Ahu Vinapu
Ahu Vinapu
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
296 reviews
Excellent
128
Very good
126
Average
39
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Katrien S
Ghent, Belgium1,944 contributions
Jan 2020
This was one of the reasons Thor Heyerdal assumed the population came from South America, the other the torotora reed and the sweet potato. Indeed the latter came from South-America, and DNA shows about 8% South-American influence. One of the 2 ahu on this site, the newest one (Heyerdal assumed it to be the older one) shows well fitted stones that makes one think of Inca buildings. On the whole island it is the only one that has well fitted stones, why is a mystery. On the site there is a never erected and finished moai, as well as toppled moai and a still standing, very slender female moai. The latter is also unique, originally had 2 heads, and is not standing on an ahu. So, a very interesting site that throws up a lot of exceptions and questions. Best visited with a guide, like nearly all the sites.
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stella R.
Brasilia, DF26 contributions
Feb 2020
I would strongly advice people to go to Ahu Vinapu with a guide. There are Moai and pukao spread over the site, but the most interesting place is the one with the wall that resembles Inca architecture, which is called Ahu Tahira. There's also a head of a Moai behind it. It's also said that there's a female Moai inside Vinapu, but it's not an unanimity (I mean, people aren't really sure that it is a female Moai). Maybe you would like to check out the female Moai that is in the Rapa Nui Museum, if that's a priority to you.
A place full of mystery, as almost everything in Rapa Nui!
A place full of mystery, as almost everything in Rapa Nui!
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ali921
Edinburgh, UK1,479 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
You need a park ticket paid by credit card only. You cannot visit without a guide but as often as you like. It's not far from the airport. Unique from all the other sites for the way the platform is constructed, the ahu exhibits extraordinary stonemasonry consisting of large, carefully fitted slabs of basalt, "inca style". Not as dramatic as other sites as no standing Moai. The ceremonial center of Vinapu includes one of the larger ahu on Rapa Nui.
Written 30 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Renan
226 contributions
Sept 2019
What to say, the picture says it all. The place is small, not to be put on top of your list probably but a nice wonder of how they found out to cut the stones like Incas. Other than that it's ok, nothing spectacular.
Written 24 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paula a
New York City, NY71 contributions
Nov 2018 • Solo
Although there are no Moai standing at this site, you should not miss the stone construction of the Ahu, the finest on the island. The site guardian was so very very kind to me, for after walking 6 hours (from Hanga Roa to the volcano, Orongo, and then on to Vinapu), he offered me candy and filled my water bottle. I wanted to believe that the moai had been toppled by a tsunami, because it is hard for me to believe that the wonderful people of this island would engage in such ugly ware fare. But the guardian assured me that it was true, and their heritage.
Might I also add that I never went to a single site where the guardian or ticket taker was other that warm, welcoming and kind. Rapa Nui people are very special.
Might I also add that I never went to a single site where the guardian or ticket taker was other that warm, welcoming and kind. Rapa Nui people are very special.
Written 2 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MajaMontreal
Montreal322 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
This ahu is easy to get to by following the road parallel to the airport to the south east side of the island. Not may people go because it is not restored but it shows how the altars and statues have survived the trials of time. The detailed stonework of the ahu is exceptional and there are some moai still visible. Although it is not as spectacular as some of the other ahus one feels the sense of history and isolation of this unique island. Worth the detour.
Written 1 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rowan H
Cairns, Australia1,674 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
This is a small archaeological site located between the end of the airport runway and the sea. It's well signed from the main road although remember you have to go around the small industrial area and to the other side to find it - you will feel like maybe you've missed it once you hit a small gravel road but if you keep going you will eventually spot it.
Vinapu's main features are it's two large ahu and associated Moai + a well crafted stone wall which draws comparison with similar sites in Peru. One of the Moai is quite large, although unfortunately it was not part of the 50 of the 288 on the island which were re-erected in the 1900's (Note - all the Moai of the island were toppled in the 18-19th century civil wars). The other interesting feature of this site is a female statue which has been carved in red scoria.
Overall this site is one which could benefit from some archeological restoration. It won't be the highlight of your trip but like everything on the island it isn't far away and probably warrants a stop while travelling down the coastal road.
Please take the time to rate my review
Vinapu's main features are it's two large ahu and associated Moai + a well crafted stone wall which draws comparison with similar sites in Peru. One of the Moai is quite large, although unfortunately it was not part of the 50 of the 288 on the island which were re-erected in the 1900's (Note - all the Moai of the island were toppled in the 18-19th century civil wars). The other interesting feature of this site is a female statue which has been carved in red scoria.
Overall this site is one which could benefit from some archeological restoration. It won't be the highlight of your trip but like everything on the island it isn't far away and probably warrants a stop while travelling down the coastal road.
Please take the time to rate my review
Written 18 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marquestra | A Quest for Travel
Montreal, Canada728 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
Got to see the dump, the gravel quarry and the back of the airport... Great views of the ocean, but where were was the AHU???
Written 11 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ngoc
Vancouver, Canada33 contributions
Sept 2019
At Vinapu, you see the moai statues lying face down, because they were knocked down in a late period, when ancestor worshipping is no longer encouraged. Very sad but a good lesson to learn from history
Written 23 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sashkow
Sofia, Bulgaria1,405 contributions
Jan 2016 • Solo
You probably know that at some point all moai felt down - due to cataclysm or human act.
On first sight the place does not impress - some broken moai, well made and preserved ahu (platform for moai).
The benefit is that you can see the real look of the place in the last 5-6-7 centuries. you can enjoy the craftsmanship of the local who made the ahu with laser precision, building huge pieces of rock next each other.
and to ask yourself some questions.
On first sight the place does not impress - some broken moai, well made and preserved ahu (platform for moai).
The benefit is that you can see the real look of the place in the last 5-6-7 centuries. you can enjoy the craftsmanship of the local who made the ahu with laser precision, building huge pieces of rock next each other.
and to ask yourself some questions.
Written 21 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vittorio Lorenz... M
Greater Concepcion, Chile
Que relación tiene el pueblo Rapa Nui con el pueblo Inca
Written 30 November 2020
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