Your guide to Timor-Leste
We sat down with our expert travel agent, Lisa Malnar, to discuss the stunning island of Timor-Leste. Lisa is passionate about introducing travelers to off-the-beaten-path destinations and shared some valuable insights for anyone considering a visit to this incredible location!
What makes Timor-Leste a great travel destination?
Timor-Leste offers something for everyone. Diving, history, coffee, agriculture, adventure - you name it, you can do it in Timor-Leste!
Plus the people are incredibly welcoming, generous and want to share their culture with you.
The fact that it is only a 75 minute flight from Darwin also makes it a perfect getaway destination for Territorians.
What are your top places to visit in Timor-Leste?
Depending on the type of experiences you want in Timor Leste, these are some of my favourite places to visit.
Atauro Island
For some of Timor Leste’s best diving and snorkelling, Atauro Island is a must do. Located north of Dili, you can get to Atauro Island by boat in 1.5 hours, or by a 20 minute flight (subject to availability).
Dili
Spend a couple of days at the start or end of your trip and discover Timor-Leste’s capital Dili. You can expect delicious food, museums and lots of culture.
Baucau
This is the second largest city in Timor-Leste, and is located about 122km west of Dili. Overlooking the sea, you can enjoy pristine beaches and beautiful posada, and the older part of town has a strong Portuguese influence - see colonial buildings and wander through the beautiful old market square.
Balibo
Just 10km from the Indonesian border, Balibo is rich in history and has a backdrop of mountain views. Visit the Balibo Fort and new museum.
Maubisse
If you’re into hiking and mountains, head 70km south to Dili to the historic town of Maubisse. Expect cooler weather and enjoy relaxing amongst nature.
Liquica
This is another gorgeous beach town, only 32km west of Dili. Recommended for
relaxing by the ocean, you can also see some of the towns abandoned
colonial buildings.
What experiences would you recommend doing in Timor-Leste?
There’s so many things to do in Timor-Leste, but my top picks are:
- Diving
- Snorkelling
- Visiting the Resistance Museum
- Visiting Balibo Fort
- Do the walk up to Cristo Rei
What else should I know about visiting Timor-Leste?
Visas
If you’re an Australian passport holder you don’t have to worry about organising a Visa prior to arriving. You will be eligible for a Visa on arrival when they enter Timor-Leste. You will need to have $30USD cash on hand to pay for this VISA. This visa is valid for up to 30 days in the country.
Currency
The country's main currency is USD, using United States dollar notes as well as Timor-Leste centavo coins. We recommend that you bring USD cash with you in smaller denominations such as $5, $10 and $20 bills. Also note that Timor-Leste only takes Visa credit and debit cards.
When is the best time to visit Timor-Leste?
Keep in mind that Timor-Leste has a weather system very similar to Darwin with a wet season between November and April, and dry season between May and October.
If you want to dive, the best time is May- November. The whale migration season is October and November. However, if you want to just visit the country and do some day tours outside of Dili you can travel any time of the year.
Explore our exclusive packages for your next unforgettable getaway!
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