Travel and Tourism

Travel and Tourism in Timor-Leste

Travel alerts, currency, climate, transit, health, and safety information for visitors to Timor-Leste.

Practical Information

Travel alert status, currency, climate, and transit details.

Travel Alert Status: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Time Difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Currency: US dollar (USD)
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons
Language(s) Spoken: Portuguese and Tetum, the local language, are both official languages. Bahasa-Indonesia and English are also used in commercial and government spheres. English is often used in academic and non-government spheres. In school, it is still debated whether to focus on written Tetum, or Portuguese.
Ethnic Groups: Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, small Chinese minority
National Holiday: Restoration of Independence Day, 20 May (2002); Proclamation of Independence Day, 28 November (1975)
Geographic Coordinates: 8 50 S, 125 55 E
Location: Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note - Timor-Leste includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco
Airports: 8

Health and Safety

Medical facilities, vaccinations, disease risk, and sanitation conditions.

Although limited emergency medical care is available in Dili, options for routine medical care throughout the rest of country are extremely limited. Serious medical problems require hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to Australia, the nearest point with acceptable medical care, to Singapore, or to the United States, and can cost thousands of dollars.

Unlock everything — 2-Day Pass · $2

Every country, every topic, all activities & recipes

✓ Instant access on this device · ✓ No subscription

Prefer longer? A full year is $15·Already a member? Sign in

Back to Timor-Leste