Undiscovered Gems
If you’re looking for calmer scenery in East Timor, Atauro Island is a great gem to check out. There are sensational beaches and mountains to encounter. The small island has the most biodiverse waters in the world!
East Timor is nestled in Maritime Southeast Asia. Rarely known to travellers, this destination is an amalgamation of Portuguese and Indonesian cultures. With a population of approximately 1.27 million people, East Timor is home to a diverse number of tribes. It is also abundant with enchanting landmarks. Popular attractions include Tatamailau, Atauro Island and One Dollar Beach.
Cheap flights to East Timor are now available for a limited period of time, so get ready to discover this incredible destination. The city of Dili is home to Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport (DIL), which is a 15-minute drive from the city centre of Dili. DIL serves many airlines, including Singapore Airlines, Qantas and South African Airways. Popular international flights depart from Cape Town and Johannesburg. The flight duration from Johannesburg to Dili is approximately 29 hours.
| Flight Route | Airline | Trip Type | Travel Dates | Searched | Price From |
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If you’re looking for calmer scenery in East Timor, Atauro Island is a great gem to check out. There are sensational beaches and mountains to encounter. The small island has the most biodiverse waters in the world!
Get a taste of the Southeast Asian influences and Portuguese style dishes in East Timor. There are amazing vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes to explore. National dishes include katupa (rice on coconut milk) and pastel de nata (Portuguese egg tart).
For biking enthusiasts, East Timor has the ideal adventure in store for you. It’s thrilling steep roads have impeccable views for cyclists to take in while they get their ride on. You will meet beautiful locals throughout your tour on a bicycle.
Essential details you need to know before your trip
| Currency | United States Dollar ($) |
|---|---|
| Exchange Rate | 1 ZAR = 0.07 USD |
| Language | Portuguese and Tetun |
| Hub Airport | Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport (DIL) |
| Time Zone | GMT +9 |
| Travel Adaptor | Type C, E, F and I |
East Timor has a tropical, humid and warm climate. There are two distinct seasons in East Timor, namely the wet season (November to May) which sees floods and landslides occurring, while the dry season (June to October) experiences little rain and plenty of sun. East Timor is blessed with a comfortable 30°C average temperature year-round. The wet season may experience torrential rains which can cause flooding. Travellers can go to East Timor any time of the year, but it is best to try and avoid the torrential rainy months. The months from May to July offer the best climate with beautiful natural scenery.
Average temperature (°C) & rainfall (mm) per month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low °C | 24°C | 24°C | 24°C | 24°C | 23°C | 23°C | 22°C | 221°C | 20°C | 21°C | 22°C | 24°C |
| High °C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C | 32°C | 31°C | 31°C | 30°C | 30°C | 30°C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C |
| Rainfall (mm) | 140 | 139 | 133 | 104 | 75 | 58 | 20 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 61 | 145 |
East Timor is a sovereign state located in Maritime Southeast Asia. There is a deep influence of Portuguese culture still present, owing to East Timor being colonised by Portugal in the 16th century. Indonesia also had a lasting presence in the country, which led to a volatile period in East Timor’s history. On 20th May 2002, East Timor officially became the first new sovereign state of the 21st century.
East Timor is unknown to many but those who’ve travelled to this beautiful destination will reveal that it is a joy for the senses. The capital city, Dili, is quite an interesting destination, as it appears to be two cities in one. Both wealthy and humble locals exist side by side. There are incredible natural sights to see in East Timor, such as Atauro Island, Mount Ramelau and Jaco Island.
Compare several airlines, and book your cheap flights to East Timor online at Travelstart!
South African passport holders may obtain a visa on arrival at the airport in East Timor. You will need to provide the following documents at the airport:
• A return or onward ticket
• Accommodation arrangements in East Timor
• Sufficient funds for the duration of your stay
Your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of your arrival in the country. Ensure that there are at least two blank pages in your passport for stamps.
All travellers will need to be up-to-date with their routine vaccinations, such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio and your yearly flu shot. You are also encouraged to obtain vaccines for hepatitis A, hepatitis B and Japanese Encephalitis and malaria.
Tourists should practice caution in East Timor as you would in any new destination you’re visiting.
Tips for staying safe in East Timor:
• Be mindful of small petty crime – cellphones tend to be a big target by children.
• Do not walk alone at night.
• Take care when driving as the roads are not in the best conditions.
• Always wear a helmet when riding a bike – (you can be jailed for up to 72 hours if you’re caught not wearing one).
• Keep your personal documents safe
| Item | Cape Town | Johannesburg | Dili |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | R 90 | R 100 | R 48 |
| Domestic beer (0.5 litre draught) | R 22 | R 25 | R 55 |
| Cappuccino | R 19 | R 20 | R 38 |
| Taxi 1km (normal tariff) | R 10 | R 12 | R 28 |
| Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) | R 38 | R 38 | R 23 |
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