The country telephone code is +670. Three companies cover the mobile and internet network in Oé-Cusse. Timor Telecom and Telemor are the national companies most used by the local population. Telemor usually has better access in the mountain areas. Finally, there is a third Indonesian company: Telkomcel. For any of them, you can buy ‘pulsa’ (a card with a code to recharge your SIM card balance) in most of the shops in Oé-Cusse. These three companies also have their official shops in Pante Macassar for purchasing more extensive mobile plans.
As it is in all Timor Leste, the currency in Oé-Cusse is the US dollar. For smaller amounts, there are the Timor-Leste centavos coins that range from 5 cents to $2. There are also four ATM Machines around Pante Macassar town. These ATM machines are only for local banks including BNU, Mandiri Bank, BNCTL and BRI. The average cost of lunch at a local restaurant ranges from $1.50 to $4. Ojeks will get you anywhere within Pante Macassar for 50 centavos to $1. Accommodation (depending on the time of year) ranges from $20-$50 a night but is much cheaper for long term stays.
Oé-Cusse is a wonderful place to come with children. Most roads in Pante Macassar have good footpaths that are suitable for strollers and prams. Nappies, formula and other baby supplies are available in many stores across Pante Macassar, but if heading away from the coast make sure you take sufficient supplies. There will be plenty of children across the Oé-Cusse for your children to play with.
Oé-Cusse has an immense linguistic heritage due to the number of influences it has received throughout its history. As in the rest of the country, Tetum and Portuguese are the official languages. However, not everyone speaks Portuguese, and the local language most widely spoken in Oé-Cusse is Lais Meto (Baiqueno). There is also a fourth language spoken fluently by locals: Indonesian (Bahasa). For its part, English is an active newcomer but few people speak it outside of Pante Macassar town.
Pante Macassar has a good quality hospital with an emergency department available 24 hours. The hospital is usually staffed with a team of international and national doctors and provides good primary care. Treatment is free for foreigners, however for surgery and complex issues, you will need to be flown to Dili. There is also a Clinic with international doctors. The tap water in Oé-Cusse is not fit for drinking consumption but is suitable for cooking or drinking after boiling. There are also many pharmacies around Pante Macassar town that keep a good range of prescription and over the counter medicines.
