Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Timor-Leste depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for Timor-LesteEmergency Numbers
- Police
- 112
- Ambulance
- 110
Currency
- Name
- US Dollar
- Code
- USD
- Symbol
- $
Timor-Leste uses the USD. ATMs in Dili. Cards accepted only at upmarket Dili hotels. Cash essential throughout. Bring sufficient USD before travelling outside the capital.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type C, Type E, Type F, Type I
- Voltage
- 220V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
TLT (UTC+9) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
May–October is the dry season — best for diving (Atauro Island has some of the highest marine biodiversity ever recorded), road travel, and trekking to Mount Ramelau (the highest peak in South-East Asia's island arc). November–April is wet season; roads become impassable outside Dili.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | Not always expected in local warungs |
| Dive guides | $5–10 USD per dive | — |
| Tour guides | $10 USD per day | — |
Dress Code
- Casual and modest throughout
- Swimwear only at beach and dive areas
- Modest dress in villages and when visiting communities
Social Etiquette
- Timor-Leste gained independence in 2002 after 24 years of Indonesian occupation following Portuguese colonisation — the national memory is recent and raw
- Timorese are warm and proud of their young nation's survival
- Tais (traditional woven cloth) is the national textile — buy local; it directly supports weavers
- Portuguese and Tetum are official languages; Bahasa Indonesia widely spoken
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- LGBTQ+ activity is not criminalised — one of the few Southeast Asian countries where this is the case — but social attitudes are conservative
- Respect for elders and traditional authority (liurai) is important
- Photography near military installations and some government buildings is sensitive
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Tetum) | Olá / Bondia | oh-LAH / BON-dee-ah |
| Thank you (Tetum) | Obrigadu (m) / Obrigada (f) | oh-bree-GAH-doo |
| Please (Tetum) | Favor | fah-VOR |
| How are you? (Tetum) | Ita saudável? | EE-tah sow-DAH-vel |
| Peace (Tetum) | Dame | DAH-meh |
Plan Your Trip
Planning a trip to Timor-Leste?
Traveller builds your personalised packing list, checklist, and travel brief in seconds.
Plan this trip with Traveller