Venilale now has a new tourism centre and tourist guide!

A local guide is available at the Venilale Tourist Centre, which is located approximately 1 km on the right after you turn into Venilale from the t-intersection of Venilale/Viqueque /Baucau. The Tourist Centre is housed in an old police station which sits at the top of two flights of impressive stone steps. It now has an internet cafe, tourist information and crafts from local womens’ groups.

The tourist guide speaks English, Tetum, Portuguese and Indonesian. If you want to explore Venilale, I thoroughly recommend you engage the tourist services of Joni, the town’s friendly tourist guide. Joni has a huge smile and an extensive local knowledge of all the locations of interest as well being able to fill you in on the history of this fascinating town.

Rice Fields near Venilale

Joni will seek permission on your behalf to enter some of the beautiful areas around Venilale from the local Xefi so you don’t run into trouble passing through other people’s land uninvited. There are beautiful spots, such as the hot springs that are culturally sensitive and you are required to have a guide to accompany you to ensure to don’t inadvertently breach any taboos. These are photos of a lake and another of the rice paddies surrounding the lake that our guide, Joni led us to. When I went there I thought I had died and gone to heaven!

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