Day Trips from Dili

Four trips fit comfortably into one day from Dili: the ferry to Atauro Island, the hill village of Dare, the ruins at Ai Pelo near Liquica, and Cristo Rei with the beach below it. The far east of the country, including Jaco Island, is too far for a day and needs its own multi-day plan.

Atauro Island by ferry

Atauro is the best day out, and the official tourism site lists it as the exception to its warning about crocodiles along the coast. Two public ferries run:

  • The Berlin Nakroma leaves Porto Dili at 08:00 on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. The fare is US$4 each way, and the return leaves Atauro at 15:00.
  • The Success leaves from Kolmera at 08:00 on Tuesday and Friday and takes about 3 hours. The fare is US$5, and the return also leaves at 15:00.

There is no regular Monday ferry. Tickets are sold on the day at the port office, in US dollars cash, and there is no online booking. Arrive 60 minutes early, and confirm the sailing with APORTIL on +670 331 7264 before you travel. Sailings from December to April are rougher and are sometimes cancelled. A ferry day trip leaves roughly four hours on the island, which is enough for a snorkel and lunch near Beloi. Private boat charters are also available through the dive operators on Atauro, at prices you negotiate. See the official ferry page for the latest schedule.

Dare Memorial and Museum Cafe

The village of Dare sits on a hill above Dili, roughly 10 to 15 km inland. The memorial was built in 1969 as an Australian gift honouring Australian soldiers of Sparrow Force and the Timorese who helped them in the Second World War. The museum and cafe opened in April 2009, entry is free and the views over the bay are the reason to go. Cafe hours may be weekends only, so check before you set out.

Ai Pelo prison ruins

About 40 km west of Dili at Liquica, Ai Pelo is a Portuguese colonial prison begun in 1889, expanded in 1914 and deactivated in 1939. The ruins have information placards and a small heritage project. Opening status can change, so ask your hotel to check, and bring water and sun protection.

Cristo Rei and Dolok Oan

Cristo Rei is about 7 km from the centre. The climb is about 570 steps from the car park, and a second staircase a third of the way up leads down to Dolok Oan, also called Jesus Backside Beach. Look at the beach from the shore and do not swim: the UK government says crocodiles are occasionally seen near Dili beaches, and no mainland beach is certified free of them. Ask your hotel before you enter any water.

Trips that need more than a day

Jaco Island is about 231 km from Dili by road to Tutuala, and guides put the drive at 6 to 8 hours, followed by Valu Beach and a short boat crossing. Lake Ira Lalaro is in Lautem in the far east and Mount Ramelau is an overnight trip via Hatobuilico. Plan each as a multi-day trip, and read the UK travel advice for road and flood conditions, especially from November to April.

To compare organised options, try Viator day trip searches for Dili .

Read more: Multi-day trips from Dili and Things to do in Dili .