Overview

East Timor beach © yeowatzup

Charming, beautiful and full of smiles, East Timor may not be top of everyone's dream destination list, but it is certainly off the beaten track, offering visitors a taste of something completely different. With beautiful beaches, exotic forests and exciting mountain trekking, the coral reefs and colonial towns are drawing an increasing number of adventurous travellers each year.

Colonised by Portugal in the 16th century, declaring independence in 1975, only to be invaded and occupied by Indonesia nine days later and burdened by tragedy, it's been one bumpy ride on East Timor's road to independence. The tourism infrastructure isn't the most developed but it seems things in this troubled land are slowly on the mend, and visitors are now able to enjoy a spot of snorkelling, diving, hiking and exploration round the exotic countryside.

One of East Timor's more famous landmarks is the Cristo Rei, a 100-foot (30 metre) high statue of Jesus, believed to be the second tallest such statue in the world, rivalled only by Rio de Janeiro's Cristo Redentor. Beyond the capital of Dili lies a mysteriously and intensely beautiful land where empty beaches lead into dense tropical forest and mountains juxtapose the water's edge.

Visitors to this exotic country should arm themselves with mosquito prophylaxis and plenty of mosquito repellent, as malaria is a problem in certain areas.

The best time to visit East Timor and experience its warm, clear seas dotted with tropical fish, manta rays, turtles and sharks is just after the wet season, from late April to July when the weather is warm and the shore diving is at its exquisite best.