Bhutan
Bhutan is a Himalayan kingdom known for dzongs, Buddhist valleys and wildlife, with a climate that shifts from subtropical in the south to snowbound in the north.
Bhutan lies in the eastern Himalayas with no coastline, Tibet to the north and India to the south and east. Nearly all of the land is mountainous, and elevations run from roughly 200 metres in the southern foothills to more than 7,000 metres in the north. Thimphu is the capital and largest city. Vajrayana Buddhism is the state religion, and dzongs, fortress-monasteries that remain active centers of religion and district administration, sit above many valleys. Many were built in the 17th century and are open to visitors.
The country suits travelers who want Buddhist culture, mountain scenery and wildlife. Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Bumthang are four valleys worth planning around. The climate changes with altitude: the south is subtropical with hot, humid summers, the highlands are temperate, and the far north stays cold and snowbound. The west gets heavier monsoon rain than the centre and east, so the best months depend on where you plan to go. Roads are narrow, wind through hairpin bends and can be affected by landslides, so allow extra time between valleys.
Five things to know before Bhutan
- Budget for the US$100 nightly Sustainable Development Fee
Adult visitors pay the Sustainable Development Fee of US$100 per person per night, with concessionary rates for children. Ask your licensed operator or hotel for the full trip price. The Sustainable Development Fee
- Apply for the visa online before you travel
Visas are issued through the Department of Immigration's online system, usually by your tour operator or hotel, for a one-off US$40 fee. Applications are reviewed within five working days. Bhutan visa
- Book a licensed guide for travel beyond Paro and Thimphu
Guides are required for travel beyond Paro and Thimphu and for many sites within them, such as dzongs and the Tiger's Nest hike. Most visitors book a guide, driver and certified hotels together.
- Book flights to Paro early
Paro is the only international airport and only two Bhutanese airlines fly there, with limited daily seats. The land border at Phuentsholing from India is the alternative. Getting around
- Cover arms and legs in dzongs and temples
Long sleeves, long trousers or skirts and no hats are expected inside dzongs and temples. Photography is not allowed inside most shrine rooms.
Bhutan travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
What the SDF costs, who pays less and what it does not cover.
Read the guideVisas and entryThe online visa, the US$40 fee and entry by land.
Read the guideGetting thereFlights into Paro and the road border at Phuentsholing.
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for high-altitude treks and medical evacuation.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMLocal SIMs and coverage in the valleys.
Read the guide
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- BTN 500
- Food
- BTN 600
- Transport
- BTN 100
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- BTN 2,500
- Food
- BTN 1,500
- Transport
- BTN 500
- Sights
- BTN 500
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- BTN 5,000
- Food
- BTN 3,000
- Transport
- BTN 1,500
- Sights
- BTN 1,500
When to go
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- JanuaryRain16 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh7°Low-3°Cold, clearJanuaryRain
- High
- 7°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 84 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, clear
- FebruaryRain20 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh8°Low-2°Cold, clearFebruaryRain
- High
- 8°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 137 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, clear
- MarchRain26 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh11°Low1°BlossomMarchRain
Best
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 203 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Blossom
- AprilRain26 rainy daysHigh14°Low4°RhododendronsAprilRain
Best
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 222 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rhododendrons
- MayRain30 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°WarmMayRain
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 349 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- JuneRain30 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh18°Low11°MonsoonJuneRain
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 528 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Monsoon
- JulyRain31 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°MonsoonJulyRain
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 666 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon
- AugustRain30 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°MonsoonAugustRain
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 493 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon
- SeptemberRain29 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh18°Low10°Rains easeSeptemberRain
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 395 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rains ease
- OctoberRain23 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Clear viewsOctoberRain
Best
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 215 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear views
- NovemberRain15 rainy daysHigh12°Low2°Clear, crispNovemberRain
Best
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear, crisp
- DecemberRain13 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh9°Low-1°Cold, clearDecemberRain
- High
- 9°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, clear
Average daily high and low in Paro, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Bhutan
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 91%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 8%
Bhutan
02:36 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today12°-1°8%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Wed11°-2°22%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Thu11°-2°47%Thursday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Fri11°-4°52%Friday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 52%.
- Sat10°-3°55%Saturday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Sun10°-3°18%Sunday: Clear. High 10°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 18%.
Updated 11:04 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.02 BTN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Bhutan FAQ
How much does it cost to visit Bhutan per day?
The Sustainable Development Fee is US$100 per adult per night, with concessionary rates for children. Ask your licensed operator or hotel for the full price of the trip, since the fee is only one part of what you pay.
Do I need a guide in Bhutan?
For travel beyond Paro and Thimphu, and for many sites within them, yes. Most visitors book the guide, a driver and hotels together through a licensed operator.
How many days should I spend in Bhutan?
Five to seven nights covers Paro, Thimphu and Punakha with the Tiger's Nest hike. Because the fee is charged per night, many people keep trips short and focused.
When is the best time to visit Bhutan?
March to April and October to November for clear mountain views and festivals. The monsoon from June to September brings cloud and leeches on trails.
Do Indian visitors pay the SDF?
Yes, at a lower regional rate paid in rupees, and Indian citizens do not need a visa. Check the current rate before you go.