Dance shows
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You must not miss out to attend an Easter Island dance show. See the living Rapa Nui music culture!
Fish feeding
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Small fish at Hanga Roa’s rocky shallows—keep it minimal and clean.
Fishing
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Among the local Rapa Nui people, fishing is a common hobby. Bring your own equipment or fish like the locals!
Food & dining
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Restaurants, street kitchens, fresh fish, and island-grown produce.
Hiking
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Rano Kau, Terevaka, and trails with maps—distances, elevation, and what to carry.
Horseback riding
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Coastal trails, sunset rides, and small-group outings with local stables.
Ice cream
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Cool down the temperature at hot summer days by having an ice-cream.
Kayaking
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Calm-window coastal paddles when operators run; wind and swell cancel more often than brochures admit.
Mountain biking
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A mountain bike will give you the freedom of going wherever you want.
Museum
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The Father Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum frames island history, language, and objects that make moai and ahu easier to understand before you visit the quarry.
Nightlife
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Restaurants and restobars first, then Pikano and Piriti—Hanga Roa’s low-key but fun after-dark scene.
Passport stamp
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The Hanga Roa tourist information office offers a collectible moai-themed passport stamp—purely decorative for most travellers, but a fun ritual before you leave.
Plane spotting
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It's truly a mighty feeling when the arriving airplanes pass just above your head.
Restaurants
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There are many restaurants and street kitchens at Rapa Nui. We've summed up the best ones for you.
Scuba diving
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Visibility, sites from lava caves to the sunken moai replica, and how to book safely.
Shopping & handicrafts
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There are a few main places which can be worth a visit where a wide array of handicrafts and souvenirs are offered.
Snorkelling
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Inshore pockets on calm days; rocky entries and limited rescue cover compared with big resorts.
Stargazing
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Dark skies, southern constellations, and guided night tours when weather allows.
Sunrise at Ahu Tongariki
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Gate times, transport options, and today’s sunrise time—plan a smooth Tongariki dawn.
Sunset at Tahai
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For its proximity and beauty, Tahai is a popular place for shooting sunset photos.
Surfing
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Rapa Nui offers good waves for all skill levels. Read more about Easter island wave surfing.
Tattoo
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Remember your trip by getting a unique tattoo with Rapa Nui art.
Tours
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Park rules mean the iconic moai circuit is mainly a guided experience—tours are how most visitors see the major sites properly.
Turtle watching
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Green sea turtles in Hanga Roa shallows—quiet hours, no touching.
Vehicle rental
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4×4 hire, insurance realities, fuel stops, and driving respectfully near archaeological sites.
Watch the Rapa Nui (1994) movie
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Watch the 1994 Hollywood movie Rapa Nui by Kevin Costner at Hotel Manavai.