No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2025-12-10T12:48:06Z
Full advisory →Is Dili safe? 🇹🇱
Timor-Leste · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Dili scores 69/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Dili is generally safe for visitors who exercise a high degree of caution. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Dili 🇹🇱
Timor-Leste · Assessed 29 July 2026
69
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~71% of countries
What drives this score
Crime68/100FairHomicide 4.1 / 100k
Sentiment67/100FairMostly positive
Advisories72Good
Stability68Fair
Health69Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Timor-Leste (East Timor): exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-07-07T09:03:08.740000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Homicide rate
4.1 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Timor-Leste4.1World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
72
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in isolated areas, particularly in the eastern districts after dark
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag‑snatching are frequent in crowded markets, transport hubs and near bars, especially late evening
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
67/100
Reported feel78Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Recent traveler reports describe Dili as welcoming and low‑risk for violent incidents, though many note frequent petty theft and occasional scams targeting tourists.
Yes — Dili is generally safe for visitors who exercise a high degree of caution.
Dili scores 69/100 on the composite safety index, reflecting relatively low violent crime but moderate petty theft and scam risks; the city is safe overall but requires vigilance, especially at night and in crowded areas.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026Police uncovered three major scam call‑centre compounds in Dili, arresting 253 suspects including Chinese and Indonesian nationals— ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation
- Apr 2026The Guardian reported that President José Ramos‑Horta warned of infiltration by foreign organized crime targeting the country— The Guardian
- Feb 2026UN Secretary‑General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety visited Dili to advocate for safer mobility, highlighting ongoing traffic safety concerns— UNECE
- Jul 2026Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported on scam compounds being uncovered in Dili, confirming active police crackdowns— ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Common scams
- Overcharging by taxis and informal tour operators
- Fake charity collectors and street fundraisers
- Phishing and online booking scams targeting passport details
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Dili is generally safe for visitors who exercise a high degree of caution. The composite safety index of 69/100 reflects low levels of violent crime, but the city does have moderate petty‑theft risk and a noticeable scam environment, especially in crowded markets and nightlife areas.
Recent incidents from the live dossier highlight an active police crackdown on large scam operations (June 2026 ABC News report) and warnings from President Ramos‑Horta about foreign organized‑crime infiltration (The Guardian, April 2026). A UN road‑safety visit in February 2026 also underscored ongoing traffic‑related hazards. While violent attacks on foreigners remain rare, pickpocketing is reported as high, particularly in the bustling market districts and near bars after 22:00, and overcharging by taxis and informal tour operators is common.
To stay safe, use registered taxis or reputable ride‑hailing apps and confirm fares beforehand, keep valuables out of sight, and avoid walking alone in poorly lit eastern neighborhoods after dark. Be wary of unsolicited charity appeals and verify any charity requests. Carry a copy of your passport and travel insurance details, and ensure you have solid medical coverage, as evacuation to Darwin or Singapore may be necessary for serious injuries. Finally, stay informed about any political events or protests that could flare up, and monitor local news for updates.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Dili districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Dili safety map.
Bairro de BelemavoidKnown hotspot for organized‑crime scam compounds and frequent police raids
Bairro de PaitemcautionBusy market district; daytime petty theft possible, avoid after dark
Bairro de AraracautionCommercial hub with higher foot traffic; stay alert for bag‑snatchers
Bairro de Santa CruzcautionResidential with mixed safety; nighttime lighting is poor and occasional protests occur
Bairro de RemexocautionOutskirts of the city; limited lighting and sporadic road‑accident risks after dark
Bairro de ComorosaferQuiet residential area with low petty crime rates and visible police patrols
Bairro de ChororoisaferWell‑lit, tourist‑friendly zone near the waterfront with regular security presence
Bairro de LaclutasaferCommunity area with low crime; mainly used by locals and small‑scale vendors
07 · After Dark
Is Dili safe at night?
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in isolated areas, particularly in the eastern districts after dark
After dark, be most careful around Bairro de Belem, Bairro de Paitem, Bairro de Arara, Bairro de Santa Cruz. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Dili's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight69
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight69
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight69
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight69
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight69
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight69
09 · Questions
Dili safety FAQ
Is Dili safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Dili is generally safe for visitors who exercise a high degree of caution. Dili scores 69/100 on the composite safety index, reflecting relatively low violent crime but moderate petty theft and scam risks; the city is safe overall but requires vigilance, especially at night and in crowded areas. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Dili should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Bairro de Belem as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Dili?
- Overcharging by taxis and informal tour operators
- Fake charity collectors and street fundraisers
- Phishing and online booking scams targeting passport details
How does Dili compare with other places in Timor-Leste?
Dili scores 69/100 — see the Timor-Leste safety overview for country-level data.
How is this Dili safety score calculated?
The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Nearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Timor-Leste safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: dili.json (CC BY 4.0).