ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW • POPULATION (2020 EST.): 771,612 • CAPITAL: Thimphu • MAIN CITIES: Phuntsholing, Punakha, Paro, Gelephu • VISA: U.S. travelers require a passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival and a visa to enter and exit Bhutan. Visas are issued only to visitors who have booked their travel with a local licensed tour operator, either directly or through a foreign travel agent • HEALTH: Yellow fever immunization essential if arriving from an infected area. Precautions against hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid are recommended
• CURRENCY: Ngultrum (BTN) = 100 chhertums • EXCHANGE RATE (APPROX.): BTN 74.81 = $1 • TIME: GMT +6 • ELECTRICITY: 230 volts Adaptor required • DRIVING: Traffic drives on the left in Bhutan. An international driving permit is needed • PUBLIC HOLIDAYS (2023): Jan 1; Feb 2, 21-23; Mar 3, 4; May 2, 11; Jun 14; Jul 9; Aug 1; Sep 23; Oct 5; Nov 1, 11, 15; Dec 17 • LANGUAGE: Dzongkha • RELIGION: Buddhist, Hindu • COUNTRY DIAL CODE: +975
GETTING THERE • MAJOR GATEWAY: Paro International Airport (PBH) • TYPICAL FLYING TIME: From New York, 27.5h via Delhi • TRANSFERS: Paro (5 miles) bus to Thimphu 90 mins; taxi to Thimphu 75 mins
CLIMATE Conditions vary with altitude, from semi-tropical to Alpine. Spring and fall are warm, summer is monsoon season and winter can be quite severe in Bhutan