The little-known Southeast Asian paradise set to take off in 2027

Asia’s youngest nation, which gained independence in 2002, is quietly transforming into one of Southeast Asia’s most compelling off-the-beaten-track destinations.

For many Australians and New Zealanders, Timor-Leste is a place only remembered through news footage from the late 1990s and early 2000s, when peacekeepers served in East Timor, as it was once known.

Intrepid Travel has included Timor-Leste’s capital city, Dili, on its latest annual Not Hot List, spotlighting 10 under-the-radar destinations ready to welcome visitors in 2027.

Just a short flight north of Australia, Timor-Leste remains one of the least-visited nations on Earth. But that’s about to change.

Following its admission to The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2025, Dili is stepping into a new era with new flight routes, and a burgeoning cafe scene fuelled by some of the richest organic coffee in the region.

Its airport is undergoing a US$240 million upgrade, and a large waterfront convention centre is under construction to host the thousands of political leaders, media, and visitors expected when Timor-Leste chairs ASEAN in 2029.

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“We are not a destination where everything has been built or polished for tourists, and I think that is one of our biggest strengths,” said Intrepid Travel Timor-Leste tour leader Anas Madeira.

“You need to come with an open mind and a heart for adventure – but that is where the best experiences come from.”

Jonty Crane, who lived in Dili while volunteering with Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA), said the capital’s lush, bush-clad hillsides stretch down to a city of 300,000 people on the waterfront where the temperature is 30 degrees plus with 80 per cent humidity and barking dogs, crowing roosters and horn-heavy traffic make up the soundtrack.

Crane said Timor-Leste remains a raw and emerging destination and encouraged visitors to embrace the country for what it is, taking every moment as a memorable experience.

Danish adventurer Torbjørn ‘Thor’ Pedersen has visited all 203 states on the planet. He told Stuff Timor-Leste has some pristine diving and an abundance of genuine people.

The marine life surrounding the nation’s 700km of largely untouched coastline is world-class. Just north of Dili lies Ataúro Island, located within the Coral Triangle and home to more than 400 coral species. Scientists have documented an average of 253 reef fish species per dive site off Ataúro – the highest concentration ever recorded on Earth.

The Not Hot List aims to direct tourism dollars where they can have an outsized positive impact.

Since it was first introduced in 2018, it has become a strong indicator of up-and-coming destinations. Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltista and Kyrgyzstan’s Tien Shen Mountain Range, which both featured on previous lists, were later recognised in The New York Times ’52 places to go’ list for 2025 and 2026 respectively.

Intrepid also saw strong booking growth following the destinations’ inclusion, with travel to Pakistan increasing 67 per cent year-on-year, while bookings for Kyrgyzstan grew by 62 per cent.

Other featured destinations, including Sainshand in Mongolia from the 2025 list, have also experienced encouraging growth.

Bookings for the Trans-Mongolian Railway Adventure, which includes two days in Sainshand, increased by 298 per cent year-on-year from 2024 to 2025.

This reflected broader tourism growth, with international arrivals to Mongolia increasing by 16 per cent from January to September 2025, double the average growth rate across the Asia-Pacific region.

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Getting there and before you go

Flights from Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane to Darwin, then connect to Dili on Qantas or Airnorth (1 hour 20 minutes).

Passports must be valid for at least six months past your departure date. New Zealand passport holders will need a 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Dili International Airport which costs US$30, payable in cash.

Timor-Leste uses the US dollar and is a cash-based economy. Bring some cash with you as ATMs can be unreliable outside Dili and credit and debit cards are not widely accepted outside of hotels and restaurants.

Intrepid’s Not Hot List for 2027

1. Samburu National Reserve, Kenya
2. Mestia, Georgia
3. Northern Highlands, Jordan
4. Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
5. Alonnisos, Greece
6. Dili, Timor-Leste
7. Pekoe Trail, Sri Lanka
8. Liepāja, Latvia
9. Carretera Austral, Chile
10. Dalsland, Sweden

This story was originally published by Stuff and has been reproduced with permission.