FAQs
Below are some useful information that can serve you well while you are here in Bhutan! We are looking forward to your stay here in our beautiful Kingdom!
Credit Cards/Cash
While some of the shops and hotels in Bhutan accept credit cards, we highly recommend taking cash or travelers cheques with you for use in Bhutan for shopping, etc. as the fees associated with credit card transactions are quite steep and additionally, credit cards are not widely accepted. You can have your tour guide take you to a local bank as soon as you arrive in Bhutan to exchange your currency into the local currency (Ngultrum).
Currency
The currency in Bhutan is Ngultrum (currently at par with the Indian Rupee) and is used inter-changeably with the Indian Rupee everywhere in Bhutan. Foreign currency can be exchanged on arrival at the airport as well as at any of the banks in Bhutan. We recommend bringing cash or travelers cheques instead of just your credit card since credit cards are still not widely accepted in Bhutan. Additionally, you can avoid international usage fees related to credit cards by using cash or travelers cheques.
Gratuities
Tipping is a purely personal matter. We do not have a tradition of giving tips but tips especially to your tour guide and driver will be much appreciated.
There is no set amount for the tips; the staff will appreciate any amount you choose to give. However, since we are always asked by our clients to give them an idea, we have listed the industry average.
Tour Guide: $15-30 USD/day
Driver: $15-20 USD/day
Trekking Head Cook: $15-30 USD/day
Trekking Asst. Cook: $8-15 USD/day
Other Trekking Staff: $3-5 USD/day
Telephone
IDD service is available widely in the country. You can bring a GSM 900 mobile phone and get a local SIM card during your stay in the country.
Tobacco
You are allowed to bring in 200 sticks of cigarettes, 400 sticks of bidis, 50 pieces of cigar
or 250 grams of other tobacco products (subject to 100% customs duty and 100% sales tax). Any excess in quantity will be subject to confiscation.
Voltage/Power Outlet
Bhutan uses 220-240 volts with round hole two-pin and three-pin power outlets. You can use a step down transformer if you have things that use 110-120 volts. Most laptops, camera, and camcorder batteries are dual voltage and as such, you won’t need a step down transformer. However, you may need a plug adapter to plug into the outlets in Bhutan. Please check your product before plugging them in. If the voltage rating on your product states 110V or 120 V, it means that your product is single volt and as such, it will require a step down transformer. If possible, we recommend bringing the step down transformer with you. We also recommend bringing a worldwide plug adapter that is designed to accept two or three prong plugs accepted around the world.