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Timor-Leste

Why Go? ...... 790 With mountains to climb and untouched reefs to dive, Asia’s Atauro Island ...... 794 newest country, Timor-Leste, is a winner. It’s home to a ...... 795 youthful population and a diverse international presence Maubisse ...... 797 that adds just the right amount of spice. Its capital, Dili, has Hatubuilico & all the bright lights, but venture out for wild cultural ex- Mt Ramelau ...... 797 periences. Stay in a grand Portuguese pousadaa on a misty Oecussi ...... 798 hilltop, or at a quiet island ecolodge. Get rowdy dancing the night away at a Timorese wedding, journey down roads Understand alongside herds of buff alo, then wind up through rainfor- Timor-Leste ...... 799 ests dotted with coff ee plants. Keep an eye out for whales Survival Guide ...... 803 as you grip the cliff s along the north-coast road. Photogenic white sand beaches with aqua waters tempt swimmers, and for those who want to delve deeper, Dili-based dive compa- nies have spent the past decade discovering world-class dive Best Colonial sites. Trailblaze your way through this amazing country; it’s Relics adventure with a smile. » Pousada de Maubisse (p797 ) » Pousada de Baucau (p795 ) W h e n t o G o » Maubara’s fort (p797 ) Dili » Balibo’s fort (p797 ) °C/°F Te m p Rainfall inches/mm » Fatusuba Fort (p 798 ) 40/104 6/150

30/86 Best Places 4/100 20/68 for Cultural 2/50 Connections 10/50 » Australia Flag House (p797 ) 0/32 0 J FDNOSAJJMAM » Resistance Museum (p 791 ) » Santa Cruz Cemetery May–Nov (Dry Sep The sun is May The country (p 791 ) Season) There’s bearing down is drying out as little rainfall and during the excite- the Dili Marathon » Chega! Exhibition (p 790 ) good weather ment of the Tour takes centre » (p797 ) (though Dili gets de Timor bike place. a little dusty). race. 788

DON’T MISS At a Glance Even if you’re not a » Currency US dollars. Anything under US$1 can be paid for scuba diver, getting in East Timorese Centavos (cv). under the water in » Language Portuguese (official language), Bahasa Indone- Timor-Leste is a must. sia, Tetun and other local languages Grab a snorkel and ask » Money ATMs in Dili and Baucau. Major supermarkets and around for the best spot more expensive hotels take credit cards. for snorkelling. You won’t believe your eyes. » Visas Visa on arrival at Dili airport or seaport; US$30 for 30 days. Most nationalities need a visa in advance for land border arrivals. » Mobile Phones Good coverage throughout major popu- Fast Facts lation centres. Timor Telecom SIM cards can be used in » Area 15,007 sq km unlocked phones. » Capital Dili » Country Code %670 ITINERARIES » Emergency police %121, 723 0365; One Week ambulance %723 3212; From Dili it’s off to the eastern end of the island, stop- fire %723 0686 ping along the spectacular coast before overnighting in Baucau. Use Baucau as a base for multinight trips to E x c h a n g e R a t e s the colonial relic of Venilale and the Timor Village Hotel ecoresort at Loi Hunu. Then explore Com, the stunning AustraliaA$1 US$1.03 views at Tutuala, and the stunning beach at Jaco Island. Return to Dili and cap off your trip by heading out to Canada C$1 US$1.00 Atauro Island for a few nights. Euro zone€1 US$1.32 One Month Indonesia 1000Rp US$0.11 Japan ¥100 US$1.20 As above, then head west to Batugade, close to the In- donesian border. Turn inland to Balibo for a slice of his- NZ NZ$1 US$0.81 tory, and on to , overlooking the verdant Nanura UK £1 US$1.58 Plains. The next day head south via Bobonaro to Suai, with its pretty villages and beach, then turn east and head back into the mountains via either Ainaro or Same Set Your Budget to Hatubuilico to climb Mt Ramelau. Next stop is Maub- isse with its old Portuguese pousada, then back to Dili. » Dorm bed US$15–20 » Local restaurant meal US$3–$10 » Snorkelling US$10 Essential Outdoor Activities » Diving and snorkelling, Dili At the western end of Av Entering the de Portugal, the Pertamina Pier’s pylons provide a habitat Country for countless sea creatures. Just west of the airport, an amazing array of sea critters at Tasitolu continues to amaze » Nicolau Lobato Inter- divers. national Airport Taxi » Trekking, Mt Ramelau Watch the sunrise from Timor- to centre US$10, airport Leste’s highest peak: on a clear day you can see both transfer $18 (five minutes). coasts. Microlet (local bus) from main road US$0.25. » Dili Seaport In central Dili, taxis around the city US$2.