About Bhutan
Language
The main languages spoken are Dzongka and English.
Money
The local currency is the Ngultrum (equal to Indian Rupee). Credit cards are accepted at some hotels but not all of them, so it is safer to carry some local currency. If you need to change currency in Bhutan, you can exchange it at the airport upon arrival (counter located right outside the exit terminal towards their left hand side) or at a local bank. There are no ATM’s.
Credit cards are now widely accepted in Bhutan. Most hotels and many handicraft shops, except in central/eastern Bhutan, will now accept Visa and MasterCard. In some cases Amex card too, but not everywhere.
US dollars are widely accepted in Bhutan, $100 bills get a better exchange rate than $50 or $20 bills. Tourists will need local currency for personal expenses.
Tipping
Below is our standard tipping guideline:
Local Guides: $20 per person, per day (full day)
Drivers: $10 per person, per day (full day)
However, it depends entirely upon the level of service provided during the tour. They will accept tips in US dollars.
For the Druk Path trek, they will have 4 horses for each person to carry the load, 1 cook, 2-3 helpers, 1 Trek leader, and 3 horsemen. For the trekking staffs, you can tip $8-10 per person, per day basis (total for trekking staff). Local currency would be better for the trekking staff. You may want to get small Bhutanese bills to tip each person individually. Your guide can help you with this.
Telephone Calls
To call internationally from Bhutan, dial: 00 + country code + area code + telephone number. Hotel receptionists will help you make calls.
Only global cell phones will work and only in the bigger towns. You may want to consider renting one or getting a satellite phone.