You do not need to be inoculated to visit Easter Island, but, if you are continuing on to Tahiti or Peru (for example), you may need shots. Check with your health department.

Easter Island does not have snakes, but it does have spiders, scorpions, mosquitoes, and lots of cockroaches. Take insect repellant and something to control itching in case you're bitten by a local critter. Black Widow spiders have been on the island for at least twenty years, arriving from Chile on some machinery. They have taken up residence in caves and the long grass, particularly on the north coast. Watch for untidy but very strong spider webs. Bites are usually not fatal but can make you sick.

The tap water is safe to drink, but it has a high mineral content that upsets some stomachs. If you experience a problem, switch to bottled water (available in the island stores, or at your hotel).

There is a hospital on the island, staffed with medicos from mainland Chile. Many are doctors in training, so the expertise and the care provided varies with the individual. However, there are few medicines available at the hospital. Really sick or injured patients are sent to Santiago for treatment. A dentist is also available; again, the care provided varies with whomever is on the island. As mentioned in the What to Bring section, we suggest travelers take along a small medicine kit with Band-Aids, aspirin, cold tablets, anti-diarrhea medicine, anti-bacterial medicine, etc.