Planning Your Time

In a few days, you can visit the island's major sights. Spend one day in Hanga Roa, stopping by the Iglesia Hanga Roa, the cemetery, and the Museo Antropológico Padre Sebastián Englert. Finish the day with sunset at Tahai. On your second day, tour the coastal road, visiting the hundreds of moai in the quarry at Rano Raraku and the lineup of 15 at nearby Ahu Tongariki. On your last day, visit Rano Kau volcanic crater, where the ceremonial village of Orongo is. In the afternoon head inland to the small quarry of Puna Pau to see the seven statues of Ahu Akivi and where the red pukao (topknots) that crown some moai were crafted.

Almost all businesses close for a few hours in the afternoon. Most are open 9 to 1 and 4 to 8, but a few stay open late into the evening. Many are closed Sunday. Smaller restaurants and shops don’t usually accept credit cards. Be aware that outside of Hanga Roa, the only place to buy anything to eat or drink is at Anakena, or at one of the more remote luxury hotels, which are quite off the beaten path.