Travel Consideration: Bhutan

Bhutan is a small land-locked Himalayan monarchy. By treaty it accepts the guidance of India in foreign affairs. Facilities for tourism are limited.

Tourists are admitted only in groups by pre-arrangement with Bhutan’s Ministry of Tourism. Entry is available only via India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Thailand; the border with China is closed. A passport and visa are required. For entry information, contact the Bhutan Travel Service, 120 East 56th Street, New York, N.Y., 10022 at (212)838-6382, or the Bhutanese Mission to the United Nations in New York at (212)826-1919.

There is relatively little crime in Bhutan. However, some pickpocketing and purse snatching have been reported. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately to local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Useful information on safeguarding valuables, protecting personal security, and other matters while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlets A Safe Trip Abroad and Tips for Travelers to South Asia. They are available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.

Medical facilities in Bhutan are limited. Some medicine is in short supply.

Doctors and clinics often require immediate cash payment for health services, and U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties. Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647-3000.

Although Bhutan’s road network is not extensive, principal sites likely to be visited by travelers are connected by reasonably well-maintained, paved, two-lane roads. Traffic is rarely heavy, but sharp curves, narrow lanes, and limited visibility in mountainous terrain make traveling slow and potentially hazardous. Reduced speeds and special caution are advisable.

The information below concerning traffic safety and road conditions in Bhutan is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Road Conditions/Maintenance in Urban Areas: Good
Road Conditions/Maintenance in Rural Areas: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor
Safety of Public Transportation: Not Applicable (Tourists pay a set fee per day, which includes supplied transportation, guides, accommodation and food.)


For information on international adoption of children, international parental child abduction, and international child support enforcement issues, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html or telephone (202) 736-7000.

There is no U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Bhutan; however, updated information on travel and security in Bhutan may be obtained at any U.S. consulate or embassy in India or Bangladesh. Although no formal diplomatic relations exist between the United States and Bhutan, informal contact is maintained through the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. For assistance, U.S. citizens can contact the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi (located at Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri, 110021); U.S. Consulates in Bombay, Calcutta or Madras; or, to a more limited degree, the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh (located at the Diplomatic Enclave, Madani Avenue, Baridhara). The U.S. Embassy telephone number in New Delhi is (91)(11) 419-8000. In Dhaka, the U.S. Embassy telephone number is (880)(2) 884-700-22.