Which is better - choosing With or Without Conversion at ATM in Timor-Leste?
You'll want to choose Without Conversion for sure. It's the best practice everywhere you travel. The ATM in Dili will offer you a convenient conversion from US dollars to your home currency, but it's a terrible rate. Your own bank's exchange rate, even with a small foreign transaction fee, will almost always be better.
No question, always choose Without Conversion. That's the golden rule for travelers everywhere. The ATM is trying to make a profit by using a poor exchange rate. Even if your bank charges a small foreign transaction fee, it's almost always a better deal than what the ATM offers. The ATMs are limited on the island, so you'll want to get as much cash as you can.
Without a doubt, go Without Conversion. I was in Dili a few months back and the ATM at the ANZ bank offered to process my transaction in Australian dollars. I knew better, and by declining, I saved a few bucks. The ATM operator makes money by giving you a poor exchange rate. Your home bank will almost always give you a better, more competitive rate. This rule is a must-follow for all international travelers.
You'll definitely want to choose Without Conversion at the ATM. When a bank like the Banco Nacional de Comércio de Timor-Leste (BNCTL) offers to convert the US dollar to your home currency, it's a huge rip-off. The ATM provider will use a terrible exchange rate and tack on extra fees. You'll save money by letting your home bank handle the conversion, even with a foreign transaction fee. Always pay in the local currency, which is the US dollar here.