According to topb2bwebsites, Bhutan (Dzongkha: འབྲུག་ཡུལ་) is a country in Asia bordering China (Tibet) and India. The locals also call their own country Druk Yul (the land of the dragon) or Druk Tsendhen (the land of the thunder dragon). This fact can also be found in the flag of Bhutan. The capital of Bhutan is Thimphu. A number of major cities in Bhutan are: Phuntsholing and Punakha.
Bhutan is a poor country and most of the inhabitants depend on agriculture. The country is known for its nature, beautiful monasteries and houses. The landscape consists mostly of mountain areas and dense forest areas. The country is also known for the many themed festivities that are held there. See baglib for Bhutan land of the Thunderdragon.
Where is Bhutan?
Travel information of Bhutan
Official name: Kingdom of Bhutan
Continent: Asia
Area: 47,000 km²
Capital: Thimphu
Country code: BT, BTN
Population: 782,318 inhabitants (2020)
Form of government: Constitutional democratic monarchy
Highest point: 7,570 m (Gangkhar Puensum)
Distance (Amsterdam – Thimphu): 7,349 km
Flight time: approximately 12 hours
Travel advice
Current status: No special security risks.
Current color code: Green.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), there may be (temporary) measures in place in Bhutan that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs of Bhutan, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to Bhutan. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compile your ideal trip yourself.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, hiking map, cycling map, book or DVD about Bhutan?
Excursions, activities and day trips
With the help of Countryaah you can reserve an excursion, activity, tour, entrance ticket and/or day trip for your stay in Bhutan at a discount. This way you are assured of a place, in some cases you can skip the queue and you can already plan your travel program.
Weather and climate
Bhutan has various climates such as a high mountain climate, a temperate climate and a subtropical climate. In the Himalayas you have cool summers and harsh winters. In the valleys you have warm summers and cool winters.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for Bhutan can be found on our extensive weather page.
Detailed information about the climate of Bhutan can be found at Climate info.
Best time
May, September and October are the best months to travel to Bhutan. This avoids the months with low temperatures and a lot of rainfall.
Language
Dzongkha is the official language in Bhutan. In addition, there are several local languages and dialects.
Travel documents
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months upon arrival in Bhutan.
A visa is required. This is usually requested by the travel provider from the tourism department in Bhutan.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in India (also for Bhutan): netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Dutch consulate in Bhutan: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Embassy of Bhutan in Belgium (also for the Netherlands): rijksoverheid.nl.
Consulate of Bhutan in the Netherlands: rijksoverheid.nl.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
Before visiting Bhutan, it is advisable to get one or more vaccinations.
For extensive vaccination advice and to make a vaccination appointment at home, please visit Thuisvaccinatie.nl. You can also see here whether your health insurance reimburses the vaccination(s).
Malaria
Malaria occurs in Bhutan. Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by malaria mosquitoes. This infectious disease can lead to death if not treated in time and/or incorrectly.
For prevention and control of malaria, please visit our malaria page.
Money and Currency
In Bhutan people pay with the Bhutanese ngultrum (BTN).
The current position of this currency (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
An overview of all ATMs in Bhutan can be found on our ATMs page. However, these do not accept Dutch bank cards.
Price level
Prices in Bhutan are much lower than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is -53% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (73% cheaper), food (47% cheaper), imported beer in catering (51% cheaper), cigarettes (54% cheaper) and public transport (90% cheaper). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
In Bhutan it is customary to give a tip of approximately 10%.
Time difference
During our summer time it is 4 hours later in Bhutan.
During our winter time it is 5 hours later in Bhutan.
Bhutan has no difference in winter time and summer time.
Check the local time, date and time zone for Bhutan on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
In Bhutan you have to drive on the left.
You do not need an international driver’s license to drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in Bhutan.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within Bhutan.
Electricity
In Bhutan you need a travel plug.
More information about common plugs and sockets in Bhutan can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 113
– Fire: 110
– Ambulance: 112
Tap water
It is not recommended to drink water from the tap.
If you are unable to buy bottled water, use a water purifier to purify the water or boil the water for 5 minutes. After this you can safely use it as drinking water and for things like brushing teeth, cleaning lenses and washing vegetables and / or fruit. More information about drinking water and/or the purchase of water purification products can be found on our drinking water page.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to Bhutan can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from Bhutan can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from Bhutan end in.bt.
Bhutan official websites: bhutan.gov.bt and tourism.gov.bt.
Telephone
The country code (international access code) to call someone in Bhutan is 00975 or +975.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from Bhutan? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If using a country code, omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos of Bhutan.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from Bhutan.
Holidays
An overview of all public holidays in Bhutan can be found on Beleven.org.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotel), restaurants and destinations in Bhutan, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about Bhutan?
At Waarbenjij.nu you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited Bhutan. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) in Bhutan can be found on Protected Planet.
Bhutan is not on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to Bhutan? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol, electronics, money and perfume. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. In addition, on this website you will find the laws and regulations regarding the importation of pets and a list of everything that may not be imported and/or exported from Bhutan.
Entrepreneurship and doing business
If you are planning to do business in or with Bhutan, it is wise to prepare well. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency can help you with this. On PaulSourcing.com you will find a large amount of information about Bhutan, including: opportunities, import and export regulations, trade figures, do’s and don’ts, business partners and subsidies.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to Bhutan.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 18.
– Alcohol and traffic: The maximum permitted alcohol content is 0.8.
– Tobacco: Sale prohibited, smoking at all ages.
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Not allowed. Prison sentence up to 10 years.
Did you know that…
…Bhutan is often called Druk Yul (Land of the Dragon) in its own country?
…climbing mountains in Bhutan is prohibited?
…Bhutan is very expensive for tourists to avoid mass tourism?
…The border between Bhutan and China is closed?
…Archery is the most practiced sport in Bhutan?
…There has been a ban on the sale of tobacco in Bhutan since 2010?
