Timor Leste, Southeast Asia's youngest nation, offers pristine diving, Portuguese colonial architecture, and rugged mountain landscapes. Experience authentic culture, world-class coral reefs at Atauro Island, and moving historical sites that tell the story of this resilient nation's journey to independence.
Local currency: US Dollar (USD) - this is the official currency of Timor Leste.
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Timor Leste.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $12-15 dorm bed
- Budget
- $30-50 private room
- Midrange
- $80-150 hotel
- Luxury
- $180-350 top hotel or eco-resort
Food
- Street
- $1-3 warung meal or waterfront stall
- Local
- $7-12 local restaurant
- Midrange
- $15-30 mid-range international restaurant
- Fine
- $50-90 fine dining at Agora or Panorama
Transport
- Bus
- $0.25-0.50 microlet ride in Dili
- Taxi
- $3-15 taxi within Dili
- Airport
- $10-15 taxi from airport to center
- Daytrip
- $30-80 day trip by taxi depending on distance
Activities
- Museum
- $2 Resistance Museum
- Sites
- Free (Cristo Rei, beaches)
- Tour
- $45-65 guided food or cultural tour
- Excursion
- $15-80 ferry and diving at Atauro Island
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Timor Leste costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$350-490/week
Midrange traveller
$700-1,050/week
Luxury traveller
$1,750-2,800+/week
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Eat at local warungs and the Mercado Municipal food court for meals from $1-3 instead of tourist restaurants
Use microlets (minibuses) for $0.25-0.50 per trip instead of taxis within Dili
Take the government ferry to Atauro Island ($15 return) rather than private speedboat ($150-300)
Stay at Dili Backpackers or East Timor Backpackers for dorm beds from $12 per night
Many of Timor Leste's best experiences are free - Cristo Rei, beaches, waterfront walks, market browsing
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Cristo Rei Climb
Hike to the base of the iconic 27-meter Christ statue via 14 Stations of the Cross with panoramic views over Dili Bay. Free admission, open daily.
Dili Waterfront Walk
Stroll the Avenida de Portugal waterfront promenade at sunset watching fishing boats and enjoying views of the mountains and bay - the heart of Dili's outdoor life.
Tais Market Browsing
Wander the traditional textile market meeting weavers and browsing vibrant tais cloth, carved woodwork, and traditional crafts without obligation to buy.
Santa Cruz Cemetery Visit
A sobering but important free visit to the site of the 1991 massacre, understanding Timor Leste's path to independence through the memorial and graves of victims.
Dare Hills Hike
Walk the Dare Ridge above Dili for panoramic views over the capital and bay, passing the Resistance Memorial and traditional villages.
Motael Church
Visit Dili's oldest colonial church on the waterfront, an atmospheric piece of Portuguese heritage that is free and open to respectful visitors.