City: East Timor
Top Things to do in East Timor
Top 10 Things to do in East Timor
East Timor (/ˌiːst ˈtiːmɔːr/ ( listen)) or Timor-Leste (/tiˈmɔːr ˈlɛʃteɪ/; Tetum: Timór Lorosa'e), officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (Portuguese: República Democrática de Timor-Leste, Tetum: Repúblika Demokrátika Timór-Leste), is a sovereign state in Maritime Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island surrounded by Indonesian West Timor. Australia is the country's southern neighbor, separated by the Timor Sea. The country's size is about 15,410 km (5,400 sq mi).
Restaurants in East Timor
1. The Archives & Museum of East Timorese Resistance
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 184 reviews
Reviewed By matmob - Adelaide, Australia
This museum gives a very good overview of the sad and violent history the Timorese have faced. There is a video of the Santa Cruz massacre which is very raw and confronting, nevertheless, it is part of the bloody history and I was ashamed to think I hardly knew anything about it. I was also ashamed as an Australian to discover that we turned a deliberate blind eye during the Indonesian atrocities. The entrance fee is very modest. There was a large theatre type room but apparently nothing to see. Definitely worth a visit if you want to understand the history of this lovely country.
2. Jaco Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By SusanneDahlin - Brisbane, Australia
Jaco island was on my itinerary the first time I visited East Timor but I ran out of time and had to wait until my next visit, one year and four months later. It was definitely worth the wait! It was beautiful!
How to get here:
- Your own vehicle: Drive to Tutuala. If you have a regular motorbike or a regular car you have to park it in Tutuala and hike the last few kilometers. You can drive all the way if you have a proper dirt-bike or a proper 4-wheel drive car ... or if you are a bit crazy ;)
Motorbike rental in Dili was $25 per day and car rental was $90 per day. Prices are not what I personally paid but but what I heard other travelers payed (October 2015) so there might be other options.
- Local transport: Take the bus/bima/microlet to Lospalos and ask around if someone is going toward Tutuala. There is at least one guest house in Lospalos so if you want to you can spend the night. There is also one in Tutuala. Local transport is preferred and a mix of local transport and hitch hiking is the most common way for travelers to get around the country.
When you get down to the ocean you turn right to get to the fishermen that drives you over to Jaco ($10 per person October 2015). You turn left to get to the guest houses, restaurants and camp-able Beaches.
Where to stay:
- There are two guest houses on the beach. There is no accommodation Jaco and locals say the island is sacred and therefore it costs extra to camp on the island. You can also camp (or sleep in a hammock) on the beach outside the guest houses. Guest houses around East Timor usually do not offer dorms and can range from 20-35usd per night.
- Camping is a great option! It is safe and you are able to put your tent up anywhere in the entire country without any problem. Shop some food in the local village and make a camp fire to cook your food.
Safety tip:
- Camping: Camping while traveling around East Timor is suitable for everyone, including solo female travelers! I was there with my boyfriend (this time) but I have traveled a lot by myself around South East Asia (including East Timor) and I would easily camp anywhere outside of Dili all by myself!
- Hitch hiking: I would also hitchhike all by myself and stay in people's houses if offered. East Timor is a safe country full of friendly people who are focused on their daily livelihood, such as fishing and farming.
- Food: All food is good food (outside of Dili!). Fish and rice is available along the coast and vegetables and rice are available in the Mountains. All for cheap! You can buy any food item in any local market without any problem (I pile of foods is usually $1).
- Money: Foreign cards are accepted in ANZ ATMs in Dili only! There are only two ATMs a outside of Dili and they are in Lospalos and Bacau. These are Loose24 ATMs and take only Visa cards and possibly not foreign Visa cards.
Other traveling tips around East Timor:
- Mount Ramalau
- Viqueque
- Lospalos
- Com
- Stretch of beach between Dili and Bacau
3. Akrema Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
4. Old Ai Pelo Prison
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Raditz K
From Dili city, takes 1 hour drive along the great north coast road. This Aipelo Prison ruins are presented as an open air museum with information about the history and personal stories.
The complex has an old wall around it with a gate on the stretch facing the roadside. If it's locked you need to get the caretaker to open it for you, but it wouldn't be too difficult to just climb in should he not be around. There is also an alternative entrance on the other, beachfront side of the complex.
There are no official opening times posted anywhere and there was no admission fee (though the caretaker may happily accept a small tip).
5. Marobo Hot Springs
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Raditz K
From Dili, capital city of Timor Leste, it takes about 3-4 hours drive to Maliana city, Bobonaro district. We stayed a night in a local guesthouse in Maliana. The next morning, we drove to Marobo Hot Springs, it takes 1-2 hours, and can only be accessed with 4WD vehicles. You will see ruins of colonial era 'resort' styled accommodation located on the upper slopes above Marobo's natural hot Springs.
Marobo's diverted natural hot Springs leading towards a sizable bathing poik. Once resort and mountain retreat nestled between valley and mountain. There's countless terraces and retaining walls divert hot mineral water to individual baths and the large bathing pool.
Yet another of Timor Leste's hidden gems.
It's so beautiful and adventurous that you should see!
6. St. Anthony’s Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
7. Cristo Rei
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 427 reviews
Reviewed By Saricie_Q - Taipei, Taiwan
There are not really that many interesting sights in Dili. Among those that worth visiting, Cristo Rei is indeed the No. 1 best attraction.
From the roadside entrance, it is strenuous climb (though most people should be able to do it) to the top of the hill. Along the way, there are wall paintings describing of the last day of Jesus Christ from the Bible. When getting to the top of the hill, I was a little surprised that the Christ statue is not really as big as expected (do not expect it like the one in Rio de Janeiro). However, the view from here is majestic. It is also breezy and good for relaxing after a tenuous climb.
8. Cemetery of Santa Cruz
Overall Ratings
4 based on 109 reviews
9. Tais Market
Overall Ratings
4 based on 184 reviews
Reviewed By Maur75 - Frisco, Texas
It is a little market, felt empty and a little sad when I was there on a Saturday afternoon. The people here are humble and shy. No one bothers you as you look around, which was a welcome relief after all the hawkers in Bali.
The prices were reasonable, except t-shirts were priced at $20, but I was able to bargain down to $15.
It is not very large, and most little shops all sold the same things. So, as you wander around, there is not much of anything different.
With that said, it appears to be the only such market in Dili so it is the place to go if you want some local souvenir.
10. Arte Moris
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By Edmund K - Singapore, Singapore
I give this 3 star and the same for the Tais Market. Granted Arte Moris is a fantastic place to showcase contemporary Timorese art that reflects their aspirations, promoting Timorese art and craft to the world and to visitors can benefit from an integrated approach rather than each doing their own disparately. The place on an afternoon is humid and almost unwelcoming; besides deserted. If Arte Moris is housed alongside Tais Market, we can be certain the place is more vibrant. Timorese culture can best be told through art, music, handicrafts, souvenirs and cuisine.
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