Timor-Leste
Coral reefs off Atauro, mountain highlands and handwoven tais textiles in a young country where Tetun and Portuguese are both official.
Timor-Leste, also called East Timor, is a Southeast Asian country that occupies the eastern half of Timor island. It also includes Oecusse, a coastal exclave in the northwest cut off from the rest of the country by Indonesian territory, and the islands of Atauro and Jaco. Dili, on the north coast, is the capital and largest city, and its central streets still hold many buildings in Portuguese style from the colonial era. The only land border is with Indonesia.
Travelers come for reefs, mountains and a country that became independent in 2002. Atauro Island, north of the mainland, sits in Coral Triangle waters with coral reefs. The interior rises to Mount Ramelau, about 2,963 meters. Nino Konis Santana National Park in the east protects the last remaining tropical dry forest in the country. Sacred houses called Uma Lulik remain the center of community life in many areas. Secondary and tertiary roads are poorly developed, and in the wet season from December to May many villages are hard to reach. The dry season runs from June to November.
Five things to know before Timor-Leste
- Bring US$30 in cash for the visa on arrival
UK citizens buy a single-entry tourist visa on arrival at Dili airport for US$30, cash only, valid up to 30 days. Your passport needs six months of validity and two blank pages. Check other passports first. Visas and entry
- Arrange a separate visa for the Oecussi exclave
The visa on arrival is also sold at Dili seaport, and visas are available at the Batugade land border from Indonesia. Overland trips into the Oecussi exclave need a separate visa at the Wini checkpoint or in advance.
- Carry US dollars in small notes
The US dollar is the currency, with local centavo coins for change. ATMs are few outside Dili, and cards are rarely accepted beyond a handful of hotels. Money on the road
- Hire a 4x4 with a driver for the mountains
Roads to Maubisse, Mount Ramelau and the east are narrow, steep and washed out in the rains. Allow a full day for trips that look short on a map. Getting around
- Book the Atauro boat a day ahead
The ferry and faster private boats to Atauro Island do not run every day, and rough seas can cancel them. Leave slack in your plan before your flight out.
Timor-Leste travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Visa on arrival, the Oecussi exclave and passport validity.
Read the guideGetting around4x4 hire, microlets and the boats to Atauro.
Read the guideMoney and costsDollars, few ATMs and what things cost outside Dili.
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical evacuation cover for a place with limited hospitals.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMLocal SIMs, coverage in the hills and roaming.
Read the guide
Destinations in Timor-Leste
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°WetJanuaryRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 233 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- FebruaryRain25 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°WetFebruaryRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 243 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- MarchRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°WetMarchRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 273 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- AprilRain19 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Rains easeAprilRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 168 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ease
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Dry beginsMayRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry begins
- JunePartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°DryJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- JulyClear6 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Dry, clearJulyClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, clear
- AugustClear4 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Dry, clearAugustClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, clear
- SeptemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°DrySeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Dry, hotOctoberPartly cloudy
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- NovemberRain20 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Hot, humidNovemberRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 142 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- DecemberRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Rains beginDecemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 246 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains begin
Average daily high and low in Dili, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Timor-Leste
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
20
- Feels like
- 23°
- Humidity
- 93%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 20%
Timor-Leste
05:36 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today28°14°20%Tuesday: Fog. High 28°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Wed29°19°2%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 29°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu28°19°77%Thursday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 77%.
- Fri28°19°86%Friday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Sat28°19°14%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 28°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Sun28°18°18%Sunday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Mon28°16°12%Monday: Clear. High 28°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 12%.
Updated 01:18 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Timor-Leste FAQ
Do I need a visa for Timor-Leste?
UK citizens get a 30-day single-entry visa on arrival for US$30 in cash, at Dili airport or seaport or at the Batugade border with Indonesia. Oecussi needs a separate visa if you go overland. Check other passports first.
What currency does Timor-Leste use?
The US dollar. Local centavo coins are used alongside US coins for change. Bring enough cash, as ATMs are scarce outside Dili.
When is the best time to visit Timor-Leste?
June to September, in the dry season, when roads are passable and seas are calmer for diving. The rains from about December to April make mountain roads difficult.
How do I get to Timor-Leste?
Most visitors fly into Dili, usually via Bali or Darwin. There is also a land border with West Timor in Indonesia.
Is Atauro Island worth the trip?
For snorkeling and diving, yes. The reefs are among the most species-rich recorded, and a night or two on the island is simple and quiet.