The Tais Market in central Dili, a short walk from Motael Church, is the easiest place in Timor-Leste to buy tais, the hand-woven textiles made by Timorese women, along with other handicrafts and souvenirs. Prices are not fixed and polite bargaining is normal: small items start at about US$1, while large, intricate tais can cost US$60–100 or more. Pay in US dollars cash.
What tais is
Tais is a traditional hand-woven cloth made by women across Timor-Leste. It is worn at ceremonies, given as a sign of respect to guests and family, and used as clothing and decoration. Each region has its own motifs, patterns and colour combinations, so pieces from different municipalities look distinct. In December 2021, UNESCO added tais to its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
Traditional tais is made from hand-spun cotton coloured with natural plant dyes and woven on a loom; some weavers now also use synthetic thread and dyes. For more on how it is made, see markets in Dili.
What to expect
The market is small and easy to walk around, with stalls run by sellers who are friendly rather than pushy. Alongside tais of all sizes you will find:
- tais bags, pouches, scarves and hats
- earrings, bracelets and other jewellery
- wood carvings, pottery and rosary beads
- t-shirts, keyrings and other souvenirs
- old coins
It sells crafts and souvenirs only, not food or everyday goods. The ground is uneven and pebbled, which can make access difficult for people with limited mobility. Parking is available nearby.
Prices and bargaining
The figures below come from visitor reviews on the official listing (October 2026) and are a guide only:
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Bracelets and small trinkets | From about US$1 |
| Medium tais scarf | About US$5 |
| Large or intricate tais | US$60–100 or more |
Hand-woven tais with natural dyes takes far longer to make and costs much more than machine-made or synthetic pieces, so ask the seller how a piece was made. Bargain politely, and remember that a few dollars matters more to the weaver than to you.
Practical tips
- When: opening hours are not published; visit in the morning or late afternoon, when it is cooler, and allow 30–60 minutes.
- Contact: +670 7731 4588 (as listed by the official tourism site).
- Money: US dollars cash only; see money and currency.
- Getting there: a short taxi ride from most Dili hotels; see getting around Timor-Leste.
For more places to buy crafts, including women’s cooperatives and Atauro’s craft centres, see the arts and crafts shopping guide, Empreza Di’ak and Things and Stories. For more ideas in the capital, see things to do in Dili and top things to do in Timor-Leste.