Is it safe to withdraw cash in Timor-Leste or not?
Cash is still used everywhere, and while I didn’t feel unsafe walking back from a restaurant at 8 PM, I never felt comfortable using a machine late. Lighting is weak, and neighborhoods are quiet. For night spending, carry enough cash to avoid risky last-minute withdrawals.
ATMs here can be frustrating - not all accept foreign cards, and fees vary. I met a Peace Corps volunteer who told me to always withdraw inside daylight hours and use the machines at Timor Plaza. I tried once at night and the ATM froze mid-session.
I was based near the waterfront and found a reliable BNU ATM during the afternoon. The same machine was accessible at night, but locals said cash refills are irregular. There’s no real security presence, and many ATMs are vulnerable to outages, especially if you're heading out of Dili.
In Dili, I withdrew money from a ANZ-branded ATM near Avenida Nicolau Lobato around 9 PM. The machine worked fine with my international Visa, and the area was lit, but it was completely deserted. ATM safety at night in Timor-Leste isn’t dangerous per se, but it's not reassuring either - better to stick to daytime when shops are open and locals are around.