Costs

The daily tariff for visitors is US$200, whether you stay in hotels or go trekking. This covers all your accommodation, food, land transport within Bhutan, service of guides and porters, supply of pack animals and some cultural programs. The rate applies uniformly irrespective of location and the type of accommodation asked for or provided (which means if you get bumped from the fancy hotel you booked - which occasionally happens during busy times - you have no recourse). Groups of fewer than four people pay a daily surcharge, ranging from US$20 per person in a group of three to US$40 for a lone traveler. This covers all your costs apart from drinks, laundry and cultural splurges such as a traditional Bhutanese hot-stone bath.

Bhutan has two banks, with branches throughout the country. You can cash travelers’ cheques at any bank and most hotels, but you should only carry well-known brands such as American Express. You can use your credit card, but only at bigger hotels and shops in Thimphu. There are no ATMs in the country.