South Asia
Bhutan
Himalayan kingdom of fortress-monasteries, forests and festivals, kept quiet by a daily visitor fee and mandatory guides. Very safe and well organised, but expensive and not for independent wandering.
- US travel advisoryLevel 1Exercise normal precautionsDetails
- Visa3 of 198passports can visit visa-freeDetails
- CurrencyBTNUS$1 ≈ Nu.96.37Details
- Price level23%of US prices (World Bank PPP)Details
- English4/5Widely spokenDetails
- PlugsType C, D, G230 V, 50 HzDetails
- Emergency113Police 113 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 110 · Tourist police 2300
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water; hotels usually provide it.Details
- LGBTQ+LegalDecriminalised in 2021.Details
- DrivingOn the leftSelf-drive car hire isn't available; visitors travel with a hired driver and guide. Indian licences work for overland self-drives.
Where to go in Bhutan
2 places with full guides. Comfortable monthly budget for one person, rent included.
When to visit Bhutan
March–May (rhododendrons, Paro Tsechu) and late September–November (clear Himalayan views, Thimphu Tsechu). June–August is monsoon; December–February is cold but clear.
Good to know
Entry
- Apply online for a visa (US$40) before travel; reviews take up to five working days. Tour operators and hotels can apply for you.
- Pay the Sustainable Development Fee with the visa: US$100 per adult per night, US$50 for ages 6–11, set until August 2027.
- A licensed guide must accompany you throughout, including at dzongs, monuments and on all treks. Route permits are no longer needed.
- Fly into Paro or Gelephu, or cross overland at Phuentsholing, Gelephu or Samdrup Jongkhar.
Laws visitors break by accident
- Smoking is banned in public places, and tobacco you bring in is limited and taxed.
- Tourists generally can't bring or fly drones without an advance permit.
- Exporting antiques or religious artefacts is illegal; non-antique crafts need an export permit.
Etiquette
- Walk clockwise around chortens, temples and prayer wheels
- Cover shoulders to knees for dzongs and temples
- Don't point at religious images or touch altars
- No photography inside temple shrine rooms
Tipping
Not obligatory but customary for guides and drivers at the end of a trip; small tips for hotel staff.
Neighbouring countries
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Bhutan Travel: Visa
- Bhutan Travel: FAQs (SDF, guides, payments)
- TashiCell Tourist SIM
- Druk Ride
- World Bank open data
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.