Expan Experience: Rapa Nui, magical and enchanting

Ancient and wondrous Rapa Nui , a remote and mysterious treasure in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean. With each sunrise, the sun illuminates the imposing moai, the statues that guard the island with their enigmatic gaze. Rich in cultural heritage, legends, and Polynesian traditions, the island originally called Easter Island welcomes travelers from all over the world with its magic.

In this edition of Expan Experience , Alex Villa , a national travel advisor, tells us about his experience in Rapa Nui, his favorite destination , where he embarked on an adventure amidst the impressive natural landscapes that Rapa Nui offers, its excellent gastronomy , its hotels and each and every one of the charms that the island and its inhabitants preserve .

Rapa Nui never ceases to amaze

" Based on my experience on Easter Island, it never ceases to amaze me . Its main colors—the green of the land, trees, and palm trees, combined with the blue of the sea, the sky, and its moai statues—make this place one of the most unique islands in the world. It's a place to forget about everyday life and enjoy the tranquility and nature ."

It's important to understand that life on the island is a bit expensive, as they get their supplies from the mainland. Lunch (main course plus a glass of wine) ranges from $20,000 to $25,000 pesos at a good, nice, and inexpensive restaurant, like the delicious Kanahau Restaurant , located on the waterfront about a three-minute walk from town. It's small, but offers a variety of island cuisine. The best thing about it is their ceviche .

From Orongo to Tahai

" With Maururu Travel I did two half-day trips of about three hours each, visiting the Orongo area. The first place was Vinapu , where there is an Inca wall with precisely fitted stone blocks that resemble the walls found in Cusco – Peru ."

I also visited La Aldea Orongo , a place where the birdman competition, called Tangata Manu on the island, was held for 100 to 200 years, rites that were performed in honor of the gods Make Make and Agua .

The third area I visited this morning was Rano Kau , whose name means "extensive volcano." It contains a freshwater lagoon surrounded by a variety of flora and fauna . During the excursion, our guide told us that in the past, when there was no drinking water, people would descend into the volcano to collect water for their daily needs .

I also went to the Puna Pau area. It's a small hill from which the stone headdresses were extracted. These were used to crown the moai. After that visit, with a wonderful view of the ocean and the town, we went with the group to the Ahu Akivi area. It's a site with seven moai, and they are the only sculptures of this type that face the sea .

We finished our second half-day at Tahai , the most iconic spot, well-known to islanders and tourists alike as the best place to watch the sunset. As an experience, it's one of the most beautiful places to witness sunsets .

One evening I visited Anakena Beach . I was impressed that the sand is becoming increasingly pink compared to previous years .

Hotel tour

" I stayed (first night) at the Easter Island Eco Lodge Hotel . A good, nice, and inexpensive inn-style hotel, a 10-minute walk from the town's cove. On Friday, I visited the other hotels ."

I started with the Ohana Rapa Nui Hotel , which is near the airport. Then I went to visit the La Perouse Boutique Hotel , located on the coastal road next to the Taha Tai Hotel , which I also visited. After that, I went to the Explora Hotel , which is in the countryside, about a 20-25 minute drive from town. At this hotel, they gave me a delicious island cocktail to try.

After the visit was over, I went to check in at the Hotel Nayara Hanga Roa , where they were waiting for me with a tasty snack ."

The charm of Rapa Nui

" What I love most about the island is undoubtedly its natural beauty and the fact that everything is kept very clean . Every day more residents are becoming more aware of the place where they live and recycling their trash. Now, if we're talking about hotels, I really liked the Ohana Hotel and the Nayara Hotel visually ."

Recommendations for travelers

" Some travel tips: Pack rain gear, a windbreaker… Since it's a tropical island, you can go from intense heat to heavy rain at any time. It rains there year-round. It's best to have all your accommodations and excursions booked in advance to avoid wasting time comparing prices and haggling . Personally, I think tours with a local guide are always more engaging and offer added value compared to a Chilean or foreign guide who knows the same places and tells the same stories ."

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