The Rapa Nui National Park, established in 1935, covers almost half of the island and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. It is a place of exceptional cultural and historical significance, where the most spectacular achievements of the Rapa Nui civilization can be admired. Managed by the Chilean organization CONAF, the park is an excellent starting point for exploring the island and learning about its fascinating history.

Entry to the National Park requires the purchase of a ticket, which is relatively expensive, but is valid for several days, allowing you to explore all the attractions in peace. It is worth remembering that some places in the park can be visited only once during the validity of the ticket, so it is a good idea to plan the tour in advance. Ticket prices vary for foreign tourists and Chilean residents, with tourists paying significantly more. However, it is a worthwhile investment, given the uniqueness of the experience the island offers.

One of the most impressive sites in the park is Ahu Tongariki, the largest ceremonial platform on the island, which houses fifteen monumental moai statues. This site was destroyed by a tsunami in 1960, and then carefully restored in the 1990s. Today, Ahu Tongariki is one of the most recognizable symbols of Easter Island and is especially popular at dawn, when the first rays of the sun illuminate the majestic statues. The platform is 220 meters long and is the most photogenic spot on the island. The statues, lined up in a single line, vary in size and detail, indicating that they were created at different times. The largest of them is almost 9 meters high and weighs about 86 tons.

Another fascinating site is Ahu Te Pito Kura, where once stood the largest moai statue ever erected on a ceremonial platform - the Moai Paro. This colossal statue, 10 meters high and weighing about 80 tons, was toppled during internal conflicts on the island and today lies face down on the ground. The site is also known as the 'navel of the world' due to the presence of a round perfectly shaped stone, which according to legend was brought to the island by the first ruler Hotu Matu'a. The stone is said to have special magnetic and energetic properties, and local guides often demonstrate how the compass behaves unusually near it. Ahu Te Pito Kura is located on the northern coast of the island and offers spectacular views of the ocean.

Ahu Nau Nau is another important ceremonial platform, located on Anakena Beach - the only sandy beach on the island. The site is of special historical significance because, according to oral tradition, it was here that the first Polynesian settler Hotu Matu'a landed. The Ahu Nau Nau platform is unique because the moai statues here are preserved in relatively good condition - some of them still have red pukao (stone 'hats' or 'hairstyles') on their heads and visible carvings on their backs. The seven statues standing on the platform were restored in the 1970s by a team of archaeologists led by Sergei Khavayev. Anakena Beach, with its turquoise water and coconut palms, is the perfect contrast to the harsh, volcanic landscape of the rest of the island and is a popular resting place for tourists and locals alike.

Moai is undoubtedly the most recognizable symbol of Easter Island. These monumental statues, carved from volcanic tuff, represent the ancestors and important personalities of the ancient Rapa Nui community. There are about 900 statues throughout the island, most of which remain at the Rano Raraku quarry, where they were created. The moai statues are characterized by elongated faces, massive torsos and often disproportionately small lower limbs. Their height ranges from 2 to 20 meters, and their weight from several to tens of tons. Most fascinating is the fact that the ancient islanders managed to transport these colossi over considerable distances without using wheels or draft animals. To this day, scholarly discussions continue about the methods they used to move the statues.

One of the best-preserved ceremonial complexes is Ahu Tahai, located near the main village of Hanga Roa. The complex consists of three platforms: Ahu Vai Uri with five statues, Ahu Ko Te Riku with a single statue with restored coral and obsidian eyes, and Ahu Tahai proper. The site is particularly popular at sunset, when the silhouettes of the statues stand out picturesquely against the red sky. Ahu Tahai was restored in the 1960s and 1970s by American archaeologist William Mulloy, who was buried nearby after his death, according to his last will. The complex is easily accessible on foot from Hanga Roa, making it one of the most visited sites on the island.

A lesser-known but equally fascinating site is Ahu Akahanga, also known as 'the king's platform.' According to oral tradition, this is where the island's first ruler, Hotu Matu'a, was buried. The complex consists of several platforms with toppled statues that have never been restored, giving an idea of what most ceremonial sites looked like before the archaeological work. There are also the remains of ancient houses with a distinctive boat shape (hare paenga) and petroglyphs. Ahu Akahanga offers a more authentic and less touristy experience than more popular locations.

Puna Pau is a small quarry located in the western part of the island, where pukao - the red, cylindrical 'headgear' placed on some moai statues - were made. Made of red volcanic tuff, pukao probably symbolized social status or power. At the quarry you can see several unfinished pukao and learn more about the techniques used to make and transport them. The site is less visited than the island's main attractions, but provides valuable information about the advanced carving skills of Rapa Nui's ancient inhabitants.

The Moai Paro, once standing on the Ahu Te Pito Kura platform, is the largest statue ever erected on a ceremonial platform. This colossal statue, about 10 meters high and weighing about 80 tons, now lies face down on the ground, toppled over during the internal conflicts that led to the collapse of the Rapa Nui civilization. The Moai Paro stands out not only for its size, but also for its excellent workmanship, a testament to the mastery of the Rapa Nui sculptors. The statue is evidence of how advanced the island's culture was during its heyday.

Ahu Ature Huki is a platform with a single moai statue that was the first to be re-erected in modern times. This was done by Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl in 1956 during his expedition to Easter Island. The experiment was designed to prove that the island's ancient inhabitants were able to erect statues using simple tools and techniques. Heyerdahl and his team managed to erect a statue weighing about 20 tons using wooden levers and stones, involving some 180 people in the work. The event was a landmark for the study of Rapa Nui culture and contributed to a better understanding of the engineering skills of the island's ancient inhabitants.

In addition to the famous moai statues, Easter Island also offers fascinating natural attractions and lesser-known archaeological treasures to discover during a visit. One such site is Ana Te Pahu, a vast system of lava caves that in the past served the island's inhabitants as shelter and a place to grow crops. These caves were created by volcanic activity and form a fascinating underground maze. Inside Ana Te Pahu there is a constant temperature and humidity, which made it an ideal place to grow banana trees and other plants at a time when the island was struggling with environmental problems. Today, you can enjoy these plants growing in caves, creating a surreal landscape of an underground garden. The tour requires good lighting and proper footwear, but the reward is a unique experience of exploring the underground world of Rapa Nui.

Cueva De Las Dos Ventanas (Cave of Two Windows) is another fascinating geological formation on the island. This lava cave owes its name to two natural openings in the vault, through which sunlight streams in, creating a magical atmosphere. There is a spectacular view of the ocean from inside the cave, and at low tide you can walk through the cave to a small hidden beach. The site was used by ancient islanders for stargazing and as a landmark for fishermen. The cave is located on the northern coast of the island and offers an excellent vantage point from which to view the rugged beauty of the Rapa Nui coastline.

Mirador Hanga Kioe is one of the most scenic viewpoints on the island, offering panoramic views of the coast and a single moai statue standing on a ceremonial platform. The site is particularly popular at sunset, when the last rays of the sun illuminate the statue and the surrounding landscape. The vantage point is easily accessible and makes a great spot for photography. From Mirador Hanga Kioe you can also watch the powerful waves crashing against the volcanic coastline, creating a spectacular, dynamic landscape.

Hanga Tetenga is a lesser-known but extremely picturesque bay on the east coast of the island. The site features a dramatic rocky landscape and the remains of ceremonial platforms with toppled moai statues. The bay offers the rugged beauty typical of Rapa Nui, and is much less crowded than popular tourist attractions. It's the perfect place for those seeking peace and quiet and an authentic island experience. Also nearby are petroglyphs - ancient cave carvings depicting birds, fish and other motifs associated with the Tangata Manu (bird man) cult.

Playa Poko Poko is a small but charming beach located near the main village of Hanga Roa. Although not a typical sandy beach like Anakena, it offers the opportunity to swim in crystal clear waters and relax in a picturesque setting. The beach is popular with local residents and is a great place to watch the sunset. There are also several restaurants serving fresh seafood nearby, making this the perfect spot for an afternoon relaxation after a busy tour of the island.

Pu o Hiro is an ancient musical instrument made of stone that, according to legend, belonged to the god Hiro. The stone is shaped like a horn and, when blown properly, produces a low, rumbling sound, which the islanders believed would summon rain and ensure good crops. The instrument is evidence of the advanced acoustic knowledge of Rapa Nui's ancient inhabitants. Pu o Hiro is located in the northeastern part of the island and is surrounded by an aura of mysticism and legends.

Ahu Te Peu is a remote ceremonial complex located on the northwestern tip of the island. The site is rarely visited by tourists due to difficult access, making it ideal for those seeking an authentic experience away from the crowds. The complex consists of several ceremonial platforms with toppled moai statues and the remains of ancient houses and structures. Ahu Te Peu also offers spectacular views of the ocean and the island's rugged volcanic landscape. Getting to this site requires good preparation and it is best to hire a local guide who knows the area.

Easter Island is a place where nature and culture intertwine in fascinating ways, creating a unique heritage that attracts travelers from all over the world. Despite its distance and isolation, or perhaps because of them, Rapa Nui has retained its unique character and mysterious atmosphere, which makes a visit to the island an unforgettable experience. Exploring the hidden treasures of Rapa Nui allows you to better understand the fascinating history and culture of this isolated patch of land in the middle of the Pacific.