Money in Timor-Leste: US Dollars, ATMs and Cards (2026)

The currency

Timor-Leste uses the US dollar for everything, from hotel bills to a 25-cent mikrolet ride. Change is often given in local centavo coins, which come in 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 200 centavo pieces and are worth the same as US cents. They are worthless outside the country, so spend them before you leave.

Bring clean notes in small denominations: USD 1, 5, 10 and 20. Shops and taxis often cannot change USD 50 or 100 notes, and worn, torn or older-series notes may be refused. Canada's travel advice notes that many places reject notes issued before 2007.

ATMs

Almost all ATMs are in Dili, at bank branches, the Timor Plaza mall and along main roads. The banks with ATMs are BNU, BNCTL and Mandiri. ANZ closed its retail banking in 2018 and only serves business customers.

ATMs can run out of cash at weekends and on public holidays, so withdraw on a weekday. Your own bank will probably add its own fee as well.

Cards and digital payments

Card payments are limited to some upmarket hotels, a few restaurants and larger supermarkets in Dili. Visa is more often accepted than Mastercard. Guesthouses, taxis, markets, ferries and almost everything outside Dili are cash only.

Money changers

If you arrive with another currency, change it in Dili rather than relying on it elsewhere. It is simpler to arrive with US dollars. Indonesian rupiah and Australian dollars are not used for payment.

Tipping

Tipping is not expected, but it is appreciated in restaurants and by guides and drivers. Rounding up or leaving small change is common in cafés.