Atauro Island
A rugged island north of Dili, reached by ferry, known for quiet villages, mountain walks and some of the richest coral reefs in the world, which draw divers and snorkellers.
Atauro Island
A boat ride from Dili brings visitors to this island, prized for its simple eco-lodges, dolphins, snorkelling, diving and coral reefs.
Attractive locations
Manucoco
The highest mountain on Atauro, reached on a demanding hike from the villages below. Views from the upper slopes reach across the island and out to sea.
Beloi
The main town on Atauro Island and the arrival point for the ferry from Dili. A beach, a market and small guesthouses line the shore, and it is a base for exploring the island.
Airports
Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport DIL
It is about 35 km in a straight line from Atauro Island.
Baucau Airport BCH
It is about 94 km in a straight line from Atauro Island.
Commander in Chief of FALINTIL, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, International Airport UAI
It is about 122 km in a straight line from Atauro Island.
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.
- Jan28.1 °C242 mm
- Feb27.8 °C189 mm
- Mar28.1 °C138 mm
- Apr28.9 °C80 mm
- May28.7 °C51 mm
- Jun27.8 °C31 mm
- Jul27.1 °C12 mm
- Aug26.9 °C4 mm
- Sep27.8 °C5 mm
- Oct28.9 °C16 mm
- Nov29.6 °C58 mm
- Dec28.9 °C184 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.
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: tourisminfo@timorleste.tl
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.