TOP 10 Things To Do in Dili Timor Leste, Southeast Asia

Updated: September 2022

Are you planning to visit Dili in Timor Leste and wondering how best to spend a day or two exploring the capital? Or maybe you are thinking of moving to Dili, Timor Leste to work?

After 3.5 years living, working and exploring in Timor Leste, these are my recommendations for the TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN DILI TIMOR-LESTE.

1). TAKE A MICROLET AROUND THE CITY

The public transport microlet buses are an experience all to themselves and a fun way to experience Dili, Timor Leste. The microlets are a network of colourful, often music-pumping vans that drive set routes around the city for only 25 cents per trip.

The colour and large numbers on the front of the microlet van, indicate which set route they take around the city, and to catch a microlet, simply flag it down as it passes and if there’s room – they can get very crowded – hop aboard and settle in for the ride. If not, wait for the next one, it isn’t usually too far away.

There are no set stops as such, instead simply tap your 25 cent coin on any other part of the van, and the driver will hear the noise and pull over. Hop out of the microlet, pay the driver using exact coin or something as close as possible through the passengers’ window and easy as that, you’re done.

My personal favourite microlet is the blue van, number 12, which follows the coastline through Metiaut towards the popular Cristo Rei landmark, passing some wonderful beachfront cafes and restaurants en-route, before turning around and heading back into Dili city.  

2). DRINK COFFEE, CHAT AND PEOPLE WATCH

A quarter of all households in Timor Leste grow coffee and you can find plenty of small coffee shops throughout the city of Dili, Timor Leste.

Personally, I find there’s no better way to spend your time in Dili, Timor Leste than sitting in one, having a flat white coffee and watching the daily goings on in the capital.

These are a few of my favourite coffee shops to visit, in no particular order:

1. Haha Cafe, newly established and located next to Centro Supermarket on Pantai Kelapa, it has a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, delicious coffee, a range of delicious light food dishes, plus air-conditioning, and a kid’s play area too!
2. Letefoho, a popular coffee spot, only 2-minute stroll from Haha cafe on Pantai Kelapa, and a go to spot for visitors, expats, and Timorese alike, with plentiful seating upstairs in the open-air offering ocean views.
3. Fatima’s Cafe, open airy seating both downstairs and upstairs, a prime spot to people watch and gaze out at the ocean. It’s located next to the Chinese Embassy, just down from the green and white Farol lighthouse along the waterfront.
4. Agora Cafe, a popular, trendy food and coffee hangout spot (based on the third floor at the LELI English school) complete with air-conditioning, an upbeat atmosphere, and a fantastic team of people.
5. Kafe Atsabe, a quiet, relaxed spot, ideal for working on the laptop and like all of these coffee shops, it goes without saying that they serve a delicious coffee. It’s fair to say that Ameta, the owner, really knows his stuff when it comes to coffee!

A coffee will cost you approximately $1 USD for an espresso, $2 for a macchiato and $3-$5 for a flat-white, and don’t forget to buy a bag or two of their coffee as well, further supporting the Timorese coffee community and economy.

3). WALK, RUN, CYCLE OR CHILL AT AREIA BRANCA BEACH, METIAUT

If you want to escape the city for a while, enjoy a sea view, and maybe a fresh coconut, or a spot of food on the beach, Areia Branca in Metiaut is definitely the spot to head for.

It’s a short drive or ride – roughly 20 minutes in the blue microlet from Habibie Bridge near the fruit and vegetable market – to Metiaut, with a selection of places to eat and drink en-route including the very popular Beachside Hotel, Caz Bar and As Sis beachfront restaurants and cafes.

During the dry season Beachside Hotel plays free movies on the beach every Friday and Saturday night starting at sunset around 6.45pm-7pm. Perfect.

4). CLIMB TO CRISTO REI OF DILI STATUE

The Cristo Rei statue is undoubtably the most popular and recognisable landmark in Dili, Timor Leste.

It’s a great, active and somewhat sweaty way to mingle with groups of chatting Timorese youth, families on a day out, and sporting hoodie-clad runners and it’s free to make the climb to the top. It can take anywhere from 15-minutes to 30 minutes to reach the top, depending on your pace, and the number of stops to take in the views of the ocean.

At the half way point of the climb, you can take a detour down to explore Back Beach, the beach hidden behind the Cristo Rei statue, and take a refreshing dip in the water to cool off. This is also a good snorkeling spot too.

5). BOOK A DIVE OR SNORKEL TRIP AND A ONCE IN A LIFETIME PYGMY BLUE WHALE EXPERIENCE

When visiting Timor Leste, you are missing out if you don’t book a dive or snorkel session to experience some of the most biodiverse waters on Planet Earth, with incredible coral reefs, shoals of colourful tropical fish, turtles, dolphins, dugongs and much, much more.

Additionally, a once in a lifetime opportunity, is between October and November each year, migrating Pygmy Blue Whales can be seen swimming past Timor Leste, it’s an absolutely amazing experience not to be missed!

There are a number of diving and snorkeling operators in Dili, Timor Leste including Compass Diving, Dreamers Dive Academy, and Aquatica Dive Resort.

6). BROWSE THE 2ND HAND CLOTHES MARKETS

Dili has a lot of places selling second-hand clothes and they are a great spot to spend a few hours looking for a bargain. One of the largest is Manleuena market near the Dili Institute of Technology (DIT), however they are scattered all across Dili and you don’t have to travel far to find one.

To visit Manleuena market you’ll need to catch the green microlet, it’s number 3, costing 25 cents to the market. If you prefer a taxi, it’ll cost approximately $3+ USD one-way. Whether you take a microlet or taxi, it’s about a 10-minute trip from Timor Plaza shopping mall.

There’s something for everyone at the markets, it’s more a question of whether you can find it or not, and whether it’s your size – clothes galore, shoes, bags. Plus, at Manleuena market there’s also flowers, plants, and a fruit and vegetable market too.

Most second-hand items of clothing items will cost from $1 – $4 USD and bartering is accepted practice. Prices are usually quoted in Indonesian Bahasa, but Tetum works too. However, this might help. Satu is Bahasa for $1, dua is $2, tiga is $3. Lima puluh sen is 50 cents, and satu lima, dua lima, etc. is $1.50, $2.50, etc.

Good luck on your second-hand clothing adventure!

7). VISIT THE TIMORESE RESISTANCE ARCHIVE AND MUSEUM & CHEGA! EXHIBITION

The Resistance Museum is open 5 days a week from Tuesday to Saturday (0900 – 1630). They are closed Sunday and Monday. It costs $1 USD per person and if you’re visiting Dili, Timor Leste, it’s the perfect place to learn more about the history of Timor Leste and their fight for independence from Indonesia. You should plan to spend between 1-3 hours at the Resistance Museum.

The Chega! Exhibition (chega means ‘stop’ or ‘no more’ in Portuguese) is home to the results of the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR) process. There is a lot of information, timelines and photographs of the atrocities Timor Leste suffered, as well as the dark rooms, cells where resistance fighters were held and tortured. It’s a chilling, sobering experience.

I recommend visiting in the morning or afternoon (avoid lunchtime as the staff won’t be available). Ask the staff if someone is available to show you around. There is no cost to visit Chega! Exhibition, however you are free to leave a donation if you like.

8). WANDER THE LARGO DE LECIDERE, SIP A COCONUT AND EXPLORE

As you explore Dili you will spot market stalls and carts everywhere, selling second-hand clothes, food, drinks, fruit and vegetables, and delicious refreshing coconuts.

One of the more pleasant, cooler areas to stroll around is along the Largo De Lecidere. It starts near the port and follows the waterfront under the shade of trees heading west towards Habibie bridge and park.

The coconut will be skilfully opened with a machete and cost $1 USD. After you’ve finished the coconut water, take the coconut back and ask for it to be cracked open to eat the fleshy coconut meat.

Along the way visit the fruit market, fatin fa’an ai-fuan natural, where you can pick up seasonal fruits like pineapples, mangoes and bananas for $1-3 USD. Also handily, right opposite the fruit market are Lita and Dili Mart supermarkets to stock up on any food and drink essentials.

9). WANDER THE TAIBESI MARKET

For a total Timorese market immersion experience, head to the large, sprawling Taibesi market, known as Marcado Taibesi locally. It’s large and can be somewhat chaotic, selling everything including fresh fruit and vegetables, dried produce, meat, clothes and loja’s (stores) with a range of items including drinks, snacks and household items.

It’s a short trip from central Dili either via microlet or taxi, and will take 10-15 minutes, depending on your starting location. Expect to pay approximately $3+ USD for a taxi one-way.

10). BOOK AN ADVENTURE WITH THE EXPERT TOUR GUIDES

If you fancy doing all of this and other historically important sites including Santa Cruz cemetery, Motael Church, and much more, and getting a real insight into the day to day life, popular landmarks in Dili, and the history of Timor Leste, I can highly recommend booking a guided tour for a hassle free, lower stress experience with those that know best.

Contact the following fantastic Timorese tour guides, who will ensure you have a wonderful experience in Dili, Timor Leste :

Jonias on WhatsApp: +670 7734 5224

Julio on WhatsApp: +670 7835 5255

I hope you found these TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN DILI, TIMOR LESTE helpful, and more importantly, have a wonderful time on your trip to Dili, Timor Leste!

THANKS FOR READING/WATCHING/SUPPORTING!

Hi, I’m Adam Constanza, freelance content creator and videographer from Wellington, New Zealand living, working and exploring Timor Leste in South East Asia.

Feel free to subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more and drop me a comment on my latest video to say hi!

If you liked the video and found it useful, feel free to show your support with a coffee. Thank you in advance for your support. Cheers, Adam