Estevao’s Homestay Review, Atauro Island, Timor-Leste

During our stay on Atauro Island in Timor-Leste, we chose Estevao’s Homestay. Our hosts, Estevao and Lurdes, were both extremely friendly and welcoming, and their English was very good. The rooms and shared areas were clean, and we enjoyed the food throughout our stay.

However, there were a few drawbacks worth knowing about before booking. The property had only one shared mandi for all four rooms, our room had no air conditioning(which is 100% normal with a homestay), and loud music from a local event kept us awake until around 3 am on our second night(which the hosts obviuosly can’t control).

In this review, I share our experience at Estevao’s Homestay, including the room facilities, prices, meals, electricity supply and internet access, along with the main things to consider before staying here.

🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む：Estevao’s Homestay宿泊レビュー｜アタウロ島の料金・食事・部屋・注意点

Where Is Estevao’s Homestay and What Does It Cost?

Estevao’s Homestay is an accommodation option on Atauro Island for travellers looking for a friendly, family-run place to stay.

During our visit, the prices were:

• US$25 per person per night, including three meals a day.
• US$20 per person per night, including breakfast and dinner.

The price was the same regardless of which room we chose.

These are the prices we were quoted during our stay, so I recommend checking the current rates and meal arrangements directly with the hosts before booking.

Friendly Hosts Who Speak Good English

One of the best things about Estevao’s Homestay was the hospitality.

Estevao and Lurdes were both very kind, friendly and approachable. They also spoke English well, which made communication easy for us.  Estevao shared a very comprehensive briefing on arrival which was extremely professional!

Their warm welcome made a positive difference to our stay. Although some aspects of the facilities could be improved, we appreciated how well the hosts looked after their guests.

For travellers who enjoy staying with a local family rather than in a conventional hotel, this is one of the property’s strongest points.

Our Room: Clean but Hot Without Air Conditioning

The property had four rooms in total, including one bungalow. We stayed in a twin room in the main house.

Our room had:

• Twin beds
• A fan
• A mosquito net
• No air conditioning

We slept with the windows open, but the room was still uncomfortably hot. Even with a fan, getting a good night’s sleep was difficult.

If you are sensitive to heat or need a cool room to sleep well, this is something to consider carefully. A fan helps, but it may not be enough in Atauro’s warm climate, particularly when the electricity supply is limited.

One Shared Mandi for Four Rooms

The main drawback in terms of facilities was the shared mandi.

All four rooms used the same mandi, which serves as the shared toilet and washing area. There was no private bathroom attached to our room.

This is easily manageable when there are only a few guests, but it could become inconvenient when the property is full, especially during busy periods.

It appeared that an additional shared toilet and another room were under construction during our visit. Hopefully, these improvements will make the property more comfortable for future guests.

Meals: Good Food, but Limited Dining Space

We enjoyed the food at Estevao’s Homestay. Having meals included was convenient, particularly when staying on an island where finding other places to eat may not always be straightforward.

Guests could choose between three meals a day for US$25 per person or breakfast and dinner for US$20 per person.

The main limitation was the dining area. When the homestay was busy, the available space seemed rather limited for the number of guests.

Overall, the food was a highlight, but the facilities did not always seem to have kept pace with the property’s popularity. Given how welcoming the hosts were, it was a little disappointing that the dining arrangements and shared facilities could be less comfortable when the homestay was full.

➡ Atauro Island Travel Guide | Things to Do in Beloi, Vila, Atecru & Adara

Night-time Noise and the Heat: Things to Consider

During our stay, there appeared to be a large event taking place in the beach market area.

On our second night, loud music continued until around 3 am, making it almost impossible to sleep properly.

This was the situation during our particular visit, rather than something I can say happens every night. Nevertheless, if you are looking for a quiet place to rest, it is worth asking the hosts whether any local events are planned during your stay.

The electricity supply is another important consideration. We were told that electricity would normally be available from 6 am until midnight.

During our visit, however, electricity was available around the clock because of the event. We could therefore leave the fan running throughout the night, but the room was still very hot.

If the power goes off between midnight and 6 am, sleeping could be even more uncomfortable without a fan.

For me, the combination of heat and noise was the biggest downside of our stay. If a good night’s sleep is a priority, I would recommend checking both the expected electricity schedule and any local event plans before booking.

Wi-Fi and Mobile Internet

There was no Wi-Fi at Estevao’s Homestay.

However, our Telemor mobile connection worked normally during our stay, allowing us to access the internet using our phones.

Mobile coverage can vary depending on the network, location and time, so I would not rely on this as a guarantee of connectivity. If you need a stable connection for remote work, check the current situation with the hosts before arriving.

Should You Book Estevao’s Homestay in Advance?

I would recommend booking in advance, as Estevao’s Homestay has good reviews and rooms may not always be available.

We arrived without a reservation on a Thursday and were fortunate to find an available room. We were able to check in without any problems, but this was a matter of luck.

Booking ahead is particularly sensible if you are visiting during a busy period, over a weekend or when an event is taking place on the island. Contacting the hosts directly to confirm availability and the current price is a good idea.

Final Verdict: Is Estevao’s Homestay Worth Staying At?

Estevao’s Homestay has a lot going for it. Estevao and Lurdes are warm and welcoming hosts, the food is good, and the rooms and shared areas were very clean during our visit. Their ability to communicate in English also made our stay easier.

On the other hand, the single shared mandi, limited dining space, lack of air conditioning(which is the same for all homestays) and potential difficulty sleeping in the heat are worth considering. We also had an unusually noisy night during a local event, which affected our experience.

My overall impression was that the hospitality was better than some of the facilities. The hosts made us feel welcome, but the accommodation seemed to be struggling to keep up with demand, and I hope the improvements under way will help.

If you are considering Estevao’s Homestay on Atauro Island, I would not rule it out. Just make sure you understand the room facilities, ask about electricity and local events, and book ahead if possible. That way, you can make a more informed decision about whether it suits your travel style.  They are a great family with lovely food and are very professional.  

➡ Dili to Atauro Island by Ferry: Timetable, Ticket Prices and Our Travel Experience

➡ Atauro Island Snorkelling Guide: Beloi, Atecru, Adara & Vila