East Timor
The information below is provided by Lonely Planet readers and is not verified by Lonely Planet. For the official lowdown, contact your nearest embassy or check out our Travel Links.
Visas, Embassies & Border Crossings
East Timorese visas are available at the land border crossing between east and west for US$30. Visas for Indonesia take a minimum of seven days to issue in Dili. They cost $35US. Hotels start at $15US per night but these are nearly always full with business people, NGO or UN workers.
Tyrone Golding, UK (Aug 04)
Travel Tips
The number of hotels, restaurants, and bars has boomed in Dili after the arrival of the United Nations and other international organizations following the 1999 referendum. There are plenty of restaurants offering western, Portuguese, Italian, Thai, Indian, Indonesian, Chinese, and Japanese food. A few bars feature live music on the weekends. Hotels are generally of good quality. The prices are high for South-East Asia. Budget US$30-50 for a mid-range hotel and around US$10 for a mid-range price meal. There are currently two dive organizations renting dive equipment and organizing tours, and hiking and boat tours can be organized through a couple of local groups. A backpackers place is renting motorbikes. Most of East Timor's countryside remains untouched by commerce and it provides a good escape from the tourist locations. The landscape is stunning and you will be inevitably greeted by curious looks and cheers from the local children excited to see foreigners passing through.
Hana Mijovic (June 04)
Scams & Warnings
The security situation in East Timor remains safe but it is recommended not to travel around at night. Road conditions deteriorate during the rain season and there is frequent construction done on the main roads. Extra caution will be advised after most of the UN withdraws in June 2004. Check with the UN Security Office in Dili or the local police station for an update on road conditions and safety before travelling from one place to another.
Hana Mijovic (June 04)
^ back to top
|
