Where to Go

• Com Village:

The village of Com is a small fishing community where natural beauty and cultural heritage meet. With golden sandy beaches perfect for swimming, snorkelling, and fishing, it offers visitors tranquillity and a warm welcome. Simple guesthouses line the shore, serving freshly grilled fish and providing authentic Timorese hospitality.

From the village centre, it’s an easy walk to sacred sites and a community‑run activity centre where visitors can rent hammocks, fins, and basic camping gear. One highlight is Umun Ira, a sacred lake woven into local folklore. Believed to be protected by ancestral spirits, it is a place of reverence where locals say the souls of their ancestors gather. Located about 30 minutes from the village, Umun Ira offers a thoughtful, spiritual atmosphere among the trees. (Note: swimming is not permitted here.)

A short walk further along the coast brings you to Airleu Beach, a quiet cove with crystal‑clear waters ideal for swimming. For those seeking cultural experiences, a local Tais weaving cooperative shares storytelling, traditional textiles, and photo opportunities, connecting visitors to the artistry of Timor‑Leste’s ancient handcraft.

Adventurers can arrange boat rides with local fishermen to reach Salara Alara Beach, an uninhabited stretch of sand about an hour’s walk from Com. Along the way, you’ll pass the Antigo Edifício do Com, a Portuguese ruin that makes a perfect stop to watch the sunset over the ocean. Within the village itself, visitors can also explore a fine example of an Uma Lulik (sacred house), with local guides explaining its cultural significance.

• Tutuala: 

One of the most significant sites is Lene Hara, considered the ancestral home of the local population. Here, carved faces on the cave ceiling — believed to represent ancestors — date back around 10,000 years, while ancient petroglyphs, at least 12,000 years old, stand as the only known examples in Southeast Asia, making this a site of global importance. Nearby, Il Kere Kere (Colourful Mountain) is filled with diverse and well‑preserved rock art, with local beliefs describing the paintings as appearing “when the earth first emerged.”

For those seeking comfort and history, the recently restored Pousada Lautem offers colonial‑era architecture and panoramic viewpoints across to the Wetar Islands — a peaceful retreat after exploring the region. Adventurers can take the steep 90‑minute forest walk down to Zo’on‑Sere Chailoro, an untouched oasis perfect for hiking, swimming, and free camping, best experienced with a local guide. Another highlight is the Lene Cece trail, a gentle walk, through natural forest leading to a 500‑year‑old maritime rock painting of a Vietnamese Dong‑Son style boat, evidence of Timor‑Leste’s long history of seafaring connections.

The region also includes Lake Ira Lalaro, Timor‑Leste’s largest lake, important for birdlife and biodiversity where hundreds of sacred saltwater crocodiles live, linked to the Timorese legend of 'the boy and the crocodile', a story that honours the crocodile as an ancestral protector and symbol of the people’s bond with nature.

Adding to Tutuala’s cultural vibrancy, the Meci Festival is celebrated annually in April. Guided by lunar phases and star formations, local villagers enter the pristine waters of Valu beach at night, singing and dancing to call the Meci (seaworms) into the shore to be collected. This mystical tradition, led by the Ma’aleki clan, reflects the harmony between culture, nature and community.

• Valu Beach & Jaco Island:

At the eastern tip of Timor‑Leste lies Jaco Island, a pristine paradise that feels untouched by time. Sacred to the local Fataluku people, the island remains uninhabited, offering visitors a rare chance to experience nature in its purest form. Powder‑white beaches meet crystal‑clear turquoise waters, while vibrant coral reefs teem with an abundance of tropical fish and sea turtles — making Jaco one of the country’s best snorkeling and diving locations.

Dense coastal forest shelters birdlife and creates a lush backdrop to the shoreline, adding to the island’s sense of tranquillity. Because of its cultural significance, overnight stays are not permitted, but day trips by local fishing boat from Valu Beach allow visitors to enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and peaceful strolls along the sand. Walking trails crisscross the island, inviting exploration of its untouched, natural beauty.

For those seeking serenity and a sense of reverence, Jaco Island is an unforgettable highlight of any journey through Nino Konis Santana National Park.

• Lore I: 

This breathtaking coastal region where tropical forests, mangroves, and protected marine parks meet rich cultural traditions. Recognised as an Important Bird Area, it provides habitat for more than 24 protected species, including the endangered Timor Green Pigeon, the near threatened Slaty Cuckoo Dove and the Orange Banded Thrush, you may even see a spotted Cuscus, this small, shy and nocturnal marsupial known for its teddy bear appearance. The waters off Lore form part of the Coral Triangle, recognised as the global centre of marine diversity, making Lore a paradise for birdwatchers and snorkellers alike.

Just a 45‑minute drive on restored* roads from Lospalos, the southern village of Lore welcomes visitors with a stunning coastline, turtle nesting beaches, old‑growth sandalwood forests, ruins dating back to the Portuguese era and the cute endemic spotted cuscus. Local conservation groups here actively protect endangered sea turtles, gathering eggs, raising hatchlings, and hosting release events — a truly memorable experience for visitors.

A visit to the Portuguese Customs House (Alfândegas) ruin, once used to collect taxes during the 16th century, will take you on a one‑hour walk from the Sescko Sandalwood Resort (Octopus Guesthouse) and follows a flat coastal track through ancient forest. The trail showcases Lore's biodiversity and ends at the beach, a protected turtle conservation zone, where local fishermen maintain small camps during late night fishing trips.

Lore is known for the gentle Dugong that graze on its abundant sea grass beds, an unforgettable sight for lucky visitors. With quiet beaches perfect for swimming, walking, and snorkelling, Lore offers a chance to enjoy the Coral Triangle’s marine richness far from crowds. Adding to its charm, the local villagers celebrate the lively Meci Festival each March, inviting visitors to connect with Fataluku traditions through music, dance, and community gatherings. This blend of natural wonder and cultural vibrancy makes Lore a destination that feels both peaceful and deeply authentic.

*Road conditions in these parts of Timor-Leste are susceptible to floods and landslides and conditions can change very quickly. Always check at your guest-house or with the local authorities for up to date, local information on road conditions before departure.

• Suggested Itineraries