HOTELS

There are numerous places to stay on the island, from expensive to cheap. The last update we have on prices comes from two years ago and prices may have changed since then. The hotels have private baths with their rooms. If the hotel or residencial (bed/breakfast) of your choice knows your arrival time, they will meet you at the airport. Many flights arrive late a night so it is good to have someone meeting you. Some places will say they take credit cards but, in reality, they prefer dollars or pesos as it takes a long time to get their money on card charges.

Some visitors 'wing it' and arrive on the island without reservations. There are people who meet planes and try to grab the unsuspecting visitor. These are NOT the best places to say, obviously, or they would not be trying to get customers off the planes. Better to have a reservation. If you don't like what you have, you can find another one and move.

 The major hotels are:

Hotel Hotu Matua (50 rooms), swimming pool, credit cards accepted. Room price is quoted as US$146 with breakfast. Phone: 100-242. This hotel is located closer to the airport than to town, so personal transportation is recommended.

Hotel Iorana (32 rooms), swimming pool, credit cards accepted. Room price is quoted as US$118 for single with breakfast. Phone: 100-312. Located near Ana Kai Tangata, the Iorana offers spectacular views of the coastline. There is an ocean side rock pool at the foot of the cliff, as well a swimming pool.

Hotel O'Tai (20 rooms), swimming pool, credit cards accepted. Room price is quoted as US$80 with breakfast. Phone: 100-250; fax: 100-482. Lovely gardens, right in the center of the village (across from the post office). Very friendly and accommodating, good restaurant.

 Hotel Hanga Roa (60 rooms), swimming pool, credit cards accepted. Quoted price for a single room is US$110 with breakfast. Phone: 100-299. This is part of a major chain of Chilean hotels. Although this hotel is being updated and renovated, many of the rooms are substandard (in our opinion) with paper-thin walls. The new units are individual cottages and would be priced considerably higher. Most visitors prefer to support the local islanders who have hotels on the island.

Hotel Topa Ra'a (18 rooms) Room price is quoted as US$78 with breakfast. Phone: 100-225. Lovely view from the patio/deck. Close to the village.

Hotel Victoria (16 rooms) US$70 for room and breakfast. Phone: 100-272.

Hotel Poike (8 rooms) US$60 for room and breakfast. Phone: 100-283.

Hotel Manutara (20 rooms), credit cards accepted. US$58 with breakfast. Phone: 100-297.

Hotel Chez Joseph (10 rooms) US$56 for room and breakfast. Phone:100-272.

Orongo Easter Hotel (10 rooms), credit card accepted. US$60 for room with breakfast. Phone: 100-294.

Hotel Vai Moana - Well appointed cottages, Restaurant, Lounge, Bar, credit card accepted. Prices vary according to room size and season. Phone/Fax: Tel/Fax: 100 626.

The following are listed as "Residenciales" and prices range from US$60 to $30. A residencial is so classified by numbers of rooms; most are under ten rooms and may or may not have private baths. They are scattered around the village, and often are an extension of a private home. Not many of the managers speak English. Please note that these smaller operations come and go, and we cannot guarantee that they will be in business from one year to the next. To our knowledge, none accept credit cards.

Puku Rangi Uka (100-405);Cabanas Vai Mohana (100-626); Cabanas Taha Tai (100-623); Aloha Nui (100-274); Chez Erika (100-474) Sofia Gomero (100-313); Vai Ka Pua (100-377); Rapa Nui Inn (100-228); Kona Tau (100-321); Pedro Atan (100-329); El Tauke (100-253); Martin y Anita (100-593); O Tama Tera'a (100-585); Puku Rangi Uka (100-405); Tahai (100-395); Chez Goretti (100-459); Tekena Inn (100-289) Ana Rapu (100-540); Chez Cecelia (100-499); Raho Aroi (100-233); Vai a Repa (100-331); Tahiri (100-106); Villa Tiki (100-327); Vinapu (100-393); Tiare Tahiti (100-338); Maori (100-408); Tiare Anani (100-580); Hanga Roa Reka (100-433).

 Two alternates that can be personally recommended are:

  1) Mahina Taka Taka Georgia, a small residencial near the museum and the archaeological site of Tahai, a bit outside the village. Rooms have private baths, sliding glass doors to the garden. Price per person per day is $25 and includes breakfast. This is a genuine Rapanui family. Phone: 100-452; or fax 100-282. Address fax to Lucia Riroroko, at Mahina Taka Taka.

  2) Ana Maria Arredondo also has rooms for rent for $25 per person with breakfast. In the village. Phone 100-359.

Vehicles.

Vehicles for rent include everything from jeeps to cars to vans to motorcycles. Some bikes are also available. A car will run around $100 a day. There is one gas station on the island. You should have an International Driver's License. Ask before renting if the car has a jack (gata) and a spare tire (neumatico).

There are taxis in the village; prices vary. During the Tapati festival they charge a lot more than at other times of the year.

Horses rent from $10 up, depending upon the individual beast. A good many of the saddles are homemade and can be painful to ride.

Money.

Islanders will accept American dollars, Chilean pesos, traveler's cheques. Some places also take credit cards, but prefer other means of payment due to the time-lag involved in getting their money. There is a Chilean bank on the island, but changing money is very slow and complicated. If you have time and wish to change dollars for pesos, better to do it in Santiago.

Food and drink.

You can drink the water. Bottled water can be purchased in the village stores, but the water coming from taps is good, although it has a high mineral content. Stores all carry soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.

Food is expensive; everything coming from the mainland costs more for shipping, thus all staples (coffee, tea, flour, sugar, etc.) are costly. Restaurant meals can be very expensive. Usually the best deal can be had by taking the dinner meal at your hotel. Lunch items can be bought in the local stores.

There are now two "supermercados" in the village and they carry a surprising amount of things, a far cry from just ten years ago. The supermarket on the main street (Policarpo Toro Street) takes credit cards: it is called Tumu Kai (literally, Foods for the Family).

 Note: there is nothing outside the village to eat or drink. Take water with you, lunch, or snacks when going sight-seeing. It is a good idea to toss in your luggage some trail mix, energy bars, etc., for snacks while out hiking around.

Climate.

The climate is moderate and temperate. It rarely exceeds 85 degrees and does not drop below 57 degrees. However, in the winter (June-August) a wind-chill factor can make it seem much cooler. Summer (December-February) is often accompanied by higher humidity. Mean water temperature is 65 degrees; average rainfall: 44.4 inches. If you are traveling there in the winter months, take a windbreaker and sweatshirt.

Time Zone.

Easter Island is in the same time zone as US Standard Mountain Time. Chile, however, adjusted the time so there is less difference between island time and mainland time. This puts the island two hours behind Chile time. Thus there is little concordance between what the clock says and what the sun is doing.

Communication.

Mail comes in from Chile only (not on the Tahiti flights). There are telephones and faxes on the island. All island numbers begin with "100"; the area code is 32, the number for Chile is 56. Thus your calls should be dialed as "(56) 32-100-xxx".

The village telex office has public telephones and faxes can be sent and received from there. The island fax number is 100-105; address your fax to its destination; when it arrives, the office calls that individual to come in and get the fax.

The basic on-island method of finding someone is to ask around the village for that individual. In a short time he/she will appear at your door. This is referred to as the "coconut telegraph."

Tourist Bureau.

Sernatur, the tourist office (100-255) can provide names of places to stay and prices. It is on Tu'u Maheke street, near the bank.

Camping.

There are camping facilities at Anakena on the north coast, but all water and food must be carried in. Authorities discourage camping around the island, and there is no available water out of the village. Some of the smaller residencials may allow campers to set up on their property.

Tours.

These can be arranged through the various tour agencies on the island, or your hotel will make arrangements for you. Problem: the guides may or may not speak your language. Guided group tours cost around $25 per person. [If you have the Uncommon Guide to Easter Island, you can get around without a guide].

Sightseeing.

The archaeological sites are amazing and all over the island. Only a few have park guards, which leaves the majority of them open sites. Please do not take advantage of this by climbing onto the statues, or the shrines, and do not disturb any bones you may see hidden amongst the rocks. These bones belonged to someone's ancestor(s) and should be accorded respect.

Only one site has an entry charge, Orongo. This is manned by CONAF (National Parks of Chile), and the funds they collect go to curate and protect ALL the island's sites. They lack manpower to build and staff entry kiosks at each and every place. So they collect US$10 at the one site, and that is good for your entire stay and for the entire island (save your receipt for a repeat visit to Orongo).

Health.

There is a hospital on the island, staffed by medicos from Chile, and a dentist. Medications are fairly limited. Inoculations are not required for Easter Island, but may be for South America or Tahiti, depending upon your itinerary. Any serious illness or injury is generally evacuated to a hospital on mainland Chile.

It is a good idea to bring aspirin, cold capsules, band-aids, sun screen, vitamins, anti-diarrhea pills, and insect repellant.

The island has mosquitoes, cockroaches, ants, and scorpions. There are no snakes. Black Widow spiders arrived in the 1960s from the mainland and may be encountered on the north coast where they spin messy-looking webs in the rocks and tall grass.

Recreation.

The best swimming beaches are Anakena and Ovahe on the north coast, and snorkeling is popular. Some surfing goes on at the bay off Hanga Roa, and diving equipment is available on the island. Inquire about the latter by asking around for the Frenchmen Henri or Michel Garcia.

You can pay a fisherman to take you out fishing, or for a ride around the islet of Motu Nui. Ask around at the caleta, the little bay where the fishing boats tie up.

There are two or three discos on the island; they usually begin to roll around eleven p.m. and run all night. They serve beer, cola, and pisco (a fiery Chilean brandy that will knock your socks off).

Church.

If there on a Sunday morning, check out the 9 a.m. service at the Catholic Church at the head of Te Pito te Henua street (the one that runs past the Post Office). Regardless of one's religious affiliation, it is worth going to hear the singing. Take a close look at the extraordinary wood carvings that are in the church; these are carved by local artists and are wonderful combinations of religious faith and native Rapa Nui aesthetics.