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One Dollar Beach

A white sand beach on the eastern north coast, named for the entry fee.

Updated 3 September 2026

Typebeach
WhereLautém
Nearest cityLospalos
Best seasonMay to November
Time to allowHalf a day
Getting thereOn the north coast between Com and Tutuala; road access
EntrySmall fee

One Dollar Beach on Timor-Leste's eastern north coast is a stretch of white sand backed by trees with clear water and reef offshore, and the name comes from the entry fee the local community collects, which is the whole explanation. It sits on the road between Com and Tutuala inside the Nino Konis Santana national park. Simple shelters stand along the back and it is usually close to empty. The park it sits in is named after a resistance commander and covers much of the eastern tip of the country.

What's there

  • The white sand - a clear stretch of beach on the eastern coast.
  • The reef - the coral offshore within snorkelling reach.
  • The shelters - the simple cover along the back of the sand.
  • The name - the community entry fee that gave it the name.

When to go

May to November is the dry season with the calmest water. The rains from December bring runoff. Weekends bring some local visitors.

Good to know

Facilities are shelters and nothing more. The fee is collected at the roadside. The road along this coast is rough in stretches.

Nearby

Com is west, and Tutuala is east.

Key facts

Location8.4772° S, 125.8476° E · map

Source: Wikidata, item Q22813784, read on 18 October 2026.

What to pack for One Dollar Beach

Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.

  • Reef-safe sunscreen - High SPF that will not bleach the coral you are swimming over. Find on Amazon
  • Your own mask + snorkel - A well-fitting mask is the single biggest comfort upgrade underwater. Find on Amazon
  • Quick-dry towel - A microfibre towel packs small and dries in minutes. Find on Amazon
  • Rash guard or thin wetsuit - Sun cover on the surface and warmth on longer or deeper dives. Find on Amazon

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Where to start if One Dollar Beach is going on the list.

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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

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