No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-10-07T11:33:20Z
Full advisory →Personalize report nowTailor this report to you.Next: age, gender, group size preference…Next: the latest news and insightsNext: one click, 5 seconds, no costStart now7 districts
Is Dili safe? 🇹🇱
Timor-Leste · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Dili scores 63/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Dili presents moderate safety risks for travelers, requiring a high degree of caution. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Dili 🇹🇱
Timor-Leste · Assessed 13 October 2026
63
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime61/100FairHomicide 4.1 / 100k
Sentiment59/100FairCautious
Advisories75Good
Stability70Good
Health63Fair
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 2026-10-07T15:19:54.0873304-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
62
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
45 / 100 (Cautious)
45
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
150k residents
85
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
4.1 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Timor-Leste4.1World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
72
Robbery / mugging
ModerateWhile not a high-crime area for violent robbery, opportunistic theft can occur, especially in less populated areas or after dark.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are risks in crowded areas like markets and public transport hubs.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Cautious
59/100
Reported feel45Cautious
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent reports indicate growing concerns about Dili becoming a hub for organized crime and scams, suggesting a cautious sentiment among those aware of the situation.
Dili presents moderate safety risks for travelers, requiring a high degree of caution.
While Timor-Leste has a relatively low homicide rate compared to many countries, Dili faces challenges with organized crime, particularly scams, and has weak rule of law indicators. Travelers should be aware of potential risks and take precautions.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Timor-Leste police apprehended 250 people in a crackdown on a scam center.— ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation
- Apr 2026Timor-Leste is at risk of becoming a scammers’ paradise due to vulnerabilities.— Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project | OCCRP
- Apr 2026The president warned that Timor-Leste is vulnerable to infiltration by foreign organized crime.— The Guardian
- Nov 2025Analysis suggests Timor-Leste risks becoming Southeast Asia’s new criminal hub.— Eurasia Review
Common scams
- Investment and advance-fee scams targeting foreigners.
- Romance scams and online fraud originating from Dili.
Full briefing
Dili's safety profile indicates a need for a high degree of caution due to emerging concerns about organized crime and scams. While the country's homicide rate is lower than the world average, indicators for rule of law and control of corruption are weak, suggesting a less secure environment for visitors.
Recent reports highlight Dili's increasing vulnerability to becoming a hub for scammers, with police apprehending hundreds in crackdowns on scam operations. The president has also voiced concerns about infiltration by foreign organized crime. This trend suggests a heightened risk of encountering sophisticated scams, particularly those targeting foreigners, and potentially other forms of illicit activity.
Travelers should remain vigilant, especially when engaging in financial transactions or online communications. Avoid displaying signs of wealth and be wary of unsolicited offers or requests for money. While violent crime is not reported as rampant, opportunistic theft can occur in crowded areas and after dark. It is advisable to use reputable transport and stay informed about local conditions. The country also faces health risks, including global alerts for polio, dengue, and measles, and has limited hospital bed capacity.
Was this Dili, Timor-Leste report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 7 Dili districts for visitors: 1 safer, 6 needing caution. See them plotted on the Dili safety map.
TaibesicautionKnown for markets, can be crowded; watch for pickpockets.
ComorocautionGeneral urban area, exercise caution, especially after dark.
AimassucautionResidential and commercial; standard urban precautions apply.
MotaelcautionCoastal area, some tourist facilities; be aware of surroundings.
Bairo PitecautionDensely populated, exercise vigilance.
Central DilicautionGovernment and business hub; be aware of petty crime and scams.
DaresaferHillside area, generally quieter and considered safer.
07 · After Dark
Is Dili safe at night?
While not a high-crime area for violent robbery, opportunistic theft can occur, especially in less populated areas or after dark.
After dark, be most careful around Taibesi, Comoro, Aimassu, Motael. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Dili safety FAQ (2026)
Is Dili safe right now (2026)?
Dili presents moderate safety risks for travelers, requiring a high degree of caution. While Timor-Leste has a relatively low homicide rate compared to many countries, Dili faces challenges with organized crime, particularly scams, and has weak rule of law indicators. Travelers should be aware of potential risks and take precautions. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Dili safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Dili report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Dili should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Dili (2026)?
- Investment and advance-fee scams targeting foreigners.
- Romance scams and online fraud originating from Dili.
How does Dili compare with other places in Timor-Leste (2026)?
Dili scores 63/100 — see the Timor-Leste safety overview for country-level data.
How is this dili safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
Nearby destinations
4 reports
Similar safety profile
4 reports
Keep exploring
Raw data: dili.json (CC BY 4.0).