Why Honeymoon on Easter Island
Rapa Nui feels like nowhere else. The landscape is soft and open, with grassy volcanic cones, black lava coastlines and cliffs that drop straight into deep blue water. Statues appear on hilltops and coastal platforms. The culture behind them is very much alive in the language, dance, carving and food of the Rapa Nui people.
It is also calm. There are no big resorts, no high-rise hotels and little nightlife, which makes it a lovely place to slow down after a busy wedding. Couples spend mornings at archaeological sites, afternoons at the beach or diving and evenings over a long dinner in Hanga Roa.
And the sense of remoteness is real. The nearest inhabited island, Pitcairn, is more than 1,200 miles away. Standing at the edge of the Rano Kau crater with nothing but ocean in every direction is something you will remember together.
When to Go
The island has a mild subtropical climate, so any month works. Summer, from December to March, is the warmest and best for swimming, with water temperatures in the mid-70s and long sunny days.
The Tapati Rapa Nui festival takes over the island for about two weeks in late January and early February. It is a wonderful time to see traditional competitions, music and dance, but flights and lodging book up early and prices climb.
April to November is cooler, especially June through August, with more rain showers and wind. Temperatures still usually reach the upper 60s during the day while the sites are quieter. Rain tends to come in bursts rather than settled gray days.
If beaches and snorkeling matter, choose November through April. If quiet sites and lower rates matter more, the shoulder months of April, May, October and November are a smart compromise.
Where to Stay
Almost all lodging is in or around Hanga Roa, the island's only town, on the west coast.
Explora Rapa Nui sits on its own land outside town, with an all-inclusive program of guided explorations, a pool and views over open countryside toward the sea. It suits couples who want everything planned. Nayara Hangaroa, formerly Hangaroa Eco Village and Spa, is a large property on the coast near town with a spa and rooms built from local stone and wood. Hotel Altiplánico Rapa Nui has simple, stylish bungalows a short walk from the ocean.
The island also has many family-run guesthouses, called residenciales, plus small cabins. They offer warm hospitality at lower prices. Look for places with ocean views on the west side, which face the sunset. Confirm airport pickup, which most hosts include, often with a flower lei on arrival.
Romantic Things to Do
Get up early once to watch the sunrise at Ahu Tongariki, where fifteen restored moai stand in a row with their backs to the sea. Afterward, visit Rano Raraku, the quarry where hundreds of statues remain in the hillside at every stage of carving.
Anakena is the island's main white sand beach, with coconut palms, calm water and a platform of moai with carved topknots just behind the sand. Pack a picnic and spend an afternoon. Ovahe, nearby, is smaller and more secluded.
Hike or drive to the rim of Rano Kau, a huge crater filled with reed-covered lagoons, then visit the ceremonial village of Orongo on its cliff edge.
End a day at Ahu Tahai, just outside Hanga Roa, where moai are silhouetted against the setting sun. Diving and snorkeling here are excellent thanks to very clear water.
Getting There and Around
LATAM is the only airline flying to Easter Island, with flights from Santiago that take about five hours each way. Schedules are limited, so book early and allow a buffer before your international flight home. The island is also two hours behind mainland Chile.
Book your lodging when you book the flights, since rooms on the island are limited. Most hosts meet guests at the airport.
You need a Rapa Nui National Park ticket, sold online and at an office in Hanga Roa. Most sites require you to visit with a licensed local guide. The Rano Raraku quarry and Orongo village can each be entered only once per ticket. Rental cars, scooters and bicycles are available in town. The island is small enough to circle in a few hours. Many couples hire a guide for two days and explore on their own the rest of the time.
Food and Drink
Fresh fish is the star. Tuna, often caught that morning, is served as ceviche, in empanadas or seared. Restaurants along the waterfront in Hanga Roa make an easy dinner with ocean views.
For a special experience, look for an umu, the traditional earth oven feast where meat, fish, sweet potatoes and bananas are wrapped in banana leaves and cooked over hot stones underground. Some cultural shows and hotels host umu dinners, especially around festivals.
Try po'e, a dense, sweet cake made from banana or pumpkin. Tropical fruit such as papaya and pineapple is everywhere.
Most groceries are flown or shipped in, so prices are higher than on the mainland. Wine and beer come from mainland Chile, though there is a local craft beer brewed on the island. Order a pisco sour at sunset and toast the moai.
Honeymoon Tips
Treat the moai and their platforms with care. Do not touch, climb or walk on the ahu, the stone platforms. Fines are steep and the sites are sacred to the Rapa Nui people.
Carry cash in Chilean pesos or US dollars. Card acceptance has improved, but some small businesses and guides still prefer cash. The few ATMs can run out.
Dengue has occurred on the island, so use insect repellent, especially around dawn and dusk. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices for Easter Island before you book.
The sun is strong even when it feels mild. Shade is scarce at most sites. Bring hats, sunscreen and water on every excursion.
Finally, pace yourselves. Plenty of visitors try to see every site in two days and leave exhausted. Four or five nights give you time for the archaeology, the beach and a few lazy evenings in Hanga Roa watching the waves.
