How can I get a visa for Bhutan?

Hi there,

I’m planning a few-month trip to Asia with my partner and our daughter, who’ll be 5 at the time.

We’d love to visit Bhutan. Do you have any recommendations for getting a low-cost visa? I know we have to go through a local travel agency, but do we always have to stay with the agency while we’re there? We’re not big fans of organized tours, so I’d love to find a way to travel there backpacker-style... Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Cynthia

Hi there,

In Bhutan, there’s no such thing as a low-cost visa. You *have* to go through an approved agency. The visa fee is $40, and on top of that, you’ll need to pay the "Sustainable Development Fee" at 100 USD per day!

If you don’t want a guide breathing down your neck while visiting monasteries and dzongs, or if you prefer traveling on a backpacker budget, then this country might not be for you.

I explain everything HERE.

Hi there, The daily tax per adult has dropped from $200 to $100 until 12/31/2024 due to a lack of tourists—and even then, three-quarters of the few tourists were Indian, who only pay $15 in daily taxes. It’s a total flop; they’re trying to fund pretty much everything in the country through high-end tourism. That said, booking an approved agency with a local guide for your stay is still mandatory, along with accommodations, meals, and a $40 visa fee on top of the tax. We’ll have to see what happens in 2025! !