Adara Eco-Resort (Mario's Place)
Adara Eco-Resort (Mario's Place)
Why this lodge exists
Conservation storyRemote west-coast Atauro eco-resort with excellent snorkelling/diving access and strong community-hosting reputation.
What is a eco-lodge here?
Solid hardwood frame with a palm-thatch roof, raised above the forest floor on stilts. Each cabin has its own composting toilet and bucket-shower bathroom. Beds use locally woven cotton sheets, and mosquito nets are provided. There is no air-conditioning — the cross-breeze and high ceiling keep things cool. Solar lighting only; bring a head-torch for after-dark reading.
How we keep our footprint light
The food
Three meals a day, cooked in our open kitchen by women from the neighbouring village. Breakfast is fresh fruit, papaya jam, and Timorese coffee from the highlands. Lunch and dinner rotate between grilled fish caught that morning, ai-manas (chilli paste), batar daan (boiled corn), and seasonal greens from the garden out back. We can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets — let us know on booking. Foraging walks with our cook are offered on request: tamarind, papaya leaves, and seaweed when the tide is right.
What to bring (and what to leave behind)
- Head-torch or small flashlight (lights go out at 10pm to save solar)
- Biodegradable soap, shampoo & sunscreen (we will refuse non-bio products)
- A reusable water bottle (we refill from the rainwater filter)
- Light, breathable clothes — there is no air-conditioning
- Closed-toe shoes for the forest path
- Cash in US Dollars — there is no card reader and no ATM nearby
- Patience for occasional power outages — they are part of the experience
- Please do NOT bring single-use plastic bottles or bags
Activities from the lodge
Getting here — please read
We are genuinely remote. From Dili, allow 3–4 hours by 4WD or a 2-hour ferry plus 30 minutes by motorbike. The last 800 m is on foot down a forest path with a small luggage cart we provide. There is no mobile signal beyond the village, and our solar grid runs lights and fans only — laptops can be charged at the main hut, but high-power devices (hairdryers, etc.) will not work. Power outages of 1–2 hours are normal during long monsoon nights; we keep candles and battery lanterns in every cabin. If you need step-free access or full mains power, this lodge is not the right fit — please call us first.
Guest experiences
House rules & cancellation
House rules
Cancellation policy
Our impact in numbers
Nearby eco-lodges & natural sites
Travel slowly. Travel low-impact.
Every night you spend here keeps the forest standing and the reef alive. Reserve your cabin in cash or SOTCoin — no cards, no commissions, just direct support.