A Travel Guide to Backpacking Maubisse, Timor Leste

8 Best Things to Do in Maubisse

1. Visit the Pousada de Maubisse

The Pousada de Maubisse, another building constructed by the Portuguese during colonial times, is currently undergoing transformation into a guesthouse. Regardless of whether you intend to stay, a visit to the guesthouse is essential due to its location atop Maubisse's highest hill. From there, you can enjoy a splendid view of the town and the surrounding mountains.

I would recommend your coming in the morning to watch the sunrise if the weather permits. It is one of the best sunrises you can experience in the country.

The location of this place is so perfect that you will be able to get a 360-degree view of the surroundings, seeing all kinds of things you wouldn't see from the ground.

You can also choose to stay here if you have $45 - $75 USD per night to spare.

2. Walk around the Maubisse Market in the Morning

This is where you will meet the friendly people of Maubisse, who will smile at you, talk a bit with you, and sometimes take a photo with you. It is also a place to buy anything cheap, from coffee sachets to instant noodles, if you are trying to save some money.

The market is best experienced in the morning when hundreds of people descend from their nearby villages to come together and trade. You won't be able to see anything more authentic than this. This is the real mountain life of Timor Leste.

3. Eat cheaply at Sara Restaurant

There aren't a lot of restaurants in Maubisse, but thankfully when you arrive, the truck should drop you off here at Sara Restaurant, and here you can get a nice Bakso or Nasi Goreng for around 2.5 USD.

4. Or Eat at Amizade Restaurant with a View

Another nice restaurant, which is located a little further up north, is the Amizade restaurant. It is situated on the side of a cliff, providing a stunning view of the mountain range surrounding it. They also serve local food. So, if you are looking for a place to eat and relax for a while, this is the perfect place to be. You can get here either by Microlet heading north or walk along the road for 45 minutes.

5. Appreciate the effort of the Green School's plantation

The Green School is surrounded by coffee farms and local vegetation that they educate the local community to grow themselves. The place is built on the side of a mountain, and their terrace garden, filled with flowers and strawberries, makes quite a sight to behold.

Getting here is a little tricky as the roads are not mapped on Google Maps yet, but if you follow the trail I made in the map below, you should be able to get there with no problem. From the market, simply head southwest, up to a ramp and stick to the left at the first intersection, then walk into the forest until you see a sign that says "Eskola Verde", which means "Green School."

If you have trouble finding the place, you can ask any locals around there, and they will lead you to it. It's only a 3-minute walk from the Maubisse market.

6. Do Nothing inside your Green School Bungalow

If you are staying at the Green School, you are already at one of the best places in town, and you will have access to a private balcony overlooking the Green School vegetation and the mountains behind it. Spend some time doing nothing here. Just enjoy a good book, listen to relaxing music, and unwind while watching the sunset behind the mountain range. You will appreciate this quiet time you give to yourself.

7. Visit the Hakmatek Waterfall

If you want to do something more than just being in Maubisse, you can take a microlet heading south around 2-3 km from the Maubisse market and get off at the Hakmatek waterfall. There is also accommodation nearby that you can use as a base before hiking the Ramelau peak instead of staying at Hato Builico.

8. Get Yourself to Hato Builico and Hike the Ramelau Peak

If you have more time and your own 4WD vehicle, I would recommend driving up to Hato Builico and staying overnight at the village. Then, start going for the Ramelau Peak summit at 2 AM for the sunrise. You will need to be quite fit to tackle the peak in the early hours as it will be dark and very steep.

However, I heard that on a clear day, you can see all the high peaks of Timor Leste and the Indonesian part of Timor. Some even claim they were able to see Darwin, Australia from the peak. I didn't do it myself as I ran out of time, but if you have the time and love hiking, the Ramelau Peak is a must.

How to Get Here?

It is not easy to find information on how to get to Maubisse with public transport, so here is how I got there.

I took a taxi from my hostel in Dili and asked him to drop me off at the Taibessi bus stop, which is located at a roundabout in the southern part of Dili for 3 USD. The location of the bus stop is shown below:

Stand at the roundabout until you see an open roof truck with people sitting at the back passing by. Flag it down and ask the driver if he is dropping off people at "Maubisse." If he nods, then hop on the truck and wait until the truck is full. Then, you are off to Maubisse. The trip should take you no more than 4 hours and will only cost you 3 USD.

I highly recommend traveling on an overcast day or, if you do not have a choice, putting on some sunscreen since these trucks have no roof, and you will be under the sun for 3 hours straight. Thankfully, the weather becomes much cooler on the way into the mountain region, making the trip quite enjoyable. Plus, the scenery along the way is just stunning.

The other option is to rent a motorbike or car from Dili, which may cost you from $35 USD to $145 USD per day, excluding insurance and gas.

If you are interested, I would recommend asking Rentlo, one of the few rental companies in Dili that actually reply to your email.

Rentlo Contact Info:
Phone: +670 7741 6982 – 7741 6983
Email: info@rentlocarhire.com
Website: www.rentlocarhire.com

To find a cheap flight to Dili, Timor Leste, you can browse Skyscanner or Expedia to find the cheapest deal for your trip.

When to Go?

The weather is comfortably cooler in Maubisse than in Dili, even in the dry season, so June - September is a great time to visit the town. Please bring a jacket and long trousers, even in the summer, because it can get chilly at night, with the temperature dropping down to 16 degrees Celsius.

How to Get Around?

Everything is mostly within walking distance, so it should not be too difficult to get around Maubisse.

If you are planning to go to Hakmatek waterfall and to Hato Builico to attempt the highest peak of Timor Leste, the Ramelau peak, you will need a 4WD to get there as the road is horrible. A friend of mine tried going up with a regular car, and he gave up immediately.

Daily Budget

This location leans a little towards the expensive side, where I find myself spending approximately $40 - $60 USD per day per person. Despite this, it remains fairly affordable.

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.

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 Maubisse, 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 Maubisse, Timor Leste:

No internet access anywhere here, 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 Maubisse, 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 Maubisse, 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 Maubisse, 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:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: 12go is a great place to look for bus and train schedule and buy tickets online in Southeast Asia that would otherwise not have been available in English online.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

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 found this travel guide helpful. If you are looking for more articles about Timor Leste, here is a selection of articles to assist you in planning your trip:

• Looking for a complete itinerary and travel guide for Timor Leste? 10 Days Itinerary to Timor Leste.
• 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, make 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.
• 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 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.

There you have it, a guide to Maubisse. I know, there isn't much going on here, but Maubisse is the perfect place for you to do nothing. It's a place for you to relax, immerse yourself in the local community, observe, and enjoy the authentic Timor Leste experience. If you're looking for a place to end your backpacking trip, this is the place to be.