Easter Island Visitor’s Guide - Page 11

Hangaroa is a decentralized and unorganized village with little apparent planning. Buildings are not numbered (all mail goes to the post office), and a map is far more useful than trying to find a way around town by the street names. In fact, in recent years, two of the main streets in Hangaroa have switched names. Atamu Tekena used to run along the waterfront, while the main street running the length of the village was called Policarpo Toro. The names of these two streets have been switched, much to the confusion of all. Old maps of the village will show the original names. While the buildings and offices have not changed location, they are now on different streets. This change was made to honor one of the early chiefs of the island, Atamu Tekena, whose statue now is in the small park in the center of town.

Paving of the village roads in recent years has changed the appearance of the town considerably. One is no longer enveloped in clouds of red dust (at least on the paved roads). Trash receptacles have appeared on the streets and trees planted, upgrading the ambience.

More than a hundred taxis ply the village, making it easy to get around for those without a vehicle. Islanders have taken to calling a taxi and ordering some bread from a bakery; the taxi driver thus acts as a delivery service.

The airport is located on Av. Hotu Matua. Going west from the airport, the road intersects with Atamu Tekena (formerly Policarpo Toro), and this takes you into the main part of the village. If you continue straight on Hotu Matua street, the island's only gas station is located just past the intersection, on the left side.

There are several markets along "main" street, Atamu Tekena. This street runs the length of the village, north/south. At the intersection with Av. Pont is the LANChile office. Further north at the intersection with Tu'u Maheke is a small outdoor market place where islanders sell produce, fish, and souvenirs. At the next intersection, with Te Pito o Te Henua Street, you are at the "center" of the village. There is a small park on one corner, the school on another. Across from the park to the west is the municipalid where the government activities take place. Uphill from this intersection is the Catholic Church (see page 15) and downhill is the post office, soccer field and the small caleta where the fishing boats tie up. A restaurant is located at the caleta also, La Taverne du Pecheur (pricey).

A variety of small shops line the streets. Many specialize in tourist items, wood carvings, postcards, etc. There also are some hotels and residenciales located along the main streets in the village. However, some of these are on side roads and a few are quite a distance out of the main village area (such as the Hotu Matu'a and the Iorana Hotel).

If you continue north along Atamu Tekena, you will eventually come to the island's museum (see page 14). North of the village, at a fork in the road, a sign will direct you to the museum.

To backtrack a bit, in order to reach the bank (Banco de Chile), Sernatur (the official tourist office), and the office of the governor, turn west at the intersection of Tu'u Maheke and Atamu Tekena. These offices are located along this short street, as is Entel. The street ends at Policarpo Toro (formerly Atamu Tekena) where there is a small restaurant called Playa Pea, overlooking the bay and the swimming beach.

At the top of the road where Te Pito o Te Henua Street dead ends at the church, if you turn left you will see the large new mercado, built to serve as a showplace for the island's artisans (See pages 12 and 13. A turn right, and then a quick left turn around the church grounds will take you on Simon Paoa street to the island hospital.