Bhutan

Bhutan

Laid-back cultural hub with temples, night markets, and authentic Thai cuisine in a less touristy setting

Quick Facts

Recommended Stay7 days
Budget$200/day
Mid-range$250/day
Luxury$2500/day

Known For

Kingdom of BhutanDruk YulLand of the Thunder DragonHimalayaSouth Asia

🇧🇹 Country Information: Bhutan

CapitalThimphu
CurrencyBhutanese ngultrum (Nu.)
LanguageDzongkha , Nepali, Sharchop, Lhotsham, other regional dialects
Phone Code+975
Electricity230V (Type C, D, F, G, M)
Tap WaterNot recommended

Tipping

  • Tipping is not customary in Bhutan, and service charges are often included in bills
  • However, a small tip for exceptional service in hotels or for guides and drivers is appreciated

Money & Payments

  • ATMs are available but not widespread, especially outside major towns
  • Credit cards are accepted in major hotels and some larger shops, but cash is preferred for most transactions
  • It is better to bring cash (USD is easily exchanged) or withdraw from ATMs in larger towns
  • There is no black market for cash

Cultural Norms

  • Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites (shoulders and knees covered)
  • Remove shoes before entering temples and private homes
  • Do not point with your feet or touch someone's head
  • Offer and receive items with both hands or the right hand
  • Avoid public displays of affection

LGBTQ+ Information

Exercise caution. Homosexuality was decriminalized in 2021, but there are no specific legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

  • The legal drinking age is 18
  • Alcohol is widely available but restricted on Tuesdays (dry day)
  • Drug laws are very strict, and penalties for possession or trafficking are severe

Special Laws

  • Smoking in public places is banned
  • Chewing betel nut (doma) is common but dispose of residue properly
  • Visitors must pay a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD 100 per person per night (as of September 2023)

Common Phrases

HelloKuzu zangpo la (koo-zoo zang-po lah) བཀྲ་ཤིས་བདེ་ལེགས།
Thank youKadrin chhe la (kah-drin chhe lah) བཀའ་དྲིན་ཆེ་ལགས།

Climate

Bhutan's climate varies significantly with elevation, from subtropical in the south to alpine in the north.

Climate Zone: Humid Subtropical

Best Time to Visit

Getting There

Getting Around

Health & Vaccinations

Staying Connected

Local Cuisine

Ema Datshi must_try

Ema Datshi is considered the national dish of Bhutan. It is a hearty stew primarily made from chilies ('ema') and local cheese ('datshi'), often serve

Kewa Datshi must_try

This is another popular 'datshi' (cheese) dish, featuring potatoes ('kewa') cooked with Bhutanese cheese, butter or oil, and sometimes chilies. It is

Momos street_food

These are traditional dumplings, often served steamed or fried, and filled with ingredients like minced meat (pork, beef, or yak), vegetables, or chee

Phaksha Paa must_try

A flavorful pork dish where slices of pork are typically stewed with dried whole red chilies and sometimes mountain vegetables like radish or spinach.

Jasha Maru must_try

A Bhutanese chicken stew or curry that is distinguished by a noticeable, strong ginger flavor. It includes diced chicken, onions, and sometimes eggs,

Book in Advance

Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:

🔴 Must Book in Advance

Visa and Tour Package permit_or_pass
Book at least 1-3 months in advance

A visa and confirmation of a licensed tour package/daily tariff payment are mandatory for entry and require significant processing time.

Flights (Paro International Airport - PBH) Transport
Book 2-6 months in advance

Only a few airlines fly to Paro, and seats, particularly during the peak season (Spring/Autumn), are limited and sell out quickly.

Fun Facts

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