The capital
Almost every trip begins in Dili, a relaxed seafront city with the airport, the best museums, most of the hotels and the Cristo Rei statue on its headland.
The island
A boat ride north, Atauro Island has some of the most biodiverse coral reefs ever surveyed, simple eco lodges and village life with no traffic at all.
The mountains
The road south from Dili climbs into cool coffee country. Maubisse and Mount Ramelau pair a Portuguese hilltop guesthouse with a pre-dawn climb to the country's highest summit.
The east
The north coast road leads to Baucau, the second city, with its colonial old town and white beaches below. At the very tip of the island, Jaco Island and Nino Konis Santana National Park offer empty sand, reefs and ancient rock art.
Putting it together
A week covers Dili and Atauro. With ten days to two weeks, add Ramelau and the long eastern loop. Roads are slow and the wet season can close routes, so leave slack in your plans. Browse our places to visit and use the free trip planner to build your route.