I remember taking a bus to the subway station and then to the (Holiday Inn) Crowne Plaza near downtown. I think taxis are not expensive.

In Easter Island, if you want to stay on the cheap, there will be people meeting the flight who offer you rooms. I later heard from locals that these people are reputable. They will not rob and murder you because there isn't anywhere for them to run (except swim 2,000 miles to Pitcairn Island where there is the highest ratio of police in the world, about 15% of the population are police).

Otherwise, hotels are expensive compared to the quality offered. They'll charge $150 for a room not much better than a Super 8.

Take more pictures than you normally would. Just snap without looking through the camera. Film is cheaper in the US and Santiago.