Easter Island money and prices

On this page you will find useful information on what kind of currency is used, where to exchange currencies, what banks are in Hanga Roa, and the prices in Rapa Nui for the different concepts, so that you can calculate your budget if you are thinking about traveling to Easter Island.

Easter Island currency

The official currency in Easter Island is the Chilean peso, since although Rapa Nui is considered a special island territory belongs to Chile, and therefore it uses the same currency as the Andean country.

The international code for the Chilean peso is CLP and its symbol is $, as for other currencies of the same name used in other countries of the Americas. The Chilean peso circulates in coins of 10, 50, 100 and 500 pesos; and in bills of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000 and 20,000 pesos.

Due to the large amount of foreign tourists who visit Easter Island, the US dollar and sometimes the euro are also accepted. The price of products in supermarkets, stores and restaurants always are written in pesos. But the rates of the services offered by tourism and lodging companies are usually expressed in dollars and pesos and can be paid in both currencies.

However, both national and foreign tourists should use Chilean pesos since prices published in dollars are not as advantageous.

Most of the establishments have the Transbank system installed, so it is not a problem to make payments with national or foreign cards. In any case it is advisable to consult in advance, because sometimes they can charge an extra cost for their use or if the amount is small they may not accept them. In any case, it is always advisable to take some cash to make small purchases, take a taxi or have lunch at Anakena beach, where the telephone line has not yet arrived.

The average exchange rate of the Chilean peso with the dollar in recent months is about 875 pesos per dollar. And the average exchange rate with respect to the euro is about 915 pesos per euro. You can check the current exchange of the dollar with the peso here and the euro with the peso here.

Those who have not exchanged dollars or euros before arriving at Rapa Nui can do so at the two banks that exist on the island. In the Puna Vai store, which is in the gas station located on Hotu Matu’a Avenue, you can also buy Chilean pesos at a very convenient exchange rate. You will also avoid the long queues of banks and enjoy air conditioning and a wide range of gourmet foods and beverages.

Banks in Easter Island

In Hanga Roa, the only town on the island, there are only two bank branches. One belongs to the Banco Estado (State Bank of Chile) and the other to Banco Santander. Both of them are in the urban center and there are only 150 meters between one office and another.

Banco Estado

The Banco Estado office is always full of clients, especially in the first and last days of each month, since a large part of the population of the island has an account in this bank belonging to the Chilean state. They usually have enough dollars and euros so tourists can change the pesos at a reasonable rate.

At the entrance there is a new cabin that houses two ATMs where the traveler can use their debit or credit card without having to queue.

Banco Santander

Banco Santander is the only private bank that has a branch in Easter Island. Its original facade decorated with reliefs of rapanui motifs is located in front of Pea beach.

The Santander bank office has the advantage of being more agile than the Banco Estado since it has a smaller number of clients and also has parking for vehicles and ATM.

Prices on Easter Island

We can not forget that Rapa Nui is one of the most isolated territories on the planet and that most of the goods and products found on the island arrive by land or sea from the mainland. This causes that the prices in Rapa Nui of almost all the things are quite higher than in continental Chile and that in other parts of the world. For that reason, it is not very useful, for example, to deduct for the prices of accommodation, the services or the quality that should have, because here the standards are different.

Below we will reflect the average prices of the main products and services that travelers may need during their stay in Rapa Nui. The prices are expressed in Chilean pesos ($).

Rapa Nui National Park entrance fee

This is one of the few mandatory payments for all tourists who wish to visit the historical and archaeological sites of Easter Island.

Read more information about Rapa Nui National Park

The prices were updated in January 2017 and are as follows:

• Chilean adults: 20.000 CLP
• Chilean children: 10.000 CLP

• Foreign adults (any age): USD 80
• Foreign children: USD 40

Accommodation rates on Easter Island

Basically, you can find four types of accommodation on Easter Island: campsites, cabins, hostels and hotels. Choosing one or the other will depend first of all on the budget, then on whether you travel alone, as a couple or as a group, and on the taste of each traveler.

Read more information about Easter Island accommodation

Depending on the type of accommodation chosen, the prices can vary greatly. The approximate value per night of each type of accommodation is as follows:

Campsites

• Rent a tent on a campsite: $8.000 p/p

Hostel

• Single bed in a shared room with shared bathroom: $5.000 ~ $20.000 p/p

• Private single room with private bathroom: $28.000 p/p

• Private double room with shared bathroom: $40.000

• Private double room with private bathroom: $45.000 ~ $50.000

Cabin

• Cabin for 2 people with private kitchen and bathroom (basic range): $50.000 ~ $75.000

• Cabin for 2 people with private kitchen and bathroom: (medium-high range): $80.000 ~ $100.000

Hotel

• Double room with private bathroom (3 stars category): $100.000 ~ $175.000

• Double room with private bathroom (4 stars category): $180.000 ~ $250.000

• Double room with private bathroom (5 stars category): from $600.000

Food prices

As we said before, the prices of food and drinks in Easter Island are considerably more expensive than in the rest of Chile due to the extra cost of bringing the goods by air cargo. Therefore, many tourists who want to save during their stay on the island, buy food in mainland Chile and seek accommodation in hostels, cabins or campsites that offer cooking facilities.

Read more about Supermarkets on Easter Island

Although this is a possible option, we must not forget that the current way of life of the inhabitants of Rapa Nui is basically based on tourism, so if you purchase in minimarkets and supermarkets of Hanga Roa, you will be collaborating with the economy local. In addition, the level of savings that can be achieved in 4 or 5 days during the average stay on the island is not as relevant.

On the other hand, you can not fully enjoy Rapa Nui if you do not try the delicious typical dishes offered by the increasingly numerous restaurants. The dishes are expensive because they are based mainly on fresh local fish such as the famous tuna, matahuira or kana kana. Although you can also find places that offer cheaper options such as daily menus, sandwiches, hot dogs and pizzas.

Here we leave a price list of some basic foods and typical dishes that can serve as a reference:

Some food prices in stalls and supermarkets

• Onion: $1.600 pesos/Kg

• Lemon: $2.700 pesos/Kg

• Mango: $3.000 pesos/Kg

• Apple: $3.000 pesos/Kg

• Avocado: $5.900 pesos/Kg

• Local pineapple: $5.000 pesos/unidad

• Banana: $2.300 pesos/Kg

• Tomato: $2.300 pesos/Kg

• Sugar: $2.000 pesos/Kg

• Piece of po’e (traditional cake): $2.000 pesos/Kg

• Ice cubes: $1.000 pesos/Kg

• Beer (6 pack): $7.000 pesos

• Botle of wine: $3.000 pesos

• Rapa Nui honey (300 gr.): $5.900 pesos

Some food and beverage prices in restaurants

• Botle of mineral water: $1.500

• Natura juice or lemonadelimonada: $3.500

• Non-alcoholic beberages (Coca Cola, Fanta, etc): $2.000

• Beer: $3.000

• Local beer (Mahina): $4.000

• Pisco sour: $3.500 ~ $4.500
(Download and submit the app and you will get one for free)

• Cocktails (mojito, caipirinha, piña colada, etc): $5.500

• A glass of wine: $3.000 ~ $4.000

• Botle of wine: $16.000

• Expresso: $2.000

• Capuccino: $2.500

• Patty (tuna, cheese, etc.): $3.000 ~ $4.000

• Plato combinado: $7.000

• Hamburger / Chicken or meat sandwich: $8.000 ~ $10.000

• Pizza: $9.000

• Salad: $10.000 ~ $12.000

• Fish ceviche: $14.000

• Main dish of pasta: $12.000

• Main dish of fish: $12.000 ~ $15.000

• Main dish of meat: $12.000 ~ $15.000

• Portion of chips: $3.500

• Ice cream: $3.000

• Dessert: $4.000 ~ $5.000

Transportation rates

There are many ways to move around in Rapa Nui. The distances in the town of Hanga Roa are relatively short, so you can walk to the main streets where you can find almost all the shops, restaurants and tourist agencies.

The second healthiest and most ecological option is to rent a bicycle. It is perfect for more distant places and you can reach to the other end of the island if you are in shape.

If heat tightens, you are surprised by the rain or you are tired, it is best to take a taxi for short urban trips, although they also make a transfer to Anakena beach and other tourist places.

Finally, the most comfortable and most autonomous alternative is to rent a car. Although they are expensive, the price compensates if you travel as a family or as a group.

Here we leave a price list of most commons transportation on Easter Island that can serve as a reference:

• Taxi i Hanga Roa: $2.000 (tourists rate); $3.000 (from 8pm until midnight); $5000 (from midnight)

• Taxi to Anakena beach: $25.000 (round trip)

• Bicycle rental: desde $8.000 per day

• Rent of electric bicycle: $15.000 per day

• Rent a motorcycle or scooter: from $35.000 per day

• Rent a quad: from $50.000 per day

• Rent a car: from $50.000 per day

Tours prices on Easter Island

The best way to know the history and legends of Rapa Nui is to take a tour in one of the tourist agencies that exist on the island. Most offer a full day tour and two half-day tours. There is also the possibility of making other more specific excursions such as watching the sunrise in Tongariki, going into the caves or going into Te ara o te moai, the old path through which the statues were moved to their platforms.

Read more information about Easter Island tours

But the island is not only a great open-air museum. It also shows unique natural places that invite you to discover them and enjoy them through sports and other outdoor activities. Paddling on a kayak, touring the cliffs of the north coast, diving among corals, horseback-riding to the top of the Terevaka, or gliding over the waves on a surfboard are some options that await the most adventurous traveler.

Read more information about things to do on Easter Island

Next we write a list with the reference prices of the most common tours and activities:

• Full Day tour(in a group) visitando Vaihu, Akahanga, Tongariki, Rano Raraku, Te Pito Kura y Anakena: from $30.000 p/p

• Half Day tour (in a group) visiting Rano Kau, Orongo and Vinapú: $20.000 p/p

• Half Day tour(in a group) visiting Puna Pau, Ahu Akivi: $20.000 p/p

• Sunrise tour in Tongariki: $20.000 p/p

• Caves tour: from $30.000 p/p

• Horseback riding to Terevaka: desde $40.000 p/p

• Boat ride to the Motu (islets in front of the Rano Kau volcano): from $25.000 p/p

• Kayak expedition from Anakena: $45.000 p/p

• Snorkel practice: desde $25.000 p/p

• Initiation diving (underwater baptism): from $45.000 p/p

• Surf lessons: from $30.000 p/p

Offers and discounts using the app

Download our app on your smartphone and in addition to getting all the information you need for your trip, you can benefit from discounts and exclusive offers in Rapa Nui.

» Read more information about this app

Location map of banks

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