Anakena

Located 30 km from Hanga Roa, this is a beautiful wide beach with white sands, palm trees and turquoise water. According to the legend, this was where the kings and the royal family lived. The beach is guarded by seven nostalgic moai, with their hats restored. The biggest ahu here, known as Nau Nau, was restored between 1978 and 1980 by Sergio Rapu. On the ahu stood five complete moai, four of them with pukao (a representation in red lava of the bun into which the ariki bound their hair) as well as two broken moai. The backs of these statues are finely carved. It was here that the white coral eye, with a red lava pupil, now in the Anthropological Museum, was found. There is another series of ahu nearer the beach, with no statues, which are probably older.

How Much Do We Love This Place?

The Good

• Unique place
• A lot of mysteries and great culture
• The great Rapa Nui Statues
• Beautiful Landscapes
• During Tapati festival you can experience the Rapa Nui culture

The Bad

• It can get crowded during the summer months
• There are few good hotels
• Is a expensive destination

Somewhere Special To Stay

HOTEL	FROM	iCATEGORY
Altiplanico	350 USD
Explora	2280 USD
Gomero Hotel	192 USD
Otai Hotel	129 USD