Dili
Dili is relatively expensive compared to other places in South East Asia due to the large UN presence.
- Money The currency in East Timor is US Dollars. ANZ Bank have some ATM machines throughout Dili which accept international cards, like Visa. Check with your bank to ensure you can withdraw overseas.
- Visa may be issued on arrival at Dili airport. It costs $30 for 30 days (extendable), payable in cash only.
- Taxis Dili airport is about 15 minutes drive from the clinic. The clinic can send a driver to pick you up from the airport, otherwise a taxi costs $5 (or more, depending on your negotiation skills). Travel by taxi around Dili will cost $1–2, depending on the distance. Taxis can be difficult to find after dark, and you will have to pay more.
- Lunch costs from $1 and up at several small restaurants near the clinic.
- Safety Basic precautions will ensure personal safety. The biggest risk in Dili is normally being involved in a traffic accident. It is generally considered safe to walk around the city daytime, but not recommended after dark if alone (particularly for women).
- Email/Internet In a number of commercial places you can access the internet, price from $1 per hour.
- Mobile phones Virtually no landlines in East Timor makes it is a good idea to bring a GSM mobile phone handset (just make sure it is unlocked). A local sim-card, or a cheap mobile phone, may be purchased from Timor Telecom.
- Clothing Dili is more liberal than the districts, where women are expected to wear clothes that cover their shoulders and pants or skirt below the knees. Men should never go shirtless. Generally, it is better to err on the conservative side. In Dili, malae (foreigners) do wear western swimmers at the beach, while the Timorese wear shorts and t-shirts.
- Weather The climate is tropical, with two seasons: wet and dry. The wet season generally starts in November and lasts until May, dominated by heavy showers. Dili is hot all year round, but it can get very cold overnight in the mountain districts, so bring something warm.
- Health Malaria and dengue are endemic in East Timor, so it is a good idea to bring a mosquito net and a good mosquito repellent. Cheap nylon mosquito nets can be purchased for around. The usual precautions with food and water apply.
- Language The official languages in East Timor are Tetum and Portuguese, although you will most likely not hear much Portuguese being spoken on the streets. Other languages are Indonesian (widely spoken) and English.
- Cultural tips East Timor is a religious place and there is a strong sense of loyalty to the Catholic Church. You won’t be expected to follow Catholic practices but you will be expected to respect the religious beliefs of the East Timorese.