Things To Do in Parque Nacional Rapa Nui

Souvenir shops line the streets Atamu Tekena and Te Pito o Henua. There are two large markets -- the Feria Municipal at the corner of Atamu Tekena and Tu'u Maheke, and the Mercado Artesanal at Roa Rakei and Tu'u Koihu. Both are open Monday through Saturday in the morning and afternoon. A more unusual craft workshop is the town prison, about 2km from town near the airport -- ask for directions or better yet take a taxi. Many of the same quality wood carvings and knickknacks you will see in the markets are sold at this popular tourist attraction for much less money, and they're bought directly from the prisoners who carve them. The internationally recognized carver Luis Hey sells his pricey yet high quality crafts at Arte Pahika, on Avenida Atamu Tekena. Kava Kava and Moko statues made of endemic wood run between $200 and $1,500 (£133-£1,000). For upscale home accessories, woven baskets, silver jewelry, native art, and textiles that you won't find in the markets, head to Honu Vaikava at Atamu Tekena.

Hanga Roa's two funky nightclubs are a riot, and really ignite on weekends -- just don't show up before midnight or you might be sipping your rum and Coke alone. Toroko, on Avenida Policarpo Toro, has music and dancing, and a mellow atmosphere and is one of the older hangouts in town. The new "it" spot is Topatangi on Avenida Atamu Tekena (tel. 32/255-1554), with a huge dance floor that gets packed late nights with young Rapa Nuis girls and guys, along with a smattering of gringos, there to dance to a mix of live music and recorded hits. It's open from Thursday to Saturday from 10pm until the early morning.

The dance troupe Kari Kari puts on a thoroughly entertaining Rapa Nui folkloric show 3 nights a week, showcasing native dance, elaborate costumes, and music. Check with your hotel for times and dates as they change periodically. They used to perform at the Hotel Hanga Roa, but since it closed for renovations, they have been performing elsewhere and have a new theater on Atanu Tekana that should be ready by mid-2009.