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All Chile Rapa Nui

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Rapa Nui

7 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Rapa Nui, Chile

Updated April 18, 2024

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Unusual Attractions in Rapa Nui

Rapa Nui, Chile

"El Gigante" and the Moai of Rapa Nui

The largest stone moai on Rapa Nui.

Rapa Nui, Chile

Orongo

This was once the center of the Birdman cult, and is now a World Heritage Site.
Waves rolling into Cannibal Cave.

Rapa Nui, Chile

Ana Kai Tangata (Cannibal Cave)

The ominously named cave is home to some remarkable ancient art.
The Navel of the World

Rapa Nui, Chile

The Navel of the World

This large round boulder is said to emit spiritual power, but it may just be magnets.
Moai at the airport

Rapa Nui, Chile

Mataveri International Airport

The world's most remote airport.
Pu o Hiro, or Hiro’s Trumpet.

Rapa Nui, Chile

Pu o Hiro (Hiro's Trumpet)

In the Middle Ages, villagers would sound this stone trumpet to boost fertility and coax fish to shore.
Rano Kui

Rapa Nui, Chile

Kotepokouri Rano Kau

A volcanic crater that visitors can look inside.
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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Rapa Nui, Chile

A
Nature 2
Geology 2
Rocks 2
Natural Wonders 2
Rites And Rituals 2
Lost Tribes 2
Ecosystems 2

Rapa Nui Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. LongNow
    1
  2. atimian
    1
  3. TLara
    1
  4. deni367
    1
  5. bsuto
    1
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Add an unusual place to Rapa Nui.

Places Edited

  1. Collector of Experiences
    5
  2. Molly McBride Jacobson
    3
  3. JoeDeRose
    2
  4. LaTortueNoire
    2
  5. Martin
    2
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Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. mrbrown3
    7
  2. bsuto
    7
  3. saracortes01
    7
  4. lucywins
    7
  5. Teja on the Horizon
    7
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Visit a place in Rapa Nui.

Recent Rapa Nui Activity

  • ElisePoulain

    has been to The Navel of the World

    12 days ago
  • nathanrlds

    wants to go to The Navel of the World

    11 days ago
  • nathanrlds

    wants to go to Orongo

    11 days ago
  • ProstheticShrew

    wants to go to "El Gigante" and the Moai of Rapa Nui

    5 days ago
  • mothmeister

    has been to "El Gigante" and the Moai of Rapa Nui

    4 days ago

Stories About Rapa Nui

For years, the triathlon occurred on the lake of a volcano crater, but now takes place on the ocean.

The World’s Most Remote Triathlon Involves Bird Eggs, a Volcano, and Bananas

Tau’a Rapa Nui continues to fight for its place against shifting tides.
by Charis McGowan
April 18, 2024
All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

The Atlas Obscura Crossword: Beyond the Moai

by AO Puzzles
March 25, 2024
The Rongorongo tablets may be older than previously thought.

Mysterious Writing System From Easter Island May Be Completely Unique

New radiocarbon dating reveals astonishing insights.
by Colleen Kelly
February 15, 2024
Wood artisan Benedicto Tuki Tepano holding a rongorongo tablet.

The Lost Language of Easter Island

A wooden fish could help linguists learn more about the writing system known as rongorongo.
by Shafik Meghji
March 24, 2021
A row of stone monoliths, or moai, on Ahu Tongariki in Rapa Nui.

Easter Island's Monoliths Made the Crops Grow

By quarrying rock for the statues, the people of Rapa Nui fertilized the soil.
by Reina Gattuso
January 8, 2020
Moai sculptures on Rapa Nui.

Norway Will Finally Return Thousands of Artifacts to Easter Island

Sculptures, weapons, and human skulls will soon go back to the South Pacific.
by Sabrina Imbler
April 8, 2019

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