Introducing East Timor
Nothing is easy about East Timor (Timor-Leste in the locally preferred Portuguese) and that’s both its blessing and its curse. Independence hasn’t been simple; years spent under Portuguese and Indonesian thumbs have been burdened by tragedy, and recent history shows why you can’t just declare yourself a new country (as happened in 2002) and expect things to be hunky-dory. Travellers will experience some of the challenges the Timorese contend with on a daily basis, and that may be the best reason to visit. The tourism infrastructure is barely developed, yet there’s just enough for the adventurous to experience this beautiful place without undue travail. The diving is magnificent, the countryside superb and the people genuinely welcoming. Once you've had your fill of the capital, head east of Dili and discover the country's best beaches, or head out to Atauro Island for some great snorkeling. And just as the locals have found ways to get by, you will too – which only makes your journey more rewarding.
Advertisement
Sure the roads are crap and getting from one place to another can take forever, but the flip side is that you’ll rarely be following in others’ footsteps. You can get into the unique cultural rhythm that combines European and Asian beats. There’s a nod and a wave from everyone you meet. Soon you’ll realise that what’s easiest about East Timor is its charm.
Last updated: Feb 20, 2011
Tips & articles
-
Timor-Leste: every day an adventure
12 July 2011
Ask the long-term expats working in Timor-Leste (East Timor) what they do on the weekends and you’ll be amazed by...
-
Top 10 countries that didn’t exist 20 years ago
7 January 2011
Turbo boost your passport by venturing to these recently minted destinations, as highlighted in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2011....
-
East Timor: travel books to read before you go
11 November 2010
This excerpt from Lonely Planet’s East Timor guide provides a selection of travel literature to get you in the mood for...
Hotels & Hostels
Top cities in East Timor
Browse more cities in East TimorFeatured property
See all hotels and hostels in East TimorAdvertisement
East Timor
Things to do
- All things to do (31)
- Activities (2)
- Entertainment (1)
- Restaurants (6)
- Shopping (5)
- Sights (15)
- Tours (2)
Make it happen
Our Top Picks For East Timor
-
1 Diving Dili
Some of the world’s best shore diving can be found right near the scruffy capital
-
2 Atauro Island
East Timor in a microcosm, with funky lodgings on untouched beaches plus perfect reefs offshore
-
3 Hatubuilico and Mt Ramelau
Coffee plantations and misty valleys give way to sweeping views that are best reached via predawn climbs
-
4 Baucau
The Old Town reeks of Portuguese colonial charm, while a perfect beach lies below
-
5 Jaco Island
A sacred spot with pristine white-sand beauty, and settlements unchanged for centuries
Fast Facts about East Timor
- Costs
guesthouse room US$10, 1.5L bottle of water US$0.50, beer US$2.50, noodle dish from a local eatery US$1 to US$2, shore dive US$40
- Time
GMT + nine hours
- Money
US$ (US dollar)
- Phrases (Tetun)
olá (hello), adeus (goodbye), obrigadu/a (m/f) (thank you), kolisensa (excuse me)
- Visas
US$30 on arrival
- Country code
670
- Capital
- Budget
US$20 to US$50 a day
- Languages
Tetun, Portuguese, Indonesian, English