Puna Pau

Rapa Nui (Easter Island)


The volcanic Puna Pau quarry was used to make the reddish, cylindrical pukao (topknots) that were placed on many moai. Some 60 of these were transported to sites around the island, and another 25 remain in or near the quarry.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Rapa Nui (Easter Island) attractions

1. Iglesia Hanga Roa

1.3 MILES

The unmissable Iglesia Hanga Roa, the island's Catholic church, is well worth a visit for its spectacular carvings, which integrate Christian doctrine…

2. Museo Antropológico Sebastián Englert

1.47 MILES

This well-organized museum makes a perfect introduction to the island's history and culture. It displays basalt fishhooks, obsidian spearheads and other…

3. Ahu Tahai

1.57 MILES

Ahu Tahai is a highly photogenic site that contains three restored ahu (ceremonial platform). Ahu Tahai proper is the ahu in the middle, supporting a…

4. Caleta Hanga Roa

1.7 MILES

Your first encounter with the moai will probably take place at Ahu Tautira, which overlooks Caleta Hanga Roa, the fishing port in Hanga Roa at the foot of…

5. Ahu Tautira

1.7 MILES

If you've just arrived and can't wait for your first encounter with the moai (large anthropomorphic statues), head straight to Ahu Tautira. This site…

6. Playa Pea

1.74 MILES

For a little dip, the tiny beach at Playa Pea, on the south side of Caleta Hanga Roa, fits the bill (though it's more of a rocky cove than a sandy oasis).

7. Ahu Akapu

1.76 MILES

You'll find this ahu with a solitary moai along the coastline, north of Hanga Roa.

8. Ahu Vinapu

1.97 MILES

Beyond the eastern end of the airport runway, a road heads south past some large oil tanks to this ceremonial platform, with two major ahu. One of them…