Soe is a city in West Timor.

Understand

Soe is the capital of the South Central Timor regency. Due to its pronunciation (so-E), sometime it is written as "SoE". It is a highland area with an altitude of 800m, so the climate is cooler than the surrounding coastal Timor area. Travelers use this town is the base for day trips to explore the area. It is also possible to stay in the smaller towns around Soe nearby the villages.

If you intend to visit the traditional villages, it is recommended to get a local guide, as there are numerous customs to follow and language remains a barrier (even if you speak Bahasa Indonesia). The most common customs is that you need to be introduced to the village chief and bring betel nuts as gifts. A day trip usually costs Rp1,000,000 (as of Dec 2018). Some guides will give you an all-inclusive rate (incl. donation to the village for entrance), but it is recommended to give the donation directly to the village chief (instead of through the guide) to make sure the village received the full intended amount. The donation and betel nuts should sum up to around Rp100,000 (as of Dec 2018). You can purchase betel fruits / nuts around town.

Get in

From Kupang: 3 hours. Trip started from Oesapa "bus stop" (it's a street side), where you can find "Travel" shared car for Rp50,000 or public bus for Rp30,000 (Bus to Kefamenanu will pass by Soe too, ask the bus assistant). Ask your accommodations for details (as of Dec 2018). If you are taking the bus, you can alight along the main street of Soe (Jln. Ahmad Yani or Jln. Gajah Mada).

Get around

Bemo is running through the city, just tell your destination to the assistant. A ride per person costs Rp3,000 (as of Dec 2018). Many of the drivers and assistants are teenagers (don't be surprised).

Ojek is on the standby on the road side. A ride within town should be Rp5,000-10,000 (as of Dec 2018).

See

You can check with the Soe Tourist Office at Jln. Dipenogoro (closed on Saturday and Sunday) to get information on the local sights and contacts to tour guides. There are many tour / travel offices in the area, but they are mainly serving airline booking.

• Fort None (Benteng None)
• Traditional Village in Boti
• Traditional Village in Fatumnasi
• Oehala Waterfall
• Weekly Market: There are different markets each day located around the region, your guide would know where to go on the day of your trip. The biggest three are:
  • Tuesday: Oenlassi Market
  • Wednesday: Niki Niki Market
  • Thursday: Ayotupas Market

Eat

There are many eating options on the main street of Soe, mostly offers bakso (great for the chilly night).

• 1 RM Depot Remaja. One of the popular place to have se'i babi. Offers other menu selection too. A must-visit when you are in Soe. Rp25,000-35,000. (updated Dec 2018)
• 2 RM Larisa (nearby RM Depot Remaja). a more well-kept eatery, also offer se'i babi. (updated Dec 2018)
• 3 Depot Bintang. Offering se'i babi, babi macao, satay, as well as other vegetable dishes. Average. Rp25,000. (updated Dec 2018)
• 4 Warung Tiga Putri. This humble place on the street side provides great cheap eats. Don't let the look deceived you. Serves gado-gado, bakso, and various rice dishes. Rp10,000-20,000. (updated Dec 2018)

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Bahagia. The once default hotel to stay for travelers. Often mistaken with the newer and pricier 'Hotel Bahagia Dua', creating disappointment in terms of price / quality between them. Rp160,000 and up. (updated Dec 2018)
• 2 Hotel Bahagia Dua ((Hotel Bahagia II)). The new Hotel Bahagia (same owner, different management), it is newly built and of course, pricier than the original. Rp220,000 standard room; Rp350,000 VIP room.. (updated Dec 2018)
• 3 Hotel Timor Megah. A new big hotel. generous buffet breakfast. Same owner with the Timor Megah store, located 300m away. Wi-Fi is not so good a the standard room. Rp250,000 standard room; Rp350,000 VIP room. (updated Dec 2018)
• 4 Hotel Gajah Mada (Entrance on the small road off the main road. The first building is their hall. Walk further in for the reception.). a three-floor hotel building, quite new. Rp250,000 - Rp350,000. (updated Dec 2018)
• 5 Hotel Sejati, Jln. Ahmad Yani. a budget-friendly place to stay. obviously with basic facilities. No Wi-Fi. Rp110,000 for standard room; Rp250,000 for deluxe room.. (updated Dec 2018)

Go next

As other towns, you can wait on the side of the town's main road, wave on the bus and hop on to it.

• Kefamenanu, 3 hours. direction Kefamenanu or Atambua, Rp25,000 (as of Dec 2018).
• Kupang, 3 hours. Rp30,000 (as of Dec 2018).