Most reliable 24hr ATM in Dili. Accepts Visa, Mastercard, foreign cards. Near Palácio do Governo.

Main local bank. Best option for opening a resident USD account. Bring ID + work permit.

Central interchange for coloured microlet routes. Busy from early morning.

Volunteer-friendly guesthouses near Caicoli. Safe, affordable, great for meeting other vols.

Best-stocked supermarket in Dili. Western and local products. Located in Comoro near the airport road.

Your main point of contact in-country. Know where this is from day one. Keep the contact number saved.

Most rentals for foreigners are in compounds or apartment blocks and never get advertised. Fellow vols or expats often know about vacancies and can pass on landlord contacts directly.

"For Rent Dili Timor Leste" and "Dili Expat TL" list vacancies, but these tend toward the more expensive end. Most affordable places never appear here.

Wave to flag one down. To get off, tap a coin on the metal window/roof bars. Microlets don't run after dark — numbers drop off after around 6pm, and there are fewer on weekends.

Pay $0.25 as you get off — through the passenger window or from the back. Exact change is preferred; 50c and $1 coins are usually ok, but don't expect change for anything larger.

Don't assume you can get back by catching a microlet in the opposite direction. The loop may mean you need to walk to a different spot, or catch to an interchange and transfer.

Rule: look up (powerlines), look down (holes, loose bricks), listen (motorbikes on footpaths). Cars don't respect zebra crossings — raise your hand to signal you're crossing. In dry season, dust can be heavy; a mask helps.

For nights out or trips outside Dili, a car or motorbike makes life much easier. Renting is simpler upfront; buying costs more but most vols resell for a similar price at the end. Check AVI policy before getting either — and always check insurance.

Drive slowly and expect the unexpected. Most intersections are unregulated. Motorbikes filter constantly between cars. 2+ beeps = someone is overtaking or taking right of way. Headlights flashed at you = they're giving you right of way. Many roads in Dili are one-way but this isn't shown on Google Maps.

Most reliable ATM for foreign cards. 24hr ATMs in central Dili. USD withdrawals. Small fee applies. Good for Visa and Mastercard.

Main local bank. Open a USD current account as a resident. Steady ATM network. Go early in the week to avoid queues.

Government-backed local bank. Limited ATM reliability for foreign cards, but useful with a local account. Branches across Dili.

Operates via some BNU branches. Useful if family sends money from home. Check current fees — they vary considerably.

Warung meal: $1–2. Local café lunch: $4–7. Western restaurant: $10–18. Coffee at a good café: $2–4.

Telemor SIM: free or $1. Data bundles: ~$5–10 for 5–10GB. Home WiFi (if available): $30–60/month. Speeds are slow by Australian standards.

Bottled water is essential. A large 19L jug delivered costs ~$2–3. Budget $15–25/month for drinking water.

Atauro Island boat ticket: ~$15–25 return. Maubisse bus: ~$5. Budget $50–100/month if you like to explore.

Next to Timor Plaza — one of the largest in Dili. Great balance of price and range. A favourite among volunteers.

Good balance of price and breadth. Notably good cheese selection.

Chinese-owned, probably the cheapest of the chains. Lots of Chinese and some Portuguese/Brazilian products. Fewer Australian brands.

On the pricier end, but great for Australian brands and ingredients for South Asian and Korean cooking.

Most expensive options. Centro has Australian brands; Pateo is a boutique shop with a broad range mostly from Portugal.

Fresh meat and fish are usually not available at supermarkets — only frozen. Fresh milk is also hard to find; most is shelf-stable. For fresh produce, meat, and fish, go to local markets.

Cheapest option — grab a snack or small meal for under $2.

Indonesian-style cafeterias with pre-cooked food in trays. Main + rice + chilli mix (ai-manas) for under $5. Look for bowls or trays on a counter.

Many options catering to expats and foreigners. Lunch usually under $10, though places targeting foreigners can be more.

Generally target expats and Portuguese nationals. A typical lunch is $12–20+. Great for a treat but not for everyday eating on a vol budget.

Buy scratch-off cards from local shops (lojas) or roadside vendors — $1, $2, $5 and $10 cards. Add credit by calling *120*[card code]#. Activate a data plan by texting the plan code to 127.

Data plans often have daily caps even if advertised as "150GB/month." Check if your plan renews automatically. Text CHECK to 127 to see your active plan. Pulsa can expire (6 months for Telemor).

Many vols get by on mobile data + hotspot. If you want home WiFi, Starlink is currently the best option for speed and value.

Many kitchens use a gas bottle stovetop. Swapping a bottle costs $36+ depending on size. How often you need to swap depends on how much you cook — Google the current price when you arrive.

Microlets, markets, and warungs rarely have change for a $20. Keep a stash of $1 bills and coins. The $1 coin is your ride home.

The AVI volunteer WhatsApp group is gold — it's where accommodation leads, market info, and weekend trip plans all live. Ask your AVI contact to add you.

Atauro Island is a short boat ride away and utterly beautiful. Maubisse is cooler (literally — bring a layer) and 2hrs inland. Get out of Dili regularly.

Obrigadu (thanks), Bondia (good morning), Hau lakohi (I don't want it), Hira? (how much?). A little goes a long way and locals love the effort.

Petty theft happens, especially around markets. Keep your phone in your pocket, don't wear flashy jewellery, and be aware of your bag in crowded spots.

The waterfront esplanade is where everyone ends up on a Friday evening. Great spot to meet other vols, decompress, and watch the sunset over the harbour.

As a foreigner you stand out. People will say hello, children may call out malae (foreigner) or "mister," and vendors may be persistent. A firm but friendly lae (no) repeated calmly works well. Being followed or verbally abused is not ok — trust your instincts.

Atauro Island is a short boat ride away and stunningly beautiful. Maubisse is 2hrs inland and genuinely cool in temperature — bring a layer. Weekend trips are a huge part of the vol experience and do wonders for morale.

AVI books 4 weeks of intensive Tetum classes at Dili Institute of Technology (DIT) shortly after you arrive. DIT also offers free digital textbooks and a Tetun dictionary at tetundit.tl/Publications.html

You may encounter Portuguese in Government or legal roles. Indonesian is widely spoken too. LELI offers classes to English speakers — check their website. Classes may be taught in Tetun.

Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening. Use these as greetings constantly — Timorese people appreciate the effort enormously.

Thank you (male speaker / female speaker). One of the most useful words you'll use every single day.

How much? / How many dollars? Essential at markets and for taxi negotiations. Say it with a friendly smile.

I don't want it / I want it. Useful when vendors are persistent at the market. Firm but polite.

I don't know. Surprisingly useful when someone asks you something you can't answer — in Tetum or about Tetum.

Excuse me / Sorry / Please let me through. For navigating markets, crowded spaces, and polite corrections.

Your first point of contact for all volunteer issues — health, security, accommodation, placement. Know this number by heart.

Located in Dili. Register your travel at smartraveller.gov.au before you arrive. They can assist in genuine emergencies for Australian citizens.

The main hospital for expats in Dili. Your AVI health card covers treatment here. It's not fancy but it's reliable for serious issues.

National emergency number: 112. Response times vary outside central Dili. For non-urgent issues, your AVI contact is a better first call.