Shopping & handicrafts
Not yet reviewed
Hanga Roa clusters several worthwhile stops for handicrafts and souvenirs—wood carvings, jewellery, and textiles sit alongside mass-produced imports. Morning ferías and waterfront stalls are good starting points; read labels, ask who made a piece, and treat bargaining as polite conversation, not a sport.
What makes a fair souvenir
Hand-finished wood and stone carry higher prices than plastic keychains—both have their place. Supporting registered artisans helps keep income on the island rather than only in transit warehouses.
Markets & payment
Cash in Chilean pesos still wins for small notes; some stalls take cards with a minimum spend. Carry your own bag to reduce plastic waste in a fragile ecosystem.
Cultural respect
Sacred motifs belong to living communities—avoid treating tattoos or rongo-rongo patterns as disposable graphics on mass T-shirts. When in doubt, buy from studios and cooperatives that explain provenance.
Related guides
See Tattoo & traditional art for body-work decisions, Museums & Hanga Roa for MAPSE context, and Local providers if you want vetted listings.