easter island tours 2024

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Easter Island Tours & Trips

If you are up for an exotic adventure far, far away, consider one of our tours to the Easter Islands . This chilean piece of land in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is known for Moai, human figures carved in stone by the Rana Nui people. You can start your adventure in Santiago or directly in Hanga Roa.

16 Easter Island tour packages with 18 reviews

• In-depth Cultural
• Sightseeing
• Christmas & New Year

6-Days trip to Easter Island

Fantastic accommodations, amazing scenery, exquisite food and drinks, friendly people all over the island.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

5 Days Magical Easter Island

Accommodations were great, tours were well spaced out and included all the must sees.

Easter Island Experience 4D/3N

The hotel was so comfortable and the staff excellent and only too happy to help. The tour guides were amazing and very knowledgeable.

Easter Island: Archeology & Sunset with Moais

Above and beyond our what we expected. Wonderful tour and explained things and gave lots of time for pictures.

Easter Island Unmissable - 4 days

8 Days Discover and Relax in Easter Island

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

7 Days Discover the Mystical Easter Islands

Rapa Nui Experience (4Days/3Nights)

The Moai statues are amazing and the history is dramatic and enthralling.

Easter Island (Rapa Nui) Short Break

Great hotel. Great tour. Local tour guides were fantastic

Easter Island Discovery (4 Days)

What people love about easter island tours.

As perfect as a trip could be! Fantastic accommodations, amazing scenery, extremely knowledgeable guide, exquisite food and drinks, friendly people all over the island.

This tour was great! Accommodations were great, tours were well spaced out and included all the must sees and there was plenty of down time to explore the island and Hanga Roa on your own. Almost everyone took credit card, so we didn't use our CLP as much as we thought we would and with the introduction of Starlink internet, I was able to connect and work during my time in Easter Island. Highly recommend!

Excellent communication and explanation when visiting heritage sites

Top operators

"They did what they said they'd do. A worry free experience.

Signature Tours is an expert in:

"Excellent communication and explanation when visiting heritage sites

Bamba Travel is an expert in:

"Hotel pest control could be improved. We spotted some cucarachas in the room

Say Hueque Argentina & Chile Journeys is an expert in:

Easter Island Tours starting in:

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• 7 Day Tours (13)
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Other Regions in Chile

• Chile Austral (70)
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• Central Chile (44)
• Atacama Desert (30)
• Chilean Coastal Range (28)
• Norte Grande (25)
• Zona Sur (15)
• Chile Lake District (14)

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• Singles and Solo (14)
• For Couples (5)
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Easter Island Tours 2024

• Start Date Select Month June 2024 July 2024 August 2024 September 2024 October 2024 November 2024 December 2024 January 2025 February 2025 March 2025 April 2025 May 2025 June 2025 July 2025 August 2025 September 2025 October 2025 November 2025 December 2025 January 2026 February 2026 March 2026 April 2026 May 2026 June 2026 OR, More specific start
• Easy Active
• Archaeological Site Visits
• Horseback Riding
• Spa Relaxation
• Village Visits
• Wildlife Viewing
• Easter Island

Discover Easter Island

• Visit ancient funeral site
• Explore Ovahe Beach
• Visit the most important Moai sites
• View the quarry where Moai were cut

Classic Easter Island Group tour

• See the superb Moai Stone Statues
• Admire spectacular ancient ruins
• Discover beautiful volcanoes

Explora Easter Island

• Discover the mysteries of Rapa Nui
• Explore iconic sites
• Experience unique culture
• Enjoy adventure sports

Nayara Hangaroa Easter Island

Top easter island travel destinations, easter island trips by activity.

• Easter Island archaeological site visits (3)

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THE 10 BEST Easter Island Tours & Excursions

Tours in easter island.

• Cultural Tours
• Archaeology Tours
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• Wine Tours & Tastings
• Ports of Call Tours
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• 4 hours to 1 day
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Two days of Full Day Tour of Rapa Nui + Sunrise in Tongariki

2. Full Day Tour in Rapa Nui

3. Full day tour - DREAM

4. Full Day Private Tour: Factory of the Moai the stone giants

5. 2-Day Private Tour Easter Island Highlights Complete Discovery

6. Private Tour: Full Day Easter Island Highlights

7. Full Day Hotu Matua Tour from Vaihu to Anakena

8. Mysteries and Legends: Complete Journey of Rapa Nui in 3 Tours

9. Ride to watch the sunset from the highest point of the Island

10. Rapa Nui Stargazing

11. Experience Easter Island Shared Tour for Cruise Ship Passengers

12. Private Tour: Tongariki Sunrise Experience

13. Unique Experiential Experience with Local People and Food

14. Small Group Wines and Flavours Guided Walking Tour

15. Easter Island Full-Day Tour: Ahu Tongariki, Rano Raraku and Anakena Beach

16. 2 Days Highlights Tour in Easter Island Moai and Nature

17. Private Tour Per Day In Following the Ancestral Orongo footprint and caves

18. Caves and Lava Fields: Half Day Hike

19. The Rapa Nui Stargazing Experience

20. Ride in the morning and plant a tree on the top of the island

21. Private Full-Day Easter Island Highlights North and West

22. Full Day Private Trek: Discovering the North Coast of Rapa Nui

23. Private Tour: Full-Day Easter Island Archeological sites

24. Private Full-Day Easter Island Moai Monuments Tour

25. Full Day Tour - The Land of Hotu Matu´a

26. Half Day Private Tour: Caves and Volcanic Refuges

27. Make Your Own Wine & Guided Vineyard Tour

28. Private Full-Day Easter Island Highlights South and East

29. Private Tour: 2 Half Days & 1 Full Day Easter Island Essentials

30. Three Full Day Tour in Rapa Nui plus Sunrise in Tongariki

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Easter Island Tours & Trips

Looking for the best Easter Island Tours & Trips? Choose from the finest tours available in Easter Island, expertly crafted by our destination specialists. The tours here are just examples of what we can create for you – all our tour packages are bespoke and completely customizable to your tastes and budget

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Easter Island Tour Including the Tapati Festival

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• February 9 - 20, 2025; pre-trip EXT: February 2 - 10, 2025
• 12 Days including 6 on Rapa Nui
• $9495 + Air; EXT: $6595 + Air
• Single supplement: $1295.00; EXT: $695.00

NOTE: We urge you to register as soon as possible as we need to book flights from Santiago to Rapa Nui within the next few months to ensure all participants are on the flight.

Tour easter island, a unique open-air museum with nearly a thousand immense stone statues and hundreds of stunning petroglyphs.

At the southeastern tip of the Polynesian triangle lies windswept Easter Island, one of the most remote spots on the planet. Surrounded by an endless ocean as blue as the sky and located 2,300 miles west of Santiago, Chile, this tiny dot of land is sixty square miles of rocky grasslands, extinct volcanic cones, and steep ocean cliffs.

Far Horizons designed this Easter Island tour so that guests could fully immerse themselves in this enigmatic island’s deep history and culture. If you’re still trying to decide where to go on your next adventure, you might like to browse our entire collection of North and South America Archaeology Tours , including our much-loved Belize Archaeological Tour .

Easter Island, known to its Polynesian inhabitants as Rapa Nui, stands as a unique open-air archaeology museum. Home to nearly a thousand towering moai statues that cast enigmatic gazes across the landscape, numerous intricate petroglyphs, the island offers an unparalleled experience for those seeking to explore its deep mysteries through an Easter Island tour package.

Far Horizons’ Unforgettable Easter Island Tours

Our meticulously planned Easter Island journey coincides with the vibrant Tapati Festival, a cultural celebration that showcases the rich traditions of the Rapa Nui people. Each morning unveils thrilling competitions of strength and skill, while the evenings are filled with the soothing sounds of Polynesian music, as dancers adorned in grass skirts captivate audiences under the night sky. This festive time also pays homage to the island’s history through traditional performances, including the mesmerizing cat’s cradle chant, a method of preserving and passing down the lore of the land through generations.

Embark on a 12-day exploration with Far Horizons, accompanied by a small group of just 13 guests. This tour extends beyond Easter Island to include a three-day visit to Santiago, Chile’s capital. Here, you will explore the Natural History Museum and the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, as well as the picturesque coastal city of Viña del Mar. Our Easter Island tour package is crafted to provide an immersive experience, combining cultural festivities with archaeological discoveries for a truly memorable adventure.

What is the Tapati Festival?

A colorful festival is held every February on Easter Island. The Tapati Festival offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy a memorable island ‘party’ — a celebration of the Rapanui culture. Events range from a statue carving contest to an art festival with works of island art on display and for sale.

Every evening there are spirited performances featuring Rapanui songs and sensual Polynesian dancing, including the lively Rapanui tango! Kai-kai (string figure) performances are closely watched by island audiences, and those who perform the chants and figures perfectly are given standing ovations. The entire village participates in the gala which includes horse and boat races, body painting, an amazing parade, a triathlon event, and much singing, dancing, and musical performances.

Many of the celebrations are held outdoors at night and the merrymaking ends with the annual crowning of the winning clan’s queen by moonlight in front of the evocative statues at the ancient shrine of Tahai. Our flexible itinerary will change daily as we take in the many Rapanui festivities. If you have any more questions about the Tapati Festival, please feel free to get in touch .

Easter Island Tour Led by:

Dr Sidsel Millerström

Art & architecture in Polynesia PhD in Polynesian archaeology

What Makes Our Far Horizons’ Easter Island Trip Special?

• Easter Island tour study leader worked on the island and throughout Polynesia for more than thirty years
• Includes the Tapati Festival, a celebration of Rapa Nui culture
• Special viewing of Rapanui artifacts in the Fonck Museum
• Wine tasting in one of Chile’s outstanding wineries
• Optional pre-trip extension to the Atacama Desert in Northern Chile
• Limited to 14 participants

‘I wanted to see the stunning moai, which I had first read about in AkuAku in 1960, and gain a grasp of how and when they were conceived. I had no idea I would love the land- and sky-scape as much as I did the moai.’ – Jackie Humphrey ‘It was a fabulous trip. I had studied for it and thought I knew what to expect. It was so much more.’ – Carlene Nelson “This was perhaps the best (and certainly one of the best) of the ten-twelve trips that I have been on around the world. This is a big statement, but I really liked being able to stay in one place for most of the trip and repeatedly see things that related to the archaeological and cultural theme. Most of the trip participants were interested in the same themes, too, so the trip was a wonderful learning experience.” – Don Swanson “This trip was a dream I’ve had for many years. It fulfilled my dream completely.” – Ann Schroeder “Easter Island actually exceeded my expectations. I didn’t begin to imagine how beautiful Rapa Nui is, nor the impact of seeing the moai. Your service was above and beyond. You can be sure that I will tell my traveling pals about my positive experience. Thank You!!“ – Arden Down ‘Thanks for the opportunity to go to this magical place. I think the spirit of Makemake still has a great hold on me’ – Bob Thorston

Pre-Trip Extension: Atacama Desert Itinerary

In northern Chile, soaring volcanoes, stark lava fields, and rolling, trackless sand dunes give startling contrast to a seemingly endless desert. The early artists who lived here perhaps thousands of years ago left behind spectacular pictographs and geoglyphs – huge ground drawings akin to the “Nazca Lines” in southern Peru.

These enormous representations of hunters, camels, eagles, condors, and herds of llamas with their shepherds cover the surface of hills, and, unlike those in Peru, are easily visible from the ground. But there’s more! Experience charming villages on desert oases, colonial adobe churches, unusual vegetation, the largest salt lake in Chile, home to spectacular flamingos, and in Arica, see displays of the world’s oldest mummies.​

Day 1 Depart for Chile

Depart on a flight bound for Santiago, Chile. 

Day 2 Arrive in Santiago

Arrive in Santiago and transfer to the Hotel Magnolia for a day of rest.

Day 3 Tour San Pedro de Atacama

Fly to Calama where we meet our guide, and drive to San Pedro de Atacama, on the UNESCO Tentative list. Along the way, we will stop to visit the Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs. This was a stop for traders and herders for millennia.

Continue on to the Valle de la Luna and the Valle de la Muerte, where red rock formations and sand cliffs pierce the crystalline sky. Here the wind has sculpted the stone peaks into bizarre shapes that truly give the area a lunar landscape. Many centuries ago, the verdant oasis of San Pedro de Atacama was the center of a Paleolithic civilization that built impressive rock fortresses upon the steep mountains that encircle the valley.

Today, the charming village of adobe houses could have sprung from the American southwest. Overnight for the next two nights at the Altiplanico Hotel in the oasis village of San Pedro de Atacama. (B/L/D)

Day 4 Salt Flats, Oases, and the Archaeological Site of Tulor

This morning, we will go through Salar de Atacama, the largest salt flat in Chile. Under the rugged salt crust is a lake containing the world’s largest reserve of lithium locked in an underground reservoir. Lagoons within the crust are home to many birds including colorful flamingos, red-gartered coots, and guallatas.

Move on through groves of acacia and pepper trees to the oasis of Toconao, located 8,153 ft above sea level. Here, walk through the archaeological site of Tulor where excavations show the 2000-year-old remains of a community of mud houses protected by encircling walls. A short drive north leads to a 700-year-old fortress, Pukará de Quitor, overlooking the fertile Río San Pedro valley from atop a strategic bluff and the residence of the last indigenous ruler of the area.

Time permitting, we will enter the Toconao Church, with its unique 18th-century tower. Our last stop is in the community of Peine to observe pictographs that were created by the Atacameno people and may be 10,000 years old. (B/L/D)

Day 5 Tour Cerros Pintados and Visit Iquique

Today will be a long drive to Iquique. Along the way we will stop at Cerros Pintados. This extraordinary site boasts more than 350 geoglyphs. Created on the region’s barren hills between ca. A.D. 500 and 1450, they served as guideposts for caravans crossing the Atacama Desert from the Andes to the Pacific Ocean.

The entire side of the hill is covered with one of the world’s largest outdoor murals. More than 15 acres of slopes are decorated with shapes depicting humans, animals, birds and abstract designs. Overnight for the next two nights in Hotel Terrado Cavancha. (B/L/D)

Day 6 The Port City of Iquique

The port city of Iquique was the center of the mining industry in the 19th century. The Georgian-style architecture in the historic quarter affirms the wealth accumulated during that era. Our hotel is near the Plaza de Armas Arturo Prat. The neo-classical Municipal Theater, inaugurated as an opera house on January 1, 1890, is on one side and the 19th-century clock tower dominates the center. Also on the plaza is the Spanish Cultural Center, built in 1904 during the period of Spanish colonization. Constructed in the Moorish style with an ornamented façade and balconies, it now houses a club and restaurant.

We will drive down Calle Baquedano, declared a Zona Típica in 1977 and on the UNESCO Tentative List. Stately palm trees overshadow the avenue fringed with magnificent Georgian mansions. These were built between 1880 and 1920 with pine brought in from Oregon. In 1892 a nitrate industrialist constructed a family residence that now houses the Regional Museum. Inside, it displays important collections of items of indigenous peoples, objects from the Andean Plateau and mummies from the Chinchorro culture.

The Astoreca Palace contains an exhibition of furniture used in the 19th century. The Museo Corbeta Esmeralda houses a replica of a courageous little Chilean vessel that, in 1879, challenged ironclad Peruvian warships in the War of the Pacific. It was captained by the national hero, Arturo Prat. We will see the staff quarters, engine and a video explaining the battle. The afternoon and dinner are on your own to do with as you please. (B/L)

Day 7 Explore the Tamarugal National Forest and Tiliviche

Journey through the Tamarugal National Forest to see the wild tamarugos, the tree indigenous to this area, to eerie Humberstone. This ghost town has been deserted since the nitrate industry collapsed in the 1950s. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this company town was home to thousands of people who lived and worked here from the first half of the 19th century, processing the largest deposit of saltpeter in the world.

As we move north, spend the rest of the day exploring intriguing rock art in the colorful, wild landscape. Unlike the Nazca lines that can only be seen clearly from an airplane, these artistic designs were formed on the sides of hills and are easily viewed from the ground. The famed Giant of Atacama is on the western slope of Cerro Unita and is the world’s largest representation of a human figure, measuring one hundred twenty meters tall.

At Tiliviche, we will gaze across a quebrada (an immense gorge) to a huge scene on the opposite hillside. The artist created a panel filled with movement as a herd of llama is driven down the valley by running shepherds. We will also travel to the Chiza petroglyph site. Overnight for the next two nights in the Apacheta Hotel in Arica. (B/L/D)

Day 8 Tour the Lluta Valley, Chinchorro, and the Cathedral of San Marcos

Giant ground drawings appear on a mountain ridge as we arrive in the Lluta Valley. Created by dark stones placed on the pale sand, stunning images of alpaca, giant humans, and enormous condors cover the hillside. From here, travel to the Azapa Valley where prehistoric artists created fascinating panels on the sandy slopes of Cerro Sombrero and Alto Ramirez.

We will stop to enter the Church of San Geronimo of Poconchile, built of adobe in the 17th century, and the Archaeological Museum of Azapa where the entire story of cultural development in this region is displayed, including the mummies from the Chinchorro culture, a UNESCO World Heritage Culture.

Tonight’s special dinner party will be in an elegant restaurant with magnificent views over the Pacific Ocean. (B/L/D)

Day 9 Flights Back to Santiago to Start the Main Easter Island Tour

A morning flight takes us back to Santiago. This afternoon, meet up with those who are not on the pre-trip extension to begin the main tour. (B)

Daily Easter Island Tour Itinerary

Depart on a flight bound for Santiago, Chile.

Arrive in Santiago and transfer to Hotel Magnolia, our home for the next two nights. After check-in and lunch on our own, we will tour the historical city, including a visit to the Pre-Columbian Art Museum which catalogs 4,500 years of South American civilization before the arrival of the Spanish and Museo La Merced which houses an interesting collection of Rapanui artifacts. Gather this evening for our Welcome dinner at an elegant restaurant overlooking the city. (D)

Day 3 Tour of Valparaiso

Our all-day-tour takes us to Valparaiso, located on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. We will stop at one of Chile’s premier wineries for a tasting and tour before lunch. Continue to Viña del Mar, one of Chile’s most fashionable beach resorts. Here, we will visit the Fonck Museum and be given a private tour of its original Rapanui wooden sculptures and artifacts from Easter Island. Return to Santiago and our hotel in the late afternoon. (B/L/D)

Day 4 Fly to Easter Island

This morning fly to Easter Island and check into the O’tai Hotel, our home for the next six nights. Surrounded by lovely, fragrant gardens, this small family-run inn is only a block from the coast in the center of the village of Hanga Roa. Enjoy a traditional umu (earth oven) dinner to celebrate our arrival. (B/L/D)

Day 5 Tahai, Anakena, Ahu Nau Nau, Ature Huki

Today’s tour begins at Ahu Ko Te Riku (also known as Tahai), a large solitary statue, or moai , supports a massive maroon topknot.   

Move on to Anakena, the island’s largest white-sand beach and the landing place of the legendary Hotu Matua, the founding hero of the island. Not far we explore Ahu Nau Nau, with its row of statues with topknots, and Ature Huki, where statues stand on the side of the hill overlooking the beach. (B/L/D)

Day 6 The Village of Orongo and Rano Raraku

The ancient village of Orongo sits on the seaward edge of the volcano Rano Kao. Until the 1860s, the Festival of the Bird Man was held here each spring. Members of leading tribal groups gathered at the edge of a thousand-foot cliff to watch competitors, or their trusted representatives, swim through turbulent waters rock paintings Easter Island tour to Motu Nui Islet, nearly a mile away.

Once there, the competitors hid in caves, sometimes for days, waiting for the return of the migrating Sooty Terns that nestled there. The first person to find an egg, swim back through the shark-infested waters to the mainland, carry it up the precipitous cliff and present it unbroken, won the race. He or the man he represented became Bird Man, an important status position, for the next year. The sacred site is famed for its hundreds of intricate petroglyphs carved on massive boulders perching on the edge of the cliff.

Continue to Vinapu, containing the ruins of two famous shrines, one of which has massive stonework reminiscent of the Inka civilization in Peru.

Within the flanks of the volcanic mountain, Rano Raraku, lies the quarry where the massive moai were carved. Many unfinished giants still lie imprisoned in stone, abandoned when the work suddenly and mysteriously stopped. Others stand buried to their shoulders in quarry debris and eroding soil and rock. Hike to the trail alongside the mountain slope to see the statues in various stages of completion, including the one known kneeling moai. (B/L/D)

Day 7 Tours of Ahu Huri A Urenga, Ahu Akivi, and Puna Pau

The remote west coast of the island is today’s destination. Begin with a visit to Ahu Huri A Urenga where a solitary statue still stands; it was once a solstice observatory. After a picnic lunch, we move on to Ahu Akivi where seven standing giants are oriented towards the summer solstice. The moai face a plaza fronted with stones, the site of early religious rites and dances. Finally, visit Puna Pau, where the red scoria topknots for the stone figures were quarried. (B/L/D)

Day 8 Local Musical Performance and a Tour of Vaihu

Mahani Teave is a Rapanui concert pianist and one of the founders of NGO Toki Rapanui, a music school on the island. If available, we will join Mahani and take a tour of the music school and learn about the innovative, green, and sustainable aspects of the building and enjoy a performance by her students.

Next, with its many large moai, Vaihu is one of the most impressive sites on the south coast. Toppled in the wars, the statues now lie with their noses buried in the ground surrounded by scattered topknots. At Akahanga are numerous large figures and the remains of a village with the foundations of several boat-shaped houses lies on a hillside nearby.

After a picnic lunch at Ovahe Beach, continue to the north coast, stopping at the Poike “Ditch” and the Trumpet of Hiro. Visit Ahu Hekii, Ahu Ra’ai and its petroglyphs, and Te Pito Te Kura, the largest statue ever moved. Tongariki was the largest ahu (shrine) built on the island. Destroyed by a tsunami in 1960, the huge moai were recently re-erected. Notable here are the stunning petroglyphs of enormous tuna, turtles, and human and birdman figures. (B/L/D)

Day 9 Enjoy your last full day on Rapa Nui

Today will be free to explore the island at your own pace. Enjoy the activities of Tapati, arrange a boat to take you out on the water, sit by the pool, explore the shops in the village, and enjoy your last full day in this Polynesian paradise. (B/L/D)

Day 10 Flights to Santiago

Fly back to Santiago and transfer to the hotel. Dinner is on your own. (B/L)

Day 11 Cousiño Palace, Pablo Neruda's House Museum

Begin today at Cousiño Palace, an ancient residence of the richest family of the 19th century, decorated with art pieces brought from Europe. Also, tour the historical city, including a visit to the Pre-Columbian Art Museum which catalogs 4,500 years of South American civilization before the arrival of the Spanish and Museo La Merced which houses an interesting collection of Rapanui artifacts.

After an elegant lunch at El Meson Nerudiano, it’s on to the Pablo Neruda’s House-Museum. Built in 1953, it was called “La Chascona” in honor of Neruda’s secret love, Mrs. Matilde Urrutia, who later became his third wife. In the late afternoon, we transfer to the airport for overnight flights back home. Dinner is on our own. (B/L)

Day 12 Arrive Home

Arrive home.

Tour Information

Tour cost & inclusions.

Price is based on double occupancy and includes:

• Internal flights during the trip (if applicable)
• The accompaniment of your scholar throughout the entire trip
• Local English-speaking guide
• Hotel accommodations (3 or 4 stars; or best available based in the area)
• Ground transportation
• Airport transfers for arrivals and departures
• Most meals as noted in the itinerary
• Entry fees to all included sites and museums
• Gratuities to guides, drivers, and restaurant and hotel staff
• Coordination for any private presentations or tours

Trip prices are based on a minimum number of participants. If this minimum number is not met, trip prices are subject to change. Should the prices need to change, Far Horizons will reach out to registered guests to discuss directly.

Single Supplement

Should a roommate be requested and one not be available, the single supplement must be charged.

• International round trip airfare
• A separate donation check of $150.00 per person to a designated donation project
• Passport or visa fees
• Required vaccines or tests
• Airport or departure taxes
• Alcoholic drinks, beverages or food not included on set menus
• Excess baggage charges
• Personal tips and hotel incidental expenses
• Laundry or other items of a personal nature

Donation Checks

As a tour company that benefits from the cultural and natural riches of our destinations, we have a policy of donating to the scientific and cultural sites and projects which we visit. This has created a bond between Far Horizons and the academic and local communities that has helped us establish an extensive list of lecturers and contacts in each of our destinations. We ask that each participant donate to the noteworthy project we designate. The donation amount is $150.00 per person. Note that the donation is required as part of your registration for the trip and that it is non-refundable.

Exchange Rate Fluctuations

Prices are based on currency exchange rates keeping below a projected level. While it is unlikely, if the exchange rates should change substantially, Far Horizons reserves the right to charge an additional amount to the trip cost.

Registration

A deposit of $1000 per person is required along with your registration & health forms, which will be linked in the email confirmation you receive once you pay your deposit on our booking platform. Final payment is due 120 days before departure. Prior to departure, you will be sent a reading list and a tour bulletin containing travel information.

Cancellation

Cancellations received in writing at least 120 days before departure will receive a refund less a $500 per person administrative fee. Cancellations received less than 120 days before the departure date will not receive a refund. If for any reason you are unable to complete the trip, Far Horizons will not reimburse any fees. Upon registering for the tour, the purchase of travel protection with both trip cancellation and emergency evacuation is strongly advised. Links to recommended insurance policies will be included in the email you receive confirming receipt of your deposit.

Air Ticketing

International round trip flights are not included in the cost of the trip. If Far Horizons must change the trip dates or cancel the trip for any reason, Far Horizons is not responsible for any air ticket you may have purchased. Please send your complete air schedule as soon as you have it. NOTE: Please contact Far Horizons if you would like for us to handle your air ticketing.

Private Tours and Talks

The private tours of archaeological sites and talks by specialists are scheduled in advance and include a donation to each. Specialists working at these sites are excited about showing their work to interested enthusiasts. However, please be aware that there may be times when the director or a member of the staff may not be on site when our groups arrive due to other commitments.

Walking and Standing

Far Horizons expects all participants to be physically active and able to walk and climb independently throughout the full touring days. This includes walking over uneven terrain (uphill and downhill) for 2 miles or more at each site. You should expect to be on your feet for much of each day, averaging as much as 5 miles of walking per day. As such, each participant should be able to walk unaided at a pace of 3 miles per hour for at least an hour at a time, and to stand unsupported for at least 60 minutes. Bearing this in mind, we suggest that, if you have not already done so, you begin walking several miles every day, ideally including stairs and hills. If you have questions about your ability to keep up with the group or the strenuous nature of this trip, please contact the Far Horizons staff.

Expectations During Travel

This tour is designed for flexible, energetic people who like to be active, have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. We have designed this trip to be as comfortable as possible, while also aiming to visit some remote or unique sites that other companies do not attempt to include in their itineraries. There may be days where we have very long drives and the conditions of the roads may vary. Hotels and transportation in some remote areas may not be up to western standards. There may be times when no bellhops are available; please pack with the understanding that you need to be able to handle your own luggage at times. Sometimes we may be walking over uneven trails for a mile or more; hiking boots are strongly recommended. Not every meal will be haute cuisine and several lunches may be picnics or box lunches. By maintaining a flexible attitude we will soon be captivated by the beauty of the natural scenery, the hospitality of the local people, and the fascinating sites we will see. Your flexibility and patience will be appreciated.

Itinerary Changes

Changes in our itinerary, accommodations, and transportation schedules may occur. While we are committed to keeping as close to the published details as possible, sometimes it is simply not possible. Weather events, government affairs, or other factors out of our control sometimes come into play. A good book to read as well as patience, flexible attitude, and a sense of humor are essential.

Travel Insurance

Disclaimer regarding dates and booking.

Exact dates for the 2025 Tapati Festival on Easter Island have  not yet been set. We have set our trip dates based upon past precedent that the festival will take place within the first 2-3 weeks of February, however it is possible that festivities may not occur for the entire duration of our six day/night stay on the island.  In addition, seats on the flights to/from Easter Island are limited and once the required flights for our itinerary sell out, we must close the trip. As such, we require payment for the flights to/from Easter Island at the time of registration so that we can immediately purchase these tickets on your behalf through our partner in Chile.  These tickets are non-refundable, and fares are subject to change until booked. If you cancel from the trip you will not be refunded by Far Horizons or the airline.

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Galapagos, Machu Picchu, & Easter Island Tours

Home » Destinations » Combined Country » Galapagos, Machu Picchu, & Easter Island Tours

Galapagos, Machu Picchu, & Easter Island Tours offer a great way to experience the best of Ecuador, Peru, and Chile. The Galapagos Islands were the inspiration for Darwin’s On the Origin of Species and provide an unparalleled opportunity to observe wildlife up close. Machu Picchu served as a center of worship, an astronomic observatory, and a private hacienda for the Inca Pachacutec, and was recently named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. And, Easter Island , located 2,200 miles west of Chile in the Pacific Ocean, is home to over 800 Moai statues that stand up to 33 feet tall, and whose origin is still a mystery.

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Galapagos, Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and Easter Island

21 days/20 nights from $8,999, galapagos, machu picchu, & easter island travel articles, how to plan a galapagos vacation.

Planning a Galapagos vacation can seem like a daunting task when you are just starting out, but answering the following (basic) questions will make it easier for us to help you plan your trip…

• What is your budget per person not including international airfare?
• How many days do you have for your Galapagos vacation?
• When do you want to visit?
• Do you want a Galapagos Cruise or Galapagos Land Based Tour?
• What activities do you want to participate in?
• What type of wildlife do you want to see?
• What other destinations do you want to combine with the Galapagos Islands?

Contact one of our travel experts for help in planning your trip.

The Main Galapagos Islands and Visitor Sites

Marine iguanas that skitter up to you on seaside rocks, eyes darting. Frigatebirds, their crimson pouches inflating as they roost in bushes. Whitetip reef sharks, gliding past you as you snorkel in calm waters. Sound inspiring? It was to Charles Darwin, whose awe at the boldness of the Galapagos Islands’ wildlife was what set him on the path to his theory of natural selection. His 1831 voyage put this remote archipelago on the map, and ever since, the Galapagos’ fascination has continued to grow. Today, the natural marvels on this protected refuge are so abundant that choosing which of the main Galapagos islands to visit can be a challenge—even for the most serious eco-travelers…

Baltra Island / Bartolomé Island / Chinese Hat Islet / Eden Islet / Española Island / Fernandina Island / Floreana Island / Genovesa Island / Isabela Island / Mosquera Islet / North Seymour Island / Rábida Island / San Cristóbal Island / Santa Cruz Island / Santa Fe Island / Santiago Island / South Plaza Island

Top Galapagos Activities by Land or by Sea

So: you’ve deplaned at Baltra Island’s airport, been carted down to the docks on your shuttle, and just stepped off the barge onto Santa Cruz Island, the Galapagos’ main tourist hub. Congratulations—but don’t flop back in your hammock just yet. With 18 main islands, 107 islets, and 116 authorized visitor sites to choose from…

Top Galapagos Wildlife

American Flamingo / Blue-Footed Booby / Flightless Cormorant / Frigatebirds: Great and Magnificent / Galapagos Fur Seal / Galapagos Giant Tortoise / Galapagos Hawk / Galapagos Penguin / Galapagos Sea Lion / Land Iguana / Marine Iguana / Nazca Booby / Red-Footed Booby / Santa Fe Land Iguana / Waved Albatross

Galapagos Wildlife Calendar

In the Galapagos Islands, wildlife is the main attraction. Below is a Galapagos Wildlife Calendar indicating what you can expect to see during each month of the year while on a Galapagos Cruise or Galapagos Land-Based Tour …

Galapagos Packing List: What To Bring On Your Trip

From wildlife-spotting cruises to climbing an active volcano, or snorkeling amid a rainbow of tropical fish—a visit to the Galapagos is always an adventure. But with its unique climate, remote location, and abundance of land and sea activities, it can be hard to know what to pack. Don’t worry; our Galapagos packing list…

Galapagos Cruise Ships

Galapagos Legend / Santa Cruz II / La Pinta / Isabela II / Coral I & II / Galapagos Sea Star Journey / Horizon / Treasure of Galapagos / EcoGalaxy / Galapagos Seaman Journey

Pirates, Captains And Castaways: The First Visitors To The Galapagos

Charles Darwin is the man most associated with the Galapagos Islands, but he certainly wasn’t the first person to reach this remote and endlessly fascinating archipelago. Whether by accident or objective, other seafarers had reached the islands before Darwin and the voyage of the HMS Beagle in 1835, with widely…

How Darwin’s Findings in Galapagos Contributed to His Theory of Natural Selection

In 1835, not long before arriving at the Galapagos Islands, Charles Darwin wrote a letter to his friend and mentor John Stevens Henslow. “In a few days’ time,” he wrote, “the Beagle will sail for the Galapagos Islands. I look forward with joy and interest to this, both as being somewhat nearer to England and for the sake…

The Best Places For Snorkeling In The Galapagos

The Galapagos Marine Reserve is the second largest marine reserve in the world, and the largest in a developing country. Due to its protected status, many areas of the marine reserve are off-limits to snorkelers and divers. But there are plenty of sites open to visitors, where with just some basic snorkeling equipment…

Galapagos Giant Tortoise: 23 Interesting Facts

When it comes to wildlife-watching opportunities, the Galapagos Islands are second to none. Blue-footed boobies waddle along the shores, marine iguanas lounge on the rocks, and Galapagos penguins splash around in the waters, not to mention sea lions, fur seals, and sea turtles everywhere you turn. However…

Encountering Giant Tortoises On Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

Santa Cruz, the most populated and commercially developed island in the Galapagos, is also the most visited. Near the international airport some 650 miles west of mainland Ecuador, Santa Cruz is the site of the Charles Darwin Research Station and Galapagos National Park, which lead conservation programs…

Land, Sea, And Air: The Varied Wildlife Of San Cristobal Island, Galapagos

San Cristobal, the farthest east and second most populated of all the Galapagos Islands, is also the site of one of the two main airports serving the Ecuadorian mainland, some 600 miles away. But it would be a shame to simply fly in and head straight for other islands, because San Cristóbal offers some of the best…

Top Wildlife Viewing On Isabela Island, Galapagos

Isabela Island, by far the largest island in the Galapagos, is also one of the richest in wildlife. Home to more wild tortoises than all the other Galapagos Islands combined, it’s also the best place to spot penguins in the archipelago, which harbors the most northerly penguin colony on earth. (Isabela lies directly on…

The Fascinating Wildlife Of Fernandina Island, Galapagos

Lying across a narrow channel from the much larger Isabela Island, Fernandina Island is best known for its abundance of marine iguanas: reptiles that the revered Charles Darwin himself called “hideous-looking” and “imps of darkness” — and, indeed, they have a prehistoric look that only a mother could love…

Genovesa Island, Galapagos: Prime Territory For Birds

To reach little Genovesa, the most northeastern island of the Galapagos, cruise vessels must sail up to eight hours from other more visited islands. Large cruise ships have to bypass Genovesa – also called Tower Island – because the reef makes it risky for them to enter into and anchor at Darwin Bay, where passengers…

Machu Picchu

Travel guide to machu picchu: what you need to know.

Looking to visit the world’s most celebrated Inca ruin, but don’t know where to start? Relax: this Travel Guide to Machu Picchu has you covered. Here we answer many common queries, regarding both the ruins themselves and the logistics of visiting. Still have questions? Feel free to contact…

A Guide To The Main Structures Of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu isn’t just an archaeological wonder: It’s also an architectural masterpiece. With more than 200 buildings that we know of, intelligently divided into urban and agricultural sectors and an upper town and lower town, there are no finer examples of Inca planning and construction…

Hiram Bingham And The Discovery Of Machu Picchu

On July 24, 1911, a Yale lecturer of South American history stumbled through the dense jungle on the saddle of a steep-sided mountaintop in Peru. Cutting through the undergrowth, he began to see signs of a former settlement. Walls and archways, paths and structures, and monumental architecture…

Day Two At Machu Picchu: Four Top Options

So you’ve finally done it. You’ve bought your PeruRail tickets, your entrance pass, and your chuyo , and you’re on your way to Machu Picchu. Mission accomplished—at least the first stage. By now your envious friends are blowing up your Facebook page with “OMG! How exciting!” posts and asking…

Easter Island

Easter island’s quarry: where the giant moai heads were born.

“Holy Moai!” As we neared Rano Raraku, the site of the quarry where Easter Islanders once fashioned the famous stone statues (Moai) for which the island is best known, I couldn’t help but exclaim in sheer amazement. There, scattered across the side of an extinct volcano, stood dozens of Moai: giant heads…

Mythological Figures Of Easter Island

Much of what we do know of the gods and other mythological figures of Easter Island is derived from oral tradition passed down through the centuries. And, like Easter Island and the Rapa Nui people, much remains shrouded in mystery — and a great deal has undoubtedly been lost. The stories have shifted…

Jacob Roggeveen And The First European Contact With Easter Island

Easter Island is one of the most isolated inhabited islands in the world. It is now part of Chile but is little more than a speck in the vast Pacific Ocean, some 2,200 miles west of the mainland. It’s unsurprising, then, that European explorers only reached the island towards the tail end of the Age of Discovery…

Have Questions? Call 1-888-268-9753 to Speak to An Expert.

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2024 Chile & Easter Island Annular Eclipse Tour

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Why book with us.

• No-hassle best price guarantee
• Carefully chosen best eclipse viewing locations
• Hand-picked hotels and activities
• 20 years experience

Any Question?

Do not hesitate to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.

1.800.276.1168

[email protected]

This tour will be led by David Eicher-Senior Editor, Astronomy Magazine

Tour Overview

For the Annular Solar Eclipse on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, it’s less about the time of day or altitude of the eclipse, and more about the fact that totality will occur over the beautiful Chilean Easter Island. Easter Island’s most dramatic claim to fame is an array of almost 900 giant stone figures that date back many centuries. The statues reveal their creators to be master craftsmen and engineers and are distinctive among other stone sculptures found in Polynesian cultures. There has been much speculation about the exact purpose of the statues, the role they played in the ancient civilization of Easter Island and the way they may have been constructed and transported.

Tour starts at

Santiago Airport  ( Google Map )

Tour ends at

Price includes.

• Round-trip flights : Santiago-Easter Island-Santiago
• 3-nights luxury hotel accommodation in Santiago
• 3-nights all-inclusive luxury hotel accommodation at Easter Island
• Lectures by David Eicher throughout the tour
• All entrance fees
• All transportation
• Daily breakfasts at the hotels
• Lunches and dinners as mentioned in the itinerary as [L] and [D]
• Private special tent for Eclipse Traveler and hot/cold beverages and snacks served during eclipse
• English speaking local tour guide
• Eclipse celebration party
• Travel documents kit

Price Excludes

• International flights
• Arrival and departure transfers
• Any Personal Expenses
• Gratuities for your guide and driver
• Travel Insurance
• Meals that are not mentioned in the itinerary

Complementaries

• Eclipse Traveler glasses
• Eclipse Traveler T-shirt
• Eclipse Traveler Badge

Day 1 Sep 29, 2024: Arrive Santiago - Afternoon City Tour

Meet our group at our hotel in Santiago. Based on your arrival time, you may join us for an afternoon tour of the city of Santiago. Chile´s rich cultural heritage comes to life as we visit the iconic symbols of the city, including La Plaza de Armas (the main square), La Moneda (the government palace), the Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral and the spectacular Cerro Santa Lucia, where the city was founded in 1541. We’ll also visit the Orient Sector, the most modern area of the city, with its impressive high-rise buildings and classy boulevards before we offer you a choice of the activities designed to enhance your Santiago experience. Later we take a walking tour through the Mercado Central, Chile’s largest fresh seafood market. We will return to our hotel after the tour followed by a short briefing about our tour. Overnight at our hotel in Santiago.

Day 2 Sep 30, 2024: Santiago San Cristobal Hill and Surroundings [B]

After breakfast we will drive up to San Cristobal Hill and surroundings. First, we’ll travel west toward the soaring Andes, past the Cerro San Cristóbal, an outpost of the mountains which towers over the city with a great white statue of the Virgin Mary crowning its summit. We will ride the cable car, located at the Pedro de Valdivia Norte entrance to reach the summit. This afternoon, we will pay a visit the National Astronomical Observatory at Cerro Calan of the Universidad de Chile and cradle of the Chilean Astronomy. Return to our hotel after the tour. Overnight in Santiago.

Day 3 Oct 1, 2024: Santiago / Flight to Easter Island / Rapa Nui [B, D]

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from hotel to Santiago Airport to take flight to Rapa Nui. Arrival and transfer from Rapa Nui Airport to the hotel. Half day tour in the afternoon to Tahai Ceremonial Complex, one of the most interesting places on Rapa Nui due combination of archaeological remains of great historical importance with a landscape of great beauty located in front of the Pacific Ocean. The archaeological site of Tahai is one of the oldest settlements on the island whose earliest remains date back to 700 AD. It seems that these lands were occupied by the Marama clan, and perhaps the Miru clan, to raise its political and religious center. According to tradition, Tahai was the last place of residence of Ngaara, the last ariki mau or high-ranking ruler, who died and was buried here. The occupation of Tahai by the first settlers was not fortuitous. In this place they had comfortable access to the sea to go fishing and a regular supply of fresh water from underground springs. The site of Tahai is a wide area extended a little over 250 meters from north to south and about 200 meters from east to west. In this section, the terrain descends in a gentle slope from the interior until reaching the coast, where a small inlet called Hanga Moana Verovero is formed. This site is a good example of how the ancient inhabitants modified natural environment to adapt it to their needs. To achieve the final result that is now observed, they had to level and fill the land with thousands of cubic meters of earth and stone. Back to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 Oct 2, 2024: Easter Island Annular Eclipse Day [B, L, D]

After a relaxed breakfast, get ready for the journey to your selected annular eclipse-viewing site, where you’ll will enjoy a cocktail while standing in the moon’s shadow and observing the Annular Eclipse. As the eclipse ends celebration party will be held and you will be served Chilean Champagne and Pisco drink. This evening we will have a mini-cocktail party to celebrate this great annular eclipse that will be followed by dinner. Overnight in Easter Island.

Obscuration: 87.07% Magnitude: 0.9456 Duration: 3h, 28m, 40s Duration of annularity: 5m, 48s Partial begins: Oct 2, 2024, at 12:23:48 pm Full begins: Oct 2, 2024 at 2:04:23 pm Maximum: Oct 2, 2024 at 2:07:17 pm Full ends: Oct 2, 2024 at 2:10:11 pm Partial ends: Oct 2, 2024 at 3:52:28 pm Times shown in local time (EASST)

Day 5 Oct 3, 2024: Easter Island (B, L, D)

Departure for a half day tour to Akivi. This Archaeological Center Roihi district was the first scientifically restored in the 60s, is a ceremonial place, particularly interesting not only for its location but also for its legend known about its seven moai. Then visit Puna Pau, site located east of the town of Hanga Roa, in a small crater of red scoria. From there he got the pukao or hats that crowned the moai. On the way,we can see the path by which the carrying, finding some of these hats inconclusive. “Ancestral Curanto” for lunch, either in continental Chile and in Rapa Nui, the curanto is a traditional food which consists of cooking food using hot stones and in this specific case (Rapa Nui) banana leaves are used to keep the heat and take care of the food. This exotic dish, besides being a delicacy for the palate, is an experience that is lived with locals whith an unique atmosphere created around the fire. This dish can carry fish, meat, sweet potato, banana and sorted vegetables. After lunch, we’ll travel toward Ahu Ahu Vinapu comprises (two temples) in ruins, one of them appreciating the extraordinary similarity in the carving of the stones with the ruins of the Inca people. Scholars have reinforced the theory that the first inhabitants of the island may have come from the Americas. The trip continues along the coast to the Rano Kau. Next to the crater, this ancient Orongo where the largest concentration of petroglyphs. There are images of the birdman Tangara Manu, the creator god Make Make and Komari, fertility symbols. From the edge of the cliff you can see the three islets Motu Iti, Motu Nui and Motu Kao Kao. Return to hotel and overnight

Day 6 Oct 4, 2024: Flight from Easter Island back to Santiago (B)

After breakfast transfer from hotel to Rapa Nui Airport. Flight from Rapa Nui to Santiago. Arrival and transfer from Santiago Airport to your hotel. Rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Overnight in Santiago.

Day 7 Oct 5, 2024: Santiago-Valparaiso-Vina del Mar (B, L)

After breakfast departure for Valparaiso. The historic city of Valparaíso is Chile’s oldest port. It is also home to the country’s Senate and Chamber of Deputies, which moved here from the capital in 1989, when Chilean democratic governance was re-established. The city’s many hills are covered with a multi-colored panorama of painted houses crowding every nook and cranny, ensuring a spectacular backdrop to your visit. During your tour, you will see the historic city center, whose fine 19th-Century architecture provides good reason for its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Then, you will travel to a view-point overlooking the city via one of Valparaíso’s signature funicular elevators, two dozen of which were built at the turn of the 20th Century to connect the upper and lower sections of the city. You will also visit the parliamentary building and Plaza Sotomayor’s memorial to the heroes of the War of the Pacific. Lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch we will visit the La Sebastiana Museum. La Sebastiana is Pablo Neruda’s house in Valparaíso, now open to the public as a museum. High up on Cerro Florida, it offers a marvelous view of the sea and an interesting insight into the life and work of this eccentric poet and diplomat. Pablo Neruda bought this place in order “to live and write in peace” and furnished every corner according to his taste and preferences. He sometimes celebrated New Year’s Eve here. Pablo Neruda called La Sebastiana “a house that seems to be floating in the air but stands firmly on the ground”.

Your Annular Eclipse tour ends unless you take the following extension to San Pedro de Atacama, and as the Valparaiso tour ends you will make your own way to the Santiago airport for your return flight back home.

San Pedro de Atacama Extension

Please click on this link for the San Pedro de Atacama Extension Itinerary.  

• Santiago : The Singular Hotel (5*)
• Easter Island: Nayara Hangaroa  (Special class)

Rates & Booking Info

Main tour (santiago-easter island sep 29-oct 4, 2024).

• Per person in Double room: $9,850
• Single Room: $ 12,095

BOOKING FORM

Payment Schedule:

• Deposit: $3,000 per person is due at the time of booking along with a completed Booking Form.
• 2nd Payment: $2,000 per person due by January 6, 2024
• Final Payment due by March 14, 2024

Cancellation Terms:

Cancellations must be in writing by email, fax, or mail. Cancellation Penalties are as follows:

• Booking date – January 6, 2024: 35% penalty
• January 7, 2024 – March 14, 2024: 60% penalty
• March 15, 2024 – Trip date: 100% penalty

Important Remark:

Eclipse Traveler strives to collaborate with our astronomers, local meteorological offices, and local astronomers in the region to adhere to the planned itinerary. However, please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to local flight schedule alterations, weather, and other meteorological circumstances that may prevent the unique natural event from being perfectly visible. It is important to keep in mind that viewing a solar eclipse is naturally weather-dependent. In the event of untowardly weather conditions, Eclipse Traveler reserves the right to change the itinerary, re-route, or cancel the tour by providing other options to its guests in a timely manner. Therefore, we strongly advise all of our guests not to book or purchase their international flight tickets without consulting Eclipse Traveler staff.

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1. Two days of Full Day Tour of Rapa Nui + Sunrise in Tongariki

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3. Full day tour - DREAM

4. Full Day Private Tour: Factory of the Moai the stone giants

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13. Unique Experiential Experience with Local People and Food

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16. 2 Days Highlights Tour in Easter Island Moai and Nature

17. Private Tour Per Day In Following the Ancestral Orongo footprint and caves

18. Caves and Lava Fields: Half Day Hike

19. The Rapa Nui Stargazing Experience

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21. Private Full-Day Easter Island Highlights North and West

22. Private Tour: Full-Day Easter Island Archeological sites

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What travellers are saying.

Palm Beach walking tour leader Rick Rose wins prestigious county tourism award

A Palm Beach institution known for his encyclopedic knowledge of the town's history has been honored for his contribution to local tourism.

Rick Rose , the bowtie-wearing leader of the Worth Avenue walking tours since 2011, on Thursday received the prestigious Providencia Award from Discover The Palm Beaches, the county's tourism marketing agency.

"Receiving the Providencia Award for me, personally, is the highest possible recognition of my life's work," Rose said Friday.

The announcement was made during Discover The Palm Beaches' Travel Rally Day celebration Thursday at Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach, where Discover also announced that Palm Beach County charted a record-breaking number of visitors for the first quarter of this year, with 2.8 million visitors. In addition to Rose's award, Discover presented its Partner of the Year Awards to The Ben Hotel and Visit Palm Beach.

Rose was born and raised in Palm Beach County, as was his mother, he said. And though he left the area for about 25 years, "This was always home for me."

Rose has dedicated his entire career to travel and tourism after receiving his degree in hospitality from Florida State University. "It honestly kind of puts a crown on my achievements," he said. "I couldn't think of another recognition anywhere that would be more heartwarming."

This is the 32nd year the award has been given to a local business, organization or person in recognition of their contributions to Palm Beach County's tourism industry.

In addition to the Worth Avenue walking tours, Rose wrote "Palm Beach: The Essential Guide to America's Legendary Resort Town," and he co-owns and operates Palm Beach Vacation Rentals, which has 40 short-term rental properties in Palm Beach County.

Rose was chosen from a pool of applicants by a committee of local tourism industry leaders as one of three finalists, with the historian going head-to-head with PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens and developer Related Southeast and its CityPlace and Hilton projects in downtown West Palm Beach.

The winner was chosen by a popular vote, with votes cast online via the Providencia Award website. Rose said he was grateful to be considered alongside such prestigious organizations as Related Southeast and PGA National Resort. "They would have been very deserving," he said.

Rose is an esteemed member of Palm Beach County's tourism community, said Milton Segarra, president and chief executive of Discover The Palm Beaches.

"As a dedicated resident, historian, and author who has documented the rich history of 'America’s First Resort Destination,' he brings The Palm Beaches to life for visitors and other residents," Segarra said. "His thorough knowledge, distinct Palm Beach style, and overall contributions to our organization and to the larger community are invaluable, and we are proud to honor him as a strong tourism ambassador with the Providencia Award."

Winning the Providencia Award is a full-circle moment for Rose: His mentor and Worth Avenue walking tours predecessor James Ponce was the last individual to receive the award 10 years ago. Since Ponce's recognition, only organizations or groups have received the Providencia.

"We've got an unbelievable destination here," Rose said. "Really for me it's not just Palm Beach island, it's the whole county."

This was the second year in a row that the Providencia Award honored a person or organization based in Palm Beach. Last year's award went to The Colony Hotel.

The first winner of the Providencia was actor Burt Reynolds , who was raised in Palm Beach County and returned to the area in the 1970s, when he settled at a sprawling ranch in Jupiter Farms. Throughout his career, Reynolds brought film and television productions to the Palm Beaches.

The award was named after a Spanish ship that sank off the coast of Palm Beach in the 1880s. The vessel's cargo included tens of thousands of Trinidad coconuts, which the crew managed to bring on shore and plant — later inspiring the name, "Palm Beach."

Kristina Webb is a reporter for Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at  [email protected] .  Subscribe today  to support our journalism.

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Emmys 2024: Lead Actor in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees!

Michael ausiello, president & editorial director.

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Last year’s Lead Actor in a Drama Series Emmy race was hijacked by the Roys, with half of the nominees hailing from HBO’s now-shuttered Succession . And the other 50 percent are similarly ineligible this time around.

Short story shorter? This category, much like Lead Actress in a Drama , is primed for seismic shake-up in 2024. And we have some thoughts on which performers should fill those vacancies.

Scroll through the list below to review all of our Dream Nominees (remember, these aren’t  predictions ; they’re  wish lists ) and then tell us if our picks warrant a “Hell, yes!,” “Um, no” or “How could you leave off so-and-so?!”

For the record, 2024 Emmy nominations will be voted on from June 13-24, and unveiled on July 17. The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is scheduled to air on Sunday, Sept. 15, on ABC.

Scroll down for links to our previous Dream Emmy categories:

Outstanding Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees

Idris Elba, Hijack

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Apple TV+’s airplane hostage drama was a throwback to old-fashioned thrillers with its real-time conceit, and Elba kept our pulses pounding the whole flight as unlucky passenger Sam Nelson. Elba’s Sam didn’t need muscle to defeat the plane’s hijackers, though; he used his brain, with Elba oozing charisma as Sam flexed his superior negotiation skills. He kept a cool head and got the plane landed safely — and Elba was so winning, we’ll happily suspend disbelief to watch him in a Season 2. — Dave Nemetz

Ncuti Gatwa, Doctor Who

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: From the moment that Fourteen spawned Fifteen in the anniversary special “The Giggle,” Gatwa has imbued his Doctor with an infectious joy and brightness that bounds off the screen. His Time Lord is an excited and fearless adventurer, a compassionate visitor, and boy, can he carry a tune. When not keeping the TARDIS afloat by way of his own personality, Gatwa also can sell the gravity of a moment, such as when the Doctor dropped in on newborn Ruby Sunday’s abandonment, or sweated out his teetering on a land mine. He’s fittingly stellar. — Matt Webb Mitovich

Donald Glover, Mr. & Mrs. Smith

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Glover looked every bit the action star in Prime Video’s spy thriller, handling heavy firearms and dodging explosions as international spy John Smith. But he really won us over in the quieter moments when he opened up to Maya Erskine’s fellow spy Jane, letting his cool-guy persona drop ever so slightly. (He and Erskine made a dynamite comedy duo, too.) Glover had big shoes to fill replacing Brad Pitt’s movie version of John, but by season’s end, he truly made the role his own. — D.N.

Walton Goggins, Fallout

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: As the hit video game adaptation’s Ghoul, Goggins is undead and loving it. Channeling a few of his past outlaw alter egos, Goggins delivered a desperado who could get any dastardly deed done (whilst firing off a zinger or two), but who also could amusingly take his licks at the hands of a super-jacked Super Soldier. Just as notably, Goggins made the most of the sci-fi series’ straighter drama moments, such as when a pre-Ghoul Cooper Howard came to realize his missus’ bankrupt morality. In this post-apocalyptic drama, he is the bomb. — M.W.M.

Tom Hiddleston, Loki

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Villain-to-hero character evolutions don’t get more satisfying than what Hiddleston delivered across Loki ‘s two seasons, particularly in a sophomore run that found Loki more desperate, sensitive and self-aware than ever. In Loki’s efforts to save all of time and space, Hiddleston further softened his formerly power-hungry character with aching vulnerability, all without ever abandoning the wicked playfulness that made Loki so fun in the first place. As Loki fulfilled his bittersweet purpose in the Season 2 finale, so did Hiddleston, capping a 12-year MCU arc that was deeply gratifying and, indeed, glorious. — Rebecca Iannucci

Ramón Rodríguez, Will Trent

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Week in and week out, Rodríguez turned in one of network television’s most finely crafted performances as the titular Special Agent worked through a long-dormant childhood trauma in Season 2 of the ABC procedural. Once Will recalled his hand in a violent episode that culminated in his foster mother’s death, years of pent-up guilt came pouring out of him, and we were as riveted as we were devastated by the emotional breakdown that played out before us. In that moment, Rodríguez reached new heights and secured himself a spot on our Dream Emmy ballot. — Ryan Schwartz

Kurt Russell, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: There is something “outsized” about Russell, a veteran of film and franchises, that when his Lee Shaw first showed up, we were instantly invested in his journey and the tales he had to tell. Looking gray, yes, but a forever-young Disney alum in our eyes, Russell gave the elder Lee a boyish energy that served his character well, as he led actual youths on the adventure of a lifetime. And when Lee came face-to-face with long-ago love Keiko? Russell had us feeling every twinge of loss and elation. — M.W.M.

Hiroyuki Sanada, Shōgun

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Lord Toranaga is a man of few words, and Sanada never showed a great deal of emotion playing the feudal ruler in FX’s samurai drama… but he didn’t have to. Instead, Sanada relied on his steely gaze and considerable gravitas to carry his performance as Toranaga fended off challenges from his fellow lords. When Toranaga did speak, it carried enormous weight, and when he did break down — as he did following the deaths of his son and his closest friend — we felt it all the more deeply. — D.N.

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Sadly, I don’t think the Emmy nominees will look much like this list. Good list.

Sanada is a lock for a nomination. Glover seems likely / voters have liked him before. The rest I truly have no idea as to whether they stand any chance,

None of the above. If they are going to cancel Blue Bloods, then give Tom Selleck what he deserves after so many years of entertaining us, young or old, he is the best.

Hiroyuki Sanada Will win this year

It’s quite likely Shogun will win in every category it’s nominated in unless Emmy voters somehow have a much better opinion of The Crown‘s final season than viewers in general did. I think they may throw Cosmo Jarvis a Lead Actor nomination too but Sanada should win regardless.

Haven’t watched any of these shows so can’t say. But it’s about time freddie Highmore got a nom after seven years playing Dr. Murphy and getting not even a blink. Or, as someone else said, Tom Selleck, who has given us years and years of fine acting.

I totally agree with you about Freddie…he was awesome playing an autistic doctor!

Agreed about Freddie Highmore

Gary Oldman, people.

I’m wondering if Slow Horses might be in the comedy category, though?

It submits as a drama.

I am rooting for Ramon Rodriguez. He is amazing as Will Trent.

Freddie Highmore is one of the finest actors on tv. Yet he has never been nominated for an Emmy. This includes 4 years of “Bates Motel” and 7 years of “The Good Doctor”. Freddie easily should’ve received 11 nominations and at least a couple wins along the way. Instead he got bupkis. Hey Television Academy, open your eyes. Freddie Highmore Best Actor in a Drama Series, “The Good Doctor”. And “The Good Doctor” for Best Drama Series!

Am I the only one who thinks the new iteration of Doctor Who is…not good? Ncuti does an ok job as the Doctor, but the writing he’s been given is, well, bad.

I loved Leo Woodall in One Day! Is he eligible since it’s a British show? Such a layered & emotional performance!

Great list and there are several names on it that definitely deserve recognition, but I agree that it is a travesty that Freddie Highmore has never been recognized for his stellar portrayal of an autistic doctor.

Surprised, TVLine, that you of all sites didn’t include Zahn McClarnon from “Dark Winds.”

Haven’t seen the new Dt. Who yet but watched the other seasons since 2009.

Good list! Perfectly diverse! You make every ethnicity happy so no one gets mad. This what I call compromise and bucking the trend!

“ Gatwa also can sell the MAVITY of a moment,”. FYTFY

I’m sorry but it seems to me that most of the nominations are geared to the streaming services. Only the actor on Will Trent was suggested. Why are the main TV stations being ignored?

Unfortunately The One’s Who Live has to be submitted as Drama Series even though it is a 6 EPISODE MINI SERIES. So isn’t ANDREW LINCOLN in this list here as a dream nominee? (He should’ve been nominated for an Emmy while The Walking Dead was running, but amazingly never was.)

My picks would be

Colin Farrell, Sugar Cosmo Jarvis, Shogun Zahn McClarnon, Dark Winds Gary Oldman, Slow Horses Hiroyuki Sanada, Shogun Dominic West, The Crown

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Easter Island Travel Essentials: Everything to Know Before You Go

By Author Steph Dyson

Posted on Last updated: 14th November 2023

With its mysterious, stoic moai  watching over the island and craterous, seemingly barren landscapes that hint at a turbid, fascinating history, Easter Island** (aka Isla de Pascua as it’s known in Spanish or Rapa Nui as is its local name) captivates most travelers.

The idea of visiting the staggeringly remote Easter Island is one that drives many tourists to Chile, making it one of the country’s most popular things to do .

But it’s a notoriously expensive South American destination and one that is commonly believed to be difficult to visit without spending a fortune.

Luckily, this isn’t true.

As I found out on my trip to Easter Island, there are plenty of ways that you can explore this 163 square kilometer island without forking out thousands of dollars.

Click to navigate this article:

Know before you go: Easter Island

COVID-19 update: Rapa Nui/Easter Island reopened to visitors on August 5th, 2022. Entry requirements include proof of vaccination, a single entry form , proof of reservation with a hotel or tour operator, plus various other requirements. Find the full list here .

Why you should add Easter Island to your itinerary

Easter Island, or Rapa Nui as the locals know it, is a remote island located in the South Pacific Ocean, 3,500km from mainland Chile (or a five+ hour flight) and visiting is definitely one of the things you should do in Chile . 

It’s Chile’s most enigmatic island. The story of a civilization driven to the brink of extinction continues to attract visitors intrigued by the mystery that surrounds the 887 moai , the famed monolithic human figures that were carved between 1,250 AD and 1,500 AD from volcanic tuffstone monoliths and populate the island’s coasts.

The moai are easily the island’s biggest attraction and have the most fascinating histories. One of my guides even pointed out a moai on one of the most visited ahu , the restored Ahu Tongariki, and told me had been carved to represent one of his ancestors.

For others, the appeal of Rapa Nui lies in its distance from the rest of the world. It is the most remote inhabited island on earth; its nearest neighbors are on Pitcairn Island, 2,000 kilometers (1242 miles) northwest.

But what is the cultural significance of the moai?

Believed to have been carved by inhabitants of the island between 1250 and 1500, the moai represent tribal chiefs and are symbolic of both political and religious power. 

When a chief passed away, they would be buried or cremated under the ahu, the platform on which the moai sat, and it was believed that their spirits were housed in their unique moai. With the chief becoming a divine presence in death, the moai provided a spiritual force for natives, serving and guiding those who were left behind.

To this day, the moai hold great significance to locals, and it is forbidden to touch them.

After a day of visiting the moai figures, keep your eyes peeled for petroglyphs – these rock carvings may be a little trickier to find compared to the moai, but are still well worth trying to locate.

Yes, Machu Picchu is incredible, but I do think Chile has a punt at being named one of the best South American countries for archeology – and living history, too .

Where exactly is Easter Island?

Easter Island is located in the Pacific Ocean and the nearest land masses are the Pitcairn Islands, 1,931 kilometers west.

However, Easter Island officially belongs to Chile, even though it lies exactly 3,746 kilometers west of the country.

Strangely enough, the islands are part of the Valparaiso Region , even though they are geographically closer to the Atacama Region if you were to draw a line due west to mainland Chile.

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Do people still live on Easter Island?

Yes, Easter Island is still inhabited! Using radiocarbon dating, archaeologists now believe that the first colonizers of the island, explorers from Polynesia, arrived on Easter Island sometime around 1,200 AD.

These initial settlers organized themselves into mata or tribes and survived through innovative agricultural practices until the arrival of the European colonizers on Easter Sunday in the year 1722 – a date that explains the island’s English – and colonial – name.

Although estimates for the size of the population on Easter Island range wildly, from 1,000 to 17,500, what is known is that slave raids by Spanish-owned Peru and the introduction of diseases nearly exterminated the entire population of the island in the 19th century.

At present, population levels are around 7,000, and law changes have been introduced to make it harder for foreigners and Chileans to move to the island due to concerns about population increases and the environmental consequences of this.

When I visited Easter Island, the most fascinating part of my trip was the chance to talk to the local Rapanui people.

Misconceptions have long plagued the history of this Pacific Island, and arguably the best way to learn about the real history of its people is by talking to them.

Top Easter Island travel tip : The island and its people are notoriously closed to foreigners and I certainly found it difficult to get residents to talk to me. However, most guides are very welcoming and really happy to talk if you show interest in the Rapa Nui culture. Spanish goes a long way here as few people speak much English.

How to get to Easter Island

The initial act of getting to Easter Island will be the biggest expense of your trip.

Although the romanticized idea still exists among travelers that it’s possible to travel to Easter Island aboard the Aquiles, a vessel operated by the Chilean Navy, it actually only departs around twice a year from Valparaíso and is almost exclusively reserved for Naval personnel and other people on official business.

The journey to Easter Island aboard this ship also takes seven days through open waters – so it’s only really suited to those with particularly strong sea legs.

Another way to reach Easter Island is with a cruise, but you’re looking at paying at least a few thousand dollars for cruises that merely take you from Valparaiso to the island or vice versa.

As a result, the only practical way of traveling to Easter Island is by plane. Be aware that flights are regularly delayed due to high winds, meaning you may find yourself waiting around in Santiago or on the island itself for an additional day.

Top Easter Island travel tip: Make sure to book a window seat on the left-hand side of the plane on the way there and back for the best views. You fly right over the island and make a turn southeast across the ocean to finally land from the west at Mataveri International Airport, the only airport on Easter Island. When you leave, you take off east, so again you get views right across the island from the left-hand window.

How to fly to Easter Island 

LATAM is the only airline that flies to Easter Island. Their planes depart from Santiago with a flight time of around six hours on the outward journey. 

On the way back to Santiago, the flight time is only four and a half hours thanks to prevailing winds.

Getting to Easter Island from Chile is relatively straightforward as these flights leave up to three times daily in high season (October through April) and up to twice daily (Wednesdays and Sundays) in low season (May through September).

Flight schedules are slowly returning to pre-pandemic levels, with lots of flights now available (a few times per week from early December and then close to daily going forwards).

There is also one weekly flight from Papeete (Tahiti) in French Polynesia to Easter Island on Tuesdays (returning the following Monday). For this flight, you can expect to pay around $700,000 CLP ($1,050 USD) return.

Easter Island plane tickets can be horribly expensive, particularly during high season, although January and February, in particular, see elevated prices as these are the school holiday months and prime vacation time for Chileans.

However, cheap flights to Easter Island from Santiago are possible, particularly if you can be flexible with your dates.

When I visited in June (admittedly the very low season but still a good time to go to Easter Island as I’ll discuss below), I snagged flights for $217,000 CLP ($332 USD), a practically unheard-of price.

It’s unlikely you’ll get flights to Easter Island anywhere within this price range in high season, however, it isn’t always the case that you’ll be paying upwards of $800,000 CLP ($1,200 USD).

How to secure cheap flights to Rapa Nui

Often the best way to get cheap flights is to book well in advance and this can certainly be the case for Easter Island.

However, if you’re flexible and not quite sure of the exact dates you plan to be traveling, the cheapest way to get to Easter Island is by downloading the free app Hopper .

I love this app – mostly because it’s helped me to get extremely cheap flights on a number of occasions.

All you need to do is input the dates when you’re hoping to fly (you can put in several different combinations) and the app will follow the prices for those dates.

Using historic flight data, it’ll let you know when to book, as it can tell whether a price is likely to go up or down given the trends from previous years.

Because of Hopper, I got my cheap Easter Island plane tickets at a price at least $100,000 CLP ($152 USD) lower than I was told by other expats based in Santiago was possible.

Top Easter Island travel tip : The LATAM website has been known to charge significantly higher prices if you book via the US website rather than the Chile site . You can find radical differences between the two, so be sure to play around and have a look at which is offering you the best deal. I always initially check prices using Skyscanner and then look on LATAM’s different websites to book.

Visa requirements to visit Rapa Nui

In an effort to protect Rapa Nui from over-population, foreigners may enter the island for a maximum period of 30 calendar days. 

In order to do so, they must show their ID card or passport, arrival and return tickets (for proof of departure), and either a certified hotel/accommodation reservation or invitation from a Rapa Nui resident. Further information can be found here .

My favorite things to do on Easter Island

Easter Island might be best known for being home to the historical and culturally symbolic moai, but there’s a lot more to see and do. Here are my favorites, which range from cultural activities to hiking, scuba diving, and bonkers local traditions.

1. Marvel at the island’s moai statues

Seeing the moai dotted around the island is a huge reason for visiting Rapa Nui – and one of the easiest ways to learn more about the Rapa Nui culture. Most of the moai are located within the national park – Rapa Nui National Park – for which you will need to pay the entrance fee $63,000 CLP ($80 USD) – but others are free to visit around Hanga Roa.

Some of the most interesting moai statues and spots to visit include:

Rano Raraku

Home to 400 moai, Rano Raraku is the quarry from which the moai were originally carved. Situated in a volcanic crater, the quarry has numerous half-finished moai scattered across it, with some only visible thanks to their outlines carved into the rock, such as the enormous Te Tokanga or El Gigante (The Giant), which is the largest moai ever attempted.

From Rano Raku, you can also see Ahu Tongariki towards the northeast and, if you take the steep ten-minute walk to the top of the crater, you can look down and see the remains of 317 moai, although only 30 are easily identifiable.

Ahu Tongariki

The site of the island’s most famous structures, Ahu Tongariki is a raised platform containing fifteen moai standing together in a dramatic line and is particularly striking – especially at sunrise.

The platform on which the moai sit is 220 meters long, and you should go behind the statues to look for the ancient petroglyphs carved into some of their backs.

There’s no better spot for sunset than Ahu Tahai , on the western side of the island just outside of Hanga Roa. This platform supports a weathered solitary moai, while to the right is the striking Ahu Ko Te Riku, one of the few moai that still sports a red topknot and the coral eyes that are believed to have been a feature of all of the statues.

It’s a beautiful place to catch the sunset as the sun collapses into the ocean just behind the statues.

Orongo ceremonial village

On the far southern reaches of the island are the 54 restored houses of the Orongo ceremonial village . It was the site of one of the fascinating – and most important – Rapa Nui traditions known as the Birdman cult, where competitors from each of the island’s tribes would swim out to the nearby islet of Motu Nui to claim the first egg of the terns who nested there.

The first tribesperson to bring back an egg would be crowned the tangata manu, or spiritual island, of the island for the year.

The area surrounding the village is littered with petroglyphs, many depicting a figure with a bird head representing the birdman. It’s also the location of the beautiful Rano Kau volcanic crater, which is filled with reeds and rainwater and from which you can see the island’s other two volcanoes.

2. Hike across the island’s most remote parts

While some of the island’s most famed sights can be visited by car, others are remote and can only be reached under your own steam.

One of the best hikes is the trek from Ahu Te Peu (around five kilometers/3 miles north of Hanga Roa) along the northwestern coast to reach Anakena , a picturesque beach in the north. It’s an eight-hour, 18-kilometer (11-mile) trek that skirts Ma’unga Terevaka (the largest of the island’s three volcanoes) and is rich with archeological remains – although it’s best visited with a guide as many are hard to distinguish otherwise.

Another option is a half-day hike across the barely visited Peninsula Poike , which lays claim to a range of carvings and caves, as well as the oldest volcano, Poike. Again, with sites difficult to find, it’s best to organize a guided tour.

While the island is busiest in summer (December-March), it’s far too hot and humid to do any hiking – so I’d recommend the shoulder seasons (September-November and April-May).

3. Head down into the natural caves at Ana Kakenga

If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, I can certainly recommend an afternoon caving at Ana Kakenga – one of the island’s most interesting caves.

Not an experience for claustrophobes, the cramped conditions widen into a 50m-long lava tube before reaching the cliff edge, leaving two holes facing the ocean for lovely sea views. With the cave facing west, it’s a beautiful spot for sunset.

Make sure to bring a flashlight, and don’t go alone as the floor can be slippery underfoot.

4. Sunbathe on Rapa Nui’s tropical beaches

Rapa Nui doesn’t disappoint when it comes to beaches – with both Anakena (in the north of the island) and Ovahe (in Hanga Roa) both worth a visit.

Anakena is typically busier, with white coral sand, warm water, coconut trees, and better swimming conditions, while Ovahe is quieter, not safe for swimming, but equally beautiful. Note that temperatures beyond summer (December through March) aren’t exactly sunbathing weather, so you’ll find yourself disappointed if visiting outside of these months.

5. Scuba dive in the island’s incredibly clear waters

While the marine life might not be spectacular, the clarity of the water (up to 60 meters’ visibility on a good day) means that you can see coral, sea caves, and a replica moai on the ocean floor during a morning’s scuba diving around Rapa Nui.

Note: you’ll need a PADI license to visit the moai site, but there are other locations where scuba experience isn’t required. Orca Diving Center is the most recommendable company, who can take you out to some of the water’s most interesting diving sites, as well as offer first dives and scuba courses for those with no experience.

6. Surf at beaches thought to be the birthplace of surfing

While no one knows for sure, historians suggest that Rapa Nui might have been the birthplace of surfing, with bodysurfing first inspired by an islander watching turtles do the same as they approached Playa Pea on the west of the island.

Surfing using boards took a lot longer to make an appearance here, but it’s now popular with both the locals and visitors. A number of breaks offer surfing opportunities, including the reef breaks of Tahai and Toroko in Hanga Roa, and the more dependable Huareva.

Rocks in this bay can make the water treacherous, so make sure you go with a guide and during high tide to avoid them.

When is the best time to visit Easter Island?

Most people visit Easter Island in the first two weeks of February when the annual Tapati Rapa Nui festival takes place.

This festival is perhaps the ultimate display of Rapanui culture, with a representative of each family competing in different challenges, from physically demanding displays of skill to craftwork and dancing.

The second-to-last day of the competition sees all of the competing participants, their families, and even tourists join a parade through the streets of Hanga Roa, where all are dressed in traditional costumes and accompanied by Rapanui music and dancing.

The culmination of the events takes place on the final day when the two winners of the preceding activities are coronated the King and Queen of Tapati.

However, these two weeks might not exactly be the best time to go to Easter Island.

Need more inspiration?

You’ll find even more detailed itineraries, off-the-beaten-path gems, hiking routes and accommodation, restaurant and tour recommendations to suit your travel style in my brand-new guidebook, Moon Chile.

Well, firstly, you can expect flights to increase dramatically for this period and you’ll need to be very organized with accommodation and bookings (we’re talking months in advance) if you want a chance to see the festival.

Secondly, I was told by a number of local people that, while it’s certainly a once-in-a-lifetime event, you should expect a lot of the services on the island, such as restaurants and even hotels, to screech to a halt, as families focus on the competition in hand.

Although the island is still functioning, expect everything to be a bit disorganized.

Finally, when visiting the island’s most acclaimed sights, you’ll be sharing the moment with thousands of others. Visitor numbers reach up to 20,000 over this period.

Traffic around Hanga Roa and even on the roads heading out to the main moai sites can be a real problem because of the sheer number of people and cars, so you can expect extreme congestion when you’re driving.

So when is the best time of year to visit Easter Island?

If you’re keen to see the island at its quietest and get the chance to speak to the local people and see daily life here, I recommend September and October or April and May.

Both of these periods still have good weather, warm temperatures (around 22˚C-25˚C), and relatively few tourists.

While the peak summer months are good for sunbathing at Anakena beach, if you fancy hiking or any sort of exploration, you’ll find it tough to do it thanks to the island’s humidity, even if the sea breezes bring welcome reprieve.

Get more in-depth information in this guide to the best time to visit Easter Island .

I went to Easter Island in June and enjoyed the quietness of the place but found that there was a fair amount of rain; showers are common most days so if you plan on taking photos, you might be disappointed with the number of overcast and damp days.

What does an Easter Island trip cost?

The price of a trip to Easter Island varies significantly. I’ll start with a basic overview and then go into detail about the exact prices you can expect to pay for food, transportation, and accommodation on Easter Island.

Overview of how much an Easter Island vacation costs

Most visitors to the island spend between four and five days here, which is plenty of time to see its highlights and really dig beneath the surface of Rapa Nui culture.

The amount of money that you will spend during that period can vary significantly.

Want to avoid the hassle of organizing your accommodation and tours? EcoChile Travel are a brilliant Chilean tour operator and their four-day trip to Easter Island costs from $1,130 USD per person (and you get a 5% discount if you mention Worldly Adventurer when enquiring through this form !).

Note: to visit any of the sights within the national park (i.e. practically all of the moai ) you must pay the entrance fee of $63,000 CLP ($80 USD) for adults or $31,000 CLP ($40 USD) for children*. You can buy these online here .

This gives you a window of ten days in which to visit the national park and you can only visit the sites of Rano Raraku and Orongo once during that period.

Bear in mind that because it’s now obligatory to visit practically all of the archaeological sites with a guide, it’s much more expensive to visit the island.

For a four-night stay for two people in budget accommodation , self-catering except for a few meals out, and going with a local guide to explore the main sights, you can expect to pay:

For a four-night stay for two people in mid-range accommodation , mostly eating out and going with a local guide to explore the main sights, you can expect to pay:

The following in-depth sections should show how much it costs to go to Easter Island according to each of these categories.

Top Easter Island travel tip : Bring plenty of Chilean pesos in cash. You’ll find that in some hotels, tour agencies, and even restaurants, you end up being charged less if you pay in cash. There are two ATMs on the island but it’s worth stocking up before you go to avoid any issues with money running out, particularly in the high season. Easter Island is very very safe so you shouldn’t worry about bringing cash onto the island. 

Food and dining costs on Easter Island

Easter Island is an expensive destination in some respects. Beyond the costs of flying there, food prices are at a premium.

As you can imagine, the island is so far from any other land mass that, aside from what they produce on the island, it all needs to be transported in at a high cost.

Before visiting Easter Island, I’d been recommended to buy food on the mainland in Santiago to take with me.

This is definitely an excellent option for those planning on self-catering and I was queuing for the plane behind a family who had a box full of yogurts as their hand luggage.

I’ve also heard from a range of Chileans that if you take items such as wine, whisky, or pisco with you, these can be used in lieu of payment in some instances (this is not something that I confirmed when I was there so use this strategy at your own risk!).

If you want to eat at the restaurants on Easter Island, it’s worth budgeting around $17,500 CLP ($22 USD) per meal in a nice restaurant, although a meal in a picada (a simple, fast food restaurant) can cost less than $12,000 CLP ($15 USD) – Club Sandwich (Calle Atamu Tekena s/n, noon-midnight daily) is one of the best.

There are also some excellent empanadarias , shops selling deep-fried pastry empanadas, filled with tuna and cheese or other fish, that normally cost around $2,400-$5,000 CLP ($3-$6 USD).

Top Easter Island travel tip : Check out the empanadas at Ahi-Ahi (Calle Policarpo Torre, 10am-9pm daily), one of the wooden shacks on the southern side of the football field. They were easily the best I tried during my trip. For top-quality dining at only marginally more expensive prices than in most other restaurants, head to Kaloa (inside Hangaroa Eco Village & Spa , Av. Pont s/n, 18.30pm-22.30pm daily). Dishes cost between $14,000 CLP and $18,000 CLP ($18 USD and $22 USD), which is about the same price as most restaurants on the island, but the quality is exceptional. Make sure to sample their tuna dishes.

Transportation costs and getting around Easter Island

Easter Island transportation is another cost. Getting around Hanga Roa – the only town on the island – is straightforward and you rarely need to get a taxi as it’s so compact.

However, visiting the ahu , moai and other historic attractions around the island is another matter.

I took a range of tours on the island; however, I personally found that my preferred way of exploring was in my own vehicle. There are so sights and most tour companies only visit the most famous or picturesque.

With your own vehicle, you can choose the time of day to venture to each different place and be far more in control of your own schedule.

I found that tours often went at a slower pace than I would have liked and that being able to drive at will allowed me to see far more than I would have been able to if I had purely been exploring via a tour.

If you’re traveling in a group or as a pair, renting a car also makes financial sense as you’ll save plenty of pesos compared with the price of a tour.

However, bear in mind that, as of August 2022, you can only visit most of the sites in Parque Nacional Rapa Nui (except Ahu Tahai, near Hanga Roa, and Anakena Beach) with a licensed guide.

IMPORTANT NOTE: As of August 2022, you can only visit Parque Nacional Rapa Nui with a licensed guide. This is the case for all sites except Ahu Tahai (near Hanga Roa) and Anakena Beach (in the north of the island). You can find a list of licensed guides on the island here (which start from around $40 USD per day per person for an English-speaking guide without transport included), while Easter Island Travel are one of the island’s tour agencies, run tours that include transport with a maximum of eight passengers, and have guides that speak good English.

I rented a car with Oceanic Rapa Nui, who unfortunately closed during the pandemic. Insular Rent a Car is the only car rental company that I believe is now operating on the island.

Given how small the distances were (the island is only 22.5 kilometers long by 11 kilometers wide), I spent around $20,000 CLP ($30 USD) on petrol – and I pretty much covered all of the roads at least once.

Depending on how much you wish to spend on your transport, you will find several types of vehicles including four-seater Suzuki Jimny for $90,000 CLP ($115 USD) and five-seater Suzuki Alto K10 AND Celerio for $90,000 CLP ($115 USD), Daihatsu Terios Wild for $140,000 CLP ($178 USD) and Toyota Hilux for $150,000 CLP ($190 USD). You can also hire various scooters and motorbikes for upwards of $40,000 CLP ($51 USD) per day, plus Kawasaki quadbikes for $75,000 CLP ($95 USD).

You can rent out mountain bikes for $35,000 CLP ($44 USD) per 24 hours.

Although distances are small, given how hot and humid it gets (it is a Polynesian island, after all), cycling in this weather can be somewhat unpleasant.

Be aware that the road conditions are also dreadful on the island. It’s not recommended to drive faster than 60 k/ph in case you come across a pothole (very likely) or free-range horses (just as likely) on the road.

Vehicle rental has historically not included insurance (so if you crash, you’ll be paying a lot). Double-check this when you hire the vehicle – and take extra care on the roads!

Top Easter Island travel tip : Rent a car in the afternoon so that you can drive to see the sunset at Ahu Tahai or at Hanga Piko or Hanga Kio’e (two lesser-visited spots for beautiful sunset views) and get up early the next morning to drive to Ahu Tongariki for the sunrise. Insular Rent a Car is the only car rental company that I believe is now operating on the island. Remember: you will need a licensed guide to come with you, so rent a vehicle that has enough space!

Accommodation costs and where to stay on Easter Island

Accommodation on Easter Island can also be costly. However, there is a range of lodgings to suit all budgets and plenty of places to stay in Easter Island.

Since August 2018, a law has dictated that unless you have proof of accommodation reservations with lodgings registered with the island’s tourist board, you won’t be allowed to board your flight in Santiago. You can also only stay on the island for up to 30 days.

The LATAM website has the list of what you require (in English!), including access to the entry form you are required to complete before you fly; a confirmation email will be sent to you that you must present when you are at the airport.

Note that all prices included here are for Easter Island hotels in January/February, the most expensive season, when you’ll need to book well in advance for all accommodation.

Outside of these months, you can expect to pay up to 10% lower on the prices listed below.

Budget accommodation and hostels on Easter Island

One of the cheapest and consistently good budget options on Easter Island and the place for camping on Isla de Pascua is Mihínoa Camping (Av. Pont s/n, double $35,000 CLP ($54 USD), dorm $15,000 CLP ($23 USD), rent camping equipment $10,000 CLP ($15 USD), camping with your own equipment ($12 USD)).

I was really impressed with their three large kitchens and array of different accommodation options: there is grass for camping, dorm rooms, and private rooms available. The campground also has a lovely view of the ocean.

Be aware that this place gets booked up very quickly, particularly between January and March, so you’ll need to make reservations well in advance.

La Casa del Kori (Calle Paoa s/n, double private bath $59,000 CLP ($86 USD), dorm $20,000 CLP ($30 USD)) was my favorite budget accommodation on the island. It has superb, modern facilities, ranging from large double bedrooms to equally spacious dorm rooms (the latter with lockers) and loads of communal space in the downstairs kitchen and living areas.

Breakfast is included and the owners speak English.

Mid-range accommodation and hotels on Easter Island

With large, airy bedrooms and surprisingly good Wifi (most places on the island have terrible connection!), Inaki Uhi Hotel ($180 USD double) is an incredibly welcoming hotel, with a cozy garden, modern facilities, and really helpful hosts.

The stunning sea views from certain suites and bungalows make Hotel Boutique La Perouse ($210 USD suite; $288 bungalow) an excellent choice for accommodation on Easter Island. Situated right at the heart of Hanga Roa, but with a tranquil setting, this is a great place to relax after a day of touring the island.

I was really impressed by the facilities at Hareswiss (Calle Te Hoe Manu s/n, double cabin $92,000 CLP ($140 USD), single occupancy of cabin $65,000 CLP ($99 USD), who have three well-equipped cabins overlooking the sea, about a 25-minute walk (or $3,000 CLP ($4.50 USD) taxi journey) from Caleta Hanga Roa, the main part of the town.

Peter, the Swiss expat who runs the cabins, is also exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable about the island and often runs tours if you contact him in advance.

Luxury accommodations and hotels on Easter Island

Located within easy walking distance of the main road in Hanga Roa, where you’ll find a glut of restaurants, Hare Nua Hotel Boutique ($360 USD double) is a really comfortable, family-run hotel with large bedrooms, many of which have balconies, as well as a swimming pool and gorgeous communal lounge area where you can catch a sea breeze.

A standout hotel on Easter Island is the Nayara Hangaroa (Av. Pont s/n, $470 USD double standard, $605 USD double suite), a five-star resort with swimming pools and spa facilities, an on-site restaurant (with divine food) and huge bedrooms with designer stone bathtubs and decorative touches to make them blend seamlessly into their surroundings.

They also run excursions around the island.

Should you take a tour of Easter Island?

As I’ve indicated above, I personally preferred my time exploring without a tour and instead using a rental car. However, the situation has now changed on Easter Island, meaning it’s obligatory to enter the national park accompanied by a guide .

Going with a guide did allow me to understand much more about the island, its history, and historic sites, as practically all guides are Rapanui and therefore very proud and aware of their heritage. You can now choose whether to hire a guide (you can find them listed here and they start from $40 USD per person, per day for an English-speaking guide, excluding transport) and drive yourself, or book a tour with a local operator.

I recommend Easter Island Travel , who are an affordable choice for tours. They take you to the main archaeological sites (from $145,000 CLP ($180 USD)), as well as various other hiking tours .

A more expensive option is Green Island Tours , who have a whole host of different tours, including trips to visit the key archaeological sites across the island (from $320 USD), as well as hiking tours to explore some of the lesser-visited destinations (from $320 USD) and even stargazing (from $90 USD).

Both include transport.

If you want to avoid the hassle of organizing your accommodation and tours, EcoChile Travel are a brilliant Chilean tour operator, whose four-day trip to Easter Island starts from $1,130 USD per person (and you get a 5% discount if you mention Worldly Adventurer when enquiring through this form !).

I was told that the best Easter Island tours to take were to Orongo on the far southern point of the island, the remains of the ceremonial stone village where the Birdman competition was held, and to Rano Raraku, the quarry where the moai were carved.

I personally found that with Orongo, the visitor’s center has plenty of information in both Spanish and English and I didn’t feel I learned much more by having a guide.

However, my trip to Rano Raraku was hugely enhanced by the enthusiasm of my guide and you’ll be surprised by how many of the around four hundred moai remain in the quarry there that’ll you’ll miss if you don’t know where to look.

I didn’t get the chance to hike the northern coast of Easter Island, but I was told by plenty of people that it remains a fascinating and largely untouched area filled with moai and other ceremonial structures – and a good place to see Rapa Nui as it really is away from the hordes of tourists.

As there are local people who still inhabit much of the area, it’s also essential to go with a guide to avoid accidentally standing on important historic remains. There are two ways to visit:

• On foot: I recommend Easter Island Travel , who offer this tour for $190,000 CLP ($235 USD) per person, with around six hours of hiking.
• On horseback: I recommend Cabalgatas Pantu . They operate a full-day tour along the coast for $99,000 CLP per person ($125 USD) – or $65,000 CLP ($100 USD) if you pay in cash.

Top Easter Island travel tip : Don’t be afraid to chat with the park rangers who stamp your ticket when you visit the different sights. I found them all to be really friendly and forthcoming when it came to information about the moai and ahu and any questions that I had. Admittedly I spoke to them in Spanish but most speak at least some English.

What to pack for a trip to Easter Island

To ensure you’re prepared for your adventure, make sure you pack the following:

• Reef-safe suncream
• Insect repellent: You’ll want to purchase one that contains 20-30% DEET as dengue cases are occasionally reported
• For her: REI has some great own-brand tops
• For him: REI has some own-brand tops for men, too
• Long trousers: Stay away from the jeans and pick up a couple of pairs of hiking trousers – especially the quick-drying variety. prAna make some brilliantly durable women’s trousers, while Columbia have great options for men .
• For her: REI | Backcountry | Amazon
• For him: REI | Backcountry | Amazon

They also do hiking shoes:

• For her: REI | Amazon
• For him: REI | Amazon

(And don’t forget to wear your boots a few times before you head to Rapa Nui to break them). 

• Swimming costume: With beautiful clear water surrounding the island, there are plenty of opportunities for swimming when visiting Rapa Nui – make sure you pack at least one swimming costume so you can make the most out of it. 

Health and safety precautions when visiting Easter Island

Vaccinations and health precautions.

In order to enter Rapa Nui, visitors must be able to show they received the complete Covid-19 vaccination course upon arrival. 

While these are technically the only mandatory vaccinations you must receive before entering the island, the CDC and WHO also recommend the following: 

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)

Further information can be found here .

Dengue and Zika are also transmitted via mosquito bites, so consider using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved/leg clothing, and sleeping under a mosquito net.

Safety precautions

The crime rate on Rapa Nui is low, and crimes against tourists are pretty much unheard of. But despite it being generally a very safe place to visit, as with anywhere, it’s wise to exercise common sense, be aware of your surroundings, and not leave valuables unattended. 

With little street lighting at night, while it’s typically safe to walk around in the dark, pack a flashlight to help you find your way back to your accommodation to avoid any falls.

Local Etiquette

For a warmer welcome from locals, refer to the island as Rapa Nui rather than Easter Island – and absolutely do not touch any of the moai dotted around the landscape. Not only is it frowned upon, but it’s actually illegal, and could land you with a hefty fine.

When visiting the Rapa Nui National Park, be sure to keep to the trails, and do not smoke. Drones are not allowed, and take your rubbish home with you. 

Ultimately, the moai sites are sacred, and should be treated as such.

The mother tongue of Rapa Nui is known as Rapa Nui – but the Polynesian-based language has only 3000 speakers worldwide (mostly based on the island).

Spanish is the more commonly spoken language, and it goes a long way with locals so make sure to learn a few key phrases before your trip.

Useful general information about traveling to Easter Island

Which currency does easter island use.

Easter Island uses the Chilean peso. You can exchange dollars and euros at BancoEstado (Tu’u Maheke, 9am-2pm Mon-Fri) and Santander (Policarpo Toro s/n, 9am-1pm Mon-Fri). Rates will, unsurprisingly, be better in Santiago than here.

How can you visit Rapa Nui National Park ?

Most of the island’s sights are found within the Rapa Nui National Park and if you want to visit most of the  moai  or locations such as Orongo (where the Birdman festival was held), Ahu Tongariki (the platform containing the largest number of moai ) or Rano Raraku (the quarry where the  moai  were carved), you will need to pay the entrance fee.

This costs $63,000 CLP ($80 USD) and can be paid for either at the booth just inside the airport terminal or along Atamu Tekena* in Hanga Roa (a few doors south of the Santa Cruz pharmacy) before attempting to enter any sites.

* When I visited, it was only possible to pay this in cash. 

What is Easter Island food like?

Easter Island or Rapanui food is characteristically full of tuna – historically one of the main fish found in the surrounding waters – and used in everything from empanadas  to ceviche.

You’ll also find Umu Rapa Nui or Easter Island curanto , a traditional dish of meat, chicken, or fish, wrapped in banana leaves and cooked over hot stones.

This dish is hard to find on the island; Hotel Vai Moana has fire pits on the grounds of the hotel and runs workshops where you can take part in marking and eating a curanto with local chefs.

How can you get from Easter Island’s airport to your accommodation?

Most of the hotels, hostels and even campgrounds on the island offer airport pick-ups – often for no extra cost. Confirm this when you book as, depending on where you’re staying, it can be a long walk from the airport.

How easy is it to get around on Rapa Nui?

None of the hotels or restaurants have street numbers (s/n means “sin number” or “without number”) so it can be difficult to find places, particularly as the majority of the accommodations don’t have signs and locations on Google Maps can be occasionally incorrect. It’s easy enough to ask local people for directions.

Is it easy to get to Easter Island?

Easter Island is located 3,746 kilometers west of Chile and takes six hours from Santiago, with flights leaving from the Chilean capital almost every day. These flights tend to cost from $500 USD return during low season (May through October) and over $1,200 USD return in high season (September through April). As a result, it isn’t particularly easy – nor cheap – to get to Easter Island, but it’s completely worth it!

Most visitors add a four or five-day trip to Easter Island to their Chilean itinerary , as flights from Santiago are almost the only way to get to the island.   

How much does it cost to get to Easter Island?

Easter Island is an expensive destination to visit. Flights can cost from $500 USD return per person, although they can cost from $1,200 USD if you’re visiting between September and April, the island’s high season.

In total, for a four-night stay for two people in budget accommodation, self-catering except for a few meals out, and going with a local tour operator to explore the main sights, you can expect to pay at least $1,430 USD plus flights. 

Is Easter Island worth the trip?

Yes! Easter Island was a destination that really surprised me. The island’s moai and other archaeological sites dotted around the island are a fascinating insight into the Rapa Nui culture that still exists today.

It’s worth spending four or five days on the island to visit the main archeological sites, including Ahu Tongariki for sunrise and Rano Raraku, the quarry where the moai were carved. I would also recommend seeing a traditional Rapa Nui dance evening, as well as sampling the island’s cuisine, which typically features plenty of seafood.

Which airport do you fly into for Easter Island?

Easter Island has only one airport, Aeropuerto Internacional Mataveri de Isla de Pascua (IPC). It is situated less than a kilometer from Hanga Roa, the island’s only town, and offers incredible views of the island and surrounding ocean as you land on the runway.

Flights depart from the Chilean capital, Santiago, a few times per week, and pre-Covid 19, there were also weekly flights from Papeete (Tahiti) in French Polynesia. 

With beautifully clear waters, an incredibly low crime rate and hundreds of culturally significant moai to explore, a trip to Rapa Nui is a must for those looking for something a little different from their vacation.

For further information and to start planning your trip, read my posts on the best time to visit Easter Island , and where to stay on Easter Island . Visiting mainland Chile too? Discover some of my favorite places to visit in Chile .

** I’m going to be honest here: I’ve used “Easter Island” because that’s the name that you probably used to find this article in Google. The most politically correct term for the island is Rapa Nui, as it’s the name used by the local inhabitants, not one given by a white guy from Europe who turned up and claimed it for himself. When visiting, be sure to refer to the island as Rapa Nui if you want to have a better reception from the local people who are fiercely proud of their culture and island.

Found this article about visiting Easter Island without spending a fortune useful? Pin it!

Friday 16th of February 2024

Hey Steph!! Incredible information. Thank you and your team for putting the time/energy/hard work into these in-depth travel guides! My partner and I are looking into adding Rapa Nui to our current Sao Paulo/Rio/Lima/Machu Picchu (all part of a June group excursion for an international business program)15-day adventure. So, we wanted to do something small without the group before heading home since we'll be on that side of the continent and who knows when we'll ever make it back! We're gonna try that LATAM trick with booking through the local version of the site. Seems like using an AMEX should allow for the transaction to process, based on what I've seen in some forums. With the only daily flight from Santiago currently getting into the island around 1p local time, then leaving daily to take folks back at 230p, we were just going to do a Sunday arrival to Tuesday departure. Does that seem to quick of a trip for the highlights? Basically, an afternoon/evening, then a full, then a morning/early afternoon.

Steph Dyson

Wednesday 21st of February 2024

Hi Nicholas, it's not much time at all but I guess if you don't have more time then it'll have to do! It is a six-hour flight though, so if it's somewhere you really want to go then I would suggest coming back and spending more time there. I really is an incredible island! Steph

Friday 9th of February 2024

Dear Steph,

Thank you so very much for this very well thought out and comprehensive guide. We were very excited to visit Rapa Nui for 5 full days and can comfortably afford the costs. However, we were very disappointed to learn that we pretty much can't go anywhere without a guide. I had envisioned leisurely and quiet strolls carefully respecting the rules of visiting the moai,(I am an archaeologist) but at my own pace and if I wanted to sit on the beach vegetating for an hour or two, that kind of relaxation sounds impossible with a guide. Also, when we are in a magical place like we would have found in Rapa Nui, sometimes we don't talk for hours. We have traveled the world and are always independent tourists.

That doesn't mean that I wouldn't want to hire a person for a day or two to learn of the history and to understand what these statues mean to the indigenous people. It was also distressing to learn that some sites can only be visited once.

Therefore, we have decided to spend the time exploring more islands in Indonesia instead. I am sad to let this dream to visit Rapa Nui go, but I just don't want to spend the money and time feeling restrained by a guide's schedule for so many days.

Hi Pam, unfortunately it was a decision made by the Rapa Nui people as a way to protect their own heritage and archaeological sites that are still of significant cultural and religious importance to them. I hope you enjoy your time in Indonesia. Steph

Monday 22nd of January 2024

Thank you so much for this article! Wonderfully helpful. I have a couple of questions. Would 4 days be enough time to experience the island?

Hi Brian, yes, because you would get two full days. The only issue is the flight schedules, which might not allow you to spend four days there, so just double check! Steph

Sunday 3rd of December 2023

Hi Steph and world, does anyone have news if the flight connection between Rapa Nui and Tahiti will reopen in 2024? Thanks a ton!

Sunday 14th of January 2024

Hi Panya, I have no idea unfortunately! Steph

Tuesday 15th of August 2023

Thanks for this! Best post I've read yet (and I've read a bunch!) Getting excited for our trip in a couple months!

Wednesday 20th of September 2023

Thanks Michelle! Steph

Money blog: Why you should consider swapping chicken breasts out of your shopping basket

Chicken breasts are lean, versatile and packed with protein - but are there better options for your wallet and your health? Read this and the rest of today's consumer news in the Money blog.

Friday 7 June 2024 09:57, UK

• 100,000 reportedly due to remortgage onto higher rates before election - here's what you need to know
• Does Wetherspoons buy lose to out-of-date beer?
• Rents fall in some big cities
• There's a new best restaurant in the world - this is how much it costs to eat there
• eBay to stop accepting American Express

Essential reads

• Why you should consider swapping chicken breasts out of your shopping basket
• How brands get you to buy more, more, more
• Ed Conway : Claim of £2k tax rise under Labour is over four years - same maths suggests Tories have raised taxes by £13k in last four years
• How much are student loans, when do you start paying back and what is the interest?
• Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

GAME are set to end their long-running rewards programme on 31 July and have urged customers to use their remaining credit whilst they still can.

Both the company's standard GAME Reward scheme and their Elite membership tier will cease to exist, while no further reward points will be earned from purchases made in store or online after July 15.

You can currently redeem 400 reward points for £1 off of a purchase. The end of GAME Elite will mean the end of its monthly offers and prize draws. Any outstanding paid Elite membership months will be eligible for a refund.

"We would strongly urge you to redeem your GAME reward points prior to the closure date on purchases in store or online to avoid disappointment," said GAME.

"After the closure date, GAME reward points will be reset to zero and the GAME reward account will be closed, you will no longer be able to access it and you will no longer be able to redeem your GAME reward points."

The end of GAME's reward programme is the latest move from the company to make changes to their business model.

The chain has already closed several of their own bespoke high street stores and instead taken up residence within Sports Direct and other Fraser Group outlets.

By Sarah Taaffe-Maguire , business reporter

We've now had the first interest rate cut in the UK, US and EU for years. 

Yesterday the European Central Bank (ECB) brought down the cost of borrowing in the countries using the euro - the first reduction since 2019.

Sterling stayed roughly where it has been against the euro for the last two weeks - one pound buys more euro than it has done for most of the last year, €1.1740. 

Oil prices have ticked up through the week but are still just below $80 a barrel for Brent crude, the benchmark price. 

That's cheaper than the vast majority of this year and good news for motorists.  

Signs of stabilisation can be seen in the housing market with the news that house prices fell just 0.1% in May, equivalent to a £170 drop in the average house, according to mortgage lender Halifax. 

But renting is still becoming more expensive, just at a slightly slower rate than before, according to property portal Zoopla.

The average rent costs £80 more a month compared with a year earlier.

Higher housing costs have also shown through in a market update from British homebuilder Bellway, which said it expects to sell houses at a higher price point than it previously thought.

The company is a constituent of the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 250 index of 101st to 350th most valuable companies on the London Stock Exchange which is down 0.22% this morning. 

Wetherspoons pubs are known for their cheap pints.

But how is the chain able to keep prices so low?

Many punters will have heard that this is because the pubs buy short-dated beer from breweries just a couple of months from expiry date - but the owner of the business now says this is not true. 

Sir Tim Martin told The Sun : "I've never hung outside the brewery gate waiting for it to go out of date. It would be impossible."

Asked then how the chain is able to keep prices so low, he said that the vast quantities allowed greater profits.

"There's no real secret, we sell a lot of beer," he said.

He also explained the reason he named the chain Wetherspoons - dispelling the myth that it was named after a teacher who said that he would never make it.

Sir Tim said: "This is a story that got twisted and a bit out of hand. I named it after Mr Wetherspoon, who was a very nice man, but couldn't control his class because at the time I couldn't control my punters."

It can be hard to balance the demands of eating well without spending a lot.

In this series, we try to find the healthiest options in the supermarket for the best value - and have enlisted the help of  Sunna Van Kampen , founder of Tonic Health, who went viral on social media for reviewing food in the search of healthier choices.

In this series we don't try to find the outright healthiest option, but help you get better nutritional value for as little money as possible.

Today we're looking at chicken. 

"When it comes to healthy eating, the first thing that often springs to mind is chicken breast," Sunna says. 

That's mainly because it is lean, versatile, and packed with protein, making it a staple in many health-conscious kitchens.

"But what if we told you there are even better options for your wallet and your health?" Sunna says. 

Cost savings

Chicken breast fillets can be pricey - sitting at an average of around £8.33 per kilogram. 

In contrast, chicken thighs usually come in at about £3.30 per kilogram. 

"That's under half the price," Sunna says.

"To put that into perspective - over the course of a year this can save you over £261.56, assuming you consume 1kg per week in your household. Well worth the saving."

Nutritional value

Many people gravitate towards chicken breasts for their lean protein, but chicken thighs have their own set of nutritional benefits. 

"While they have more fat, it's important to note that they contain more healthy monounsaturated fats, which are good for heart health," Sunna explains. 

"Plus, they're richer in iron, zinc and B12 by at least double."

These are essential minerals that help boost your energy and general wellbeing.

Much of this goodness is down to thighs having more joint cartilage and tendons - which naturally boost the collagen content of the chicken - helping to feed your hair, skin and nails.

"Chicken thighs are not only nutritious but also renowned for their flavour," Sunna points out.

"When slow cooking chicken thighs with bones, you are also getting the benefits of bone broth in the stew which is a great source of collagen, calcium, and magnesium, as well as glycine, arginine and proline which are anti-inflammatory amino acids."

A hidden gem

If you've got the stomach for it, there is one cut of chicken that is ultra affordable and is officially one of the most nutrient-dense foods in the world. 

"Chicken livers are one of the most economical protein and nutrient sources out there," Sunna says.

"At £3.42 per kilo, they're a similar price to thighs but pack a more powerful nutrient punch."

Chicken livers should really be touted as a superfood due to their high nutrient density, in Sunna's view.

"They are an exceptional source of vitamin A, which is crucial for vision, immune function, and skin health. 

"They also boast high levels of B vitamins, particularly B12, which is vital for brain health and energy production.

"Additionally, chicken livers are rich in folate and iron."

While you might be hesitant about the taste or texture of chicken livers, they are incredibly versatile and can be prepared in ways that make them more palatable. 

Sunna's go to is to simply fry the livers quickly with onions, mushrooms and a spicy sauce like a peri-peri.

"Swapping chicken breasts for thighs or livers isn't just a cost-saving measure; it's a health upgrade. 

"By embracing these underrated parts of the bird, you'll enjoy richer flavours, diverse nutrients, and significant savings."

A note on organic

"The health of the bird and its quality of life will directly affect the nutrition and quality of the meat you consume, and as such, if you can afford it, always opt for free range or organic chicken."

The nutritionist's view - from Nichola Ludlam-Raine, dietitian at  nicsnutrition.com ...

"When it comes to budget-friendly eating, chicken thighs significantly outshine chicken breasts.

"While chicken breasts are renowned for their lean (ie low in calorie and low in fat) protein content, chicken thighs do indeed offer great nutritional benefits such as the presence of more connective tissue in thighs boosts collagen intake, which is beneficial for skin, hair, and joint health. 

"As I dietitian I would recommend skipping the skin though, to lower intake of saturated fat - as the preferred type of fat for health is unsaturated, which is found in higher levels in plant foods such as olives, nuts, seeds and avocados.

"Chicken livers are high in vitamin A, essential for vision, immune function and skin health, and also boast significant levels of B vitamins, iron, and folate, supporting brain health and energy production. 

"Due to its vitamin A content though, liver, as well as pate, should be avoided during pregnancy (note that plant-derived vitamin A i.e. beta-carotene, does not need to be avoided).

"When it comes to diet, balance and variety is key, and while including richer sources of meat such as chicken thigh and liver may be a good idea from time to time, I would recommend including other cheaper and leaner protein sources too including lentils, beans, chickpeas, tofu, eggs as well as tinned oily fish - the latter for their omega 3 fatty acid content too."

Read more from this series... 

Every Friday we get an overview of the mortgage market with the help of industry experts. This week we have spoken to David Hollingworth, associate director at L&C Mortgages , and Rachel Springall, finance expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk . 

New research this week - commissioned by the Lib Dems - suggested about 100,000 households will be renewing onto higher rates before the 4 July election. They'll face an average increase of £240 a month.

Ms Springall said: "Those borrowers looking to remortgage this year on a longer-term fixed deal will find the average overall five-year fixed rate is much higher than it was back in June 2019, when it was 2.85%. 

"Week on week, the overall average two and five-year fixed rates rose to 5.95% and 5.51%."

These are the lowest rates on offer...

Moneyfacts advises people looking to avoid upfront costs, legal fees etc to look at Best Buys as well as the deals with the lowest rates...

Good news on the horizon?

Arguably the big news for mortgages this week didn't directly impact UK households - it came yesterday when the European Central Bank went first, ahead of the UK and US, in cutting rates, potentially signalling the beginning of the end of an era of high rates.

The Bank of England and US Federal Reserve are forecast to wait a little longer - markets are currently expecting a September cut in the UK.

It's a waiting game - and that's been reflected in a relatively quiet period for rates movements among UK lenders.

Mr Hollingworth said the flurry of repricing announcements - shifting rates upwards - that followed news of inflation falling less than expected in April had "eased back".

According to Moneyfacts, HSBC increased selected fixed deals by up to 0.26% this week, while Cambridge Building Society pulled its two and five-year fixed mortgages at 90% loan-to-value.

Mr Hollingworth said: "Once lenders start to shift rates it can quickly knock onto others.

"As one deal withdraws the next lender will come under pressure, either from a rate perspective or also to protect service levels. That can cause a snowball effect of rate withdrawals."

He is advising people due to renew to "lock in" - knowing you can "review the situation before completing and take advantage of any better rates if they drop back again".  

Also of note to Mr Hollingworth has been UK Finance's Household Finance Review, which highlighted that many are taking mortgages over longer terms, with 35 to 40-year mortgages more common.

"That does help to reduce the monthly payments on a repayment mortgage but will increase the total interest over the life of the mortgage substantially," he said.

"It's therefore important for borrowers to keep reviewing the term as their circumstances change or to make overpayments if possible. That will help to cut the mortgage back more quickly and could save thousands in interest."

Online auction site eBay says it will no longer accept American Express as payment, blaming "unacceptably high fees".

From 17 August, Amex customers on the online marketplace will have to find an alternative payment method.

"After careful consideration, eBay has decided to no longer accept American Express globally effective 17 August due to the unacceptably high fees American Express charges for processing credit card transactions," Scott Overland, the company spokesman, said.

Mr Overland added that eBay users have been made aware of alternative payment methods, making them more competitive than ever.

As of the end of last year, there were 141.2 million Amex cards in use worldwide.

The online auction site has begun offering customers buy now, pay later options on purchases via Apple Pay, PayPal, Klarna and Affirm.

It might not feel like it for many households across the country, but rental growth in the UK has slowed to its lowest levels in almost three years, according to property website Zoopla.

The average monthly UK rent now stands at £1,226 per month, up £80 over the last year. This is the lowest rate of annual rental price inflation for 30 months (Oct 2021).

In fact, average rents have fallen over the last quarter in some key regional cities including Nottingham (-1.4%), Brighton (-1.1%), York (-0.4%), Glasgow (-0.4%), Cambridge (-0.3%) and London (-0.3%). This is being driven by factors including affordability constraints.

Zoopla says these are modest falls in the context of the rapid growth in rents recently, but it is clear evidence that rental market dynamics are starting to turn in some markets.

"The increase in the cost of renting has slowed to a 30-month low," said Nicola Thivessen, director of group compliance at Kinleigh Folkard and Hayward.

"Rents continue to grow faster than average earnings although the gap is much narrower than a year ago. Rental demand continues to run well ahead of available supply which is keeping the upward pressure on rents, but there are some areas where rental growth has stalled."

Competition remains fierce

Despite rental demand softening over the last year, there are still 15 people chasing every home for rent according to Zoopla's quarterly report.

That's more than double the pre-pandemic average of six people (2017-20), with a third fewer homes available for rent than in pre-pandemic years due to low levels of new investment in rented homes.

The average number of homes for rent per estate agent has increased by almost a fifth (18%) on this time last year, boosting choice. However, the supply of homes for rent remains a third lower than the pre-pandemic period as low investment in rented homes keeps the overall stock of private rented homes broadly flat.

What's the outlook for the rest of 2024?

This depends on the outcome of next month's general election.

The government's Rental Reform Bill failed to make it to the statute books, though rental reform is still needed to improve protections for existing renters.

The big policy focus of a new government should be on boosting the stock of homes for rent – both private and affordable - through increased housing delivery supported by additional funding and reforms to the planning system.

Amazon is now giving all its UK customers - not just Prime members - access to its grocery delivery service.

People living in more than 100 towns and cities will also be able to access same-day delivery without needing to be a member of its subscription service. 

This covers items from Amazon Fresh, Morrisons, Co-op and Iceland. 

It comes amid efforts from the online giant to grow its grocery business in the face of tough competition within the sector.

Prime members, who used to be the only ones who could access the service, will be given more delivery options and free shipping, subject to a minimum spend. 

US regulators are investigating the notorious meme stock investor known online as Roaring Kitty.

Keith Gill shot to fame in 2021 after he fuelled a buying spree of shares in beleaguered video game retailer GameStop. The stock passed $120 from as little as $3 in three months and saw hedge funds' positions rack up big losses.

Gill returned to online chat forum Reddit on Sunday with a post revealing he had a $116m (£90.8m) position in GameStop, telling his followers that he controlled 1.8% of the company's available stock plus call options that gave him the right to buy more.

This fuelled investor confidence in GameStop, with its market value surging as much as 75% before settling around 30% higher.

Gill's trading activities are now being examined by the Massachusetts securities regulator, while the e-trade division of US bank Morgan Stanley is considering banning Gill from its platform, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The renewed interest in GameStop has gathered plenty of momentum, as our business reporter James Sillars outlined here this week...

Some Lloyds, Halifax and the Bank of Scotland customers will be charged more to use their overdrafts as of August. 

The three major banks, which are all part of Lloyds Banking Group, are set to launch a new tiered system for determining interest rates which could see some customers paying an extra 10%. 

At the moment, Lloyds has a standard rate of 39.9%, but the overhaul will see some forced to pay 49.9% for using their overdraft. 

The new rates are set to be: 

The 27.5% rate currently being offered to Club Lloyds customers will also be axed. 

There will be specific criteria for each tier based on a customer's credit information and account activity. 

For those who will see a rise, the banks will introduce a temporary tier for six months, which means the initial impact will be no more than 7.4% of what they are paying at the moment. 

"We are writing to our customers to let them know we're introducing new interest rate tiers on our overdrafts," a Lloyds Banking Group spokesperson said.

"The changes mean many will continue to pay the same or less than they do today, while some may see an increase." 

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