For foreign tourists, other than Indians, Bangladeshis and Maldivians, who are not required to book their Bhutan tour with a registered tour operator, airport to hotel transfers and other local transportation are all arranged by their tour operator. Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will find a representative of your tour operator waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Paro or Thimphu, depending on your Bhutan tour itinerary. For citizens of India, Bangladesh and Maldives, taxis will be readily available at the airport premises which will drop you at your hotel at an agreed rate.
The daily fee paid by an international traveler includes all costs including your hotel and local transportation. Therefore, during your entire trip to Bhutan, you don’t have to worry about any additional costs other than your personal expenses such as alcoholic beverages, hotel upgrades or souvenir shopping and tips for the guide/driver.
Local Transport
For all foreign visitors, except citizens of India, Bangladesh and Maldives, local transport is arranged from one part of the country to another in private vehicles with experienced drivers or guides as per the itinerary arranged with the tour operator. The cost of local transport is already included in the daily tourist fee that tourists pay to their tour operator. Currently, foreign visitors are not allowed to rent or drive cars in Bhutan.
Generally, there are no trains in Bhutan and most public transport is provided by bus services within the various districts. Taxis can be found in major tourist towns, but you don’t have to worry about the hassle of taxi rides unless you want to experience a bumpy ride on long and winding hairpin turns on mountain roads. To experience this, you actually need to inform your tour operator before you arrive in Bhutan. You need to let them know that you want to get the authentic local experience of traveling by taxi or local bus on the specific day of your visit.
There are domestic flights to Bhutan, but the services are limited. Currently, domestic flights in Bhutan connect Paro with Bumthang, Gelephu, and Yongphula. In addition, the Royal Bhutan Helicopter Service operates chartered flights as well as sightseeing tours, especially if you are trekking in Bhutan’s remote trails, including medical evacuations. It is common to see travelers on bicycle tours. Many tourists bring their own mountain bikes when they come to Bhutan so that they can enjoy short mountain biking tours on days when sightseeing is done until the afternoon.
Best Places To Eat In Bhutan
Bhutan is a treasure trove of traditional cuisine and is an obvious destination for foodies to immerse themselves in the gastronomic diversity of the country’s delicious surprises. Whether it’s Thimphu or Paro or anywhere else, travelers won’t be disappointed with the food. Most restaurants in the country serve authentic Bhutanese cuisine. Since all meals are included in the package cost, travelers should tell their guides if they want to eat any special dishes that may not be on your hotel’s menu. However, during your Bhutan tour, you don’t have to worry about finding a good place to eat. Your guide will take you to the best places around whenever you feel hungry.
Some of the best places to eat in Bhutan that offer almost all the traditional dishes as well as international cuisines are listed below:
- Bukhari at Uma by COMO, Paro
- Sonam Trophel Restaurant, Paro
- Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant, Thimphu
- Babesa Village Restaurant, Thimphu
- San Maru Restaurant, Thimphu
- Champaca Café, Paro
- Zombala 2 Restaurant, Thimphu
- Taktsang Cafeteria, Paro
- Bhutan Kitchen, Thimphu
- Ambient Café, Thimphu
- My Kind of Place, Paro
- Mountain Café, Paro
- Chh’a Bistro and Bar, Thimphu
- FnB Restaurant, Thimphu
- Chimi Lhakhang Restaurant, Punakha
- Rinchenling Cafeteria, Punakha
Drinking Water
Tap water in Bhutan is not considered safe to drink unless it has been boiled or purified with some chemicals. Bottled mineral water is readily available in hotels, small and large retail stores, and restaurants. For foreign tourists, they will get bottled water from their tour agents or guides. They will have plenty of bottles in their cars and you can take as much as you want since everything is included in your tour cost.
Your hotel room, if bottled water is not provided free of charge, should have an electric kettle for boiling water. If it is not clean and looks as good as expected, you can always ask your hotel for some boiled water. It is also wise to carry water purification tablets when trekking in remote areas of Bhutan. However, most hotels provide mineral water or boiled water for drinking. Since tap water is not safe to drink, it is also safe to brush your teeth if you use mineral or boiled water (after cooling). Travelers should avoid eating salads during meals as they may have been washed with tap water. If drinking bottled water, make sure to check the seal when purchasing. Avoid eating ice as much as possible as it may have been made with ordinary tap water. Also, fresh fruit juice may have been diluted with water, so avoid drinking it.
Shopping
Thimphu, Paro, and Phuentsholing are the major shopping centers in Bhutan. Travelers can rarely resist shopping for antiques or other indigenous items produced in the country. The vibrant culture of the Dragon Kingdom certainly attracts foreign tourists who want to buy ethnic goods and bring them back home after their travels. Weekend markets and small-time markets in Bhutan’s cities and townships showcase a range of attractive, unusual products at very good-to-good-to-be-true prices. Here is a list of the most popular souvenir products that many visitors buy and take home:
- Woven bags and fabrics
- Stoles
- Traditional and Gold-Silver jewelry
- Handmade Kira and Gho (the traditional Bhutanese costumes)
- Brassware
- Yak-bone jewelry
- Carpets and rugs
- Masks
- Thangkas
- Finely crafted metal products
- Wooden bowls and cups
- Cane and bamboo products like utensils, baskets, bow & arrows, floor mats, storage containers, cane hats, wall hangings, tea strainers, etc.
- Handmade paper, jackets, containers, blankets, etc.
- Hand woven textiles like Adang Rachu, Adang Mathra, and Adang Khamar.
- Himalayan beads (Dzi Beads).
However, some shopping malls and department stores in urban areas of Bhutan do not sell the above items. Instead, you will find these places filled with branded items and accessories, including mobile phones, iPads, and laptops. These stores also sell electronic devices, jewelry, fitness equipment, cameras, watches, and a variety of clothing, shoes, music systems, toys, kitchenware, perfumes, and household goods.
When shopping in Bhutan, most shops in major tourist areas accept local currency as well as US dollars and Indian rupees. Markets generally open from 9 am and close by 7 pm. Here are some of the top places to shop for souvenirs and local items in Bhutan:
- Norzim Lam Street, Thimphu
- National Textile Museum, Thimphu
- Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Center, Thimphu
- Adang Village, Wangdue Phodrang
- Tashi Industries Carpet Factory, Phuentsholing
- Bhutan Art Gallery, Thimphu
- National Institute of Zorig Chusum, Thimphu
- National Handicraft Emporium, Thimphu
- Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, Thimphu
- Cheencho Handicraft, Paro
- Lunga Handicraft, Thimphu
- Centenary Farmers Market, Thimphu
- Tea Market, Phuentsholing
- Yoser Lhamo Shop, Jakar
- Authentic Bhutanese Crafts, Thimphu
- Town Square or Clock Tower Square, Thimphu
- Wood Turning and Lacquering Cluster, Trashi Yangtse
- Choki Handicrafts, Paro
- Sorji Jewelry Gift Shop, Thimphu
- Hong Kong Market, Thimphu
- Yanki’s Sales, Paro
- Yarkay Central Mall, Thimphu
- Weekend Market, Thimphu
- Lama Tshering Dorji General Shop, Paro
- Thinley Dhendup General Shop and Handicraft, Trashi Yangtse
- Kuenphen Terzoed Weaving and Handicraft House, Paro
- Ethno Metho Plaza, Thimphu
- Tarayana Rural Craft Outlets, Thimphu
- Bhutan Traditional Archery Shop, Thimphu
- Sephub Gyeltsen Tsongkhang, Thimphu
- Yuesel Handicrafts, Paro
- Thinley Choden Handicraft, Trashigang
Banks & ATMs in Bhutan
In major cities in Bhutan, you will find ATM kiosks of major Bhutanese banks such as Bank of Bhutan, Druk PNB Bank and Bhutan National Bank. Cash can be withdrawn from these ATM kiosks using some major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard. It should be noted that Bhutanese ATMs do not use digital chips. Instead, magnetic strips are used, which some foreign banks may not allow for withdrawals. Also, sometimes the Bhutanese government temporarily suspends international ATM transactions to address any kind of scams or fraud.
Travelers can exchange cash at the foreign exchange desk at Paro Airport and at Bank of Bhutan branches in major cities such as Paro and Thimphu. When you travel to remote cities, ATMs and banking facilities are almost non-existent. Some hotels also offer foreign exchange services; however, many of these are limited to exchanging US dollars. Therefore, it is always advisable to do banking while in Paro or Thimphu and obtain local currency before traveling to rural Bhutan.
Credit card use has become widely accepted in Bhutan in recent years. Except for a few areas in central and eastern Bhutan, most large hotels and major handicraft shops now accept some foreign credit cards, such as Visa and MasterCard. However, credit card transactions will incur an additional fee of up to 5% of your transaction.
Things to Do
The small Himalayan kingdom of the Thunder Dragon is known for so many things that an endless list could be made of it, and just one week would not be enough to cover them all. The mysterious nation cannot be compared to countries like Thailand, Malaysia, or Singapore. Since Bhutan is not a budget destination as many travelers assume, tourists spend only a few days here and it is very difficult to choose what to see and do to make their visit worthwhile. Our extensive list of things to do in Bhutan will help visitors choose the best places for them, as they all showcase the country’s most famous landmarks:
- Trekking in Bhutan: Some spectacular trekking trails do exist in Bhutan such as the Chomolhari Trek, Druk Path Trek, and Chelela Trek.
- Hike up to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Taktshang Palphug Monastery).
- Visit the Buddha Dordenma Statue.
- White-water rafting and kayaking in Paro River.
- Participate in an archery competition.
- Mountain biking and rock climbing activities.
- Go fishing in Thimphu, Bumthang & Paro Valleys.
- Visit the temple of the Divine Madman, Chimi Lhakhang.
- Experience a homestay and immerse in the local culture.
- See the national animal of Bhutan, Takin, in Motithang Takin Preserve.
- Attend a traditional festival of Bhutan.
- Experience the diverse Bhutanese cuisine and relish the delicacies.
- Visit the Punakha Dzong and Drukgyel Dzong.
- Visit the National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu.
- Meet the locals and dance with the monks.
- Go out for camping.
- Take blessings at Gangtey Monastery.
- Experience the weekend market of Thimphu.
- Go for antique shopping.
- Explore the handicraft market.
- Wildlife safari and bird watching.
- Hike around Haa Valley through dense forests.
- Pay a visit to Jigme Dorji National Park.
- Attend the annual black-necked crane festival in Phobjikha.
- Gather spiritual greatness in Rinpung Dzong.
- Tour the museums and learn more about Bhutanese culture.
- Horse riding on a grand journey.
- Enjoy the hot springs for ultimate wellness.
- Take a ride to Dochula Pass for 360-degree view of the Himalayas.
- Explore the garden of Phallus in Thimphu.
Entertainment In Bhutan
Bhutan is a country focused on total national happiness. It has only been open to foreign visitors for a short time. Except for a few large cities, Bhutan is still an old-fashioned destination that has not been greatly affected by modernization. In terms of entertainment in Bhutan, the abundant festivals that take place throughout the country are the main form of entertainment for the Bhutanese people. Most of the festivals, known as Tshechu involve masked dances and plays and lively performances. These are especially entertaining for foreign travelers and are a major source of joy, fun, laughter and entertainment for the locals as well. Some of the ways to entertain in Bhutan are as follows:
a) Theater:
Bhutan does not have an extensive and rich tradition of drama and theater. However, some dramatic dances and plays are popularly performed during Bhutanese festivals throughout the country. Their plays or performances usually convey religious and moral messages while entertaining people with humor and jokes. Some of the most popular plays are Merak-Sakteng’s Ache Lhamo, Hunter Gyenpo Dorje’s Transformation of Milarepa, and Beautiful Men and Beautiful Women.
b) Music& Dance:
Music in Bhutan is a fundamental part of its culture and plays a major role in spreading social values. Traditional Bhutanese music includes a whole range of sub-genres, from folk to religious songs and music. Along with traditional music, masked dances and dance dramas are common components of folk music in Bhutan. In the last decade, there has been little influence from Bollywood music and Western music, with the exception of Nepali music. Live music performances can be seen in many restaurants and music bars in major cities of Bhutan. Some of the most popular and popular music venues in Bhutan are:
- Mojo Park, Thimphu
- Jimmy’s Pub, Thimphu
- Park 76 Café & Pub
- Druk Star Karaoke Bar
- Millennium Club, Paro
c) Folk Dances
Like other countries in the world, Bhutan also has its own forms and styles of dances that never fail to define the country’s diverse culture. Bhutanese dancers do not perform just to impress audiences or win awards, but they do it with all their heart and soul. One of the most prominent dances in Bhutan is the Cham dance which involves a series of masked dances performed by ordinary people or monks wearing elaborate costumes. The following dances are a part of the Cham dance:
- Joenpa Legso
- Drametse Nga Cham
- Pa Cham
- Zhungdra
- Boedra
d) Cinemas
Bhutan’s cinema scene is not as big as visitors might expect, but it is slowly emerging. The country’s film industry is heavily influenced by neighboring Indian Bollywood and to a lesser extent, Nepali film industry. There are not many cinemas in Bhutan, and the few that do screen Hindi, English, Dzongkha and occasionally Nepali films. Cinema halls may not be up to par with all standards, but it has been growing from zero to a handful. Ticket prices will cost you depending on the different standards of the cinema hall, ranging from US$1.50 to US$8. Here are some places where you can spend a few hours of celluloid bliss:
- City Cinema, Thimphu
- Lugar Theatre, Thimphu
- Cinema Hall, Gelephu
- Trowa Theatre, Thimphu
- Multiplex, Thimphu
- Near MIG Cinema Hall, Phuentsholing
- SJM Cinema Hall, Samdrup Jongkhar
- 5D Cinema Hall, Thimphu
- Thimphu Central Complex, Thimphu
- Changjiji Cinema Hall Complex, Thimphu
e) Discotheques and Nightclubs
Bhutan is a very conservative country that has been out of touch with the outside world for a long time. With significant influence from neighboring countries like India and Nepal, nightlife in Bhutan has gradually developed over the years. Today, you will find a few discotheques and nightclubs, especially in cities like Thimphu, Paro, and Phuentsholing. However, unlike other cities in India or Nepal, nightlife in Bhutan does not get active until late at night. Some of the major places to experience and visit nightlife in Bhutan are:
- Viva City, Thimphu
- Club Ace, Thimphu
- Space 34, Thimphu
- Zomyang Club, Wangdue Phodrang
- Club Ecstacy, Paro
- Club K, Thimphu
- All Star, Thimphu
f) Casino:
Unfortunately, there are no casinos in the entire Kingdom of Bhutan. All forms of gambling are illegal in the country, except for lotteries, which are not considered gambling. Gambling laws in Bhutan are strict, although it is not known whether these regulations apply to online gambling.
