Dili, capital city of East Timor All... Dili, capital city of East Timor Amid the crowded refugee camps and burnt-old buildings in Dili lie charming neighborhoods where frangipani trees shed colorful flowers onto the streets, chickens and goats run free and dignified colonial buildings serve as a reminder of the past. The people are kind, the waterfront is serene, and a brief walk from any point in the city will take you to golden beaches. Familiarize yourself with the history of East Timor, or Timor-Leste as it is called by the locals, at the Resistance Museum. Housed in an impressive new building, the museum chronicles the country's 24-year long struggle for independence from Indonesia. A good timeline details the most important events in English, and the collection of gear used by the Falintil as they sought refuge in the hills is fascinating. One of the most startling and heartbreaking events in the war occurred on November 12th, 1991, when Indonesian soldiers opened fire on more than 200 civilian mourners at the Santa Cruz Cemetery. Some participants in the peaceful memorial procession were killed on sight, while others were rounded up and taken away by the military.

Two American journalists also died in the massacre, and British journalist Max Stahl filmed the whole bloody event. His documentary is shown regularly in Dili's Xanana Gusmão Reading Room. The massacre became a turning point in the struggle for independence, and visitors to the cemetery can pay tribute to those who lost their lives for the freedom of East Timor. Outdoor enthusiasts have longed flocked to the country to experience its pristine and untouched nature, and few world capitals offer as many opportunities for adventure as Dili. Diving is an enormously popular activity, and the waters off the coast of the city are rich in exotic marine life. Snorkelers and scuba divers can swim with schools of barracuda, huge pelagics, and many species of turtles and sharks in the city's harbor and explore the unspoilt beauty of coral reefs not far from the shore. The island getaway of Atauro lies just outside the city, but it feels like an entirely different world. The lush mountain interior gives way to uninterrupted beaches and untouched coral reefs, and its isolation ensures that visitors will not see many passerby on its extensive walking trails or while snorkeling in the crystalline waters.

A few small villages spread across Atauro, but travelers should stock up on supplies in Dili and consider hiring a local guide in the capital before boating over to the island. As the sun starts to set, join the faithful locals in their nightly pilgrimage to the massive statue of Jesus that tops the headlands to the east of the capital. You will find yourself surrounded by both sporty expats and local fisherman as you make the trek past several representations of the stations of the cross on the way up the hill. When you reach the statue, look out across the bay to enjoy one of the most spectacular views of Dili against the setting sun. Finish the evening with a giant margarita on the beach, and don't forget to look up; the stars are incredible above the city. Dili Geographical Location Dili is located on the northwestern coast of East Timor facing the Banda Sea. Dili is the largest city in East Timor and has a population of 195,000. Dili Language The two official languages of East Timor are Portuguese and Tetum.

Dili Predominant Religion 98% Roman Catholic 2% Other While Roman Catholic is the most prominent religion, the government of East Timor reports that animist traditions are still practiced by most of the population in addition to Catholicism. Dili Map | Map of Dili City, Timor-Leste Disclaimer Close Disclaimer : All efforts have been made to make this image accurate. However Compare Infobase Limited,its directors and employees do not own any responsibility for the correctness or authenticity of the same. About City Dili is the capital and the chief port of East Timor. It was settled first in 1520 A.D. by the Portuguese. As Timor was seen as a potential target during the Second World War, the Dutch and Australians occupied Timor in 1941. Dili was conquered by a small unit of the Japanese army in 1942. After the war ended, the Japanese returned Dili to the Portuguese in 1945. Timor declared its complete sovereignty in 1975. Shortly after that, in 1976, Indonesia annexed East Timor and ruled the small country till 1999 with Dili as its capital.

The U.N. placed East Timor under supervision in 1999, and finally in 2002 East Timor was declared a country, with Dili as its capital. The major population of the city is Timorese and Atonese with a small percentage of Portuguese, Eurasians and Arab Muslims. A 2010 census places the population of the city at around 193,000 people. The predominant religion is that of Roman Catholicism. The two official languages of the country are Portuguese and Tetum. Geography The city of Dili is spread out over 48.26 sq. km, with an elevation of 38 ft. It is situated on the northern coast of the country of East Timor, the easternmost island of the Lesser Sundas. Dili is spread over the plains between the central mountains along the length of Timor and the Ombai Strait. It is the administrative headquarters of Dili district, and is divided into four sub-districts - Nain Feto, Dom Aleixo﻿, Vera Cruz, and Cristo Rei.

Transport (How to Reach) The only airport in the country is the Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport, named in honor of the freedom fighter Nicolau Lobato. This airport is located 6 km west of Dili. Sriwijaya Air, Merpati, Air North have frequent flights here. One can drive to Dili from Mota’ain near Batugade on the Indonesian border. Buses ply passengers from Moto’ain to Dili on a regular basis. It is also possible to drive to Dili from Baucau in East Timor, which is 123 km away. Within Dili, there is a taxi service to ferry travelers around the city. Small vans converted to carry passengers called mikrolets also function as public transport in Dili. When to Visit Dili has a tropical climate – hot and humid. The monsoon begins in November and ends in May, and the temperature is approximately 30°C. The rest of the year, from June to October, is summer. Locals recommend visiting between May to December, when the diving season is at its peak due to greater visibility. Whale sharks, humpback whales, manta rays, hammerhead sharks are visible during this season.

Fairs and Festivals Carnival de Timor –This is an annual festival held in April or May to celebrate music and the multi-cultural nature of the nation. Easter Festivities – Easter is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the city. Special treats are baked, and the city is decorated. All Saints’ Day & All Souls’ Day – All Saints’ Day is celebrated on 1st November, and All Souls’ Day is observed on 2nd November. These holidays are significant to the large Catholic population in the city. Tour de Timor – One of the most difficult cycling marathons in the world, the Tour de Timor is held across the country. The Tour de Timor begins and ends in Dili. Dili ‘City of Peace’ Marathon – Created as one of President Ramos Horta’s peace initiatives, the Marathon is a fun, joyful event held each year on the streets of Dili. The streets are filled with spectators cheering and supporting their friends and fellow citizens. Independence Day – 20th May marks the Independence Day of the Republic of Timor Leste. Large crowds gather in public places to celebrate the hard-won independence of the country.

Sunset Fair – This event is held on every Friday night at the area around the Cristo Rei Park, beginning from 20th May till 28th November. Local food and handicrafts are displayed in the market. Music and film festivals are also a part of the Sunset Fair. Points of Interest (Places to Visit) Dili is famous as a tourist destination for beaches, snorkeling and diving. One of the most popular beaches in Dili is Jesus Backside Beach in Christo Rei. Diving expeditions can be arranged near Dili and Atauro islands to see one of the few remaining untouched barrier reefs in the world. Approximately 7 km east of Dili, the Cape Fatucama and the Jesus statue are major tourist attractions. The spot enjoys beautiful beaches and amazing views of the snow-capped mountains. It is worth visiting Ramalau which is the highest mountain in Timor. Resistance Museum celebrates the independence movement & the 25 year struggle for sovereignty of the people of East Timor. Dare Museum was built to commemorate the Timorese experience of WWII. A memorial to the Australian unit that resisted the Japanese threat during the war is also part of the Dare Museum.

Tais Market is set up each week to market and distribute the unique fabric produced in Dili. The Alola Foundation sells sculpture, handicrafts and regional curios to support women and children of the poor sections of the city. Accommodation There are a number of hotels in Dili that offer accommodation facilities at a variety of rates. Four starred hotels like Hotel Timor, Beach Garden Hotel and Excelsior Resort are on the beach front. Most hotels are fairly close to the airport. Luxury hotels like Hotel The Ramelau boast of swimming pools, lush green tennis courts and fitness centers. Some hotels like Bemori Apartments and Katua’s Hotel do not accept credit cards, while others levy an extra charge on the use of credit/international debit cards. Accommodations like East Timor’s Backpackers Hostel provide only the very basic necessities at an affordable rate. The staff is British and Timorese, which is why communication is smooth and easy. Last Updated : June 30, 2015 Where is Timor-Leste? / Where is Timor-Leste Located in The World? / Timor-Leste Map - WorldAtlas.com What is the capital of Timor-Leste?

Located in the continent of Asia , Timor-Leste covers 14,874 square kilometers of land, making it the 161st largest nation in terms of land area. Timor-Leste became an independent state in 2002, after gaining its sovereignty from Spain. The population of Timor-Leste is 1,201,255 (2012) and the nation has a density of 81 people per square kilometer. The currency of Timor-Leste is the US Dollar (USD). As well, the people of Timor-Leste are refered to as Timorese. The dialing code for the country is 670 and the top level internet domain for Timorese sites is .tl. Timor-Leste shares land borders with only one country, Indonesia . Quick facts Dili,Capital of East Timor Dili,Capital of East Timor 823 The capital of East Timor, Dili, is also the largest city of the small and under-developed Asian republic. The capital of East Timor is situated on the northern coast of this small island nation.

Tell your friends Tweet Since, the capital of East Timor is also the largest revenue generating city of the country, therefore, most of the country's population are concentrated here. The capital of East Timor, also has access to the best commercial and military airport of the country called the Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport. The origins of the present capital of East Timor, Dili, dates back to about 1520 A.D. when the country was under colonization of the Portuguese. The importance of Dili occurred during 1769 A.D. when the country was made the capital of Portuguese East Timor, the capital of East Timor also acquires great importance during the period of the WWII when the city came under Japanese occupation. The history of the capital of East Timor, along with the rest of the country has been steeped in foreign occupation. The first occupants were the Portuguese from whom the country gained independence in 1975, but following the independence the country came under further occupation of the Indonesian forces in 1976. Indonesia gave East Timor the status of the 27th province of Indonesia, and Dili was made the capital of East Timor.

The most gruesome events in the capital of East Timor's history is the massacre of 1991 which happened as a result of the ongoing guerrilla war between native activists and Indonesian forces since 1975. The guerrilla war gave East Timor emergency status and Dili's events are being regularly monitored by the UN. At present, Dili is the only city of East Timor which can be noted for upgraded modern facilities like education and transport and also for possessing some art and architectural heritage. Most government buildings are located here, and although the capital of East Timor has witnessed immense violence yet, the streets flaunt some grand buildings in Portuguese architecture. ... Subscribe to our newsletter and stay up to date with the latest news and deals! Subscribe Dili, capital of East Timor - YouTube Dili, capital of East Timor Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later.

Uploaded on Dec 9, 2011 Beautiful and unspoiled beaches, mountains, forests and so much more, here in Indonesia's Dili! A lovely Timor sunset, too... Dili, spelled Díli in Portuguese, is the capital, largest city, chief port and commercial centre of East Timor. Dili lies on the northern coast of Timor island, the easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. It is the seat of the administration of the district of Dili, which is the administrative entity of the area and includes the island of Atauro and some cities close to Dili city. The city is divided into the subdistricts of Nain Feto, Vera Cruz, Dom Aleixo and Cristo Rei and is divided into several sucos, which are headed by an elected chefe de suco. 18 of the 26 sucos of the four sub-districts are categorized as urban. There is no city administration beside the district administrator, who was appointed by state government. The Timorese government started to plan in 2009 to change the status of districts into municipalities.

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Category Dili (Tetum Dili) is the capital of East Timor, the district of the same name and one of the three bishoprics… Translated to Portuguese Enterprise Best Translation Dili (Tetum Dili) Is The Capital Of East Timor, The District Of The Same Name And One Of The Three Bishoprics… Translated To Portuguese English Dili (Tetum Dili) is the capital of East Timor, the district of the same name and one of the three bishoprics of the country: the Diocese of Dili. It lies on the north coast of the island of Timor, the easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Dili is the chief port and commercial and administrative center of East Timor and has about 150 000 inhabitants, 20% of the population. The international airport in Comoro was recently renamed in honor of the independence leader Nicolau Lobato Portuguese 1. Díli (Tétum Dili) é a capital de Timor-Leste, o distrito de mesmo nome e um dos três bispados do país: a Diocese de Díli.

Encontra-se na costa norte da ilha de Timor, a mais oriental das ilhas da sonda. Díli é o principal porto e comercial e administrativa centro de Timor-Leste e tem cerca de 150 000 habitantes, 20% da população. O aeroporto internacional em Comoro foi recentemente renomeado em homenagem a líder independência Nicolau Lobato Dili travel guide - Wikitravel 16 Travelling as 'Malay' This charming, lazy little seaside city suddenly found itself taking the role of national capital when East Timor became an independent country in May 2002. The city lies on the northern coast of East Timor, squeezed along the narrow plains between the central mountains which run the length of the Timor and the Ombai Strait. Dili is also capital of a district with the same name. The district includes the surrounding areas as well as Atauro Island. Understand[ edit ] Map of Dili Dili was the classic backwater during colonial times, being the main city of a remote colony in a remote part of the world.

However, this heritage left Dili with a distinct Portuguese flavour and together with Macau , is probably the furthest east where you can savour genuine Portuguese food and architecture. The city suffered badly during the post-1999-referendum violence, when many buildings were burnt and much infrastructure destroyed. However, Dili has since recovered remarkably, although one can still see many gutted buildings. Orientation[ edit ] Dili has sort of a colonial core, with its waterfront and a square bordered on the south side by the impressive Government Buildings. The commercial areas of Lecidere lies to the east, Colmera is to the west and the former Mercado Municipal (Central Market) is to the south. If you are on the road directly in front of the East Timor Government Building, Palacio Do Governo, face away from the airport (towards the Jesus Statue) you will see a large white building and the Post Office is at the end of that building. Stamps for letters/postcards to Australia are US$1. As many of the streets are unnamed (making mail delivery impossible) you may want to get a post box. It’s fine to share them with others.

Next to the post office is one of 2 Timor Telecom offices which sell sim cards for $20.00 this includes $10.00 worth of calls. By plane[ edit ] Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport (formerly Comoro Airport) (DIL) is located 6km west of downtown Dili. Bali (Denpasar) is the most popular entry point, and as of 2017 only Nam Air / Sriwijaya Air fly the route [1] - Citilink / Air Timor stopped flying the route in January 2017. Nam Air and Sriwijaya are the same company and you can book through the same website. Return flights are around $200 and up - this is likely to increase now that Nam Air / Sriwijaya have a monopoly. Australian regional carrier Air North [2] operates at least one flight a day from Darwin , Australia with an Embraer 170 jet. There are also direct flights between Singapore on Air Timor [3] using Silkair aircraft scheduled only on Tuesday and Saturday. As there is hardly any competition, fares are high.

It is usually cheaper to fly via Bali to both Singapore and Darwin, rather than fly direct, typically using AirAsia on the second leg. There are limited domestic flights, principally to Oecusse, and MAF charter flights to Atauro and elsewhere are available. Getting there/away: Yellow taxi drivers ask for at least US$5 for the trip into Dili ($10 without haggling). You could try bargaining. You can also walk out to the main road to Dili with Batugade to catch a number 10 mikrolet. Alternatively, you can call for a Corotrans taxi (see Get Around section). By car[ edit ] Dili is well linked by road from the Indonesian border at Mota'ain , near Batugade , which lies about 115km west. A reasonably good road also links Dili with Baucau , East Timor's second largest city 123km west. The road continues east to Los Palos and Tutuala . Southwards, a road climbs up the mountains which run the length of the island of Timor, passing the hill town of Maubisse , on the way to the southern coast.

Cars can be hired from Rentlo but not Thrifty, as that company left in early 2006, shortly before the troubles began. By bus[ edit ] There are regular daily buses to / from Kupang in West Timor, where flights to / from the rest of Indonesia are available. The trip takes 12 hours. See the Get In section of the East Timor page for details. Buses fan out from Dili to various parts of the country. Most leave very early in the morning, and would do the "keliling" (going around town to scout for more passengers) before actually leaving Dili. West of Dili Buses leave for Batugade and the Indonesian border at Mota'ain . US$3. The journey is about 3 hours. Buses also go to Maliana and Ermera . East of Dili Several buses leave for Baucau early in the morning from Rua Quinze de Outubro just south of the stadium near the Mercado Municipal roundabout. US$2, 3 hours. These buses can also be caught at Becora, the suburb to the east of Dili.

By boat[ edit ] Dili is no longer a port of call for Indonesia 's Pelni ships. There are also no regular boats to Australia. Boat to Kupang and overland is possible. By Cruise Ship[ edit ] Get around[ edit ] On foot - Dili has a clear city centre focused on the Government Palace and surrounds, which is easy to navigate on foot, however for the visitor two other areas of interest are Timor Plaza, 3km west, and the restaurants of Maitiat to the east - and it is a long walk to either. Taxi - these come in two varieties: Yellow taxis can be flagged down all over Dili during daylight hours, but as evening approaches, the price will go up. These are unmetered and haggling is required before getting in. Prices start around US$1.50 - $3 (although locals pay less). Downtown to Timor Plaza should be around $2.50. If there are plenty of taxis around do haggle. Try to get a taxi to yourself, if a passenger is already in the cab they get preference for first drop-off, and you get charged the same in any case.

Further journeys, such as to Areia Branca beach and Cape Fatucama will cost more. As evening approaches, the price will go up (around $5 for a medium trip). After dark, the taxis disappear. Often there will be one waiting outside expat bars, which will ask at least $10. You can also call a night service such as Ayrton (7777 0001 or 7311 1117; until 10pm). You can also try getting your hotel to arrange a taxi for a night out or ask taxi drivers that you meet whether they work at night and, if so, get their number. Either way, it will probably cost at least $10 for any trip after dark. Try to have exact change for taxis. Corotrans blue taxis tel 77427777 or 3311110 are a new (2016) metered telephone cab company - and have made getting around after dark much easier. Prices are higher than yellow taxis, but the cars are new and the a/c works.

Mikrolets (vans converted to take passengers) also run from near the Mercado Municipal to Comoro, Becora and other suburbs of Dili and even further. They cost 25 cents per ride. Mikrolets are numbered and run (generally) fixed routes. See [4] See[ edit ][ add listing ] Areia Branca Bay, on the way to the Jesus Statue Visit the Statue of Jesus (Local Name: Cristo Rei) that stands on a headland to the east of Dili. Rumour has it that, when the (mainly Muslim) Indonesians built the statue as a gift to the (mainly Christian) East Timorese, they designed it so that Jesus would be facing towards Jakarta. The statue is about 27 metres tall and stands on a globe of earth. The route from Dili along the beach and up the steps to the Jesus statue is popular with exercising internationals and local fishermen, and passes several niches representing the stations of the cross. The view from the statue across the bay to Dili is spectacular. From Dili, follow the main road east out of town.

Taxi drivers will take you there for US$5 but you will need to pay extra to make sure they stick around while you have a look. Cape Fatucama. The beach directly behind the Jesus statue, it's a scenic, inverted c-shaped coastline with near-transparent waters much better than the one at Areia Branca. edit Do[ edit ][ add listing ] The large foreigner and expat community in Dili means there is a lot going on if you know where to look. Facebook is popular, Things to do in Timor and Dili Sentral are good starting points. Dili Expats is a secret group also worth trying to get on. Resistance Museum, Rua Universidade, Dili (Just next to the capitals main university.). 9am-5pm. Learn about the struggle for East Timor's Independence and what the people went through in the massive 25 year long struggle. edit Dare war memorial, (10km along the main south road into the mountains). A memorial to Sparrow Force, an Australian unit that fought the Japanese in Timor for several years, plus an exhibition on the unit and on the Timorese experience of the war. Good views over Dili and a café open on weekends.

Free. edit Xanana Reading Room, Lecidare. Has an exhibition room and library (popular with kids using the free internet). The library has an excellent collection of books on Timor Leste's (resistance) history. Fundação Oriente, Lecidare. Hosts many cultural events (films, music performances) usually for free, and with a Portuguese flavour. Has a nice library also. Fundação Oriente facebook page Beaches There are good beaches near Dili. The ones near the centre of town are popular with kids but are polluted. The most accessible beaches are at Areia Branca near Christo Rei and they also have several bars and restaurants. The best close beach is Jesus Backside beach, which can be accessed either from a walking track that starts halfway up the stairs to Christo Rei, or by car by taking the road from Metiaut over the mountains and looking for a turn-off on the left (this is the remains of the road that used to go around the point).

Cementary Beach west of the Comoro river near the airport can be reached by walking west from downtown (in dry season) - a nice and quiet walk / run, away from any traffic noise that goes all the way down to the end of the runway. Diving Dive around Dili and Atauro Island. Compass Adventures, Dive Timor Lorosae and Aquatica Dive Resort are popular dive operators. There are a number of dive sites around Dili. Further out east, K41 and Bob's Rock are popular sites near Manatuto. Dive operators can arrange longer trips to Jaco Island. Wikimapia has a good listing of snorkeling and dive sites along Timor's north coast. Timor Leste is slowly gaining a reputation as one of the best diving locations in the world. Churches The Portuguese influence is most noticeable on religion. Just down and across the road from the Leader supermarket is a Church that has an English mass on Sunday morning at 10.30am (and Tetum Masses at other times). Walking and hiking There are several nice walks up in to the hills behind Dili where you can get to the trailhead by foot / mikrolet / taxi.

Typically these take about 4 hours up and back. Wikiloc gives some GPS trails. A popular hike in the interior is Mount Ramalau (Local Language: Foho Tatamailau) - the highest mountain in East Timor. You can stay at a place just before the top, and climb up for the dawn (a couple of hours climb). It is a fairly popular thing to do so ask around or ask at the Hotel Dili – they can arrange a great 4WD tour. NB: It is freezing at night! The slow internet in Dili means that pirate DVDs are still popular. You can buy VCDs, DVDs & Audio CDs very cheaply. Learn[ edit ] If you are on the road directly in front of the East Timor Government Building, Palacio Do Governo, face away from the airport (towards the Jesus Statue). If you walk up the left hand road, about half way up on your right is Dili Cold Store supermarket, then you will find the Xanana reading room – a great place to know.

There is a café at the back and inside is a small library (with English books), a video collection and documentaries about ET (with comfy chairs and a video so you can watch them there, and drink tea etc from the café!) and a book exchange. The book exchange is great – an eclectic mix to choose from with the policy “bring a book and $1 and take away a book, or any book for $2”. They also sell lovely postcards and have internet access. Work[ edit ] Official working hours are generally 08:30-17:30, with a break for lunch from 12:00-13:30. Because most people go home for lunch, the actual lunch break is often 12:00-14:00. Some organisations work on Saturday mornings, but generally the weekends are free.

Public Holidays East Timor National holidays—Law signed 19/07/05 New Year’s Day—1 Jan International Labour Day—1 May Restoration of Independence—20 May Popular Consultation Day—30 August All Saints Day—1 November All Souls day—2 November National Day of Youth Santa Cruz Massacre—12 November Independence Proclomation Day—28 November National Heroes day—7 December Day of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception—8 December Christmas Day—25 December Tolerance Days ( national commemorative days ) International Childrens Day—1 June Falintil day—20 August International Human Rights day—10 November Moveable Days Ash Wednesday – (46 days before easter) Holy Thursday – (thursday before easter) Ascension Day – (40 days after easter) Buy[ edit ][ add listing ] Money and ATMs The US dollar is the legal tender, with only notes in circulation. Local Timorese coins are also used. Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are useful in high end hotels, but it is a cash economy.

There are four commercial banks, Mandiri (Indonesian), BNU (Portuguese) and ANZ (Australian), and BNCTL (Timorese). New ATMs are popping up all the time, for visitors using international cards, BNU is best as there is no fee (other than the fee charged by your home bank), ANZ can charge high fees (up to $6 per withdrawal depending on the card you have), your international card may or may not work in other ATMs. ATMs swallowing your card is a (small) risk, and you will have to wait a day or two, then go to the branch (and queue) to retrieve your card. Moneychangers congregate outside the downtown Mandiri branch (between the Government Palace and Pateo supermarket) and will change Indonesian rupiah, US dollars and maybe other currencies, at negotiable rates. In addition you cannot transfer money from an ANZ overseas account to an account with the ANZ in Dili without incurring a USD$25 fee. It is best to contact your bank in your home country and seek advice about the cheapest and most efficient way to transfer money between accounts.

Bank Mandiri , one of the major banks in Indonesia, has a branch in Dili. The bank is located close to the Government Building in Dili. Caixa Geral de Depositos , a Portuguese bank, also has a branch in Dili, and branches at several other locations within East Timor. The claimed branch at Dili airport consists of an empty desk & window, it is never staffed. Local arts and crafts Arte Moris, between Dili and the airport. Art center that sells Timorese paintings, often painted directly on Tais. Recurring themes are local symbols and the life (and death) during the Indonesian occupation. The Tais market, located in Colmera (not far from Harvey World Travel) is a central place to pick up Tais, old coins, pottery and other curios. Beware the imitation Tais, which are sometimes from Indonesia. Local produce Coffee makes for a good souvenir, available in all supermarkets. Be cautious about buying the cheapest brand, the quality will not be high. Timorganic [5] produce gourmet quality salts and spices, available in most supermarkets. Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] Eating out is one of the highlights of Dili.

The combination of fresh fish, Portuguese and Asian culinary influence, and lots of expatriate money means that Dili hosts perhaps the best collection of restaurants this side of Bali. There are plenty of restaurants in Dili, from local warungs, to Italian, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, Portuguese and Australian. Most popular with Timorese locals are the seafood BBQ places west of Dili (Fish on a Stick). Budget[ edit ] Timorese and Indonesian warungs, where you pick your food from the window, are everywhere and cost $1.50-$3.00 for a typical meal. One of the most popular (called "Malua", but there is no sign) is on the road from the Cathedral to Bairo Pite - look for the blue and white decor and "nasi campur" written in the window. Pick from tasty fried chicken, shoe-leather rendang or egg, then add a couple of vegetable dishes. $1.75 including bean and cabbage soup (koto) and iced tea. Lili's, Rua Belarmino Lobo (diagonally opposite the downtown ANZ). Good Indonesian warung. Prices have increases since they became well-known. $3-$5.

edit Starco Cafe, Rua Presidente Nicolau Lobato (west of downtown ANZ). Great Indonesian restaurant. $4-$5. edit Pantai Kelapa BBQs, Avenida de Portugal (on the beach near Esplanada Hotel). A string of identical BBQ joints sets up every evening on the beach, serving excellent chicken, pork and fish skewers for about $1 each (they may try to overcharge foreigners) as well as katapas (rice cooked in coconut milk). Gets very messy but it is surely the best value beach dinner in Dili. $2-$4. edit Sunrise Restaurant, Rua Belarmino Lobo, Audian end. Pleasant Indonesian restaurant. A la carte menu with things like bakso plus a bain marie that's light on veges but has good beef and chicken. $2-$4. edit Eastern Burger, Corner of Rua Belarmino Lobo and Rua Presidente Nicolau Lobato. Menu includes basic but decent-value burgers and a lot of noodle dishes. Popular with Chinese and Timorese. $2-$5. edit To buy food to prepare yourself: Start at the East Timor Government Building, Palacio Do Governo.

Head east, away from the airport. If you walk up the left hand road, about half way up on your right is Dili Cold Store supermarket. If you head out on the road towards the airport you will find the Comoro market (one of the two big markets in Dili). It is a little bit hard to find as it is set back from the road. If you are travelling from the UN building it is about a 20 minute walk – if you reach the Leader supermarket on the right you have gone too far! The markets are amazing. When you first arrive they look grimy and the place is covered in dust in the dry season and very muddy in the wet, but if you go inside you will find fruit, vegies, coffee etc all piled in little piles (this is the measurement for purchases – around 10c for leafy vegies and 50c for everything else). If you live with a Timorese family it is wonderful to go there and bring home little treats like eggs and condensed milk, bananas and potatoes as they are usually beyond the everyday budget (rice and green vegetables are the staple diet of East Timorese). The Leader supermarket has lots of western treats including chocolate and toilet paper!

Mid-range[ edit ] Castaway, Avenida de Portugal (western waterfront road). One of the hippest and most reliable western joints. Good food, good staff, good crowd and views over the water. edit Dili Beach Hotel, Avenida de Portugal (western beach road). The undisputed king of sports bars since the demise of One More Bar. 8 TVs, good wifi and water views. Fortunately, the food is no longer the toxic waste zone that it once was, but it's still best to stick to the pizza or eat at the other places nearby before going here for the sports. edit Royal Beach Hotel, Avenida de Portugal (western beach road, next to Dili Beach Hotel). Indian/Malay restaurant housed in a copy of Dili Beach Hotel's terrace, except very rickety, with dangerous stairs, insufficient roof overhangs that don't prevent water getting in and a bathroom that floods. Food varies from brilliant to tasteless, as does service. Claims to be a sports bar but only has 2 TVs that rarely show sports. $6-$15. edit Food-L-Do, Timor Plaza (next to the car park).

A contender for the best coffee, pizza, pasta and breakfasts in town, with a large menu of inconsistent other foods. $5-$15. edit Timor Plaza, (near the Comoro Bridge). Has a food court with western and Asian dishes, at higher prices than elsewhere. Makanan, the Indian-Malay place with roti canai, martabak and briyani, may be the best option (Il Gelato is in the same shop, with the best ice cream in Dili). There is a Gloria Jean's with reliable coffee but terrible breakfasts. Elsewhere in Timor Plaza are some cafes, a donut shop and a rooftop restaurant. $5. edit Queen Tundriee, Avenida dos Martires de Patria (almost opposite Tiger Fuel). It can't decide on how to spell tandoori (you'll see tundriee, tundaree, tanduree, etc), but they know how to do it. Excellent tandoori chicken, samosas and daals, plus many other dishes, including great vegetable dishes. $4-$8. edit Mama's Resto, Avenida dos Martires de Patria (just west of Colmera, opposite Wasabi).

One of the best Indonesian places in town, with a huge offering in the window, including great BBQ beef, pork and chicken. You pay extra for the quality though. $4-$8. edit Pescador, Rua Presidente Nicolau Lobato (opposite downtown ANZ). Their shtick is fresh tuna and mackerel cooked to perfection and served with Portguese-style veges and rice for a fixed price. Well worth it if you don't need to be by the beach. $10-$12. edit City Cafe, Rua Presidente Nicolau Lobato (west of downtown ANZ). Portuguese cafe with mediocre coffee but good omelettes for breakfast (8am-10am) and $7.50 buffets for lunch and dinner. $7.50. edit RnR Cafe, Rua Audian (opposite Merkadu Lama (convention centre)). Arguably the best coffee in town, plus focaccias, soups and desserts, all made on site. Nice couches and always a sea of expats. $6-$10. edit City Praia, Lecidere (next to Lita supermarket).

New Portuguese grill - quality meats served with salad and chips. $7.50. edit Linivon, Bidau (Head 200m east from Rua Belarmino Lobo from the intersection with café La Esquina). Award-winning rending. It's self-service, so you can pick the best pieces. Also has extensive other offerings. $4-$5. edit New 88, Rua Audian. Also has a branch at Landmark and maybe others. Solid Chinese food, reliable place to get duck, but relatively expensive for Dili. $5-$10. edit Wan Ning Yuan, Rua Belarmino Lobo. Trumpets its steamed buns but doesn't always cook them through. Has a variety of good Chinese food but charges a lot for it. $6-$10. edit Ponto de Econtro, Metiaut (white wall with blue writing on the inland side of the road). Inconsistent but usually good Portuguese food, from grills to soups. Late-night karaoke. $7-$12. edit Caz Bar, Area Branca.

Great for drinks or food on the beach (just find the plastic tables and chairs on the sand, or ask staff to get some for you; the main bar is across the road and under cover). Big menu of mostly-western items that are good value considering the location and quality. $5-$10. edit Vittoria, Metiaut. The premier fish restaurant in Dili - pick a whole fish of various sizes and wait 30-40 minutes for them to grill it. Sides can be overpriced. $8-$15. edit Early Sun, Metiaut. Reliable Chinese restaurant on the beachfront with a big menu of good-value dishes. $6-$10. edit Little Pattaya, Metiaut. Combination Thai/Lebanese restaurant. Not the greatest food but probably the nicest setting of the beachfront restaurants and great for groups. $6-$12. edit Tiger Fuel, Avenida dos Martires de Patria. Pizza Hut-quality pizzas and sometimes other foods like kebabs. Open 24 hours. $10-$22. edit Spicy Hut, Metiaut.

There are never cars parked out the front, but if you try to park there and then go to a different restaurant, they'll chase you off or slash your tyres. The few that have ventured inside report oily food and cranky staff. edit Drink[ edit ][ add listing ] Drinking places are everywhere and many restaurants double as bars. The best option if visiting Dili is to enjoy the beach bars - the ones by the eastern beaches in Metiaut are great for sunsets. The bars/restaurants will usually do good juices and sometimes smoothies, plus will offer coffee but it will usually be poor quality. Good espresso can be found at Food-L-Do, RnR, Beachside Hotel, Cafe Brasil and Kafe Aroma. There is a Gloria Jean's at Timor Plaza along with some other cafes and juice joints. Castaway is an expat bar on the main drag along the beach in Dili. Drinks range from $4 beer and cocktails to a $10 giant margarita (Cigarettes are available at the bar but only worth it if you are feeling lazy, at $2.50 a pack which is more than double the price of street vendors' cigs!).

Club 88 (Club 88), Rua Sao Sebastao - Colmera. 6PM - DROP - Monday close. The most secure Night Club in Dili. The best place for enjoy the nightlife in the city. edit Tower, Comoro Road (look for the wire-framed tower with an illuminated T at the top). One of the hippest bars in town, it fills up with locals and expats (especially Portuguese) from about 11pm. $5 cover charge includes a drink. It's partly outdoors but still fills with cigarette smoke.</sleep> edit Sleep[ edit ][ add listing ] Dili's accommodation options have matured considerably since the post-crisis days of containers and shared bedrooms. There are now plenty of hotels in Dili, ranging from cheap(ish) and basic to $100+ hotels comparable with mod range hotels anywhere. To get anything comparatively mid range (clean, en suite, hot water, air conditioning) you are looking at $60 - $100 per night. Some cafes around town have ads for accommodation available, but generally the only way to find out where there are places available is to ask around.

There are furniture stores around, but if you can find somewhere that is furnished it will save you a lot of hassle. If you get friendly with someone who works for the government they may be able to help you find some furniture. There is one Real Estate Agent in Dili at Central Hotel near the post office which has a number of accommodation options. There are quite a few foreigners in Dili who live in hotels or guest houses permanently. Other alternatives include: ‘Kos’ style accommodation, where you get your own room and usually a bathroom, living with an East Timorese family; meals are usually shared with the family. The best way to find out about these places is to ask East Timorese friends or work colleagues. Rent is generally about US$250 per month. Advantages include learning Tetum quickly, getting more exposure to East Timorese culture and spending time with an East Timorese family. Disadvantages can include lack of personal space, and no cooking facilities. Share accommodation with other foreigners – there are plenty of shared houses of NGO people and UN people. Often the East Timorese owners will live next door. It would be usual to employ someone to help with cleaning, laudry and perhaps cooking.

Few houses have washing machines. Most do not have air-conditioning either – you might want to invest in a fan. Share houses are sometimes advertised in places like the Dili Dive Centre, but word of mouth is the best way to find out. If you are looking for an empty house to rent, again, it’s probably best to ask East Timorese friends or colleagues. Remember that places might not have furniture/a fridge etc, and purchasing these things can involve significant initial outlay. Rent for this sort of accommodation is generally between US$250 and US$400 per month. A cleaner visiting twice a week costs about US$50 per month. As well as getting your house and clothes cleaned, this also represents an opportunity for making friends with locals. Also, having someone around the house during the day when you are not there keeps the place a little more secure. If you can live with a Timorese family it would be ideal for learning more about the local language and culture but if not, get to know your neighbours – walking around your area and talking to people can go a long way.

Mid-range[ edit ] Central Hotel, Av Presidente Nicolo Lobato (150m east of Palacio do Governo), ☎ +670 332 3888. edit Venture Hotel, Rua Filomena De Camara, Bidau Lecidere (Behind Lita store, on road from Fatima statue in park, across from coffin shop), ☎ +670 331 3276. $28/night, $285/month. edit Dive Timor Guest House and Appartment, Kumpung Alor, Central location on the beach (Just before the Avenida De Portugal, In front of the road leading to Kumpung Alor Shops), ☎ +670 7723 7092 ( info@diliguesthouse.com ). $30/night, $1000/month. edit Hotel Colmera, Colmera Road, Dili (Right in the heart of the Colmera shopping district in west Dili), ☎ +670 331 1888 ( TBA ). $40/night, $500/month.

edit Dili Beach Hotel, Kumpung Alor, Central location on the beach (Just before the Avenida De Portugal, In front of the road leading to Kumpung Alor Shops), ☎ +670 331 0493 ( dilibeachtimor@yahoo.com ). $55/night, $1200/month. edit Aru Residencias e Apartamenos, Pantai Kelapa, (Western Suburbs), ☎ +670 331 2880 ( aruvillas@gmail.com ). $70/night, $750/month. edit Tropical Hotel, Bairo dos Grilos, Bidau Lecidere (near ANZ bank downtown), ☎ +670 332 5084, [6] . Clean but sterile rooms and helpful Chinese staff. $45/night. edit Rocella Hotel, Bidau Lecidere (near ANZ bank downtown), ☎ +670 332 5084. Pleasant courtyard with restaurant but absent staff and poor maintenance. $45/night.

edit Splurge[ edit ] Discovery Inn, Avenida Presidente Nicolau Lobato, ☎ +670 331 1111 ( discoveryinn@gmail.com , fax: +670 332 1045), [7] . US$135. edit Hotel Esplanada, Avenida de Portugal, ☎ +670 3313 088 ( admin@hotelesplanada.com , fax: +670 3313 087), [8] . $110. edit Hotel Timor, Rua Mártines da Pátria, Apartado 470, [9] . Situated in the centre of Dili, Hotel Timor has a total of 88 rooms, all having modern facilities with cosy and spacious dimensions. edit Timor Plaza Hotel, Rua Presidente Nicolau Lobato, Comoro (200m on the left after the Comoro Bridge, 1.6 km from Nicalo Lobarto International Airport), ☎ +670 7764 5477, [10] .

US$160. edit Excelsior Resort, Pantai Kelapa (Next to Norwegian Embassy), ☎ +670 332 118/7743 6999. US$39. edit The Plaza Hotel, Bairro Dos Grilos, ☎ +670 331 2222 / 7723 2438. US$80. edit Terra Santa Residence, Golgota - Raikotu ( Near Airport ) City West (Just Three (3) Minutes from the Airport Nicolao Lobato.), ☎ (+670) 7717 7304. US$120. edit Palm Beach Apartments, Pantai Kelapa, ☎ (+670) 332 4844 / 7723 107 ( jacks@psedili.com , fax: (+670) 3312856). US$125.

edit Hotel The Ramelau, Aimutin, Dili, behind the Police Station Western Esplanade, ☎ +670 7715 5969 ( abdiillahi17@yahoo.com ). US$130. edit Discovery Inn, Avenida Presidente Nicolau Lobato, ☎ +670 331 1111 ( discoveryinn@gmail.com , fax: +670 332 1045), [11] . US$135. edit By net[ edit ] There are a number of commercial places where you can access the internet such as the business centre at many of the hotels. Globel Net has Internet $4.00 per hour they also have skype so bring your own head sets. By phone[ edit ] There are very few landlines in East Timor, most being in Dili. It’s a very good idea to bring a mobile phone handset, make sure you have it unlocked in your home country first otherwise it can cost up to $30.00 to have it unlocked here, and then buy a new sim-card from Timor Telecom (US$3).

Local calls are pretty cheap, and an SMS within East Timor costs $0.20. Calls to Australia are about 50 cents US per minute, or 40 cents off peak (between 8pm and 8am and all day Sunday). Calls from Australia are quite expensive – about $3.50 per minute. On 31st July 2012 the National Numbering Plan (NNP) was changed and all mobile phone numbers now require an additional '7' be added to the front of the number making a total of eight digits. Land lines remain unchanged. By post[ edit ] There is no delivery of mail to street addresses. If you want to receive mail, you need to use a post office box at the central post office. Packages from Australia generally take about 2 weeks. It’s important that people write ‘via Darwin, Australia’ on the address, otherwise letters tend to go via Jakarta , Singapore or even Lisbon . Letters/packages have been known to take up to one and a half years to arrive, and occasionally disappear altogether, although this is the exception rather than the rule. Stay safe[ edit ] The biggest risk in Dili is probably that of being involved in a traffic accident.

It’s a good idea to bring a quality helmet in case you get a bike, or to use when riding on the back of other peoples’ bikes. Basic precautions will ensure personal safety in East Timor. It’s generally considered not safe for a ‘malai’ (foreigner) woman (and probably a malai man, too) to walk around alone after dark. There have been a few reported incidents of people riding in taxis after dark being robbed. There have been a few malai houses broken into overnight. Generally, though, it feels very safe to walk around Dili during the day – there are always lots of people around. The only other security precaution in Dili is to avoid gang activity which normally occurs at night, particularly in the Bairo Pite district of Dili. These gangs are based on martial arts groups within Dili, which after Timor Leste's history of violence and upheaval - is a social network for many unemployed males. Setesete, PSHT and Korak are the main gangs and their graffiti can be seen throughout Dili. It is highly recommended that travellers keep their distance from these martial arts venues and leave an area immediately if gang related violence seems to be a possibility.

Cope[ edit ] You can generally get everything you need in Dili, with only a couple of exceptions, although some items are more expensive. Some of the things you might want to bring are: Bring some US cash and Travellers Cheques. You will need US$30 for your initial visa on arrival at the airport (but there are also 2 ATM available if need be). It’s also worth ensuring with your bank that you will be able to access money from your account using your card in Dili. If you wear contact lenses definitely bring lens solution. It cannot be bought in East Timor. Also bring a spare pair of glasses and/or leave a copy of your prescription at home in case you need a new pair sent over. Laptop – good for work and for watching DVDs at home. You can get most new releases before they come out in Australia for about US$1.50. Make sure you have DVD software installed. You can also walk into most internet cafes and plug your laptop in to surf the net, email, download virus definitions etc. If you want to use your laptop at work, make sure it has a network card in it. It is a good idea also to bring with you a USB Memory stick.

Floppy discs die here from the heat and you can’t download or access important information on them. You can buy Memory sticks here also for around US$50.00. You can buy clothes in Dili but as most Timorese are a lot smaller than an average Westerner it can be hard to find the right size. You're best off bringing as much as you need with you. Also bed linen and towels etc are quite expensive. It’s a good idea to bring a set of sheets and make sure you bring your bathers! If you like coffee, bring a plunger or a stove top espresso making machine – there is great coffee in East Timor! Radio – at the moment East Timor can get Radio National and BBC World Service. There are also local radio stations broadcasting on FM such as Radio Rakembia Books - new ones are hard to come by here so if you are fussy bring some with you. You can also order them off the net and have them sent here. If you are not too picky about what you read (content or condition) you'll find book exchanges at Castaway, the Dili Club and One More Bar. Many foreigners are also generous in lending from their own collections.

If you have a swag with a mosquito net or dome it would be handy for when you want to travel out into the districts. Definitely if you intend to ride a motorbike (scooter) bring your own helmet, you can buy them in East Timor but they are quite flimsy. With regard to dress rules there are no hard and fast rules. Dili is more liberal than the districts, where people will expect women to wear clothes which cover their shoulders (ie not sleeveless) and trousers or a skirt below the knee. Generally, it’s better to err on the conservative side. The most respectable clothing for young males are jeans with a buttoned through, short-sleeved, collared shirt. There are a number of clothing shops in Dili but they are made for Timorese sizes so it is generally hard to find anything in a size bigger than an Australian 10. Dili is really hot all year round, but it can get very cold overnight in the central districts – so make sure you bring something warm. It’s a good idea to bring a solid pair of sandals, as well as some thongs and runners.

Dinner can sometimes be a bit dressier and most people in offices come to work dressed smart casual. Timor-Leste Send me a copy Subject: Email addresses provided here will be used solely to email the link indicated. They will not be saved, shared, or used again in any manner whatsoever. The CAPTCHA code you entered is not valid, please reenter the CAPTCHA code Timor-Leste Official Name: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Last Updated: April 13, 2016 Embassy Messages One page required for entry stamp TOURIST VISA REQUIRED: Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(670) 723-1328 Fax: +(670) 331-3206 ConsDili@state.gov Destination Description Occupying 5,743 square miles on the eastern half of an island in the Timor Sea between Indonesia and Australia, Timor-Leste has a population of approximately 1.1 million people. Timor-Leste became independent on May 20, 2002, and is a democratically-governed, independent nation with an elected President and Parliament.

Following successful presidential and parliamentary elections and a peaceful change of government in 2012, UN and Australian-led peacekeepers departed Timor- Leste. Decades of occupation and periodic eruptions of post-independence violence have left Timor-Leste with extremely poor infrastructure and limited economic opportunities. Electricity, telephone and telecommunications, roads, and lodging remain unreliable, particularly outside of the capital. Timor-Leste's economy relies largely on revenues from offshore oil and gas production. Read the Department of State's Fact Sheet on U.S.-Timor-Leste relations. Entry, Exit & Visa Requirements You need a passport valid for six months beyond the date of arrival in Timor-Leste. Travelers arriving by air may obtain a 30-day tourist visa-on-arrival for a fee of 30 USD. If entering Timor-Leste by land, you will need a visa prior to entry as visas-on-arrival are no longer available at the land border with Indonesia. You must renew this visa and pay an additional fee if you plan to stay longer than 30-days. Please see the website of the Timor-Leste Immigration Department for additional information on visas and extensions.

Visitors traveling via air must transit Singapore, Darwin in Australia or Bali in Indonesia en route to Timor-Leste. The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Timor-Leste. Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page . Safety and Security If you are in Timor-Leste, you should exercise caution, avoid large gatherings, remain alert with regard to your personal security, and avoid travel after dark to the extent possible. Exercise caution in public places, including, but not limited to, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship, outdoor recreational events, hotels, resorts and beaches, and other locations frequented by foreigners. You should review U.S. Embassy security messages and maintain a high level of security awareness while moving around the country. You should be alert to the potential for violence, and avoid demonstrations, large political gatherings, and areas where disturbances have occurred. Demonstrations can occur at or near symbols and institutions of the Government of Timor-Leste, including government buildings, police stations, and houses belonging to prominent politicians.

Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence with little or no warning. Timor-Leste has experienced several episodes of violence since becoming independent in 2002. However, there have been no major country-wide civil disturbances since 2008, and international peacekeepers departed the country at the end of 2012. Timorese security forces occasionally establish official security checkpoints along roads.. You may be expected to show your passport at these checkpoints. There also are occasional illegal checkpoints not operated by the police or military in uniforms, which you should avoid, but which, to date, have been primarily targeted at Timorese nationals. If you are traveling in Timor-Leste, you should remember that despite its small size, much of the territory is isolated and can be difficult to reach by available transportation or communication links. All U.S. citizens should ensure that passports and important personal papers are in order at all times in the event it becomes necessary to leave the country quickly . If your passport visa pages are nearly full, apply for a new passport before you travel. The U.S. Embassy in Dili is not able to issue emergency passports and has only limited capacity to process passport renewals. The U.S.

Embassy Dili works with the U.S. Embassy Jakarta to issue emergency passports on a case by case basis. To stay connected: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. Follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and Facebook . Bookmark the Bureau of Consular Affairs website , which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution . Follow the U.S. Embassy in Timor-Leste by visiting the Embassy’s website and Facebook page In the event of an emergency, contact us at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or via a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. Take some time before traveling to consider your personal security and check for useful tips for traveling safely abroad . CRIME: Crimes such as pick pocketing, purse snatching, residential and automobile break-ins, and theft occur throughout the country but are more frequent in the capital, Dili. These crimes often occur in recreational areas and facilities frequented by foreigners.

Victims of crime who resist may face physical violence by perpetrators. There is occasional gang-related violence, which, at times, has affected foreign nationals. Stone-throwing attacks on vehicles occur during periods of gang conflicts and civil unrest and have resulted in serious injury and death in the past. You should avoid travel at night or alone in unfamiliar areas. Women should avoid traveling or taking taxis alone, especially at night.. Women walking or exercising alone in Dili have reported harrassment and groping incidents. VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. We can: Help you replace a stolen passport. All U.S. passports are printed in the U.S., the passport application process may take 4 to 6 weeks. If you sitation requires you to travel sooner than 4 to 6 weeks, please call +670-332-4684. Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape. Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, contact family members or friends.

Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime. The local equivalent of the “911” emergency line in Timor-Leste is 112, but the line is frequently busy or unattended. Please see our information for victims of crime , including possible victim compensation programs in the United States. Local Laws & Special Circumstances CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Timor-Leste, you are subject to its laws. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. Persons violating Timor-Leste’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Timor-Leste are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. In Timor-Leste, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. If you are suspected of criminal activity, the law provides that you may be incarcerated for up to one year pending the criminal investigation. Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail.

If you break local laws in Timor-Leste, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted in the United States for engaging in sexual conduct with children or for using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country regardless of the legality of these activities under that country’s laws. Counterfeit and pirated goods are illegal in the United States and if you purchase them in a foreign country, you may be breaking local law as well. Arrest notifications in host country: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in that country, others may not. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Scuba Diving Accidents: Timor-Leste’s diverse marine life and pristine reefs make scuba diving a popular pastime.

However, there is no hyperbaric chamber in the country for the treatment decompression sickness – a serious medical condition associated with underwater diving. The closest hyperbaric chambers are in Darwin, Australia and Bali, Indonesia. Medical services requiring a hyperbaric chamber can be very expensive and accessing those facilities would require appropriately pressurized air ambulance evacuation, therefore specialized scuba diving accident insurance is highly recommended. Options for scuba diving insurance include Divers Alert Network and Dive Assure . The closest hyperbaric chambers are located at: Royal Darwin Hospital Health 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), Singapore, or the United States, and can cost thousands of dollars. Zika Virus: Zika virus is a mosquito-borne illness, typically transmitted by the day biting Aedes aegypti mosquito, that can be spread from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby as well as through sexual contact and blood transfusion. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has concluded that the Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly and other neurological conditions.

For general information and the latest updates about Zika and steps to prevent mosquito bites and sexual exposure to the virus, please visit the CDC website . You can find detailed information on vaccinations and other health precautions on the CDC website . For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website , which contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information . Travel & Transportation TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in Timor-Leste, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. All traffic operates on the left side of the road, and most vehicles use right-hand drive. Roads are often poorly maintained, and four-wheel drive may be required in some areas. Sparse or non-existent lighting and poor road conditions make driving at night hazardous. Driving in Dili is especially hazardous, with large trucks and military vehicles sharing the streets with vendors, pedestrians, and livestock. Many cars and, especially, motorcycles operate at night without lights. Taxis, small buses, and mini-vans provide public transportation in Dili and elsewhere. However, public transportation is generally overcrowded, uncomfortable, and below international safety standards.

Public transportation operators have been known to unexpectedly drop passengers at locations other than their destination due to the operators’ fears about certain areas or hours. Disagreement about fares has occasionally led to hostilities. Public transport is generally inadvisable and is generally unavailable after dark, although taxis are occasionally available at select locations. During the rainy season from November to May, rain showers can severely damage cross-island roadways, making roads particularly risky. You should use caution when traveling on the cross-island roadways in the mountain areas of Aileu, Ermera, Manatuto, Ainaro, and Manufahi districts. Accidents occur frequently. When there is an accident, you should contact the police. Bystanders sometimes attack the driver perceived to be responsible for a traffic accident. T his is more common in rural areas and in accidents involving Timorese drivers, but crowds have occasionally attacked foreign drivers at the scene of an accident. If you are involved in an accident and believe that there is a threat of bodily harm from people at the scene of the accident, it is advisable to drive to the nearest police station before stopping. While vehicle insurance is required in Timor-Leste, compliance with this rule is limited and many drivers are uninsured.

Most traffic accidents are settled informally between those involved. Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Timor-Leste, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Timor-Leste’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page .

Question: Dili is the capital of which country?
Answer: East Timor