As of August 2022, traveling to Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, is once again a viable dream for tourists eager to uncover this UNESCO World Heritage Site’s architectural and natural marvels. After more than two years of pandemic-induced closure, Rapa Nui reopened its doors to tourists on May 20, 2022. This reopening came with specific requirements, including the completion of a Unique Entry Form, enabling travelers to visit this remote paradise once again.
A Gradual Reopening
The reopening of Easter Island has been a gradual process. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the island enjoyed the luxury of receiving two flights daily, amounting to 14 weekly flights. However, the reopening commenced with just two flights per week, each accommodating around 300 tourists during August. This frequency increased to three flights per week in September and escalated to seven weekly flights starting in October, all operated by LATAM Airlines.
Requirements for Traveling to Easter Island
So, what do you need to know about the requirements for traveling to Easter Island? Here’s a comprehensive breakdown.
Entry Requirements for Rapa Nui
It’s crucial to note that the requirements for traveling to Rapa Nui are not solely related to COVID-19 containment measures. Chile’s Law 21.070, which took effect on August 1, 2018, also imposes certain conditions for tourists wishing to enter the territory. This law aims to promote responsible tourism, preventing overcrowding of inhabitants, tourists, and vehicles on the island by regulating the rights of individuals to live, remain, or move to and from Easter Island.
According to Law 21.070, “any person, Chilean or foreign, has the right to enter and remain on the island for a maximum period of 30 days.” This period can be extended under exceptional conditions, such as economic activities, family reasons, employment ties, or performing governmental public functions.
Requirements Under Law 21.070
- Complete the Unique Entry Form for Rapa Nui (FUI)
- Round-trip Tickets
- Valid Identity Document: This includes a national ID, passport, or another valid travel document.
- Accommodation Reservation: You must book lodging that is registered and authorized by SERNATUR or provide a signed invitation letter from a Rapa Nui resident.
COVID-19 Requirements
On October 18, 2022, the Seremi of Health for the Valparaíso Region announced that due to the current favorable epidemiological conditions, Rapa Nui officially entered the opening stage, renewing the sanitary measures for tourists entering the island. Under Resolution 1.472 from the Ministry of Health, all tourists must adhere to the following safety protocols:
- Negative PCR Test Certificate: Required prior to boarding for all national and international tourists traveling by air or sea. The test must be taken within 48 hours before departure.
- Negative Antigen Test: Required for children under 6 years old, also within 48 hours before boarding.
- Persistent Positive Tourists: Those who tested positive for the virus within 30 days prior to boarding must provide two diagnostic test results:
- The first result from a PCR or antigen test taken between 10 and 30 days before departure.
- The second result from a PCR test taken within 48 hours before boarding.
- Full Vaccination Scheme – Mobility Pass: Applies to both nationals and foreigners without regular residency in Rapa Nui.
Additional health measures within the territory include:
- Mandatory mask use in healthcare facilities.
- Strongly recommended mask use in enclosed spaces.
- Absolute isolation for confirmed cases.
- A 5-day quarantine for close contacts of confirmed cases.
Travelers entering Easter Island may be subject to health monitoring protocols for a period of 5 days.
General Requirements for Foreign Tourists in Chile
Beyond the specific requirements related to Law 21.070 and COVID-19 restrictions, foreign travelers to Chile for tourism must also meet general entry requirements.
Do You Need a Visa to Enter Easter Island?
The good news is that, generally (with some exceptions), no visa is required to enter Easter Island for tourism purposes. This applies to citizens of several South American countries, the European Union, the United States, Canada, and Australia. However, nationals from certain countries may require a “Temporary Stay” authorization. Soon, you’ll be able to complete your Temporary Stay Permit quickly and easily through iVisa. To find out if you need this permit, you can click on our travel document search tool. The application for this type of tourist visa can also be made through any Chilean embassy or consulate, and even online.
Additionally, there is a list of nationalities subject to a reciprocity fee for tourists entering Chile by air, a measure the government is gradually trying to eliminate to promote and increase tourism in the country.
Required Documents for Adults Traveling as Tourists to Chile
- Passport: Required for all tourists.
- National ID: Citizens of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay may enter Chile with their National Identity Document.
Required Documents for Minors Traveling as Tourists
- When traveling with both parents:
- Passport or National Identity Document as per their nationality.
- Original birth certificate or family book with three copies.
- When traveling with one parent:
- Passport or National Identity Document as per their nationality.
- Original birth certificate or family book with three copies.
- Authorization from the absent parent, notarized, explicitly granting permission for the minor to leave the country. Alternatively, authorization from the relevant Family Court is required, with the original document and three copies submitted.
- When not traveling with either parent:
- Passport or National Identity Document as per their nationality.
- Original birth certificate or family book with three copies.
- Authorization from both parents, notarized, explicitly granting permission for the minor to leave the country. Alternatively, authorization from the relevant Family Court is required, with the original document and three copies submitted.
Obtaining the Unique Entry Form for Easter Island in Chile
The Unique Entry Form for Easter Island is an authorization that replaces a visa and grants its holder permission to enter the territory. This document was established by Chilean migration authorities to monitor tourist flows to the island and ensure the safety of Rapa Nui residents.
The form is a mandatory requirement for all travelers visiting the island and must be presented to authorities upon arrival. You can apply for it online, and it will be sent directly to your email, eliminating the need to visit an embassy.
Discovering Easter Island
Where is Easter Island?
Easter Island is located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 3,600 km from Chile, which has governed the island since 1888. It is part of the famous Polynesian Triangle, alongside other well-known islands like Hawaii and New Zealand, forming a geometric triangular shape with each island situated at a vertex.
The Moai Statues: A Main Attraction for Adventurers
Easter Island is globally renowned for its giant Moai statues and various archaeological discoveries that have taken place on the territory. The Moai statues were handcrafted by ancestral generations inhabiting the island and are made from volcanic rock. Their original name in the Rapa Nui language is “Moai Aringa Ora,” meaning “the living face of our ancestors.” These statues were constructed to maintain the ancestral energy alive after death. According to Rapa Nui beliefs, the energy of the deceased, referred to as “mana,” was essential for controlling and protecting the tribe, as well as for crops, harvests, and livestock.
Today, there are approximately 900 Moai statues scattered across the island, including some unfinished ones and many others showing signs of wear due to time. Over 400 Moai are located around the Rano Raraku volcano, which makes sense, as this volcano was the source of the material used for their construction.
How to Get to Easter Island
There are only two ways to reach the island: by air and sea. If you’re looking to fly to Easter Island, the only option is from Chile. As mentioned earlier, LATAM is the only airline providing flights to the island, with a flight duration of approximately 6 hours.
For maritime travel, there are yachts and sailboats departing from the coast of Chile, as well as international and national cruises that visit Easter Island. However, if you choose to travel by cruise, be aware that the stay in Rapa Nui is short, as tour packages include brief stops allowing you to spend only a few hours on the island.
Easter Island is not just a destination; it’s an experience that offers a deep connection to history, culture, and the beauty of nature. With the reopening to tourism and the implementation of responsible travel guidelines, visitors can once again explore the mysteries of Rapa Nui while respecting the island’s rich heritage and fragile ecosystem. Whether you’re drawn by the majestic Moai statues, the unique culture of the Rapa Nui people, or the stunning landscapes, your journey to Easter Island promises to be unforgettable.
