Destinations

How To Travel Easter Island On A Budget

Published

7 months ago

August 12, 2024

Visiting Easter Island is hideously expensive because it’s so remote, over 3,700 kilometers away from Santiago, Chile. Very few crops grow, there is very little industry, and nearly everything on the island is shipped from the mainland at great expense.Geography means that the costs of goods are high and it’s not the most budget friendly island in the world. However, it’s not impossible to plan a budget trip there if you do so in advance.

How to get there

One of the biggest costs of visiting Easter Island is transport. There is just one airline, LAN, that flies there, which means it can pretty much charge what it wants. And it only flies once per day, departing from and returning to Santiago. With the following tips you might be able to cut down the cost of the flight:

Book ahead and go during off and shoulder seasons.
Stay for a week or more. For some reason the flights get really expensive if it’s a shorter trip. That may seem like a really long time in a place that expensive, but don’t worry, because we’ll make sure you’re covered with the advice below.
Check the price of business class. This may sound crazy if you’re trying to save money, but business class tickets can be found that are cheaper than economy class.
Use Google Flights calendar function. You can see the cheapest dates all month by using the fare calendar, then book directly on LAN’s website for the best fares.
Travel hack – LAN is a part of the Oneworld alliance and, though availability is rare, you can also get seats via points, so if you have miles on LAN, American Airlines, British Airways, or another partner, you can try to score a free flight.

There are occasional boats that sail to Easter Island from New Zealand or elsewhere in the South Pacific that take passengers, but they are priced incredibly high. At this time there is no public boat option from Chile’s mainland, mainly because Easter Island doesn’t have a harbor that can accommodate ships. If you want to sail there, some travelers successfully volunteer as crew as a cheap or free way to travel.

Where to stay

You have three affordable options when you’re traveling to Easter Island: book a hostel dorm bed way ahead of time, as there are few and they fill up quickly; camp in a tent; or rent an apartment on either Airbnb or Booking.com. If you want to stay for free, Couchsurfing is also an option but there are only 50-60 hosts on the island, so connect with them well in advance. If renting an apartment: Many places on Easter Island are cabana-style and can accommodate up to seven or eight people. When split among that many people, they end up costing each person less than $20 per night. If it’s low season, it is recommended to book only one or two nights on Booking.com and then workout a deal directly with the owner to stay for the remaining days. Since Booking.com takes a cut of profits, ask if they can pass on a discount to you if you cut out the middleman. It’s nice to have the place booked when you land, though, since they almost always include a free airport pickup in the price, but thereafter try to work out something cheaper. If you’re camping: There are a few camping grounds on Easter Island that also offer hostel-style accommodation for pretty cheap. If you already have camping gear, bring it along. If hosteling: There are a few hostel-style accommodation options for $25+ per night, which is among the cheapest you’ll find on Easter Island. You can also check out private rooms on Airbnb but most rooms there run closer to $50+ per night.

What to eat and drink

Eating meals out gets super expensive on Easter Island because it all has to be brought in from mainland Chile, so cut out the middleman and bring your food yourself. Put the food in a box or an extra backpack and check it with the rest of your luggage. Remember that since you can check two bags (25 kilos total), you’ll have room to bring both the food and your belongings. If you do buy food on the island, budget at least a dollar or two per fresh fruit or veggie item, at least $10 per meat item, and $15 or more per restaurant meal. You can also enjoy empanadas, which are only a few dollars and can be found at most small shops.

How to get around

Within the town of Hanga Roa, taxis are cheap at just $3.00; bicycles are great as well for the town and surroundings. A taxi doesn’t make sense for longer distances, as the price goes up significantly, and it takes about 90 minutes to make it from one side of the island to the other. To visit the moai and the beach, it is suggested you drive yourself. Tours are expensive, so to get around consider renting a motorbike. The motorbike costs $40 USD per day, and will give you freedom on the island. If renting a car, keep in mind that the price is negotiable and you can probably work out a discount.

Activities

The entrance to the national park is $60 for foreigners and is valid for the entire island. For most of the Moai, you don’t need any kind of entrance ticket and can visit as many times as you want, except for the quarry where the statues were carved and the museum at Rano Kau. You can visit each only once and they will demand to see your ticket. It would be a pity to travel all the way to Easter Island and miss these things, so it is recommended that you buy the ticket on arrival. Additionally, besides seeing the famous statues, you can go scuba diving to see the sunken Moai, go surfing, or just drive around to see where the day takes you. Easter Island is a trippy walk through the past. Few of the descendants of the original tribes are still left and nobody is exactly sure how or why the Moai were carved. That’s part of what makes Easter Island so alluring and interesting to visitors, it’s still partially an enigma.

By bringing your own food, scoring a cheap ticket, driving yourself around the island, and working out a deal with the owner of the accommodation, you could save yourself hundreds of dollars off of what most tourists usually pay when visiting Easter Island. Through very careful and smart planning, you can visit the island without blowing your budget.

Destinations

Unforgettable Adventures to Know About For Lovers and Family Alike

Published

2 months ago

January 8, 2025

Adam T

Going on a shared adventure is a well-known way to strengthen relationships. Whether you want to get to know your lover better or want to enhance your family bonds, it’s worth taking some time out of your normal day to go on an adventure. As you plan an unforgettable adventure, it helps to use these ideas that lead to memorable experiences.

Plan a Romantic Escape

If you’ve ever watched a couple run off into the sunset together on horseback, then you already have an idea of how this adventure can inspire romance. Take a moment to picture you and your beloved one riding on horseback together in a gorgeous landscape setting. Most horseback riding adventures last from one to two hours. You can use this time to admire each other’s beauty along with the amazing scenery.

Make Memories With Family-Friendly Fun

Sometimes, you want to bring your kids along on an adventure. In this case, horseback riding taps into your child’s love of animals. Plus, they’ll have an adventure that they won’t be able to wait to tell their friends about. Family-friendly horseback riding adventures can be shorter when you have children under eight years old in our group. Taking them for a short walk around a lake helps them gain confidence on the horse for the first time. Soon, you can bet your child will ask to do it again as they develop more skills.

Explore the Beauty of Nature Together

The best adventures take you out of your comfort zone and encourage you to experience things you might not get to enjoy during your daily life. Exploring the outdoors on horseback involves multiple changes of scenery. On your ride, your guide might take you through a stream crossing. You may also go down an old log road as you learn more about the history of the area. As you ride, remember to keep an eye out for wildlife such as deer and wild turkeys that further give you and your companions a deeper appreciation of nature.

Establish Unforgettable Bonds

Sharing unique adventures helps to reinforce your bond with your loved one by showing you new aspects of their personality. Watching as your loved one sits atop a horse may give you more insight into their strength and willingness to try new things. You’ll also enjoy sharing the memories of the beautiful things you saw and experienced together. Making sure that your adventure stands out from your daily activities further heightens the positive effects of your shared experience. To create even stronger bonds, consider turning your adventure into an overnight rusting camping trip that gives you more time to spend together without the intrusion of phone screens.

Once you’re enjoying your adventure, remember to leave some time in your day to share your thoughts about the experience. Talking to your partner or family member about your favorite parts of going horseback riding or on a carriage ride helps to strengthen your memories. In fact, you might even find that you look forward to repeating your adventure on future dates such as your anniversary or a family member’s birthday.

Destinations

Vacation Ideas Based On 2018’s Oscar-Nominated Films

Amazing vacation ideas inspired by the settings of some of the best films of 2017.

Published

3 months ago

December 8, 2024

Loren Thorn

2017 was a great year in movies. So many amazing films made by some of the best directors and actors of our generation. And a lot of them were set in very cool places too! So when planning your next vacation, why not consider the settings of some of your favorite movies of the year? Here are the 6 best vacation spots that come to us from this year’s Oscar-nominated films.

NORTH YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND (PHANTOM THREAD)

Easily one of the more visually beautiful films of 2017, Phantom Thread owes a lot of that beauty to its location of North Yorkshire. Tucked along the coastline, it provides amazing views in every direction. And be sure to visit the Victoria Hotel in Robin Hood’s Bay to recreate the moment Daniel Day-Lewis first meets his muse!

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA (LADY BIRD)

Perhaps the perfect location for a film about a teenager looking for more, Lady Bird takes place in the California state capital of Sacramento. And while not typically considered a desirable travel destination, it is the perfect exemplification of a town someone could become nostalgic for without planning on it. Nothing beats that California sunshine!

LONDON, ENGLAND (DARKEST HOUR)

If you’re looking to take a vacation in some place rich with history than you can’t do much better than the setting for Darkest Hour, London, England. Visit the famous landmarks of Big Ben, Downing Street, and Buckingham Palace. But be sure to “Keep Calm and Carry On’ while you do!

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (COCO)

Coco may be an animated movie, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it’s setting! Well, technically the film didn’t take place in Mexico City. But the animators used specific elements of the city when designing the movie’s locations. Just be sure to plan your trip around Dia de los Muertos. It is not to be missed.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (THE POST)

If you want to experience the energy and fast-paced lifestyle of a political journalist, then look no further than the setting for The Post, Washington, D.C. Some of the crowds and lines can be annoying, but it’s worth it to experience such important American history.

NORTHERN ITALY (CALL ME BY YOUR NAME)

Italy is famous for being one of the most beautiful countries in the world. With its elegant and timeless architecture, winding cobblestone roads, and rolling hills, the Italian countryside is indeed worth experiencing. Take your time, relax, and contemplate what it must have been like to come-of-age in such an incredible place.

Destinations

A UK Bar Pretends To Be A Church To Get Around Pandemic Rules

Published

3 months ago

December 7, 2024

Tymber Aldaine

The pandemic has made it difficult for some businesses to run, which is why this bar is getting creative by registering as a church to their customers

With everyone being in lockdown and not being able to go out, not a lot people have been able to offer up prayers to the 400 rabbit gods, and with 2020 being the hot mess that it is, a tequila joint in Nottingham, England is planning to change that and keep their business afloat, as well.

England just got out of its second nation-wide lockdown as of December 2, and now implements a system where they have tiered restrictions. Nottingham currently sits on the highest risk, the tier 3 category, which states that businesses targeted towards hospitality will stay closed with the exception of delivery or takeout.

Church of 400 Rabbits is an Aztec-themed bar that has an extensive choice of tequila and an application to become a worship center that is currently waiting for approval from Nottingham’s registrar general.

This bar decided to mix spirits with spirituality in hopes that it can implement a loophole in the COVID-19 rules of England, which says that if you’re a church or a place of worship, groups from the same bubble or household can enter your business.

After posting their application that will certify their bar to operate as a place of worship, Church of 400 Rabbits is now looking for devotees through their website.

People who are interested in becoming a Bunny Believer can do this for free, and with a small fee of $13, (£10), you can be ordained as a Reverend, with a t-shirt that you use as your official robes.

James Aspell, owner of Church of 400 Rabbits isn’t too hopeful that Nottingham will consider the application, but says that it’s an attempt to show how ridiculous the tier system is and how some of the rules are contradictory.

He says that it’s difficult because the government insists on these strict rules but that there is little to no financial support. Aspell believes that even if they moved down to a tier 2, they wouldn’t be able to open without dishing out substantial meals, and adding that it’s another Scotch Egg debacle.

For those of you that don’t know what a Scotch egg is, it’s a hard-boiled egg that is wrapped with sausage meat and breadcrumbs. After a lot of debate, it has been considered a substantial meal by Michael Gove, who came under fire when he described it as an appetizer.

Church of 400 Rabbits isn’t the first business that tried to apply as a place of worship, as Atlantic Squash and Fitness Club also rebranded to Church of the Healthy Body to keep their gym open.

Aspell notes that the number of devotees for 400 Rabbits is multiplying rapidly, as rabbits would and has decided to donate all proceeds to a Nottingham homeless charity group.