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South-Eastern Asia

Timor-LesteTravel guide

Explore Timor-Leste visa rules

Timor-Leste, also called East Timor, is a former Portuguese colony that gained independence from Indonesia in 2002. Its capital is Dili, and visitors come for diving, nature and adventure.

Why go

  1. Dive and snorkel around Atauro Island and Jaco Island.

  2. Explore rainforest, coastal scenery and ancient sites in Nino Konis National Park.

  3. Visit Portuguese fortresses, churches and sites linked to the independence struggle.

  4. Shop for local coffee, wooden sculptures and tais, a colourful hand-woven cloth.

Best time to go: June to October is the dry season. The wet season, from November to May, can damage roads and make remote areas hard to reach.

Getting there

By air

  • Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport serves Dili. It is the country's only international airport.
  • Aero Dili serves Denpasar, Singapore, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Kuala Lumpur and Darwin.
  • Airnorth and Qantas serve Darwin, Citilink serves Denpasar, and Batik Air Malaysia serves Kuala Lumpur.

By land

  • The main crossing from Indonesia is Mota'ain, 115 km west of Dili. Batugade is 3–4 km from the crossing.
  • Other crossings are at Salele near Suai, and at Bobometo and Wini for Oecussi.
  • A daily direct bus connects Dili and Kupang in Indonesia's West Timor. The journey takes 12 hours.

By sea

  • There are no regular international passenger ferries. Recreational boats sometimes visit Dili harbour.

Getting around

  • Buses and local minibuses

    Buses connect most parts of the country, including Dili, Baucau, Maliana, Los Palos and Suai. Vans, minibuses and light trucks with benches connect these towns with nearby villages. Most departures are very early in the morning. Drivers may spend a long time driving around to collect passengers before leaving. Fares depend on distance and vehicle type. Local minibuses in Dili and Baucau cost 25 centavos per ride.

  • Taxis and rental cars

    Taxis are widely available in and around Dili. Fares are usually US$1–3. A four-wheel-drive vehicle costs around US$85 a day to rent in Dili. Roads can be difficult, and road signs are limited. Drive on the left and carry a valid licence or permit for your vehicle type. Third-party motor insurance is not available. The speed limit in Dili is 40 km/h. The legal limits are 90 km/h on open roads and 120 km/h on motorways, though road conditions often mean much slower travel. Most reputable rental companies offer roadside help at all hours. Help sent from Dili can take a long time to reach remote areas.

  • Boats and ferries

    Ferries connect Dili, Oecussi and Atauro Island. You can take a boat to Jaco Island. Fishermen can also cook fish for you on request.

  • Domestic flights

    AeroDili flies between Dili and Oecussi. Small planes can be chartered to Baucau, Suai and Oecussi. These planes are normally used for medical evacuations.

What to see and do

  • Nino Konis National Park

    This eastern park protects tropical lowland rainforest and a rich coastal environment. It also has prehistoric sites.

  • Atauro Island

    See local fishermen using traditionally made goggles and spear guns. The island is also known for wooden sculptures and handicrafts.

  • Jaco Island

    This island near Tutuala attracts divers, snorkelers and visitors interested in nature.

  • Portuguese heritage

    Fortresses, churches and other monuments from Portuguese rule are scattered across the country.

  • Independence and wartime sites

    Sites include Xanana Gusmao's hiding place, Balibo, Santa Cruz and the Japanese caves in Baucau. They offer insight into the country's difficult history.

  • Dive and snorkel

    Atauro Island and Jaco Island are destinations for diving and snorkelling.

Food and drink

  • Rice and local crops

    Rice is a staple, alongside foods such as cassava, taro, sweet potatoes and maize.

  • Fish and prawns

    Fish is an important part of local meals, and fried fish is popular. Prawns are considered a delicacy.

  • Curries

    Curries are common, especially chicken curry. Traditional recipes often use plenty of spices.

  • Local fruit

    Common fruits include mangoes, watermelons, papayas, bananas and coconuts.

  • International food in Dili

    Many restaurants serve Portuguese and Italian food. Chinese, Japanese and Thai food are also available.

  • Coffee

    Locally grown coffee is organic and has a very high caffeine content.

Money

United States dollar (USD), with local centavo coins equal in value to US cents.

  • US$5, US$10 and US$20 notes are the most useful. Small notes and local coins are handy for taxis, small food stalls and street sellers.
  • US banknotes issued before 2000 are not accepted.
  • Torn notes may be hard to spend, although worn or torn US$1 notes are commonly accepted.
  • Avoid bringing US$2 notes, as people may be unfamiliar with them. US coins are rarely accepted.

Tipping: Restaurant bills do not include a service charge. If you choose to tip, even 10% is a substantial amount locally.

Typical costs

  • Local minibus in Dili or Baucau: 25 centavos per ride.
  • Taxi in and around Dili: US$1–3.
  • Dili to Aileu by light truck with benches: US$2.
  • Dili to Maubisse by light truck with benches: US$4.
  • Dili to Baucau by bus: US$5.
  • Four-wheel-drive rental in Dili: around US$85 a day.

Language

  • Tetum is an official language and is understood by almost everyone.
  • Portuguese is an official language understood by a minority of people.
  • Indonesian is widely spoken by adults and is useful for travelling around.
  • English has a reasonable number of speakers in Dili but is less common elsewhere.
  • There are about 37 indigenous languages, including Galole, Mambae and Kemak.

Staying safe

  • Avoid large gatherings and demonstrations, which can become violent with little warning.
  • Remove visible valuables before leaving a car unattended.
  • Women should avoid taking taxis alone at night.
  • Women should avoid walking alone at night.

Local customs

Do

  • Treat discussions of the Indonesian occupation with care, as it caused widespread loss of life.
  • Be aware that many people feel sympathy or nostalgia for the period of Portuguese rule.
  • Leave sensitive political topics alone if you are unsure how the discussion will be received.

Don't

  • Do not praise Suharto's rule or suggest that Timor-Leste should become part of Indonesia.

Staying healthy

  • Tap water is unsafe to drink. Boil it, treat it or use bottled water.
  • The climate is hot and humid, with temperatures near sea level averaging 30°C throughout the year. Higher areas are much cooler.
  • Malaria is no longer an issue in Timor-Leste.

Where to stay

  • Dili has a wide range of hotels at different price levels.
  • Atauro Island has eco-lodge accommodation.
  • The Jaco Island area also has eco-lodge facilities.

Outdoor adventures in Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste offers coral reefs, mountain treks and quiet beaches. Dili is a base for diving, while Atauro Island, Jaco Island and the eastern national park offer rich marine life and wildlife watching.

  • Atauro Island diving and snorkelling

    Scuba divingNorth Coastnear Dili

    Arrange a trip with a Dili dive operator. Dive Timor Lorosae, Freeflow and Compass Charters are listed options for diving around Dili and Atauro.

  • Mount Tatamailau (Ramelau) sunrise climb

    Trek

    A couple of hours for the climb from a stay near the top Dawn for the summit

    Ask Hotel Dili to arrange a 4WD tour. Stay near the top, then climb up for dawn.

    • It is freezing at night.
    • The mountain is about 3,000 metres above sea level.

  • Jaco Island diving and snorkelling

    Scuba divingTutuala, eastern Timor-Leste

    Ask a Dili dive operator about a longer trip to Jaco Island.

  • Nino Konis Santana National Park

    WildlifeEastern Timor-Leste

    Visit the park in the east of the country for birdwatching, trekking or diving. Transport and guide arrangements are not specified.

  • Dili Rock East and West

    Scuba divingNorth Coastnear Dili

    Arrange a dive through a Dili operator. The sites are about 10 minutes west of the city.

  • Pertamina Pier

    Scuba divingDilinear Dili

    Arrange a dive with a Dili operator. The pier is about five minutes from the city centre.

  • K41

    Scuba divingNorth Coast, east of Dilinear Dili

    Book through a Dili dive operator. K41 is a shore dive within about an hour of Dili.

  • Bob's Rock

    Scuba divingNorth Coast, near Manatutonear Manatuto

    Arrange a shore dive with a Dili operator. The site is east of Dili, within about an hour of the city.

  • Secret Garden

    Scuba divingNorth Coast, east of Dilinear Dili

    Arrange a shore dive through a Dili operator. The site is within about an hour of Dili.

  • Lone Tree

    Scuba divingNorth Coast, east of Dilinear Dili

    Arrange a shore dive through a Dili operator. The site is within about an hour of Dili.

  • Shark Point

    Scuba divingNorth Coast, east of Dili

    Ask a Dili dive operator about visiting this site on the coastal diving route towards Com.

  • Bubble Beach

    Scuba divingNorth Coast, towards Liquica

    Arrange a dive through a Dili operator. The site is west of Dili towards Liquica.

  • Gravel Pit

    Scuba divingNorth Coast, towards Liquica

    Ask a Dili dive operator about this site west of the city towards Liquica.

  • Devil Ray Point

    Scuba divingNorth Coast, towards Liquica

    Ask a Dili dive operator about this site west of the city towards Liquica.

  • Mount Matebian trekking

    TrekBaucaunear Baucau

    Trekking is available around Mount Matebian in the Baucau area. Trail access and guide arrangements are not specified.

  • Mount Kablaki trekking

    TrekSame district

    Head to the Mount Kablaki area in Same district for trekking. Trail access and guide arrangements are not specified.

  • Ainaro trekking

    TrekAinaronear Ainaro

    Use Ainaro as the destination for trekking in the surrounding area. Specific routes and guide arrangements are not given.

  • Dili beach walk to Cristo Rei

    HikeDilinear Dili

    Follow the beach route from Dili, then climb the steps to Cristo Rei on the headland east of the city.

    • Cost: 50 centavos for parking

  • Cape Fatucama (Jesus Backside Beach)

    BeacheDilinear Dili

    Walk halfway up the Cristo Rei steps, then take the steps down to the beach. By car, take the road from Metiaut over the ridge and look for a left turn.

  • Areia Branca

    BeacheDilinear Dili

    Head east from central Dili towards Cristo Rei. Areia Branca is among the city's most accessible beaches.

  • Coconut Beach (Watabo'o)

    BeacheBaucaunear Baucau

    Follow the dirt road from Baucau for about seven kilometres to the beach.

  • Com Beach

    BeacheNino Konis Santana National Park

    Visit Com in the eastern national park. Detailed beach access is not specified.

  • Lake Ira Lalaro

    WildlifeNino Konis Santana National Park

    Visit the lake within the eastern national park. Transport and viewing arrangements are not specified.

    • Estuarine crocodiles live in the lake.

  • Piscina de Baucau swimming

    More to doBaucaunear Baucau

    Days other than Monday and Thursday

    Go downhill from the Pousada on the road heading east out of Baucau.

    • Cost: 50 cents

Airports, metros and trains in Timor-Leste

Airports with scheduled flights

  • OECOecusse Route of the Sandalwood International AirportOecussi-AmbenoMain international airport
  • DILPresidente Nicolau Lobato International AirportDiliMain international airport

People and safety in Timor-Leste

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian100%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal

  • Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Women travellers

Ranked #102 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

65% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 198 of 198 countries can visit Timor-Leste easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required36
  • Visa on arrival162

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Africa54 of 54 countries
  • Asia49 of 49 countries
  • Europe46 of 46 countries
  • Americas35 of 35 countries
  • Oceania14 of 14 countries

Questions

When is the best time to visit?

June to October is the dry season. Heavy rain from November to May can damage roads and make remote travel difficult.

How can I get to Timor-Leste?

You can fly to Dili or travel overland from Indonesia. A daily bus from Kupang to Dili takes 12 hours, and there are no regular international passenger ferries.

What money should I bring?

Bring US dollars, especially US$5, US$10 and US$20 notes, plus smaller notes for everyday purchases. Banknotes issued before 2000 are not accepted, and US coins are rarely accepted.

Can I get by with English?

English is spoken by a reasonable number of people in Dili but is less common elsewhere. Tetum is understood by almost everyone, and Indonesian is widely spoken by adults.

How do I travel around the country?

Buses connect major towns, while smaller vehicles serve nearby villages. Taxis are widely available around Dili, and ferries connect Dili, Atauro Island and Oecussi.

Can I drink the tap water?

No. Drink bottled water, or boil or treat tap water before drinking it.

What safety precautions should I take?

Avoid demonstrations and keep phones and bags secure against motorbike snatching in Dili. Women should avoid walking alone or taking taxis alone at night.

Where can I stay?

Dili has hotels at different price levels. Eco-lodge accommodation is available on Atauro Island and in the Jaco Island area.

What food can I expect?

Rice, fish and curries are common, with chicken curry a favourite. Dili also has restaurants serving Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Thai food.

What electricity supply does Timor-Leste use?

The supply is 220 volts at 50 hertz. Listed plug types are Europlug, Type E, Schuko and the Australian/New Zealand type.

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