Guide to Timor-Leste and Atauro Island

7 Dec

Welcome! If you’re here, you’re probably interested in learning about how to maximise your time on Atauro island and Timor-Leste.

I just spent 10 days exploring this beautiful island nation with some of my great friends, and I’m going to share some tips, tricks and advice for you!

Let’s get into it!

Now we are going to cover a huge amount of topics, so feel free to jump around skip to the info you need.

Getting around Dili
What money to bring
How to get to/from Atauro Island
What to do on Atauro Island
Feeding Crocodiles in Dili

Getting Around Dili

Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, is a bustling yet laid-back city. Here’s how to navigate it. I personally recommend a use of taxis and microlets to maximise the enjoyment of your holiday.

1. Taxis

Taxis are the most common form of transport. Negotiate the fare before you hop in as meters are not used. Short trips within the city typically cost $2–$5. Make sure to enjoy bartering, as most Taxi drivers are going to take advantage of foreigners and try charge you more!

2. Microlets

These colorful minibuses are a favorite. Fares are just $0.25, making them an affordable way to get around. Look for the numbers displayed on the windscreen to identify their routes.

There is an up to date map here, that shows the routes these cool buses take.

3. Walking and Cycling

Dili is compact, so walking or renting a bicycle can be a pleasant way to explore its landmarks, such as Cristo Rei and the Resistance Museum.

4. Car Rentals

For those venturing outside Dili, renting a 4WD is advisable as rural roads can be challenging. However it’s probably cheaper and easier to get around DIli in microlets and Taxis.

What Money to Bring

Timor-Leste uses the U.S. dollar (USD) as its official currency. Here are some tips:

Cash is King: ATMs are available in Dili but can be unreliable. Bring enough cash for your trip, especially for remote areas like Atauro Island.
Small Denominations: Many vendors can’t provide change for large bills, so carry smaller denominations ($1, $5, $10).
Credit Cards: While some hotels and restaurants in Dili accept credit cards, smaller businesses and shops may not.

It is ALWAYS better to have too much cash, rather than not enough.

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How to Get to Atauro Island

Atauro Island is just 30 kilometers north of Dili and can be reached in several ways:

1. Ferry (the best way)

Dragon Star Ferry: Affordable and popular with locals, it operates on specific days Saturdays and Thursdays. It is about $10 to get on.
Berlin Nakroma Ferry: A government-run option, that takes about 2-3 hours. It costs about $5.

To get tickets to either of these ferry’s you will need to go to the ferry office. There is no official map location of this office, but this is where we went to.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/J4RvuDTG3WvShHFz8

On the way back from Atauro Island, you can usually buy a ferry ticket as you board.

2. Local Boats

Private operators run speedboats that can get you to Atauro in about 1 hour. Prices range from $40–$80 per person, depending on group size. Honestly you’re much better off getting a local ferry, they are a lot of fun!

If you speak with your accomodation, they might be able to direct you to people you can hire a boat ride with.

What to do on Atauro Island

Now there is a bunch to do on Atauro Island, some of these are obvious, but I want to capture some of the more unique experiences too.

1. Snorkel/Scuba Dive the Reefs

This is a no-brainer, you NEED to do this when you come to Atauro. This place is has the most biodiverse reef on the planet.

2. Explore the Eco-Tourism Projects

There are two amazing organisations on Atauro. Ekipa Tasi Mos run a local plastic recycling centre, where they capture plastic waste from the ocean and turn it into reusable products. Speak to Barry at Barry’s Lodge to organise a tour of Ekipa Tasi Mos, it’s free and worth doing!

The other amazing organisation is Boneca De Atauro. These ladies turn old clothing into new amazing products and toys. This organisation has been built to empower females to have more economic opportunity on the island.

3. Enjoy all the local hospitality venues

Now there is only a handful of venues on the island that serve food and drinks. But you should make it your challenge to visit each one!

They are all an experience and your support for the venues goes a long way.

4. Explore some of the remote villages

Beloi is the main village, where you will most likely be spending your time.

However, there are a handful of other beautiful villages close by. I highly recommend going to the villages Vila (this is a large village) and Makili (this is a smaller fishing village).

Both of these villages are stunning and offer a better insight into a real locals way of life. Everyone we met was amazingly welcoming and chatted to us.