Cristo Rei of Dili
A large statue of Christ standing on a headland east of the city. A long stairway climbs to the base, and the viewpoint looks over the bay and surrounding hills.
Dili
Both the capital and the arrival point, this city is known for the Resistance Museum, markets, the waterfront and the Cristo Rei statue.
Attractive locations
Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Dili's main Catholic cathedral, a large whitewashed church with a simple modern design. It is a centre of religious life in a country where most people are Catholic.
Timorese Resistance Archive and Museum
A museum in the city centre telling the story of the long struggle for independence, using photographs, documents and personal objects from the Indonesian occupation years.
Motael Church
One of Dili's oldest churches, close to the waterfront. It is tied to the independence struggle and remains an important place of worship for the local community.
Dili Municipal Market
A lively market near the waterfront, with fresh produce, fish and household goods. A good place to see everyday Timorese life and to try local snacks.
Areia Branca Beach
A beach on the edge of the city, with pale sand, a line of trees and open views over the bay. Locals come here to relax and swim.
Tibar Bay
A sheltered bay west of Dili, with calm water, mangroves and a relaxed local feel. It is a popular weekend escape for swimming, kayaking and eating by the water.
Airports
Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport DIL
It is about 6 km in a straight line from Dili.
Commander in Chief of FALINTIL, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, International Airport UAI
It is about 89 km in a straight line from Dili.
Baucau Airport BCH
It is about 91 km in a straight line from Dili.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Timor-Leste page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan26.8 °C243 mm
- Feb26.4 °C203 mm
- Mar26.7 °C120 mm
- Apr27.2 °C54 mm
- May26.8 °C33 mm
- Jun26.0 °C21 mm
- Jul25.5 °C8 mm
- Aug25.8 °C4 mm
- Sep27.2 °C5 mm
- Oct28.6 °C13 mm
- Nov29.2 °C54 mm
- Dec27.8 °C166 mm
Driest months: Jul, Aug, Sep. Wettest months: Jan, Feb, Dec.
Costs
Prices here are about 28% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
culture
Restoration of Independence Day (20 May)
Dili hosts national-level celebrations.
Who can help
Emergency and help
Ask your hotel for the local emergency numbers and save the contact of your own embassy, or the country that represents yours, before you go.
local government
Police and emergency numbers (official tourism portal)
Helps with: The official tourism portal lists 112 for police, 115 for fire and 110 for an ambulance, and advises saving them before travelling beyond Dili. Mobile coverage can be patchy on remote roads.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Timor-Leste, including visitors, who needs police help in an emergency.
Phone: 112
local government
Ministry of Tourism and Environment
Helps with: Timor-Leste's tourism ministry, which runs the official tourism portal. Contact its head office in Dili for tourism information.
Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Timor-Leste or planning a trip there.
Phone: +670 331 1563
Email: [email protected]
Address: Edifisiu Haksolok, Villa Verde, Dili
ngo
Timor-Leste Red Cross (Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste)
Helps with: Timor-Leste's national Red Cross society, based in Dili. Contact it through its main office for Red Cross services.
Who qualifies: People in Timor-Leste who need to reach the national Red Cross society.
Phone: +670 78377717
Address: Avenida 20 de Maio, No. 79, Gricenfor, Nain Feto, Dili
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Timor-Leste
Helps with: The UN migration agency, with a country office in Dili. It supports emergency shelter and relief, disaster preparedness, safe labour migration, border management and counter-trafficking.
Who qualifies: Migrants, displaced people and government partners. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
local government
Tourism Information Centre, Dili
Helps with: The tourism ministry's information centre in Dili. Its contact page gives the street address; it lists no separate phone number or opening hours.
Who qualifies: Visitors to Dili who want tourism information in person.
Address: Rua Avenida de Portugal, Farol, Dili