Prepare yourself for the most relaxing and memorable holiday of your life! Easter Island is pure beauty, with so much culture and scenery that represents what paradise indeed is. I had previously written about the beautiful island when the trip was fresh on my mind. Click here if you would like to read that article. In this article, I will be sharing how you can plan your time in utopia.
Day 1:
From whichever part of the world you are flying to, you will always catch your flight to Easter Island from the capital of Chile, Santiago. Thanks to the island’s remoteness, the flight from Chile to Easter Island is a further six hours. Therefore once you arrive, you deserve to kick your feet up and relax. The greeting you receive is heart-warming, with lei and hugs from the locals.
Upon arriving at your hotel, which is a very short car ride, as the island is small and practical to get to one side to the next. I recommend you stretch out your legs, take beautiful pictures and head to the town, either by taxi, bike, or foot and relax with delicious food and a nice glass of juice or wine. That will prepare yourself for a restful sleep, to start your adventures lucidly. If you want to have a bit of a celebration, why not attend one of the island’s many shows they have going on. Just ask your hotel and they will tell you where to go!
Day 2:
Why not get stuck in with the island’s history and culture, by booking a tour. There are a variety of tours to choose from, which the hotel staff can help you select, depending on how you enjoy learning and spending your time. Learning about the place as soon as you arrive, will give you a deeper appreciation for the area during your stay.
Day 3:
Now that you have settled in learnt about the island’s culture and history, you deserve to hit the beach and soak up the rays. Anakena beach is a must when visiting the island, even if the weather is not great for a swim. The sheer beauty of the clear blue sea, white sand and Moai neighboured by luscious green forests makes it a picture perfect location.
The best months to enjoy the island’s weather are from January to March, peak season, with April – June and October – December experiencing a drop in temperature but still a great time to have a holiday. July to September are the colder months, which are great if you want to go backpacking or horse-riding.
Day 4:
Do an activity which you love. Whether it be on land or water, Easter Island has you covered. Why not scuba dive under the crystal waters and enjoy the sights of the marine, and the famous underwater Moai. Alternatively, if you would rather stay above sea level, take a hike by yourself, or in a group, or by horsepower. You can see the island from its highest peak, and have a memorable and enjoyable day.
Day 5:
Before heading back on the flight, spend some time taking care of yourself. Have a spa day, at one of the island’s hotels and merely take this day to treat yourself. Do not forget to do some shopping in the island’s biggest souvenir market. With excellent hand-made products with high significance, make sure to get your beautiful souvenirs before you catch your flight.
Five to seven days is a reasonable amount of time to spend on the island. Whether you wish to learn about its culture and observe the mysterious Moai up close, take photos, or just relax, one week will suffice your craving, and give you a well-deserved break from reality.
If you have already visited Easter Island, or you are currently planning a trip there, please leave a comment, and don’t hesitate to ask any questions. As always, I wish you all happy travels!
Maria Hanako van Straaten 