Skip to content
East Timor Guide
Menu

Destinations

Baucau Travel Guide: Old Town, Beaches and Getting There

Last verified: Checked against Tourism Timor-Leste and travel guides

By David · Updated

Quick answer · as of September 2026

Baucau, Timor-Leste's second city, is 3 to 4 hours east of Dili along the north coast. Stay a night to see the Portuguese-era old town with its restored market and pink Pousada de Baucau, swim in the spring-fed public pool, and head down to the white-sand beaches at Osolata and Watabo. Buses from Dili's Becora terminal cost about USD 4.

From Dili
3–4 hours, about 120–130 km
Bus fare
About USD 4
Where to stay
Pousada de Baucau, USD 70–75
ATMs
Yes, a few
On this page

Why go

Baucau has the best-preserved colonial town centre in Timor-Leste and some of its prettiest beaches. It sits on a limestone plateau above the sea, split into the old town (Cidade Velha), with its Portuguese buildings, and the larger, busier new town.

Getting there

Drive or take the bus along the north coast: 3 to 4 hours from Dili. Buses leave from the Becora terminal in east Dili, mostly early in the morning, and cost about USD 4. They go when full. A 4WD with driver gives you time to stop at viewpoints and beaches along the way.

What to do

  • Old town and market: the restored 1930s municipal market and the salmon-pink Pousada de Baucau face each other across the old town square.
  • Piscina de Baucau: a spring-fed public swimming pool in the old town, about 50 cents to swim.
  • Osolata: a winding road leads down from Baucau to white-sand coves and beaches.
  • Watabo (Coconut Beach): a palm-lined beach about 7 km away with basic bungalows. Crocodiles are sometimes seen offshore.

Where to stay

The Pousada de Baucau, overlooking the old town square, is the main hotel, at about USD 70 to 75 a night. Cheaper guesthouses in the new town cost from about USD 10 to 20. Compare places to stay across Timor-Leste.

Practical information

  • Baucau has a few ATMs, the last reliable ones heading east. Withdraw cash here if you are going on to Com or Jaco.
  • Local cafés serve meals for USD 4 to 6; the Pousada's restaurant serves Portuguese-style food for more.

Frequently asked questions

Is Baucau worth visiting?

Yes, especially as a stop on the way east to Com and Jaco Island. The old town is attractive and the beaches below the town are among the prettiest on the north coast.

Are there crocodiles at Baucau's beaches?

Crocodiles are sometimes seen off Watabo beach. Ask locals before swimming and stay out of the water at dusk.

Sources

Official sites, operators and references we checked for this page.

Related guides

Destinations

25 Best Things to Do in Timor-Leste

The best things to do in Timor-Leste: Atauro's reefs, Jaco Island, a Ramelau sunrise, whale watching, coffee farms, Dili's history museums and more.