Bhutan Tourism Tax - Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)

Bhutan’s Tourism Policy:

1. Bhutan is now open to tourists from all over the world;

2. A Bhutan Visa is required for Bhutan travel. It can only be applied with the help of authorized travel agency;

3. Covid-19 policy: travelers have to provide proof of being vaccinated; PCR test report is not required;

4. Bhutan Tourism Tax, officially known as Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), is 200 USD per night per person. Government has no requirement on the minimum cost of travelers’ daily travel.

Keep Reading about Previous Policy of Bhutan Daily Fee

What is the Daily Fee?

According to tourism policy of Royal Bhutan Government, international tourists (excluding Indian, Maldivian and Bangladesh) have to pay a minimum charge per day per person (eventually charged by night). Official name of this charge is Daily Fee. It covers most of expense of your Bhutan trip, such as tour guide, meals, hotels, etc.

● USD 250 per person per day for the months of March, April, May, September, October and November.

● USD 200 per person per day for the months of January, February, June, July, August and December.

Why the Daily Fee Is Charged?

Bhutan adhere to a sustainable tourist policy which is “High Value, Low Impact”, meaning they want each traveler to enjoy the best possible from the holidays in the county while still preserves the primitiveness of its culture and nature. How to achieve this goal? Set a compulsive charge over tourists.

With a tiny GDP around 2.5 billion in 2019, Bhutan is listed as 164 out of 189 countries in the world in term of global GDP ranking, one of the poorest countries in the world. More than 90% of Bhutanese are farmers. The government tax is levied only from 20% of its population. The rest 80% are not capable of paying government tax. However, the country has so many heritages of culture and nature to preserve, also has to establish tourism facilities, such as airport, road, hotel, etc. to support save and enjoyable travel, at the same time afford free education, healthcare and infrastructure for its people. Also, Bhutan’s government doesn’t want Bhutan become a massive tourist market like Nepal, Thailand and some Southeastern Asian countries whose travel quality have been receded largely due to overdevelopment of tourism. Instead, Bhutan rather keeps a sustainable tourism industry to ensure travel quality for all tourists as well as keep the primitiveness of its culture and nature, by maintaining a very limited numbers of travelers (less than 300,000 annually). The easiest way to do so is by regulation through price.

As a good result, you will not be sharing your holidays with thousands and thousands of other tourists. Even in the most popular sites in its two biggest cities Thimphu and Paro, you will not meet crowds of tourists. This helps to reduce pressures on infrastructure, nature and culture of Bhutan too. It’s important to realize that your travel in Bhutan is not only making contribution to preserve Bhutan’s heritage, but also help improve the living of Bhutanese people.

3 Reasons Bhutan Is Worth the US$250 Daily Fee

1． Bhutan might be one of the few countries that can offer you an entirely authentic experience. It’s a refreshing trip to a beautiful but isolated country where you will not be hassled by annoying tourist groups.

2． You travel with an all-inclusive tour package which covers private tour guide, private driver, fancy hotels, pleasant food, attractions tickets, etc. It’s an absolutely worry-free vacation. If you do the research, you will find it even cheaper than those private tours in developed countries.

3． Your Bhutan tour is making your own contribution to Bhutan and its people, as $65 of $250 is paid to the foundation of Royal Government which is used to preserve the authentic culture and nature of Bhutan, but also help improve the education, healthcare, infrastructure, environment protection, etc.

What’s Covered in the Daily Fee?

1. Private licensed Bhutan local guide from a licensed travel agency who is friendly, helpful and informative;

2. All internal transportation in your tour. Usually, this means a private driver and a comfortable vehicle (4x4 or medium-sized bus, based on your group size);

3. Accommodation of 3-stars hotel which are clean, spacious and cozy for regular tour; Camping for high altitude trekking. Higher standards of hotels may require extra charge; learn more about Bhutan hotels in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, etc.

4. Meals (breakfasts, lunches and dinners) in your trip and non-alcoholic drinks. Usually provided in your hotel. You can also request to eat at local restaurants;

5. Admission fees for all attractions in your itinerary;

6. Trekking tour (camping gears, chef, porters, etc. )

7. Travel agency service fee;

8. Government tax;

9. USD 65 of Sustainable Development Fee paid directly to the Royal Government of Bhutan as found to help Bhutan’s infrastructure, including country’s education, health care, repairs, and more.

What’s Not Covered in the Daily Fee?

1. Flights to/off Bhutan;

2. Internal flights in Bhutan (fewly used);

3. Bhutan Visa;

4. Personal expense, such as souvenirs, alcohol, cultural shows, etc.

5. Tips for guides and drivers

Surcharges

If you travel solo, or your group has only 2 travellers, you have to pay a surcharge, in addition to the minimum daily fee as following amounts:

Solo tourist: Daily fee+ USD 40 per night

Group of 2 Tourists: Daily fee+ USD 30 per person per night

Discounts

If tourists are eligible for below situations, a discount shall be given:

a) Kids below the age of 5 is free of Daily Fee charge; Kids between the ages of 6~12 years accompanied by adults can enjoy a discount of 50% on Daily Fee;

b) Full time students below the age of 25 holding valid identity cards from their school can enjoy a discount of 25% on Daily Fee;

c) One member in the tourists group with 11~15 people can enjoy a discount of 50% on Daily Fee; 100% discount shall be given to one member of group exceeding 16 tourists;

d) A 50% discount on Sustainable Development Fee after the 8th night, and 100% discount on Sustainable Development Fee after the 14th night shall be given;

e) It shall be free of charge of Sustainable Development Fee on the first/or last night for groups with night halt in Phuntsholing, Sarpang and Samdrup Jongkhar .

Delayed Arrivals and Departures

If your arrival and departure are delayed due to extreme weather conditions or road blocks, you don’t have to pay the Daily Fee, but have to bear the cost of food, hotels, transfers and other services required. You are suggested to buy a travel insurance prior to your tour.

Cancellations

Usually the Daily Fee and other cost of your Bhutan tour can be refunded, depending on the cancellation policies of the tour operators. Fully refund or partly refund usually depends on when your subummit the cancellation request. Check details carefully with your travel agency.

Bhutan Travel Guide

• How to Plan Bhutan Trip
• Bhutan Visa
• Daily Fee
• Get to Bhutan
• Flights to Bhutan
• Get Around Bhutan
• Best Time to Visit
• Top 11 Places to Visit
• Top 14 Bhutan Things to Do
• Top 9 Dzongs in Bhutan
• Top 9 Monasteries in Bhutan
• Where to Accommodate
• Bhutan Trekking
• Bhutan Birding
• Bhutan Festivals
• Maps of Bhutan
• Bhutan Travel FAQs
• More Bhutan Travel Guide