Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about travelling with TimorGetaway. If your question is not answered here, contact us at info@timorgetaway.tl or message us on WhatsApp and we will reply within one business day.

About TimorGetaway

TimorGetaway is Timor-Leste’s first locally owned, women-led digital tourism platform. We provide curated travel packages, accommodation and authentic local experiences in Com (Lautem Municipality) and Atabae (Bobonaro Municipality), with new destinations opening each year. The platform promotes sustainable and community-based tourism, ensuring that visitors enjoy the natural beauty, cultural heritage and unique adventures of Timor-Leste while supporting local businesses and communities.

TimorGetaway is recognised by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment as an Official Tourism Partner, and was a winner of the ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge, funded by the People of Japan and implemented by UNDP Indonesia.

TimorGetaway has collaborated with the East Timor Development Agency (ETDA) and Banco Nacional de Comércio de Timor-Leste (BNCTL) to provide hands-on training aimed at strengthening local tourism enterprises. These sessions covered business management, financial literacy, hospitality, arts and crafts, barista skills, eco-tourism, waste management, marine conservation and digital marketing.

We do not simply list businesses. Our team manages the entire booking process on behalf of our providers, many of whom have no website and limited internet access. For you, that means verified listings, clear pricing and one point of contact for the whole trip. For the provider, it means they keep ownership of their business, set their own prices, and receive payment directly. Providers join at no upfront cost.

We currently operate in Com (Lautem Municipality) and Atabae (Bobonaro Municipality), with accommodation partners in Liquiçá. Our roadmap adds three new destinations each year, working towards all 13 municipalities and RAEOA by 2030, aligned with Timor-Leste’s National Tourism Policy 2030.

Our “One Municipality, One Destination” roadmap adds three destinations per year: Atauro Island, Aileu and Maubisse in 2026; Baucau plus full coverage of Lautém and Bobonaro in 2027; Liquiçá, Manufahi and Covalima in 2028; Manatuto, Viqueque and Ermera in 2029; and RAEOA/Oecusse in 2030. Full national coverage is targeted by 2030. Progress depends on funding and partnership readiness in each destination.

TimorGetaway follows sustainable tourism principles by working directly with local communities, promoting environmentally friendly travel practices, supporting conservation efforts, and ensuring that tourism benefits are equitably shared. The platform encourages responsible tourism that respects local traditions and minimises environmental impact.

By collaborating with local guides, fishermen, artisans and accommodation providers, TimorGetaway ensures that tourism revenue directly benefits the local economy. Payment for your accommodation and activities goes to the family or business that hosts you, not to an overseas intermediary. Our training programmes have helped providers open their first bank accounts, so income reaches them securely and in full.

Experiences and accommodation

TimorGetaway offers guesthouses, homestays, camping spots, adventure tours, whale watching, snorkelling, hiking, cultural immersion, and visits to hidden beaches and historical sites. In Atabae we also offer coral restoration and reef conservation experiences with our partner Al-Eka Fishworld, where visitors snorkel the reef and see the coral nursery tables first-hand.

Our current packages include:

  • A True Escape to Nature and Culture (2 nights, 3 days)
  • A Quick Escape to Paradise (1 night, 2 days)
  • A Budget-Friendly Coastal Adventure (1 night, 2 days)
  • Coral Plantation Tour, Atabae (day trip)

Full contents and prices are shown on each package page. Contact us if you would like something tailored to your group.

Guesthouses, traditional homestays and camping spots that align with sustainability principles. Many are run by local families, offering an immersive experience of Timorese life. Standards are comfortable and clean rather than luxury: expect simple rooms, warm hospitality and home-cooked food.

Yes. We partner with accommodations that prioritise sustainability and support local communities.

Yes. We host solo explorers, couples, families and groups, and can build personalised itineraries to suit different travel styles and interests. For groups of eight or more, contact us directly so we can coordinate accommodation and transport properly.

Yes, with notice. Tell us when you book about any allergies, intolerances or dietary preferences, including vegetarian and vegan, and we will pass this to your host. Rural supply is limited, so advance notice genuinely matters. Some specialist items may not be available locally, and we will tell you honestly if we cannot meet a requirement.

We want to be straightforward with you. Infrastructure in the municipalities where we operate is not yet suitable for persons with disabilities. Accommodation, pathways, beach access and sanitation facilities are not purpose-built for accessibility, and getting to our destinations involves long journeys on rough roads, uneven ground, and in some cases boat transfers.

We would rather tell you this before you book than let you arrive to a disappointment. Improving accessibility is part of what we work on with providers as each destination develops.

That said, please do get in touch. Tell us about your requirements and we will advise honestly on which of our experiences may work for you, and we are glad to suggest places in and around Dili with more accessible infrastructure. We would rather help you plan a trip that works than turn you away.

The dry season, from May to November, offers the best conditions for outdoor activities, snorkelling and cultural exploration. The wet season, December to April, brings greener landscapes and fewer visitors, but heavier rain can affect road access and sea conditions. The regions we serve offer worthwhile experiences year-round.

Booking and payment

Browse the travel packages on our website, select your dates and submit your booking request. Our team confirms availability directly with the provider, then sends you a written confirmation with payment instructions. Your booking is confirmed once payment or the required deposit has been received.

We recommend at least two weeks ahead, and four weeks or more during the dry season or for groups. Because we confirm every booking directly with a community provider rather than through an automated system, last-minute requests may not be possible. If your dates are close, message us on WhatsApp and we will tell you quickly whether we can accommodate you.

Package prices typically include accommodation, activities and selected meals. Exact inclusions are listed on each package page. Unless stated otherwise, prices do not include international or domestic flights, travel insurance, visa fees, personal expenses, souvenirs, or transport from Dili to the starting point of your package.

We accept direct bank transfer, mobile wallet (Mosan by Telemor), P24, and cash paid in person at our office in Dili before your trip. All prices are quoted in United States dollars (USD), the official currency of Timor-Leste. Bank charges or currency conversion fees applied by your own bank are your responsibility.

Because we pay your hosts before you arrive. Community-based providers are small family businesses that need funds in hand to prepare your accommodation, food and activities. Settling your booking in advance, by transfer, mobile wallet, P24 or cash at our Dili office, is what allows us to transfer payment to them on time. It also means you arrive with nothing left to settle and can simply enjoy your trip.

Yes. We use established local payment systems including direct bank transfer, mobile wallet and P24, and we protect your personal and payment details in line with our Privacy Policy. TimorGetaway does not store your full bank or card details on our website.

Yes, where the provider can accommodate it. Contact us as early as possible with your booking reference. Adding travellers depends on availability, and reducing your party size close to the travel date may be treated as a partial cancellation under our Refund and Cancellation Policy.

Changes, cancellations and refunds

Yes, subject to our Refund and Cancellation Policy. Contact us as early as possible with your booking reference, since how much you can recover depends on how far in advance you cancel. Rescheduling is often easier than cancelling, and we will always try to move your dates first where the provider can accommodate it.

Refund amounts depend on when you cancel and are set out in full in our Refund and Cancellation Policy. Once a refund is approved, processing times are:

  • Local bank transactions: 1 to 3 business days
  • International bank transactions: 5 to 7 business days

Some bookings include non-refundable deposits, and certain experiences carry the provider’s own cancellation terms. These are shown to you before you confirm. Please read the full Refund and Cancellation Policy for details.

If we or a provider cancel a confirmed booking for any reason other than your own breach of our Terms and Conditions, you may choose between an alternative arrangement of equivalent value, a credit for future travel, or a full refund of amounts paid to TimorGetaway. Where cancellation is caused by weather, sea conditions, road access or other events beyond our control, we will offer a reschedule or credit wherever possible.

Planning your trip

Requirements depend on your nationality. Citizens of the European Union, Portugal and several other countries can enter without a visa, Indonesian citizens can apply on arrival, and most other travellers apply for a visa on arrival or in advance. Our Visa Requirements and Fees page has the current detail, but always confirm with the nearest Timor-Leste embassy or consulate before you travel, as rules change.

Yes, and you will need to arrange it yourself. TimorGetaway does not provide, sell or arrange travel insurance, and our packages do not include any form of cover.

We strongly recommend every traveller purchase comprehensive international travel insurance before departure, covering medical treatment, emergency medical evacuation, trip cancellation and curtailment, personal belongings, and specifically any adventure activities you plan to take part in, such as snorkelling, diving, boat trips or hiking. Many standard policies exclude water sports unless you add them, so check your policy wording.

This matters more here than in many destinations. Medical facilities in rural Timor-Leste are basic, and serious cases require evacuation, usually to Darwin or Bali, which is expensive without cover. Some providers may ask to see proof of insurance before certain activities.

From Dili you can travel by public bus, or hire a car for a more flexible journey. Car rental can be arranged through TimorGetaway with our partner ZEAL Cars Rental. Road conditions outside Dili can be rough and journey times are longer than distances suggest, so allow more time than a map indicates. See our Travel Tips section for detail on transport, currency, connectivity and visas.

Yes. Timor-Leste uses the United States dollar, and rural areas including Com and Atabae are largely cash-based with very limited ATM access.

Your package is paid in full before you travel, so you will not need cash for the booking itself once you arrive. If you prefer to pay in cash, you are welcome to do so in person at our office in Dili before departure.

Bring cash for everything outside your package: souvenirs and tais bought directly from weavers, extra meals and drinks, tips, and incidentals. Withdraw what you need in Dili before travelling, and bring small denominations, which are far easier to use in the villages.

For most of our destinations we suggest: reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle, a hat and sun protection, sturdy footwear for uneven ground, a light rain layer, any personal medication, a power bank, and a torch for evenings. If you snorkel regularly, bringing your own mask is worthwhile. Pack modestly for village settings, and remember that shoulders and knees should be covered when visiting churches or cultural sites.

Timor-Leste is generally welcoming and safe for visitors. That said, our destinations are rural. Mobile signal can be patchy, electricity may be intermittent, medical facilities are basic, and some activities take place on water or on rough terrain. Travel with reasonable preparation, follow your guide’s instructions at all times, and read our Travel Responsibly page before you go.

Tetum and Portuguese are the official languages, and Indonesian and English are widely understood in Dili. In rural communities English is more limited, and in Lautém many people also speak Fataluku. Your TimorGetaway guide or host contact will speak English, and learning a few words of Tetum, “bondia” for good morning and “obrigadu” or “obrigada” for thank you, is warmly received.

Coverage is good in Dili and reasonable in larger towns, but can be limited in the areas we operate. Local SIM cards are inexpensive and available in Dili, and we recommend buying one on arrival. See our Stay Connected page for detail.

Tipping is not obligatory in Timor-Leste and is never expected, but it is appreciated for guides, drivers and hosts where you have had a good experience. If you would like to support the community further, buying local crafts such as tais directly from the weavers is a meaningful way to do it.

For tourism providers

We are always interested in working with community-based providers, particularly women-led and youth-led businesses. There is no upfront cost to join, no website required, and our team handles listing, pricing support, traveller communication and payment on your behalf. Email info@timorgetaway.tl or call us to start a conversation.

Staying in touch

Follow TimorGetaway on social media (e.g. Facebook or LinkedIn), subscribe to our newsletter, or visit the website for updates on new travel packages, promotions and eco-tourism initiatives.

Reach us through our Contact page, by email at info@timorgetaway.tl, or by WhatsApp on (+670) 7603 0555 or (+670) 7689 3333. Our contact hours are weekdays 08:30 to 18:00 and Saturdays 08:30 to 12:00 (UTC +9). We aim to reply within one business day.

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