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

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

Medical Facilities and Health Information: 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.
Accessibility: While in Timor-Leste, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. Although the Timorese Constitution guarantees the same rights to disabled citizens as it does to all other citizens, Timor-Leste does not currently have legislation that mandates access to transportation, communication and public buildings for persons with disabilities. Currently most public places and public transportation are not accessible. Persons with disabilities will face difficulties in Timor-Leste as foot paths, rest rooms, road crossings and tourist areas are not equipped for people with disabilities.

Degree of Risk: very high
Food and Waterborne Diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
Vectorborne Diseases: dengue fever and malaria