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Unique Destinations (South America) Ltda

Chile's Pacific Islands

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Chile's Islands:  numbering some 6,000 in all, 14% of Chile's territory is made up of islands!  The majority lie south of Chiloe Island, along the Pacific shores of Chile's west coast, stretching down to the largest, ​Tierra del Fuego!  But the most renowned is ​Rapa Nui Island (or Easter Island), located 3,500kms west of Chile, abeam Santiago.   Of similar beauty, but no less mystery, is the Juan Fernandez Archipelago, with its legendary Robinson Crusoe Island, only 650kms west of Chile. ​​
​​Annexed by Chile in 1888, ​Rapa Nui Island has a "complicated" history that has prompted explorers to ponder the origin of its people.  With most believing they came in the early 10th or 11th century from Polynesia, some have suggested they had South American ancestry.  With a population decimated in the mid 19th century by slavers and disease, their once great forests were ravished by over-use.  This caused soil erosion and eradication of much fauna.  Today, with a population of 5,800, most are of Polynesian descent and involved in fishing or tourism.  Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, the enigmatic statues known as moai, plus the remains of a later culture named the Birdmen people, make Rapa Nui Island one of the most fascinating and remote places on Earth to be visited!  ​
  Flights to Rapa Nui can only be made from Santiago, Chile,  or from Tahiti, in French Polynesia.  A stay of 4 days/3nights is  recommended.  Tourists must show evidence of accommodation booked in approved (ie. by Chile's SERNATUR authority) sites.  The AM flight from Santiago (5.5hrs) ideally permits visitors to utilise a PM on arrival, 2 full days on tours, and an AM before returning to Santiago on Day 4.   Highlights to be seen are the huge quarry at Rano Raraku, where most of the moai were extracted.  Also, the magnificent Ahu (altar) at locations such as Ahu Tongariki, where one can view the largest collection of moais; and destinations of special significance at Anakena beach, at Rano Kau crater, ​and the uniquely special remains of the Birdmen People at Orongo, ​whose chief was selected annually in a rite of great peril! 
  The Juan Fernandez Arc​hipelago is an alternative special to Chile "Pacific Islands Experience", but not easily conducted from a logistic viewpoint.  Connecting flights (2 hrs) are in small aircraft, with limited capacity and much preference given to locals commuting.  But once flights are assured, the experience is truly unique!  This is a fabulous destination, with the focus being on Isla Robinson Crusoe where castaway Alexander Selkirk ​reputedly spent over 4 years in isolation, as related by Daniel Defoe in his famous tales of Robinson Crusoe.   This too, is where SMS Dresden ​met her fate during WW1.   Visitors can also observe unique fauna (eg. Juan Fernandez Firecrown), go on hikes to see unique flora, or partake of ​outstanding diving experiences in this little visited Pacific gem!
Booking ahead for ​Rapa Nui​, especially to reserve flights with LATAM, is strongly recommended, particularly during the peak season (Dec to Feb) and Easter!  High end  ​hotel rates vary from US$300-500/night for 2 persons sharing, with breakfast.  Facilities here will include pool, spa, massage offers, etc.  Explora Rapa Nui  offers an all-inclusive luxury package ​from US$ 4,700 for two persons sharing a double room for 3 nights, with all meals, drinks, excursions, and airport transfers.  Unique Destinations ​similarly has a shortlist of cheaper, but comfortable, hotels and "cabañas" at lower prices (from US$ 130/night​), for those on a tighter budget.  All accommodation is in or near the capital, Hanga Roa​, which also features many good restaurants.  Consider visiting in February, when the Island hosts the Tapati Festival​, featuring ethnic sports events and local music & dance!  (Next Tapati Jan/Feb 2026)
On ​Robinson Crusoe Island ​the accommodation options are much more limited.  With a population of under 1,000, most visitors stay in the capital, San Juan Bautista, on the NE coast of the Island in Cumberland Bay.   Aircraft fly into the basic strip perched high on a ledge located in the SW part of the island, and will have an exciting 2 hours transfer in a fast water-taxi to reach their hotels!  Only a few high-end ​hotels are on offer, typically charging between US$ 225-270/night for 2 persons sharing, with breakfast.  They offer excellent location, better food and facilities, such as a "hot-tub".  Cheaper "cabañas" can be found for about ​US$ 110/night, for 2 persons sharing, with breakfast.  A very popular vacation package here is a scuba diving holiday, both to view the marine life or conduct sport fishing.  The Island brewery is also worth a visit!
Contact Unique Destinations HERE to check on Availability & Rates on Chile's Pacific Islands!

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  • Unique Destinations
    • ARGENTINA >
      • Buenos Aires
      • Iguazu Falls
      • Vineyards
      • National Parks
      • Cruises & Antarctica
    • BOLIVIA >
      • La Paz & Yungas
      • Lake Titicaca
      • National Parks
      • Celebration, Colour & Carnival in Colonial Bolivia
    • BRAZIL >
      • Amazonia & The Pantanal
      • Brazil, Best Beaches, Sea & Sun >
        • Fernando de Noronha Island
        • Brazil, Ilha Grande
        • Pousada Picinguaba
        • Ponta Dos Ganchos
      • Brazil, Carnaval, Music & Rhythm
      • Iguacu Falls
    • CHILE & RAPA NUI >
      • Norte Grande & Atacama Desert
      • Chile Norte Chico, La Serena & Elqui Valley
      • Zona Central, Santiago, Valparaiso & Wine!
      • Chile Zona Sur, Rivers, Lakes, Volcanoes & Chiloe Island
      • Chile Zona Austral, Carretera Austral & Torres del Paine >
        • Catamaranes del Sur
        • Nomads of the Seas, Patagonia
      • Chile's Pacific Islands
      • Chile Cruises & Antarctica >
        • Australis Cruise Options
        • Patagonian Ice Fields Cruises
    • ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS >
      • Classical Ecuador
      • The Galapagos
      • Ecuador, Mega-diversity
    • PERU >
      • Lima & Surrounds
      • Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley
      • Amazonia Peru >
        • Peru, Amazonia River Cruises
        • Peru, Amazonia Land Tours
      • Peru, Pre-Inca Civilisations >
        • Kuelap, Warriors of the Clouds
    • ANTARCTICA >
      • Antarctica Cruise Options
    • FALKLAND ISLANDS & SOUTH GEORGIA
    • SOUTH AMERICA OVERVIEW
  • Contact
  • About Us/Travel Insurance
    • Terms, Conditions & Payment
    • Travel Insurance
    • Reviews
  • DOM/TOUR REPORTS
    • Accessible Tourism
    • Argentina >
      • Cavas Wine Lodge, Mendoza
      • El Colibri, Cordova
      • Iguazu Falls
    • Bolivia >
      • Luna Salada, Salar de Uyuni
    • Brazil >
      • Iguazu Falls
      • Ilha Grande
      • Ponta Dos Ganchos
      • Pousada Picinguaba
    • Chile >
      • Chile Norte & Central >
        • Alto Atacama
        • Tierra Atacama
        • Casa Molle, Elqui Valley, Chile
        • Elquimista, Elqui Valley
        • Ski Portillo, Chile
        • L'Ambassade Petit Hotel, Santiago
        • Tumunan Lodge, Chile
        • Explora Rapa Nui, Easter Island
      • Chile Sur & Austral >
        • Tierra Chiloe
        • Patagonia Camp
        • Remota Patagonia
        • Australis Cruises
    • Ecuador >
      • Magical Galapagos
      • Sacha Lodge, Amazonia
    • Falkland Islands
    • Peru >
      • Delfin Amazon River Cruise
      • Inkaterra Experience >
        • Inkaterra Amazonica
        • Inkaterra Cuzco
        • Inkaterra Machu Picchu
      • Manu - Pura Amazonia