iahphx

Where are you getting your rates from? Easter Island is not a place where you can really use the internet to obtain pricing. If you want to get a deal, you have to individually contact the owners of each guest house/motel. I sent a bunch of emails, and most of them responded.

That said, I do believe that you will be arriving during the annual Tapati festival. Congratulations! I think that's generally a good thing. The bad thing is that the usual advice of not needing advance reservations may not apply (and you might have to pay a little more). Personally, I would make advance reservations during Festival time (better safe than sorry, right?). So, if you haven't done so already, start sending those emails. Let us know how it goes.

Jax78

Thanks for this thread and the information -- I've made a lot of notes! My flight from LIM to Easter Island arrives at 650a -- is this too early for the locals to meet the flight to arrange lodging? Would you mind PMing me with the email addresses you contacted, or directing me to where you found them? I'm willing to wait to figure out lodging until I get there, but I must admit it does make me a bit nervous! I'd like to have an idea of what to spend on a room for two people/one bed.

iahphx

We'll have to get a report, but my guess is that many of the locals have nothing else to do except meet flights!

And even if they don't, the nice thing about a 6:50 arrival is that you've got plenty of time to make arrangements. Assuming you're not burdened with luggage, just walk into town (15 minutes?) and see what you can find. As far as prices go, I'd budget $50 to $100/night depending on your luck and comfort requirements.

Middle_Seat

Since their livelihood depends upon finding guests, I don't image the lodging owners will sleep through a plane arrival.

Pentech

Hi- Here are some options to check as well for pricing:

www.hostelworld.com
www.bedandbreakfastworld.com

2cardinalalums

We're trying to decide what to do for our April trip too..

@iahphx, thanks for the suggestion to send emails.
@allensun, thanks for the links.

we'll try to do some checking around...

vacaloca

Lots of good advice here. I'll be going late August... 8/22 - 8/26 to IPC (from LIM), and later spending 2 full days in LIM. Is the consensus still that arriving without lodging plans is ideal and we shouldn't have issues getting cheap rates as far as lodging and good availability? We found a good place for $60 USD/nite -- the g/f wants a private bathroom, that's really the only requirement, so for that price it doesn't seem unreasonable and the place has good reviews, but would be interesting if it can be bargained even more.

iahphx

$60/night is pretty darn cheap. Do you really want something cheaper? At that price point, I would just be looking for something better!

As far as reviews go, I assume you're looking at Tripadvisor (I don't know where else you'd find meaningful Easter Island reviews). Remember, the people who stay at $60 night "hotels" on Easter Island and are happy probably aren't too fussy. Unless everyone says it's fantastic (5 stars), I would take the reviews with a grain of salt. That's why it's generally good to eyeball these properties for yourself before committing.

vacaloca

Yup, I was on Tripadvisor/Expedia. The reviews are pretty solid on both sites; it's family run and has a small dinky no-frills website, so it fits for us.

She's mid 20's, I'm a few years older and we're happy traveling on a budget of miles as long as it's not picking a rental car from an off-airpot USAVE location in Orlando with a 'For Lease' sign and evidence of shattered gun shots in the building facade, haha.

fti

What place are you considering? I am going in early April . Thanks.

Henwurst

Thanks! I made a booking with him. I shopped around a bit and he seems competitively priced and easy to communicate with. If anyone else decides to contact him I suggest e-mailing directly as I got no reply with the online form.

Viajero Perpetuo

If he remembers, I'm the guy that drove the truck on his tour because he had his license taken away by the Carabineros police for two weeks+ for speeding . His story of being trapped in a subterranean chamber of one of the ceremonial houses at the crater is quite intriguing. He is probably one of the longest resident gringos on the island so do ask about island life and the conflict the natives have with the mainland.

JohnnyColombia

I am now going to Easter Island for 2 nights

Plan

Day 1: Arrive 4.30pm, find someone at the airport to offer me accommodation? How hard can I/should I haggle a deal?
Day 2: Full day. Get a car and drive around all day. Do I organise the car the previous night or try to find one in the morning? Is there a particular place to find rental cars in Hanga Roa? Being honest, I have had a look at Orongo and Rano Kau on the internet and I am not too fished about going to see them. I would rather freestyle it around the island and include Tongariki and Anakena beach plus follow my nose/map.
Day 3: Do the walkable Maois near Hanga Roa and then head back to the airport.

Is this realistic?

EDIT: Oops forgot a question. Will my ENTEL chip work in Easter Island?

OskiBear

I got my rental from my innkeeper - the whole process was incredibly informal. mentioned it to him that afternoon when he picked me up from the airport.

I'd give a thumb's up for going up to Orongo if you have time. More than anything else, the views were spectacular because you're so high up.

Middle_Seat

JohnnyColombia, your plan sounds realistic to me. I think that 2 nights is about the right amount of time on the island.

I walked up to a car rental place on the "Main Street" and rented a vehicle on the spot, but innkeepers can do that for you and have it delivered.

Have fun!