Long-term foreign residents of Timor-Leste tend to give visitors the same advice: plan more than you would elsewhere in Southeast Asia, carry cash, and expect things to take longer. This page collects that advice, drawing on resident-run resources such as Exploring Timor-Leste. It is general guidance, not official information. Check our planning guides for details.
Before you go
- Budget realistically. Most goods are imported, so prices are often higher than in neighbouring countries, especially for accommodation and transport outside Dili.
- Money: the currency is the US dollar. ATMs are concentrated in Dili and cards are not widely accepted elsewhere, so carry enough cash for trips into the municipalities. See money and currency.
- Connectivity: mobile internet is available in towns but can be slow or patchy in rural areas. Download offline maps before you travel. See SIM cards and internet.
- Health: good medical care is limited outside Dili; travel insurance that covers evacuation is strongly recommended. See health and safety.
Getting things done
- WhatsApp and Facebook are the main ways to reach guesthouses, drivers and small businesses. Many have no website or email.
- Allow extra time. Replies can be slow, roads in the wet season can close, and schedules change.
- Hire a driver or guide for trips beyond Dili if you are unsure of the roads. Road quality varies a lot between routes. See getting around.
Language and customs
- Tetum and Portuguese are the official languages. A few words of Tetum, such as bondia (good morning) and obrigadu/obrigada (thank you), are always appreciated. Younger people are more likely to speak English; Indonesian is also widely understood. See speak Tetum.
- Most Timorese are Catholic, and church life shapes the week and the calendar. Dress modestly when visiting churches and villages.
- Ask before photographing people, ceremonies or sacred houses (uma lulik).
- Independence and the occupation years are recent and personal history for many people; approach the subject with care.
Meeting people
The expatriate community is small and connected through NGOs, embassies and business. Walking groups and resident-run sites such as the Dili Saturday Walkers route collection and the Exploring Timor-Leste podcast are useful ways to find routes and local tips.
Sources
- Exploring Timor-Leste (resident-run travel site, checked October 2026)
- Timor-Leste official tourism portal: Plan your trip