KIDS
DILI RECOMMENDATIONS – FROM ONE KID TO ANOTHER
Timor Leste is a wonderful island close to Indonesia and Australia. There is a lot of fun stuff to do here. In this guide I will talk about many of the activities that kids might like to do as well as some food I think a lot of kids will like.
WATER ACTIVITIES
Snorkeling
There are many good snorkeling spots in and around Dili. Dili Rock, Christo Rei Frontside and Christo Rei Backside are some of my family’s favorite. All three are easily accessible by car, as they are just out of town.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Every year from September to November many whales make their way through the Wetar Strait on their annual migrations, right past Dili. A few companies that do whale watching tours are Compass Dive, Aquatica, and Dive Timor. Dolphins can be found year round along the coast.
Scuba Diving
The scuba diving around Dili and Atauro Island is excellent. There are just so many things to see! The age limit for diving is 10 years old. Compass Diving, Dreamers Dive Academy, Dive Timor and Aquatica dive companies all do kids courses.
Beach Days
There are many good beach spots just 15 minutes away from central Dili. Two of my favorite restaurants that line the beach on the edge of Dili are Beachside and Caz Bar. Both have indoor and beach seating areas. They are both nice places to go for a drink and swim. On that beach there is a little paddle board place run by local people where you can rent paddle boards for a reasonable price.
Pools and Water Parks
If you’re lucky, you’ll live in a compound with a pool. If not, there are a few places you can go for swimming such as JL Villa, Golgota Hotel, and Novo Turismo. Out in Tibar there is a water park. The cost is 11 dollars per person. There is also a small amusement park and a snack shack there.
HIKES AND WALKS
Dare
Up in Dare, in the hills above Dili, there are many different walks to take. You drive up by car, park and then find a trail and start walking!
Beto Tasi
Near the airport is a nice rock-and-sand beach that is a good place to go walking at sunset. You drive through the Beto Tasi neighborhood toward the ocean, park by the church, then walk to the beach. You can try parking on the beach but I don’t recommend it. I have seen cars get stuck in the sand.
Riverbed Walk
On the edge of town there is a riverbed you can walk in or along, depending if it is rainy season. The road along the Comoro River goes down into the riverbed before it climbs up toward Aileu. Look for the sign for the chicken farm, then turn left and park in the grass. Often there are little streams that you have to cross to continue with the walk, so be prepared to get a little wet.
RESTAURANTS AND CAFES
Osteria 3.5 star
Osteria is a pizza place that has OK pizza and a few other foods. Osteria also owns a place called 87 Burgers that has one of the best burgers in town, as well as a Mexican food place.
Castaways 4 stars
Castaways is a nice restaurant overlooking the ocean. They serve burgers and pizza as well as many other things. Their milkshakes are awesome.
Ha Ha Cafe 4.5 stars
Ha Ha Cafe is a nice little cafe near the beach road Centro. They serve smoothies that are great. They also have a few desserts and a little lunch and dinner food.
Dili Club 3 stars
Dili Club is in a little shack on the edge of town. They serve pizza and burgers and other stuff.
Little Pattaya 4 stars
Little Pattaya is a nice restaurant on the beach that has Thai and Western food. Good place for a Friday evening dinner.
Venture Hotel 5 stars
Venture Hotel is a small hotel run by a family that also owns CalTech construction company. They have a restaurant that serves drinks and food. On Saturday they have brunch and great burgers. CalTech also runs Aubergine restaurant in Metiaut.
Jeitu Burgers 4.5 stars
Jeitu Burgers is a burger shack that has excellent burgers and french fries.
Dare Cafe 4 stars
About 25 minutes uphill out of central Dili is the Dare Cafe. They have great drinks and pizza. There is also a World War II museum.
Beachside 4.5 stars
Beachside is a restaurant on the beach that is a great place to go for brunch. They have a variety of food and drinks.
Caz Bar 5 stars
Caz Bar has outdoor seating on the sand. The inside has tables plus foosball and pool. Their quesadillas and milkshakes are great. Watch the hermit crabs, climb the trees, and ride the kids swing.
Uma Knua 3 stars
Uma Knua is a restaurant that has many different stalls with food and drinks from a diversity of cultures, including Thai, Indonesian, and Western food.
Lahori Kabab 4 stars
Lahori Kabab is a Pakistani restaurant that has good Pakistani food as well as Western food.
ATAURO
Atauro Island is a nice island 24 km off the coast of Dili. There are lots of spots to do snorkeling and scuba diving. There are also lots of nice places to stay on Atauro. Compass Diving has an Eco Resort there. Beloi Hotel and Barry’s Place are two other spots to stay on Atauro.
Dili Guide 