On face value, Oecusse is not for everyone. However everyone who goes there will have a positive and unique experience. Crime is very low and personal safety is generally not an issue, as long as one uses common sense. Its isolation should appeal to the more intrepid travelers and indeed is part of the reason for its unspoiled environment -- both natural and human. For a selection of other websites covering tourism in Oecusse and Timor Leste, click here>

HOW TO GET THERE
There are four ways to get to Oecusse:

1. From Dili to Oecusse via UN flight
Usually this requires some variety of UN official business or a good "connection" and an equally good "story." This flight leaves from Dili Airport and takes approximately 45 min. MOP forms (Movement of Personnel), your ticket onboard, can obtained from the UN "Obrigado" barracks in Caicoli Dili and need to be signed by the relevant UN staff. There are rumours of a private operator opening a Dili - Oecusse - Kupang commercial flight.

2. From Dili to Oecusse via sea/ferry
There are two ferries which ply the waters between Dili and Oecusse. Both take approximately 10 hrs one way. Tickets can be obtained at the ferry offices near the port in central Dili, they are relatively inexpensive starting as low as 7USD one way. However, this gets just a seat or a patch of floor for an overnight journey. More salubrious accommodation can be purchased at greater cost. The ferries are a great way to sample local flavour and give the traveler fantastic views of the Timorese coastline. The views of the picturesque hills behind Oecusse Town are a real draw. The ferries can transport vehicles for a fee.

The Dili-Oecusse Ferry [click to enlarge]

3. From Dili to Oecusse via road
The drive from Dili to Oecusse runs via the Dili - Liquica - Batugade - Atambua - Kefamenanu - Bobometo - Padiae - Oecusse Town route. It is a relatively good road surface all the way and takes approximately 5 hours to complete. The Dili - Kefamenanu segment of the journey is regularly serviced by at least two Kupang and Dili based bus companies and is used by both East and West Timorese. It is cheap at approximately 10 USD. The Kefamenanu to Oecusse route can be easily traversed using a series of Bemos. The main obstacle is the requirement for most travelers to obtain an relevant visa to enter Indonesia. These are available for a fee from the Indonesian Embassy in Dili (do not forget to take passport photos).

A Oecusse Roadmap [click to enlarge]

4. From Kupang to Oecusse by road
Again is in the case of the Dili to Oecusse route there is a regular bus service Kupang - Soe - Kefamenanu, from whence one can get to Oecusse on a bemo.

GETTING AROUND

For those that visit Oecusse without independent means of transportation, one can always use the most common form of local travel -- one's feet. Should this prove too much there are bemos (minibus vans) which travel regularly between the major points in the town and up and town the Tono river valley between Oecusse Town and Bobometo. For example the bemo journey from Oecusse to Bobobmeto is approximately one hour. For travel further afield one can hire bemos depending on road surfaces.

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD

There are approximately three basic guest houses/hotels in Oecusse Town. Expect to pay anywhere from 5USD- 15USD per night. There are a few basic restaurants, but expect to take advantage of the handful of local shops and markets. Tono Market is held on Tuesdays and Oecusse Market is a Saturday affair.

PLACES TO GO AND THINGS TO DO
(indicative not exhaustive)

Visit Lifau Beach where the first Europeans landed in Timor in the 16th century

Visit Fatusuba, the Portuguese fort and prison behind Oecusse Town

Visit Topu Honis Kutet, Father Richard Daschbach's mountain reboubt. About 3 hours walk from Bune'o

Visit the Oecusse Town Spring located 3 km behind Oecusse Town behind the Santa Rosa neighbourhood

Visit the ruins of the original Portuguese mission in Nunu Heno -- also the site of Oecusse's primary traditional customary ruler meeting place

Take a day trip to Passabe, an isolated town high in the mountains cool cloudy mountains of the interior

Go pony riding and hiking in Nitibe. Obtain a guide and a pony and trek across the rolling hills in the west of the Enclave.

Go fishing, snorkelling and scuba diving: The coastline of Oecusse has several pristine beaches and countless reefs and the odd wreck. Scuba diving can be arranged by hiring a dive boat in Dili.

MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Oecusse has very limited medical facilities in the form of public health clinics. Malaria and dengue fever are a problem for those who do not take adequate precautions in wet season (November to April). Travel smart and always have adequate insurance. Travellers are many hours away by land and sea transport from basic medical care in Dili. The closest medical facility with sophisticated services is in Darwin Australia.

FOREIGN REPRESENTATION

Click here for a directory of foreign missions in Timor Leste.