Rapa Nui Crafts & Shopping
CONTENTS
General information
The Rapa Nui crafts and souvenirs available in Easter Island are diverse and range from cheap necklaces or key rings to authentic works of art made of stone and wood whose value can reach several thousand dollars.
Most of the shops are on the main street and the street leading from the Holy Cross Church to the coast. In practically all of them you can find typical Polynesian shirts and sarongs, small moai replicas, and other handicrafts. The largest venue that offers the greatest variety is the Crafts Market, to the left of the church, which is open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 13:00 and 17:00 to 20:00 (some stands open on Sundays at the end of Mass at 9:00 am). Half of the food market stalls also sell handicrafts on Hanga Roa’s main street.
In Anakena and Tahai there are usually a couple of craft stalls, mostly selling stone and wooden carvings. The prices are quite similar everywhere, and although haggling is not common, you can try it; especially in the craft market or if you’re buying several pieces. This can be useful, especially if we consider that the overall prices in Easter Island are not cheap, even for a tax-free place.
The best sculptors and carvers on the island often have their own stores, and it’s there where the better quality works can be found. Although, in many cases, the prices can be substantially higher than what the visitor expects.
Among the main pieces of wooden Rapa Nui handicrafts, the Moai Kava Kava (figures with protruding ribs and a starved appearance), Rongo Rongo tablets (ancient Rapa Nui writing), Rei Miro (crescent pectoral with human heads at its ends), Moko (representation of a lizard), and Ao (leadership cane in the shape of a paddle with two rowing ends) stand out.
Moai replicas in different sizes, pukaos (moai headdresses), and stones carved with petroglyphs representing the Birdman and the creator god Make Make can be found made out of stone.
There is also a type of “vegetable craft”, made with plantain bark and feathers and decorated with seashells, with which the clothing used in folkloric dances are made.
You can also find simpler things with more of a Polynesian style, such as necklaces, rings, earrings and other decorations made out of seashells or flowers. Though many crafts made out of coral are available, their purchase is not recommended in order to avoid that it keeps being taking out of the sea.
Crafts, clothes, jewelry and souvenirs
Crafts Market
The place that offers the greatest variety and quality of crafts is the Craft Market. Located in front of the Holy Cross Church, it was built in the 70’s with the funds raised during the Tapati Festival. Read more »
Agricultural and handicraft fair
The Fair located in the heart of Hanga Roa, is a meeting place for some rapanui inhabitants, as local fruits and vegetables are available here, as well as quality handicrafts for tourists. Read more »
Maea Moana
In Maea Moana we are the only Easter Island jewelry which offers fine pieces made in silver and lapis lazuli. We offer exclusive pieces with designs Rapa Nui as make-make and moais, tangata manu. Read more »
Tau Kiani
Tau Kiani is the only Rapa Nui store which created their own designs for fabrics, shirts, dresses and home accessories. We invite you to know and choose between our many patterned fabrics with unique motifs. Read more »
The Sau Sau Shop
The Sau Sau Shop is a store born from the desire to create a space representative of the Rapa Nui culture, it is a place of expression for the artisans and artists of Polynesia. Read more »
Nehe Nehe
We invite you to visit our store Nehe-Nehe, where you will find a wide variety of pieces of local art, made in Rapa Nui.
Among our main products we can highlight the silver hand-worked goldwork, as well as beautiful jewelry with black and white pearls. Read more »
Art Galleries
Mana Gallery
Mana Gallery is a place dedicated to Rapanui art and the archeology of Easter Island. In our gallery you will find works of outstanding local artists and craftsmen who have here a unique space to show their talent to the world. Read more »
Amaya Art Gallery
More than 25 years ago the Chilean painter Amaya Riva decided to install her home in Rapa Nui. Since then, the nature, culture and magic that this remote island emanates have inspired their art. Read more »
Ahi Moana
If you are looking for exclusivity, creativity and avant-garde, you will be visiting the perfect place. Ahi Moana is a small and different space in the heart of the island, where a Rapanui family is the creator of everything you can discover inside this place. Read more »
Rapa Nui products
Meri Heretea
Rapanui honey is one of the healthiest honeys in the world. A very desired gourmet treasure with a soft texture that contains numerous aromatic nuances from the tropical fruits that grow on the island. Read more »
Taina Rapa Nui
True brotherhood does not require blood ties, but to share life with the people we choose. From that link is born Taina, a beer with an intense body and flavor, made in the middle of the Pacific Ocean for the world. Read more »
Supermarkets and stores
Puna Vai Minimarket
In our mini-market you will find a complete domestic and imported wines cellar including a fine selection of French champagne, spirits, water and beer. We are the only place on Easter Island that offers a wide range of frozen and gourmet products. Read more »
Ricardito y Angela
Located at Atamu Tekena street, in the center of Hanga Roa, in our supermarket you can find a variety of necessities. Fresh produce, fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, eggs, milk, yogurt, butter, meat and poultry; and all kinds of groceries. Read more »
Pou Vae Tea
Located in the new Mall Oceanic in Pou Vae Tea supermarket you can find all the food and hygiene items, as needed. A wide variety of fresh and packaged products such as meat, chicken, sausage, cheese and other items. Read more »
Rapa Nui sin envase
Rapa Nui sin envase is a bulk store focused on reducing consumption pollution, promoting healthy living. More than 200 natural, organic and healthy products. Read more »