Bhutan - Lindsay Brown [203]
It’s sometimes possible to buy Indian rupees at a slightly better rate in Bangkok or Hong Kong and then bring them to Bhutan, but the small gain is hardly worth the hassle.
Cash
If you plan to make a major purchase, for example textiles or art, consider bringing US dollars in cash. Most shops will accept this, and it can save you the hassle of exchanging a large quantity of money in advance and then attempting to change it back if you don’t find the exact piece you were looking for.
Credit Cards
You should not count on using a credit card in Bhutan. Credit cards are accepted at the government-run Handicrafts Emporium, a few other handicraft shops and some of the larger hotels in Thimphu, but these transactions do take time. The credit-card companies charge high fees and the verification office is only open from 9am to 5pm. This precludes paying your hotel bill at night or when you check out early in the morning. The Bhutan National Bank has plans for rolling out point of sale credit-card facilities, so check with your tour agent for the latest news.
Moneychangers
Since your trip is fully prepaid, theoretically you could manage in Bhutan without any local money at all, though you’ll probably want some to pay for laundry, drinks, souvenirs and tips.
The exchange counters at the airport, larger hotels and the banks in Thimphu and Phuentsholing can change all the currencies listed on the inside front cover, and sometimes Scandinavian currencies. If you are heading to central and eastern Bhutan, you will do better with more common currencies such as US dollars or pounds sterling. In smaller towns foreign-currency exchange may be an unusual transaction so be prepared for delays.
You may change your unused ngultrums back to foreign currency (though usually only into US dollars) on departure from Thimphu or Paro. Travellers departing via Samdrup Jongkhar don’t have this facility at the time of research. You will need to produce your original exchange receipts. Ngultrums are useless outside of Bhutan (except as a curiosity).
Bhutan has two banks, the Bank of Bhutan and the Bhutan National Bank, each with branches throughout the country where money can be exchanged. The Bank of Bhutan’s main branches are open 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 11am on Saturday, though the branches in Trongsa, Trashigang and Mongar are open on Sunday and closed Tuesday. It also has a branch in Thimphu that stays open later for the convenience of office workers (and travellers).
Tipping
Tipping is officially discouraged in Bhutan, but it’s becoming a common practice and it’s OK to do so if you want to reward good service.
You will usually be accompanied throughout your visit to Bhutan by the same tour guide and probably the same driver. Though it’s against the official DOT policy, these people expect a tip at the end of the trip. Many leaders on group tours take up a collection at the conclusion of the trip and hand it over in one packet. With a large group this can be a substantial amount and the practice has created high expectations on the part of Bhutanese guides.
If you’ve been trekking, it’s appropriate to tip the guide, cook and waiter. Horsemen also expect tips, but this can be minimal if they are the owners of the horses or yaks and are making money by hiring out their animals. The stakes go up, however, if they have been especially helpful with camp chores and on the trail.
Travellers Cheques
You can cash travellers cheques at any bank, most hotels and the foreign-exchange counter at the airport. There are bank charges of 1% for cheque encashment. You should carry only well-known brands such as American Express, Visa, Thomas Cook, Citibank or Barclays. There is no replacement facility for travellers cheques in Bhutan.
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PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO
Film & Equipment
A limited supply of colour print film is available in Bhutan and is sold in shops throughout the country. If you are shooting transparencies, bring all your film with you, as slide film is not