Southeast Asia
Is Timor-Leste safe?
L2Exercise increased caution
Is Timor-Leste safe?
Peaceful and friendly to visitors, but emergency services are unreliable. Robbery and gang fights happen in Dili at night, and roads are the bigger day-to-day risk.
Key facts
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-05-20.
- Homicide rate: 4.1 per 100,000 people (2015, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths: 11.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 112 · Ambulance 110 · Fire 115.
- Solo women: Harassment and assaults are reported, including on Dili's Beach Road. Avoid walking or taking taxis alone after dark.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- Poor mountain roads, impassable in heavy rain
- Crocodiles in rivers, south coast and some beaches
- Night-time robbery and group fights in Dili
Common scams
- Unmetered taxis overcharging foreigners; agree the fare first
Laws visitors break by accident
- Carry a copy of your passport photo page and visa.
- Bringing in US$20,000 or more in cash needs central bank approval beforehand.
Safety by place in Timor-Leste
Quick answers
Is Timor-Leste safe for tourists?
Peaceful and friendly to visitors, but emergency services are unreliable. Robbery and gang fights happen in Dili at night, and roads are the bigger day-to-day risk.
Is Timor-Leste safe for solo female travelers?
Harassment and assaults are reported, including on Dili's Beach Road. Avoid walking or taking taxis alone after dark.
What is the emergency number in Timor-Leste?
Police 112 · Ambulance 110 · Fire 115.
Safety by place
Sources
- World Bank: intentional homicides
- US State Department travel advisory
- Migration Service of Timor-Leste
- Migration Service: at the border
- UK FCDO travel advice: Timor-Leste
- World Bank open data
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