City in Gandaki Province, Nepal
Pokhara
Relaxed lakeside town beneath the Annapurnas: paragliding, boating, easy trek starts and a gentle nomad scene. Suits a slow first week in Nepal; monsoon rain is heavy and the airport has few flights.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$486–746Comfortable, one person · Rs75,000–115,000Details
- Value for money97/100Better value than 96% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–Apr, Oct–NovWarmest: May, 32°CDetails
- Air quality36.1 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2020) · Severely pollutedDetails
- Internet89 MbpsFixed broadband, Nepal medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDon't drink tap water.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel5/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$5.2–16.2Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundPathaoWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards in hotels and bigger restaurants; cash for taxis, small cafés, boat hire and trekking supplies.Details
Where to stay in Pokhara
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Lakeside (Baidam) | First-timers: guesthouses, cafés, gear shops, lake views |
| Damside | Quieter, cheaper rooms south of Lakeside |
| Lakeside North (Khahare) | Longer stays, yoga and retreats, fewer crowds |
| Sarangkot | Hill views and paragliding launch; far from town |
Apps that work in Pokhara
Ride-hailing
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Foodmandu | Covers Lakeside and central Pokhara |
| Pathao Food | Smaller restaurant choice |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp, Viber
- Maps.me: Offline trekking trail maps
- Taxis: Most visitors walk or take unmetered taxis; agree prices first. Apps work but waits can be long at night.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Nepal.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards in hotels and bigger restaurants; cash for taxis, small cafés, boat hire and trekking supplies.
- Currency: Rupee (NPR). US$1 ≈ Rs154.20 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs often charge foreign cards about NPR 500 per withdrawal and cap withdrawals at NPR 10,000–35,000.
- Tipping: Restaurants usually add a 10% service charge plus 13% VAT. Tip trekking guides and porters about 10–15% of the trek cost.
- Paying by phone: Fonepay and eSewa QR codes are everywhere but need a Nepali account; Indian visitors can pay them by UPI.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Visa on arrival at Kathmandu, Pokhara and Bhairahawa airports and main land borders: US$30, 50 or 125 for 15, 30 or 90 days.
- Fill the online arrival form at nepaliport.immigration.gov.np before landing to shorten the airport queue.
- Since 2023 most trekking routes in protected areas, including Everest and Annapurna, require a licensed guide and a TIMS card.
Emergency numbers
Police 100 · Ambulance 102 · Fire 101 · Tourist police 1144
Plugs
Type C, D, M · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Ncell and Nepal Telecom counters at Kathmandu airport; bring your passport. Ncell tourist plans cost NPR 595–1,995 for 7–28 days. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Nepal
Going to Pokhara solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Pokhara meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety 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.