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Timor-Leste in September: Weather and What to Expect

Dry season · Best time to visit

Last verified: Climate normals from the national meteorological services; events from official sources

By David

Quick answer · as of October 2026

September is the driest and sunniest month in Dili, with about 5 mm of rain and nearly 10 hours of sun a day, and it is getting hotter, with highs near 32°C. Seas are calm, it is the end of the coffee harvest, and the Dili International Film Festival and Aileu Coffee Festival take place.

Dili high / low
31.7°C / 21.6°C
Rainfall (Dili)
5 mm
Rainy days
1
Sea temperature
About 28°C
Sunshine
9.6 hours a day
Season
Dry season
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Weather in September

September in Dili averages highs of 31.7°C and lows of 21.6°C, with 5 mm of rain over about 1 rainy day. For comparison, the hottest month averages 32.7°C and the wettest, January, gets 175 mm. Dili is one of the driest places in the country; the mountains and the south coast get more rain, and above 1,000 metres nights are cool all year.

Dili climate in September (1991–2020 averages)
MeasureSeptember
Average high31.7°C
Average low21.6°C
Rainfall5.2 mm
Days with rain (1 mm or more)0.9
Sunshine9.6 hours a day
Humidity67%
Sea temperatureAbout 28°C
Source: Indonesian Agency for Meteorology (BMKG) and Timor-Leste's Directorate of Meteorology, via Wikipedia; sea temperatures from Climates to Travel.

What September is good for

  • Driest and sunniest month
  • Diving and snorkelling
  • Coffee festival in Aileu
  • Dili International Film Festival

What to watch out for

  • Heat on the coast
  • Rain can start inland late in the month

Holidays and events in September

Festivals and events in September
DateEventWhere
24 September – 12 October (2026)Dili International Film FestivalDili
27 September (2026)Aileu Coffee FestivalAileu

See all public holidays and festivals.

What to pack

  • Light, loose clothes that cover shoulders and knees, a hat and high-factor sunscreen.
  • A warm layer for the mountains, where nights can be cold.
  • Insect repellent: dengue occurs in Timor-Leste, most of all in the wet season.

See the full packing list and the best time to visit.

Frequently asked questions

Is September a good time to visit Timor-Leste?

Yes. September is one of the best months to visit Timor-Leste: it is dry, sunny and good for beaches, diving and road trips.

Does it rain in Timor-Leste in September?

Dili averages 5 mm of rain over about 1 rainy day in September. The mountains and the south coast are usually wetter than Dili.

How hot is Timor-Leste in September?

In Dili, average highs are 31.7°C and lows 21.6°C, with the sea at about 28°C. It is much cooler in the mountains, especially at night.

Sources

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

Weather

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Month-by-month weather in Timor-Leste: Dili temperatures, rainfall, rainy days and sea temperature, with the best months for beaches, hiking and whales.

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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.