Easter Island

Destination overview

About this destination

Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, lies in the southeastern Pacific and is part of Chile. Its culture is rooted in Polynesian settlement. The island is famous for the monumental stone figures called moai.

Ceremonial platforms and archaeological remains help explain their place in Rapa Nui society. Volcanic craters and a largely treeless landscape give the island a striking appearance. Hanga Roa is its main settlement.

Rapa Nui National Park protects much of its archaeological heritage. The island's remoteness and the survival of its cultural traditions make it a distinctive place within the wider Pacific world.