This is my third time in Dili and show I should probably leave a review. I come here semi-regularly for work and really love the people, food and culture. The microlet routes are clear and easy to navigate, albeit hot. I'd encourage travellers to leave Dili and head to the mountains and the east coast, with easy bus routes. Managed to see the blue whales and so of course this is a great review. I'd thorough recommend exploring TL

The people of Dili are lovely, very friendly and helpful. A few nice elevated bars with great views like the Esplanada and Castaways provide a fabulous spot to watch the passing parade and enjoy the view. The footpaths require your attention to navigate safely and crossing the road requires a measure of focus and determination but I suppose this adds to the charm. The scuba diving is spectacular with a great variety of easily accessed shore dive locations and a few boat operators. Plenty of transport options ranging from the adventurous Microlets to the standard blue taxis. We will be back to explore a little further afield.

Dili and Timor Leste are yet to be fully understood as a tourist destination in the wider world but I enjoyed my time there and highly recommend people to visit. Dili is like any capital city and can be busy. There's lots of developments happening. There are good restaurants and cafes around and the beach always very close. Microlets make travelling easy and cheap, Only 25 cents per trip regardless of the distance or duration. Although it is not difficult to walk. Fresh fruits, and coconuts available to enjoy in many places. Carry cash especially smaller USD notes. The town is relatively safe and people friendly. Just make sure at evening you organised transport home as most microlets stop once dark and taxis can be hard to get. Rubbish pollution from plastic bottles and cigarette butts is a bit disappointing. Some great museums, good shopping plaza and other places to visit. Many church's and religious sites. Although to experience the Timorese culture properly like anywhere you need to travel outside the capital cities into other regions. Highly recommend a visit.

Dili is a good place, but I think government should impose laws to constituents that they need to tie their dogs , not roaming around the road, it Dangerous if it can bite , the rabies has no medicine treatment in East Timor.

Hard to be too critical of Dili, it was New Year’s Day and almost everything was closed until Friday 3rd. People are reasonable friendly in the street but beware of unscrupulous bus/taxi drivers who won’t hesitate to overcharge you!

Dili is expensive for an SE Asian city, left over expectations from when UN was in residence on New York wages. No Gojek, Uber etc, so local yellow taxis can try to price gouge if you don’t have tetum skills, blue taxis metered, ok. Get out of Dili to the mountains and coffee growing areas to get a good feel for Timor.