Visas, currency, flights, and language in East Timor?
Replies: 5 - Last Post: Dec 14, 2012 7:10 AM Last Post By: anillos_de_satu...
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Visas, currency, flights, and language in East Timor?
Sorry, but I am not blessed with a travel guide to East Timor, and I know very little about the country. I am currently traveling by bicycle in Indonesia and hope to end my trip in East Timor. So, I have a few questions.First, do I need to get a visa in advance or can I just show up at the border? I am currently in Bali so they might have a consulate here, but at some point I will also be in Kupang also. I am American.
Next, I speak both Indonesian and Portuguese. Are either of these languages any use in E. Timor?
What currency is in use in E. Timor? Is it easy to change leftover Indonesian rupiah into local currency? Are there working ATM's for Cirrus or Visa in E. Timor?
Probably will be flying out from E. Timor and headed back to the US. Are international airfares crazy expensive from Dili? If so, how about flights to nearby Asian destinations like Jakarta, Denpasar, KL, or Singapore?
Oh, can someone give me the address of this East Dili Backpackers and a general description of how to get there? Is there any other non-crazy expensive option as the posters on this page don't seem to be overly fond of it?
Thank you for any information.
Edited by: roberthart66
1
Here are some answers to your questions about Timor-Leste:1) You don't need to get a visa in advance, but you do need to obtain an authorization letter. See http://migracao.gov.tl/?page_id=32 for more details. Don't just turn up at the land border. They will turn you away, and it will be a long ride all the way back to Kupang. If you are in Bali, you can visit the consulate there, otherwise you can get it in Kupang, See http://migracao.gov.tl/?page_id=657 for their addresses. When you show this letter at the land border, they will then issue you a visa for US$30.
2) Portuguese is one of the official languages, but your Indonesian will be far more useful for day to day communication.
3) Timor-Leste uses the US dollar. Unless you are returning to Indonesia, don't bring in more rupiah than you need. There are boys at the land border and a small bank (not always open) that can change money. If you still have a small amount left, you are probably best changing it with the money changers who stand outside Mandiri bank in Dili. The ANZ ATMs in Dili will accept most international cards.
4) Current airlines flying into / out of Dili are Merpati and Batavia to Bali. Air Timor to Singapore. Air North to Darwin. That's it. There are many travel agents who can arrange flights back to the US if you wish.
5) To get to the backpackers is easy. There is basically one main road that runs all the way through Dili. As you enter Dili you will see a big roundabout (traffic circle, as Americans would call it), cycle straight across it (turning left would take you to the Airport). Just stay on this road all the way into the city. Eventually you will see that the street has footpaths (sidewalks). On this first block, on the left side of the street you will come across a gas station called 'Tiger Fuel', the backpackers is about 50m further on, on the same side. Look for the Heineken sign and their pink wall.
Do a search for them on google, their location is on Google Maps. The guidebook says that their prices start at $12 per night.
malaebulak
3
Yes it closed. See http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2012/05/11/302991_ntnews.htmlThere is talk of it trying to start up again, but I have not heard anything for a while.
