Bhutan or also known as the Kingdom of Bhutan is an independent, landlocked country located in South Asia between India to the north and China to the south in the Hymalian mountains.
From the economic and cultural perspective, Buthan has strictly maintained a policy of isolation from their neighborhood, in order to preserve their cultural heritage and independence.
And from this point of view, they have succeeded as nowadays they have still preserved many aspects of their culture that dates back to the mid-17th century and are of course interesting for tourists to be discovered.
Warnings & Dangers in Bhutan
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Bhutan is a remarkably safe country with a low level of crime, but at the same time growing with its population, this is why you as a tourist should be very attentive as everywhere in the world while traveling.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
The taxi is the best mean of transportation that can be used by one for traveling in big cities of the country as well as around them, but still, try to relate to some well-known companies as in another case you will be charged unfair fees. Regarding the other means of transportation existent in the country are not advisable to be used.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
Pickpockets are rarely met here in Bhutan, but even though there are not so many cases, this does not mean that there are not at all. This means that you as a tourist should take into account all precautions measures in order to avoid such unpleasant cases.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
Monsoons rains are often met in Bhutan which could cause some road problems for days, this is why it is advisable to check the routes before going somewhere. Also, as Bhutan is located in high active zones there are high chances of earthquakes for which it is better to get prepared.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
Few cases of mugging have been registered that are well-known to the public authorities, but still, this does not mean that you should be fearless. A good piece of advice is to not walk alone at night and in dark places.
TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
Even though there are no recent registered cases of such attacks this represents the biggest threat of the whole nation that can occur in public places and can affect not only the citizens but also the tourists. All measures should be taken in case of this happening.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Even if scams can occur in the country this could be easily avoided through using your common sense and trying not to be easily influenced.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Even if it is considered to be a safe place for a woman to travel to Bhutan it is advisable to get a guide that will be there just in case.
So... How Safe Is Bhutan Really?
Even though it is claimed that from criminal prospective Bhutan is a safe country, do not forget to always keep a close look at your belongings and take all the necessary precaution actions in case of any unpleasant situation.
It is believed that from the perspective of weather and natural disasters it is less safe to travel in the periods which are not advisable by the public authorities, but still if prepared then keep in mind all given pieces of advice and always try to get updated regarding the information provided by national websites in order for you to be safe.
How Does Bhutan Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Bhutan | 70 |
| Morocco | 54 |
| Germany | 85 |
| Romania | 80 |
| Namibia | 71 |
| Netherlands | 75 |
| Chile | 79 |
| Mongolia | 71 |
| Qatar | 84 |
Useful Information
Visas
All tourists need to have a visa in order to be able to visit Bhutan which is most of the time issued when entering the country but one can also apply in advance to get their visa approval before traveling.
Currency
The ngultrum is the currency of Bhutan and has the same value as the Indian rupee which can also be used on this territory as well as other currencies, but be attentive at what exchange rate they calculate it.
Weather
The best time to visit Bhutan is considered to be in the spring from March until May or in the autumn from September to November as these are considered to be the months with low precipitations.
Airports
Paro International Airport is the only international airport from all four available in Bhutan and flights are allowed there only under visual meteorological conditions.
Travel Insurance
Check 8 weeks before traveling the national health-related sites of Bhutan to be aware of all the updates made and requirements that should be fulfilled. As it is always recommended to have travel insurance while traveling, no matter the destination Bhutan is not an exception.
Bhutan Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 23 | 25 | 29 | 20 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 25 |
| Low °C | 10 | 12 | 15 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 15 | 11 |
| High °F | 73 | 77 | 84 | 68 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 86 | 81 | 77 |
| Low °F | 50 | 54 | 59 | 68 | 72 | 75 | 77 | 77 | 75 | 70 | 59 | 52 |
Earthquakes Do Happen...
I have only gone to Bhutan once and the warning for natural distastes is accurate. I would say that is the only reason not to visit. I had experienced two earthquakes on my 10-day trip and it was a lot to take in. I come from an area that doesn’t get them so I was not prepared. I ended up missing out on 3 days of my trip because of them.
Immerse yourself in the culture
If you’re the type to get a Starbucks every morning before you start off your day, forget about it when you’re in Bhutan. To preserve their culture, they focus on local products and don’t bring in renowned food and beverage chains and restaurants to their place. I truly respect their decision and why I really wanted to immerse myself in the culture when I was there. Don’t act all touristy too though as it cannot be avoided that some people will take advantage of your lack of knowledge.