Bhutan Information

Internet and SIM Cards

Most hotels will provide free WiFi. Most telephone providers however do not support any type of roaming internet package while in Bhutan so you would be best off buy a tourist sim when you arrive. Currently no eSIM are currently available but that could change.

According to Bhutan Telecom you will need to have a 4G handset working on the 1800 MHz frequency. For 500 Bhutanese Ngultrums (approximately $6), you can get a SIM valid for one month 3GB of data. There are cheaper and more expensive options available. The two telecom operators are:

Electronics

Electricity in Bhutan is reasonably reliable and runs 220 Volts. An international converter kit with a set of adapter plugs may be required if travelers being along electrical appliances.

Power outlets in Bhutan can vary from hotel to hotel.  The primary standard is the same as the outlets in India and Nepal (Type D) but some hotels may have European and North American sockets.

Unfortunately many universal adapter kits sold in the airports do not have the Type D plugs.  You may need to order something from an online source before leaving home.

Time

Bhutan Standard Time (BST) is six hours ahead of GMT and there is only one zone throughout the country.

Health and Safety

You should discuss your visit to Bhutan with a travel clinic in your area.  Generally, most visitors to Bhutan remain in the high altitude parts of the country and do not experience health related problems.  The exceptions are the low lying areas along the Indian border where there is a threat of Malaria and Dengue Fever. An excellent resource for travel related health is the Center for Disease Control.

Visitors coming from an area infected with Yellow Fever are required to get a Yellow Fever vaccination and must be administered at least ten (10) days before arrival in the country. Likewise, visitors arriving from Cholera infected area should get vaccinated, and anti-malarial medication is strongly recommended for travellers visiting rural areas bordering India.

Basic health services at the countries government hospitals are provided to all people in Bhutan (residents and visitors) free of cost. Any advanced procedures and diagnostics will require travel to hospitals in India or Thailand.

Money Matters

While Bhutan does have ATMs in the country, the ATMs can be very unreliable and might work one day and not the next! You will also be subjected to international withdrawal limits. In a pinch, you can have somebody send money to Bhutan via Western Union.

We recommend carrying cash in the form of new (no tears, as wrinkled free as possible, and as new as possible) 100 USD notes which can be easily exchanged at the banks. Smaller notes will usually give you a lower exchange rate and torn notes and older series notes might not be accepted. If you are coming on an all inclusive package tour then you will only need enough cash to pay for drinks, souvenirs, tips, etc.

Some of the major hotels are likely to accept credit cards as payment but most of the smaller hotels and shops are likely to be operating mostly on cash.

Tips

This is one of the more common questions that we get and it is somewhat difficult to answer. It has become somewhat of a norm that guides and drivers receive tips at the end of the tour. Ultimately the amount that you leave is entirely up to your preference based on the service received. If you have no idea where to start we could suggest around $10 per day for a small group. Feel free to adjust this amount if you have a large group or are a single person or have visited Bhutan for a long time.

There is no expectation at the restaurants or hotels to leave a tip.