Best Time to Visit Easter Island

Set in stone: Organizing a schedule to see the giant face sculptures of Easter Island

Easter Island is one of Earth's most enigmatic and intriguing places when it comes to historic travel destinations. The large stone figures dotting the island draw tourists from around the globe, especially during the island's summer season. Familiarize yourself with the island's climate and seasons, which run opposite to those in the Northern hemisphere, to pick the temperature range and potential travel costs that suit your travel tastes.

Best time to visit

Visiting Easter Island, in terms of good deals and comfortable weather, is best in March to April and October to November, which equate to the Northern hemisphere's fall and spring, respectively. Since this is not the peak tourist season, hotel rates are more reasonable and less likely to be overbooked. The weather is also comfortable for hiking and visiting historical sites.

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Season: When should you visit

Peak travel and tourist season runs from December to February on Easter Island, which also happens to be summer on this subtropical slice of the planet. It's also the hottest time of year, running a muggy 85 degrees much of the time. If your ideal Easter Island getaway plans include spending time in the water to get away from winter elsewhere, this is an ideal time to visit. Early February is also a popular time to visit for the island's week-long cultural celebration, the Tapati Rapa Nui festival.

If you're traveling to visit the moai, the large, carved stone figures emerging from the landscape, the off-season or non-summer months may be more preferable in terms of climate and hotel prices.

What's the weather like?

The temperatures are fairly mild on Easter Island year-round, but rain and strong winds can make the air feel much colder than it really is during July and August, the winter months. Expect temperatures to run from the upper 50s to low 70s in winter and the low- to mid-80s in summer, keeping in mind that the seasons run opposite of what you may be used to in the Northern hemisphere.

Other things to consider

• Hotel rooms can be scarce in January and February, so if you're planning to visit during this time, book well in advance. Be prepared to spend more for your room during these two months as well, when there's the most demand for lodging. 
  
• If visiting in April through August, plan on getting wet, and pack accordingly. The island experiences heavy rain and thunderstorms this time of year. 
  
• No matter when you visit, carry an ample supply of bottled water each time you leave your hotel room for any outdoor excursion. There's no source of drinkable water outside the main village area, so it's an absolute must to plan ahead.