Dili cope · Cope in Dili
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Cope in Dili
Cope in Dili
You can generally get everything you need in Dili, with only a couple of exceptions, although some items are more expensive. Some of the things you might want to bring are:
Bring some US cash and Travellers Cheques. You will need US$30 for your initial visa on arrival at the airport. It’s also worth ensuring with your bank that you will be able to access money from your account using your card in Dili.
If you wear contact lenses definitely bring lens solution. It cannot be bought in East Timor. Also bring a spare pair of glasses and/or leave a copy of your prescription at home in case you need a new pair sent over.
Laptop – good for work and for watching DVDs at home. You can get most new releases before they come out in Australia for about US$1.50. Make sure you have DVD software installed. You can also walk into most internet cafes and plug your laptop in to surf the net, email, download virus definitions etc. If you want to use your laptop at work, make sure it has a network card in it. It is a good idea also to bring with you a USB Memory stick. Floppy discs die here from the heat and you can’t download or access important information on them. You can buy Memory sticks here also for around US$50.00.
You can buy clothes in Dili but as most Timorese are a lot smaller than your average Westerner it can be hard to find the right size. You're best off bringing as much as you need with you. Also bed linen and towels etc are quite expensive. It’s a good idea to bring a set of sheets and make sure you bring your bathers!
If you like coffee, bring a plunger or a stove top espresso making machine – there is great coffee in East Timor!
Radio – at the moment East Timor can get Radio National and BBC World Service. There are also local radio stations broadcasting on FM such as Radio Rakembia
Books - new ones are hard to come by here so if you are fussy bring some with you. You can also order them off the net and have them sent here. If you are not too picky about what you read (content or condition) you'll find book exchanges at Castaway, the Dili Club and One More Bar. Many foreigners are also generous in lending from their own collections.
If you have a swag with a mosquito net or dome it would be handy for when you want to travel out into the districts.
Definitely if you intend to ride a motorbike (scooter) bring your own helmet, you can buy them in East Timor but they are quite flimsy.
With regard to dress rules there are no hard and fast rules. Dili is more liberal than the districts, where people will expect women to wear clothes which cover their shoulders (ie not sleeveless) and trousers or a skirt below the knee. Men never go shirtless, and East Timorese men never wear shorts (although quite a lot of foreigners do). Generally, it’s better to err on the conservative side. The most respectable clothing for young males are jeans with a buttoned through, short-sleeved, collared shirt. There are a number of clothing shops in Dili but they are made for Timorese sizes so it is generally hard to find anything in a size bigger than an Australian 10.
Dili is really hot all year round, but it can get very cold overnight in the central districts – so make sure you bring something warm. It’s a good idea to bring a solid pair of sandals, as well as some thongs and runners.
Dinner can sometimes be a bit dressier and most people in offices come to work dressed smart casual.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Dili
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Dili - updated Apr 2024
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Dili Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.