Countries Where Tourists Are No Longer Welcome

22. Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile: Sacred Ground Under Strain

Rapa Nui, home to the iconic moai statues, has dramatically scaled back its openness to visitors. In recent years, the island has implemented stricter entry rules, including limits on length of stay (30 days max), proof of lodging, and environmental responsibility declarations. Local leaders and Indigenous Rapa Nui residents have voiced frustration over disrespectful tourist behavior and environmental damage to sacred sites. There’s a growing movement to regain autonomy and preserve cultural integrity, positioning Rapa Nui not just as a destination, but as ancestral land needing protection from global voyeurism.