Jaco Island
Travelers come to Jaco Island for clear water, coral reefs and a quiet sandy shore at the far east of Timor-Leste.
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Jaco Island lies off the eastern tip of Timor-Leste, near the village of Tutuala in Lautém district. It is a small island with clear water and coral reef, and people come to swim, snorkel and dive. You reach it by boat from Tutuala, so the crossing sets the pace of the day, and the drive from Dili is long on rough roads.
Jaco suits travelers who want a quiet day on the water and are comfortable with slow roads and a boat transfer. The dry season, roughly May to November, is the usual choice because the seas are calmer, and September to November is the strongest stretch. The rains from December to March bring heavy weather and rougher water. Plan at least a full day on the island, and longer if you want to dive or stay in Tutuala. If you plan to dive, check which operators run trips from Tutuala before you go.
Jaco Island in five
- Check the visa rule before you bookMany passports qualify for a visa on arrival in Dili, but confirm your nationality before you buy a flight. The entry guide lists the steps to check.Visas and entry
- Carry US dollars in small, clean notesThe US dollar is the everyday currency, and ATMs are scarce once you leave Dili. Small notes cover boats, meals and guesthouses, and torn notes can be refused.
- Buy a local SIM in DiliMobile signal is patchy on the east coast, so get a SIM before you drive east. Telkomcel and Timor Telecom are the main carriers, and offline maps help on the road.Phones and eSIM
- Book a 4WD and driver for the road eastThe road to Lautém and Tutuala is rough and slow, and a low car struggles on it. Arrange the vehicle, and the boat to Jaco, through your lodging before you leave Dili.Getting around
- Check the sea before each crossingBoat trips to Jaco depend on the sea, and a crossing can be cancelled on the day. Ask at Tutuala the evening before, and keep a spare day in your plan for the return.Tours and tickets
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- Visa on arrival for many passports; check your nationality before you fly
- Emergency
- No verified number yet; confirm locally before you travel
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+9, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRainy season
- FebruaryRainy season
- MarchRainy season
- AprilRains ending
- MayDry season starts
- JuneDry, windy
- JulyDry, windy
- AugustDry, windy
- SeptemberDry, pleasant
- OctoberDry, pleasant
- NovemberDry, pleasant
- DecemberRains begin
Right now in Jaco Island
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 30°
- Humidity
- 93%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 2%
Jaco Island
07:43 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today32°24°2%Tuesday: Fog. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Wed32°25°2%Wednesday: Clear. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu32°25°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri32°24°0%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat32°25°2%Saturday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sun32°25°4%Sunday: Clear. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 4%.
Updated 05:21 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Dililong, rough drive east from DiliThe capital and the arrival city, a useful base before the drive east.Read the guide
- Lospalosseveral hours by road from DiliThe district town of Lautém, a practical stop on the way to the coast.Read the guide
- Tutualaslow road, then a boat ride across to JacoThe coastal village at the eastern tip, where the boats to Jaco leave.Read the guide
Before you go to Jaco Island
Rules for Jaco Island, checked
- Check whether your passport qualifies for a visa on arrival on the official immigration page of Timor-Leste before you fly.
- Declare cash above the legal limit on arrival, and check the current amount with Timor-Leste customs before you travel.
- Dress modestly in villages and churches, and ask before you photograph people.
- Carry medicines in their original packaging with the prescription, and check the rules on controlled drugs before you travel.
Plan around Jaco Island
Entry, transport and money for a trip to the east
Read the guideGetting around the eastRoads, car hire and transfers from Dili to Tutuala
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, US dollars and typical prices on the trip
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules to check before you book the flight
Read the guideWhere to stayDili, Lospalos and Tutuala compared as bases
Read the guidePhones and eSIMSIM options and what to expect on the east coast
Read the guideJaco Island FAQ
How do you get to Jaco Island?
Fly into Dili, then drive east to Lautém and Tutuala, usually by 4WD on a rough road. Jaco is reached by boat from Tutuala, so arrange the crossing through your lodging.
Is Jaco Island worth visiting?
Yes, for a remote island visit with few facilities. It suits travelers who accept slow roads, few ATMs and boat crossings that depend on the sea.
Can you visit Jaco Island on a day trip?
Not practically from Dili, since the drive east is long and rough. Stay a night in Tutuala so a cancelled crossing does not leave you stuck.
How many days do you need on Jaco Island?
Two nights in Tutuala give you one crossing day and a spare day if the boat is cancelled. Add the travel days from Dili on either side.
When is the best time to visit Jaco Island?
September to November, after the wet season. The rains run roughly from December to March and bring heavy rain and rough seas.
Do you need cash on Jaco Island?
Yes. Bring enough US dollars for the whole stay, in small notes, since ATMs are scarce outside Dili.