The Center of the World… and One of My Favorite Places
A Place I Only Knew From Books
Iorana (hello!)
Let me tell you about a place that most people only ever see in books, but I always dreamed of seeing in real life.
This is Rapa Nui.
Also known as Easter Island, but when you’re there, you quickly learn: this is Rapa Nui. The people are Rapa Nui, they speak Rapa Nui, and they are incredibly proud of their culture.
And you feel that immediately.
Rapa Nui is often called “Te Pito o Te Henua”, the navel, or center of the world. And what I find fascinating is that they’re not alone in that idea. The Incas believed Cusco was the center of the world. In Ecuador, you can stand at “Mitad del Mundo”. The Mayan civilization aligned entire cities with the cosmos.
Apparently, everyone was the center of the world at some point. Confidence was not lacking.
Getting There (a.k.a. The Middle of Nowhere)
You fly about five hours from Santiago on LATAM Airlines, and it’s a very comfortable flight.
And then suddenly… you land in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
At Mataveri International Airport, you step off the plane and immediately feel like you’re somewhere completely different.
Fun fact: the runway here was extended by NASA as an emergency landing site for the space shuttle. Random, but also kind of amazing.
A Culture That Almost Disappeared—and Came Back
Rapa Nui isn’t just beautiful, it has a complicated history.
In the 1800s, many of the island’s people were taken in slave raids to Peru. Leaders and elders were removed, and the language and traditions came dangerously close to disappearing.
And yet, today, the culture is alive again.
Politically, Rapa Nui is part of Chile, but culturally, the people identify as Rapa Nui first. There’s a strong sense of identity and protection, especially when it comes to land and heritage.
And you feel how intentional that preservation is.
Where We Stayed (and Why My Kids Still Talk About Breakfast)
We stayed at Hare Nua Hotel, a family-run place that’s been passed down for generations.
It was one of my favorite stays anywhere.
The rooms were comfortable, there’s a pool, beautiful outdoor spaces… but the real highlight was breakfast. Every day was different. Fresh fruit, yogurt, eggs, pastries… even butter shaped like moai.
Yes, moai butter. That was a hit. My kids still talk about it!
Island Life Is Real (and So Is “Pay Me Later”)
You rent a small car and just drive.
Around the island, along the coast, past wild horses and cows. It feels untouched in the best way.
At one point, the internet went down. No ATMs. No payments.
And people just said, “Pay me later.”
I was like… okay, we’re really not in Fort Lauderdale anymore. Yeah, Bring cash!
The Moai: Not Just Statues
At Ahu Tongariki, fifteen moai stand together, massive and still.
At Rano Raraku, you see where they were carved: some finished, some half-buried, some still part of the rock.
These weren’t decorations. They represented ancestors, watching over their people.
And once you understand that, everything feels different.
Beach Days… With History Behind You
Anakena Beach is one of the most peaceful beaches I’ve ever been to.
The kids were swimming, playing soccer, just being kids.
And behind us? Moai.
Just standing there, quietly watching.
Adventures (and One Bad Shoe Choice)
We explored Ana Te Pahu, climbing through lava tunnels that got progressively darker.
Would I do it again? Yes.
Would I wear white sneakers again? No.
Volcano Views and the Birdman Story
At Rano Kau and Orongo you learn about the Birdman tradition, an important part of Rapa Nui’s history.
Long ago, representatives from different clans would climb down the cliffs, swim to a nearby islet, and retrieve the first egg of the season. The winner brought honor to their clan and held a position of status for the year.
This tradition is no longer practiced today, but standing there, overlooking the ocean, you can begin to understand how meaningful it once was.
Cultural Experiences
We had an unforgettable night at Te Ra’ai: music, dancing, and a traditional cooking ceremony where the kids helped uncover the food.
It didn’t feel like a show. It felt real.
Food (Because Kids Still Need Pizza)
We ate really well: completos (Chilean hot dogs), seafood, and a beautiful meal at Te Moana Restaurant.
We also went to La Pizzeria. Not the most creative name, but the pizza was good and the kids were happy.
We ate twice at Tataku Vave Restaurant trying to catch the planes flying overhead.
Missed it both times. Still worth it.
Important Things to Know
You need a ticket to enter Rapa Nui National Park.
Some sites require a certified local guide, and honestly, that made everything better.
We used Rapa Nui Dream, and they were amazing with the kids.
Getting Around the Island
For most of the trip, we rented a car and explored the island on our own, which was one of the best parts.
Rapa Nui is small, so it’s easy to drive around and stop whenever you want.
For the major sites (like Rano Raraku) where a certified guide is required, we had tours arranged with Rapa Nui Dream, and they picked us up from the hotel.
It was the perfect balance of freedom and structure.
Passports & Books (The Part That Made This Trip Different)
Before we even got on the plane, we read.
We read about the moai, the culture, where Rapa Nui is, and its history. We read multiple books so the kids would understand where we were going.
And it made all the difference.
When we got there, they weren’t just listening, they were engaging. They were asking questions, making connections, and actually having conversations with our guides.
And what I found really powerful was this:
They were hearing two perspectives.
The version from books: the “discovery” of Easter Island.
And then hearing a Rapa Nui guide say, “Discovered what? We were already here!”
Hearing someone whose culture was almost erased, talking about how their people brought it back… that’s something no book can fully teach.
It gave my kids a fuller understanding of history.
Not just what happened, but how it felt.
What to Pack:
Good shoes.
Bathing suits.
A lightweight blanket for the beach
Cargo Pants
Sunscreen and a hat.
Layers- windbreaker
Cash!
And if you have kids: bring a beach toy. Trust me.
The Part I Didn’t Expect
When it was time to leave… I cried.
This was my 40th birthday trip. A place I had dreamed of for years.
And it somehow meant even more than I expected.
Final Thoughts
Rapa Nui isn’t easy to get to.
But maybe that’s why it still feels the way it does.
Protected. Proud. Unforgettable.
Maururu for reading🌺
Passports&Books 
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