What to do and see in Hanga Roa, Chile: The Best Places and Tips

April 9, 2018 Marianna Hollaway

The epic Moai stone statues that stand guard over Easter Island are among the main attractions of this remote and lonely part of the world. Hanga Roa is Easter Island’s commercial hub and its only village. The airport is here, as are several restaurants, guest houses and hotels. Use it as a base for island adventures, which may include trekking, exploring white sand beaches, snorkeling, diving, visiting archaeological sites or even your own private spiritual journey.
Restaurants in Hanga Roa

1. Ballet Kari Kari

Avenue Policarpo Toro, Hanga Roa, Easter Island, Chile +56 9 4280 5388
Excellent
64%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 911 reviews

Ballet Kari Kari

Reviewed By GringoWasi_BnB - Cusco, Peru

Unlike some other reviewers, when I go to see a local cultural music and dance show like the Kari Kari show, I do not actually want to see professional dancers with perfect choreography, as this would not be a realistic example of traditional dances. What I like to see is people enjoying themselves, and offering an entertaining cultural experience, which is just what they do at Kari Kari. We really enjoyed the music and dancing, as well as the pre-show face painting, but for reference we did not include the meal, only the show.

2. Playa Ovahe

5 kms desde Anakena, Hanga Roa, Easter Island, Chile
Excellent
59%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 923 reviews

Playa Ovahe

Reviewed By luckytotravel2017 - Grants Pass, Oregon

The first time I approached Ovahe it was low tide (about 3feet/1meter) lower and the beach has easy access with a little climb over some rocks. I did not approach the beach as I knew I would return later to visit. The next time I visited it was high tide and there was no beach left to rest on. The beach butts up against a steep wall of lava rock and there is imminent danger of fallen rocks so you would definitely want to return during low tide when you can be at enough of a distance from the sheer wall. Hardly anybody there. If the sea is rough both Beaches will receive big waves.

3. Ahu Akahanga

Hanga Roa, Easter Island, Chile
Excellent
51%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 451 reviews

Ahu Akahanga

Reviewed By expat326 - San Francisco, California

Worth a visit but not a detour. There are a number of moai that have fallen down or been pulled down and some remnants of the 'village' that might have supported to site. Interesting to walk around. Great views of the ocean. As with many of there sites, there is a skinny dog (with or without puppies) who would be your best friend for half of you lunch-time Sandwich.

4. Ahu Vaihu

Coastal Road, Hanga Roa, Easter Island, Chile
Excellent
49%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 153 reviews

Ahu Vaihu

Reviewed By Travellover6128 - San Francisco, California

A lot of people have commented that these Moai haven't been restored, which is true. However they are still inspiring and wonderful. For me, seeing a row of face down Moai, was very heart wrenching. Equally though it does make you appreciate those statues which have been restored even more. Worth seeing and worth having a guide explain why they were push over and the eyes taken out.

5. Puna Pau

Hanga Roa, Easter Island, Chile
Excellent
43%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 624 reviews

Puna Pau

Reviewed By dskid - Overland Park, Kansas

There's nothing too sexy about this site but it's a necessary stop if you're interested in getting a complete picture of the creation of the moai and an appreciation for the type and amount of work that went into the creation of these statues. This is on the way to the Orongo crater, so very easy to see without sacrificing time that you might want to spend elsewhere.
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6. Cementerio de Isla de Pascua

Policarpo s/n, Hanga Roa, Easter Island, Chile
Excellent
41%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 244 reviews

Cementerio de Isla de Pascua

Reviewed By DonaldYokum - Ventura, California

This is a lovely spot, a cemetery with a great personality. There's a wonderful mix of cultures, family ties, decorative embellishments. It's on a hillside overlooking the sea, and is a great monument to the islanders who have lived there. Quite moving.

7. Jardin Tau Kiani Rapa Nui

Calle Arapiki S/N | Continuacion de Calle Ara Roa Rakei, Hanga Roa, Easter Island, Chile +56 32 255 1655
Excellent
47%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 79 reviews

Jardin Tau Kiani Rapa Nui

Reviewed By Lori N - Darlington, Wisconsin

Interesting garden and incredibly wheelchair accessible with a separate bathroom for disabled people (unusual in this country). The owner opened the garden especially for us since we had a student biologist with us and gave us a personal tour.

8. Pu o Hiro

Hanga Roa, Easter Island, Chile
Excellent
34%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
36%
Poor
5%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 91 reviews

Pu o Hiro

Reviewed By Maddy_Parkes - West Midlands, England

The guidebooks offer some interesting ideas about what this rock is. When you visit it, on the side of the road, it is a bit lost between all of the other site of Rapa Nui. It is also fenced off understandably to discourage people touching it, so really its a two minute stop to look at a rock with some holes in it.
This review isn't meant to diminish the importance of this artefact in the island's history, but in terms of tourism its not an impressive stop on a bigger tour of the island.

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