Timor Leste is probably one of the least traveled countries in Southeast Asia, receiving only around 60,000 travelers per year. The majority of those travelers are on a visa run from Indonesia, and they often only stay in Dili. This is a shame as the country truly shines when you venture outside of the capital city.
In August 2018, I decided to spend 10 days traveling in Timor Leste, trying my best to get off the beaten path as much as possible. Even though I had mixed feelings about traveling East, I had the greatest time exploring Atauro and the mountain region of the country. So, here is a 10-day guide to exploring Timor-Leste's cities, culture, and stunning countryside.
- Timor Leste Itinerary Map
- 10 Days Itinerary to Timor Leste
- + 4 Days to Jaco Island
- More Timor Leste Activities
- Where to Stay?
- Timor Leste Travel Video
- Why Go to Timor Leste?
- How to Get Here?
- Visa
- When to Go?
- How to Get Around?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Timor Leste?
- What to Pack for Timor Leste?
- Further Reading for Timor Leste
Timor Leste Itinerary Map
| ☀️ Day 1: | Dili |
| ☀️ Day 2-3: | Atauro Island |
| ☀️ Day 4: | Dili |
| ☀️ Day 5: | Hato Builico |
| ☀️ Day 6-7: | Maubisse |
| ☀️ Day 8: | Dili |
| ☀️ Day 9: | Baucau |
| ☀️ Day 10-11: | Jaco Beach + Jaco Island |
| ☀️ Day 12: | Dili |
10 Days Itinerary to Timor Leste
Day 1: Dili (2 nights)
Dili is likely the first place you will begin your journey in Timor-Leste unless you are traveling by land via the western border from Indonesia. Dili is a seaside city with a nice, chill vibe, relatively great infrastructure, and makes for a good base to launch yourself into the countryside. The beautiful Cristo Rei statue, located only a few kilometers away from the city center, is a great place to go for a small hike, especially at sunset.
The beach behind the Cristo Rei statue is also worth visiting, with beautiful clear water, a remote location, and tucked away from the main road. There is no better place to swim in the ocean than here.
If you are interested in learning more about Timor Leste, its history, struggles, and independence, the Archives & Museum of East Timorese Resistance and the "Chega!" exhibition are a must-do when you are in Dili.
- Icons of Dili: A Private Walking Tour (3 hours)
- Cultural Connection: A Couple’s Walking Tour of Dili (3 hours)
Timor Leste used to be a Portuguese colony, so make sure to walk around the city and spot some beautiful colonial architecture like the Motael Church and the largest of them all, the Dili Cathedral.
Day 2 - 3: Atauro Island (2 nights)
One of the best trips you can make in Timor-Leste is to take a ferry up north to Atauro Island, a remote island off the coast of Dili. It is one of the best places to go snorkeling and diving. The best part is you don't even have to travel long hours to get here. It's only 2 hours away by ferry, and you will be rewarded with a quiet fishing town, peaceful Beloi Beach, and stunning coral reefs for you to explore.
Snorkeling is awesome, even just off the Beloi beach. There are plenty of fish and colorful coral reefs all along the stretch, and even more so the further you are from the beach. There is also another spot to go snorkeling/diving, but you will have to get a boat out, which you can go with Atauro Dive Resort as they run three times a day from 7 AM to 3 PM.
Be sure also to go up to the viewpoint in the early morning to catch a glimpse of how remote and big the island is from above.
If you want to have an authentic experience, you can also stay at a homestay, which you can organize through Atauro Dive Resort, or you can find the contact info of the guy I stayed with here.
Estevo Marques (Tetun)
Homestay Coordinator
+670 7843 6324
Oldegar Massinga (English)
Operations and Conservation Coordinator
+670 7725 5600 Email: oldegar@blueventures.org
Dili (1 night)
From Atauro, you will have to take a ferry or a speedboat back, which leaves at around 3 PM. Therefore, you will need to spend another night in Dili to prepare for your next journey into the mountains.
Day 5: Hato Builico (1 night)
Photo by Kate Dixon
This town is a great base for hiking the highest peak in Timor Leste, the Ramelau peak, which is best during sunrise when the sky is clear and the weather is stable. You will have to stay one night in this town and at 3:30 AM, start hiking the mountain. You should be at the summit by 6 AM, in time for the sunrise.
Getting to this town is a little tricky as it is quite remote, and the road is not in good condition. So, if you have a 4WD, it will make your trip much more comfortable.
If not, what you can do is take an open-roof truck from the Taibessi bus stop in Dili to Maubisse, which should cost you around 3 USD and take 3 hours. Then, from the Maubisse market, find a ride with the locals that goes to Hato Builico, which should take you around 2 hours. Start early from Dili so you have enough time to figure out your ride to Hato Builico from Maubisse.
See more: A guide to hiking Ramelau peak in Timor Leste by Gunung Bagging
Day 6 - 7: Maubisse (2 nights)
After a hike like that, it is always nice to have a nice, quiet place for you to rest. Thankfully, Maubisse, the town you passed through the day before, is perfect for you to do nothing in. The town is nestled between the beautiful hills and mountains of Timor Leste, and with its cool breeze and untouched nature all around, there is no better place to sit back, relax, and enjoy the sound of nature.
This is even better if you stay at the Green School, which is a place where they educate the local community on how to grow certain vegetation in this region. They also offer a really nice accommodation in a traditional hut with a killer view of the mountains.
You can also walk up the hill to Pousada de Maubisse and enjoy the view there, as the guest house is perfectly located on top of the highest hill in town. You will be able to see a sweeping 360-degree view of the town and the landscape surrounding it.
Dili (1 night)
After 2 days in the mountains, you will see almost everything Timor Leste has to offer, from mountains to beaches. You can then take the truck back to Dili, rest, and prepare to fly home.
If you have more time in the country and don't mind roughing it out, you can spend four days traveling from Dili to Jaco Island and back to truly complete the itinerary.
I didn't do this because I found the road eastward to be one of the worst ones out there, and traveling beyond Los Palos by public transport becomes unreliable and tiresome.
Even when reaching Jaco island, I won't be able to stay overnight on the island as it is considered sacred to the local people. Therefore, I would only be there for a few hours for snorkeling and would have to travel back through the same horrid road for another 2 days.
BUT, if you have a 4WD and are looking for more adventure, continue your trip with a visit to Jaco Island, which is one of the most remote and beautiful islands in the country.
+ 4 Days to Jaco Island (Optional)
Day 9: Baucau (1 night)
You can easily drive for 12 hours to Jaco Beach if you have your own 4WD and want to. However, I would suggest breaking the trip up into 2 days by spending a night in Baucau, the second biggest city in the country. It is unlikely that you will see any tourists here, as is the case for most places outside Dili. This is perfect for you to get a glimpse of how the majority actually lives in the country.
Baucau also has a few nice colonial architectures that are worth exploring, such as the Pousada de Baucau, an old pension used by the Portuguese that has now been turned into a guesthouse, and the Baucau Old Market, a grand colonial building that is considered to be the landmark of the city.
There is also a nice public pool for you to jump in, and you will want to, if you decide to travel along the dusty, pothole-ridden road that connects Dili and Baucau via a bus.
Day 10 - 11: Jaco Beach + Jaco Island (2 nights)
Photos by Andidut
Traveling to Jaco Island is not easy, but the reward is worth it. You will arrive on an empty island with a pristine white sandy beach, clear water, and stunning coral reefs begging for you to explore. Make sure you have snorkeling gear with you, as you won't be able to rent any on Jaco Beach or the island. That's how remote this place is.
If you are interested, here is a more comprehensive guide written by Richard Collett from Travel Tramp.
Dili (1 night)
After staying at Jaco Beach for 2 nights, you still have a long way to go back to Dili. It should take you around 12 hours to drive the whole way, so start your journey early. Get back to civilization and enjoy your last evening in Dili before flying back to Bali.
More Timor Leste Activities
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
Where to Stay?
Dili - Timor Backpackers - $15.00 USD per night (Dorm) | $65 USD per night (Twin Room) - The only hostel with reliable WiFi.
Atauro - Atauro Dive Resort - 18 USD/Night (Dorm) | 35 USD/Night (Double Room with Sea View)
Hato Builico - Pousada Alecrim Namrau - 15 USD/Night (Private room) + 5 USD for breakfast and dinner.
Maubisse - Green School - 35 USD/Night (Double room) - To book this place, head over to Leublora Green Village Facebook page and write to Bella, one of the team members listed on that page, and book it through her.
Baucau - Victoria Restaurant and Guesthouse - 35 USD per night (Double room)
Jaco Beach - Valu Sere Beach Bungalows - 20 USD/Night (Bungalow right on the beach. There is currently no way to book it online, so just show up.)
Timor Leste Travel Video
Why Go to Timor Leste?
With the overtourism we are seeing all over the world, traveling in Timor Leste is a breath of fresh air. The country lacks tourism infrastructure, hence allowing us adventurers to explore the country as it is meant to be, through the ways the locals do.
You are also rewarded with stunning nature, from the marine life of the underwater world around Atauro Island to the quiet mountain region of Maubisse. All of these are untouched by mass tourism, which is not easy to come by in Southeast Asia. If you are looking for a real adventure, this is the place to be.
How to Get Here?
The cheapest way to get to Timor Leste by air is to get yourself to Bali, and from there, fly from Denpasar airport to Dili via NAM or Sriwijaya Air. The flight can cost as low as $150 USD per way (Updated in 2019) if you book it in advance. You can book a flight through Skyscanner.com or Expedia for the cheapest price. You can also fly from Singapore and Darwin, Australia, but it is considerably more expensive, so I would recommend going through Bali instead.
For a flight to Bali, AirAsia offers many cheap flights from hub airports like Bangkok or Singapore, so it is best to visit Timor Leste during your trip through Indonesia.
Visa
If you are an EU passport holder, you are exempt from the visa requirement, so do not line up when you arrive at the airport. Just go straight through to immigration and have your passport stamped.
For the rest of us, you can get the visa at the airport for $30 USD. Make sure you have some USD on hand when you arrive.
When to Go?
The best time to visit Timor Leste is during the dry season, which is from June to September. During this time, you will maximize clear days, have good visibility underwater, and minimize the chance of getting stuck somewhere due to flooded roads.
How to Get Around?
The cheapest way is to travel by public transport, which may come in different forms such as Microlet for traveling around a city, big buses for long-distance travel, and open-roof trucks for shorter and more remote destinations.
Microlet is the cheapest option and is available everywhere in most towns and cities, and it only costs 25c per way. The problem is, you need to know which number to take, but you can always ask the driver before you get on, and they should be able to tell you whether it is the right microlet or not. Once you get onto the van, you will be squeezed into the van, and if you want to get off, use a coin and bang it against the handle rail to let the driver know where.
For cities like Dili, you have the option of yellow/blue taxis. For the yellow cab, which is the most common one, you will have to negotiate a bit before getting into the car, whereas the blue taxis are metered.
Dili is the biggest city in the country, and it is the main hub for buses that go around Timor Leste. So, you will be coming in and out of Dili often. There are three bus stations, each traveling in different directions. Depending on where you want to go, you will need to know from which bus station to catch the bus.
For more information about Dili bus stations and stops, here is a comprehensive guide to Dili, Timor-Leste.
If you have enough budget to rent a 4WD, it is the easiest and most comfortable way to travel around the country. Roads in Timor Leste are horrible throughout, and if you want to travel far and wide, especially eastward to Baucau and Jaco island, renting a jeep is the best way to go. You can rent a motorbike or 4WD for $35 - $145 per day + $25 for insurance. If you are interested, I would recommend asking Rentlo, one of the few rental companies in Dili that actually replies to your email.
Tips: Book in advance to get the cheapest car on the list.
See more: Rentlo car rental rates for May 2018.
Rentlo Contact Info:
Phone: +670 7741 6982 – 7741 6983
Email: info@rentlocarhire.com
Website: www.rentlocarhire.com
Daily Budget
This location is less expensive than most countries, but it's not exceedingly cheap. Expect to spend around $30 - $50 USD per day per person, which includes both accommodation and meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
Timor-Leste is an expensive country by Southeast Asia standards. Most of their infrastructure is still under maintenance or non-existent. The fact that they are using US dollars doesn't help either, as everything is extra expensive when negotiating. That said, you can still travel cheap, but trust me, it is not a fun experience for anyone.
If you want to travel comfortably, you will need to rent a motorbike or a jeep, which, as mentioned above, are not cheap at all. Food can be cheap if you eat outside of the tourist area and if you don't mind eating local food. It should cost you around 2-4 USD per meal. If you are eating at a western restaurant, prepare to pay double that. Hostels are only available in Dili and Atauro island, and they should cost around 10-18 USD. You don't have many options except staying in guesthouses or homestays outside of Dili, and it should cost between 20-45 USD per night. Hotels in Dili can go upward of 45-75 USD per night.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Timor Leste?
Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Timor Leste without having to switch out your physical SIM card.
Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Timor Leste:
Reliable WIFI is hard to come by, and in Dili, I only found one place with reliable WIFI, which is at the Timor Backpackers. I found no WIFI available anywhere else in Dili.
Thankfully, the cell network is pretty fast, with most areas covered with 3G speed, so I would recommend getting a SIM card from Telkomsel either at the airport in Dili or Dili's city center before your trip. You can learn more about the available price plans here: Timor-Leste Prepaid SIM card.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
What to Pack for Timor Leste?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Timor Leste:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Timor Leste in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Timor Leste
I hope you find this travel guide useful. If you are looking for more articles about Timor Leste, here is a selection of articles to help you plan your trip.
- What do you know about Timor Leste? Not much, I assume. If you are interested in the history of Timor Leste, here is a brief history of Timor Leste.
- Dili is the capital city where you will probably begin your journey into one of the least traveled countries in Asia. To help you get acquainted with Timor Leste, check out our one day travel guide on things to do in Dili.
- Atauro Island is the best place to go snorkeling in Timor Leste. There is not much information out there, so here’s a quick guide on how to get to Atauro Island from Dili.
- Once you get to Atauro island, be sure to check out our travel guide on things to do on Atauro Island.
- Looking to go off the beaten path in Timor Leste? Baucau is a great place to break your trip towards Jaco Island. Here's a quick guide on things to do in Baucau.
- Done with the beaches in Timor Leste? Why not explore the untouched mountain region of Timor Leste? Here’s a complete travel guide on things to do, where to stay and how to get to Maubisse.
- Timor Leste is not the easiest country to travel in. I struggled to stay calm as I made my way to Baucau on a public bus in mid-summer. Here’s my story on real adventure and whether it was worth it.
- For all articles about Timor Leste, visit the Timor Leste Travel Guide page.
- Looking for more travel guides for Southeast Asia? You can find more on my Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
13 Comments
Excellent guide Pete
I love it Pete! Never knew I would miss home so much after seeing this article. <3
No problem :) I hope you found the guide useful! :)
Thank you for the kind words Geovania. You have a beautiful home country :)
hello! Pete,
I check the price of ticket from DPS(Bali) to Dili airport
Its more than 150 US dollars per way even i searched it before 6 months
so i think your information is wrong
Hey Jiang,
Ahh, yes I forgot to update the price on this article (someone did mentioned it on the other post). That said, it should be around 80 USD though. Did you try looking up on AirPaz?
hey Pete, 80USD per way is still impossible ,i have searched Skyscanner, AirPaz and other search tools, the cheapest one is more than 150USD ,so you had better check the price again and update your article.
Thank you for the heads up! I've looked through a flight search engine and the price did increase dramatically this year. Not sure what happened there. I've updated the article with the new 2019 price!
Very comprehensive. Thank you so much for sharing. Just three more countries and I would have visited entire southeast Asian countries.
Your itinerary should be a great help. Thank you!
Thank you for the comments and I hope you can make it to Timor Leste! It sure isn't for everyone but for those who are looking for more than just to travel. ;) You are going to love it.