Timor-Leste is by far one of the least-traveled countries in Southeast Asia. I have only met a handful of people who have been there, and most of them often stay in Dili, the capital city of Timor-Leste. I was curious, so I decided to embark on a journey through Timor-Leste, starting my journey in Dili.
Dili is a beautiful seaside city that compensates for its small size with a chill vibe, friendly people, and a plethora of interesting things to do. Here's my take on a perfect one-day itinerary for things to do in Dili, Timor Leste.
- Things to Do in Dili Map
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11 Best Things to Do in Dili
- Visit Motael Church
- Support The Local Craftmanship at Tais Market
- Dili Cathedral
- Learn the History at the Archives & Museum of East Timorese Resistance
- Visit the Chega! Exhibition
- Pay Respect at the Santa Cruz Cemetary
- Try Fresh Fruits at Fruit & Vegetable Market
- Hike to the Cristo Rei Statue at Sunset
- Soak Yourself in the Ocean at the Dolok Oan Beach
- Have a cup of locally brewed coffee at Letefoho Cafe
- Have Lunch at Agora Food Studio
- More Dili Activities
- Where to Stay in Dili?
- Timor Leste Travel Video
- How to Get to Dili?
- Getting a Visa for Timor Leste
- When To Visit Dili?
- How to Get Around Dili?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Timor Leste?
- What to Pack for Dili, Timor Leste?
- Further Reading for Timor Leste
Things to Do in Dili Map
11 Best Things to Do in Dili
1. Visit Motael Church
If you decide to walk along the coastline of Dili, you will not miss this place as it is located by the coast. This Portuguese-style church was built in 1955 and is considered to be the oldest Roman Catholic church in the country. The architecture resembles the Portuguese influence you can see around Southeast Asia during the colonization period. It is a great reminder of how influential the Portuguese were back in the day.
The interior is also quite interesting to see, with wooden chairs and big fans on the ceiling, something you don't often see in European churches. The church is also a good place to hide from the brutal heat of Dili.
2. Support The Local Craftmanship at Tais Market
A little south of the coastline, only a few minutes' walk from the Motael Church, you will find a small traditional market where you can buy handmade products from the local communities. It is also a great place to shop for a souvenir, but be sure to negotiate the price if you do. It is also nice to walk around and enjoy the beautiful colors of the locals' craftsmanship while mingling with friendly locals.
- Icons of Dili: A Private Walking Tour (3 hours)
- Cultural Connection: A Couple’s Walking Tour of Dili (3 hours)
3. Dili Cathedral
The Dili Cathedral is a source of Timorese pride and spiritual guidance. It was built by the Indonesian government in 1984. The cathedral is the largest Catholic cathedral in the country and the second largest in Southeast Asia.
The cathedral played a great role in the East Timorese resistance against Indonesia, with Pope John Paul II recognizing the atrocities committed in the country and blessing the church, thereby giving hope to the East Timorese people and leading to independence. Knowing this, the place becomes a must-visit for travelers who enjoy learning the history of a country like Timor-Leste.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
4. Learn the History at the Archives & Museum of East Timorese Resistance
Talking about history, Timor-Leste has gone through a lot to be where they are now, and they have documented it thoroughly in the Archives & Museum of East Timorese Resistance, which is a must-visit when you are in Dili.
The museum is dedicated to telling the story of their struggle for independence from Indonesia. It is quite a story, and if you are interested in learning more, I recently wrote an article called "The Brief Story of Timor Leste", which you can read here.
The museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
5. Visit the Chega! Exhibition
Another great museum is the Chega! The exhibition is located not too far from the Dili cathedral. "Chega" means "enough" or "stop" in Portuguese, and the exhibition is dedicated to telling the stories of all the victims of the nightmares that descended upon the East Timorese people during the occupied periods from the Portuguese to World War 2 by the Japanese, and eventually to the Indonesian.
And it is open to the public on weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm. The exhibition showcases various artifacts, photographs, and personal accounts of those who were imprisoned here. Additionally, there are guided tours available for visitors who want a deeper understanding of the prison's history. It is truly a fascinating and haunting experience, and definitely worth a visit for anyone interested in the region's political past.
The museum is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
6. Pay Respect at the Santa Cruz Cemetary
After visiting both museums, I highly recommend that you visit the Santa Cruz cemetery next, which should be just a few minutes' walk from the Chega! exhibition. The Santa Cruz cemetery is where the Dili massacre took place during the resistance. By simply walking around the cemetery, you should be able to feel the eeriness of the quiet atmosphere that surrounded the place. You can almost sense the nightmare that descended upon the East Timorese people during that time of struggle.
7. Try Fresh Fruits at Fruit & Vegetable Market
If you are looking to try some fresh fruits from Timor-Leste, you can drop by the fruit market on your way to the Cristo Rei statue. It's a small and colorful place to eat some fresh fruits or simply get some nice photos for your trip in Dili.
8. Hike to the Cristo Rei Statue at Sunset
This is by far one of the most photogenic places in Dili. This massive Jesus statue, the second biggest in the world, is located on a hill east of the city center, right by the beach of the same name where locals like to unwind and soak themselves in the ocean.
You can get here from the fruit market via microlet #12, and it will take you directly to the parking lot where you can start hiking.
In order to get the best view of Dili and the mountains behind it, you will have to hike up to the top, which should take you no more than 20 minutes. I would recommend hiking to the statue in the evening when the sun is not too strong and the heat is bearable. You will be rewarded with the view of Dili, the mountains, and the secret empty beach behind it, which brings me to my next point...
9. Soak Yourself in the Ocean at the Dolok Oan Beach
While you are hiking up to the statue, halfway in, you will come across an intersection that leads to either that statue or this beach. On your way down from the statue, be sure to go left down the stairs to reach Dolok Oan beach. Dolok Oan beach is a beautiful white sand beach where you can swim peacefully and calmly, away from the local tourists who often reside at Cristo Rei beach instead.
This is the best place to soak yourself in the water after a sweaty hike up to the Cristo Rei statue.
10. Have a cup of locally brewed coffee at Letefoho Cafe
Timor-Leste is well-known for its coffee beans as it has been one of their most important exports since the Portuguese colonized the country. One of the best places to try locally brewed coffee is at the Letefoho Cafe, located not too far from the Timor Backpackers hostel. Though this is on the more expensive side, the coffee is amazing, and the staff are very friendly. They also have delicious pastries to go with the amazing coffee they serve there. The location of the cafe is shown below:
11. Have Lunch at Agora Food Studio
This place was recommended by a friend of mine, and it is considered to be the pioneer of sustainable and organic food in the city. The food is a bit expensive, but you are sure to receive good and clean food while also supporting the locals and the environment of Timor Leste.
If you are interested in tasting great food while supporting the locals, be sure to visit them when you are there or learn more about their initiative on their website here: Angora Food Studio.
They are only open during lunch, so be there early! The location of the restaurant is shown below:
Where to Stay in Dili?
Dili is not a city with cheap accommodation. The cheapest option I found, with great facilities, is this one:
Dili - Timor Backpackers - 15.00 USD per night (Dorm) | 65 USD per night (Twin Room)
Highly recommended is this place as it is the only hostel in Dili with consistently working WIFI, air-conditioning, and a swimming pool. Don't bother asking for information at the reception, though, as they are mostly clueless about traveling to other cities. However, they are the only ones with working facilities and at an affordable price. It is located behind a bar called Castaway Bar, and you can simply tell a taxi to drop you there.
Timor Leste Travel Video
How to Get to Dili?
The cheapest way to get to Dili by air is to fly from Denpasar airport in Bali, where you can get a flight via NAM or Sriwijaya Air for $150 USD one way (Updated in 2019). I highly recommend you book the flight in advance via Skyscanner.com or Expedia for the cheapest price possible. There are also flights from Singapore and Darwin, Australia, but it is considerably more expensive, so I would recommend flying to Bali and then Bali to Dili.
AirAsia is also a good airline to fly cheaply to Bali from hub airports like Bangkok or Singapore, so it is best to visit Dili in between your trips to Indonesia or Southeast Asia.
Getting a Visa for Timor Leste
If you are from the EU, you are exempt from the visa requirement. However, if you are not, you can obtain them at the airport for 30 USD. Remember to have some USD prepared before you land.
When To Visit Dili?
The best time to go to Dili is between June and September when it is dry, and the temperature hovers around 26-34 degrees Celsius. Avoid the rainy season if you are planning to go further inland, as some cities may be cut off during those times due to bad roads.
How to Get Around Dili?
Getting Around the City
The easiest way to get around is by taxi, which often comes in yellow (non-metered) and blue (metered). You can flag any of these, but for the yellow ones, always negotiate the price. They are not aggressive by any means, but they do sometimes double the price of what you normally pay, so be sure to haggle whatever price they come up with.
For a blue taxi, it is new and not so easy to flag one down, but when you do, it is metered, so you can be assured that you are paying a reasonable price. That said, I did experience a driver telling me that the minimum price is $3, which I realized is only true if you book it through a telephone. So let them know that you are aware of this, and hopefully, they will let it go.
For the cheapest option, a microlet is a form of public transportation that is common in cities and used by locals to move around. For only 25c per ride, you can get to almost anywhere in the city. The problem is that you need to know which number to take, so make sure to ask the driver if you are taking one. Use a coin and bang it against the handle rail to let the driver know that you want to get off.
From the airport, you can take a taxi to the city center for around $5 - $10 USD. They will start at $10 USD, so be sure to negotiate. If you are staying at Timor Backpackers, just tell them to drop you off at Castaway Bar for $5 USD.
For going to Cristo Rei for a hike, if you are staying at Timor Backpackers like I did, you can take a Microlet #9 along the coast towards the Palácio do Governo (Government office) and get off before they turn right into land. Keep walking east toward the Fruit & Vegetable Market and from there, you can take another microlet #12, which will take you all the way to Cristo Rei beach where you can hike up to the statue. You can also take a taxi one way for around 3 - 5 USD and take the microlet back.
Getting from City to City in Timor Leste
If you want to travel eastward to Baucau or Jaco Island, take a taxi ($3 USD) to the Becora bus station located in the southeastern suburbs of the city.
If you want to travel westward to Maubara or Balibo, you can take a taxi ($3) to the Tasi Tolu Bus Station, located a little further away from the airport.
If you want to travel southward to Maubisse or Hato Builico, you can take another taxi ($3) to the Taibessi Bus Stop, which is located at a roundabout in the southern part of the city.
You can find the locations of all the bus stops from my map shown above.
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 not a cheap country, as they recently gained independence in 2002 and most of their infrastructure is either non-existent or badly damaged over the years. They are currently using US dollars, which can make things more expensive for us. You can travel cheaply like a local with buses that cost somewhere between 3-5 USD, 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 could cost $35 - $145 USD per day excluding insurance and gas. Food can be cheap if you don't mind eating where the locals eat. A dish of Bakso Mie should cost around $1.5 to $3 USD. If you are eating at a western restaurant, it could cost from $4 to $10 USD. Dormitories in Dili cost around $10 - $15 USD, whereas hotels will set you back around $45 - $75 USD per night.
Again, Timor-Leste is not a cheap country to travel in, but thankfully, there are plenty of ATMs at the airport and scattered around the country, so prepare accordingly.
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 Dili, 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 Dili, Timor Leste:
Internet is scarce in Timor-Leste, as you expected. The only place I found with reliable WIFI is at the Timor Backpackers hostel where I stayed. However, if you want more consistent access to the internet, I would recommend buying a SIM card from Telkomsel at a kiosk outside the entrance door of Dili's international airport. You can get 2.4GB for 11 USD, and I had no problem getting online while traveling around the country. 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 Dili, 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 Dili, 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 Dili, 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 found 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:
- 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.
- 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.
9 Comments
thanks a lot
Thank you for the comments!
Great Article, when did you travel there or first wrote this? Flights from Bali seems to more like 300 dolars rather than just 35. I'm considering a 4 days trip to Dili, is it worth spending that much time over there. We prefer not much transfers and traveling too far out from Dili as we have 2 kids with us. thanks
Hi Karine,
35 USD is the entry visa, not the flight cost. The flight cost should not be more than 100 USD one way. I bought mine via Airpaz website for 50 USD one way only last year around August.
Four days is quite good with 2 days in dili and maybe Atauro island for another 2. It's beautiful there, stunning corals, good for snorkeling and diving or just simply chill out in a quiet remote island. All you have to do is get on a boat from Dili and you will be there in like an hr. 😊
Be sure to check out the guide I wrote on how to get to Atauro island if you are interested.
I hope this helps.
Let me know if you have more questions 😊
Ahh yes I did see that I mentioned the lowest price for flight at 35 USD. You can get that price only under promotional period through usually third parties agency like AirPaz. Although it's indeed strange that it is 300 USD for you.
Sorry about the confusion!
Thank you for sharing your experiences in my home country Timor-Leste. My home town is Bauca Eastern side of TL. Currently, I am studying Hotel School & the units covered Hotels, hospitality and tourism. My area of interest and dream is to have tourism running in rural/regional towns, the idea is to support the economic growth & employment in the regions. It's nice fresh air and the weather is beautiful, finger cross once the road, all fix then it will be amazing! Thank you for visiting Timor-Leste. Hopefully, this pandemic will stop so that the the tourist industry will be back again to normal and will recover. Take care. Ana Paula.
I loved reading your article on Timor-Leste! I am interested in visiting there but wanted to ask if it is safe for me to take my 10 year old daughter with me? I will not hold you to anything, just need your opinion since you have been there. The internet is giving mixed answers so just thought I'd ask.
Thank you!
When I was there, it was pretty safe, and I was using public transportation. Not the most comfortable, as tourist infrastructure does not exist, but I consider it a pretty safe country. I think you will enjoy the country more if you can organize a driver beforehand. It will be pricey but it will make moving around the country much more comfortable for your daughter and safer too. :)
I hope this helps!
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and your valuable input!! I will get to planning my trip now!
Happy travels to you!