How to Find Cheap Hotels in Thimphu Bhutan

With a population of about 80,000, Thimphu is the capital of the Kingdom of Bhutan (also known as the Land of the Thunder Dragon). With 72 percent of the country covered by forest, Bhutan is a popular destination for hikers, adventure travelers and environmentalists. It is also a desired stop for those seeking spiritual enlightenment, as the country is the last remaining home of the Vajrayana School of Mahayana Buddhism.

Things You'll Need

• Passport and visa

Instructions

Sleep Cheap in Thimphu, Bhutan

1. Look in the center. Most of the hotels in Thimphu are located in the city center, to provide easy access to the city's wonders. Thimphu is a small city, and is easily navigable on foot.

2. Recognize that your options are limited. In Bhutan, hotels are strictly regulated by the government, and international visitors are only permitted to stay in accommodations that meet government criteria.

3. Have reasonable expectations. Most accommodations in Thimphu are not 5-star. Hotels are clean and comfortable, without a lot of flashy amenities. Don't expect any in-room massages or saunas by a sparkling hotel pool.

4. Know that because cheap rooms are the norm, the intrepid traveler should have no problem locating accommodations in Thimphu that won't break the bank.

Experience Thimphu

1. See a temple. As a country with an active Buddhist population, Thimphu is filled with unique and beautiful temples that are sought-after stops on tours.

2. Go to market. There are numerous indigenous craftspeople in Thimphu who sell their wares in town at regularly scheduled markets. Hand-woven cloth, in particular, is a large cottage industry.

3. Learn about Buddhism. Religious festivals are held regularly in Thimphu. If there is one going on during your stay, be sure to check it out.

4. Get healed. Thimphu has a famed hospital, the National Traditional Medicine Hospital, that attracts visitors from all over the world for its herbal remedies. It treats more than 50,000 patients a year.

5. To book accommodations in Thimphu, Bhutan, call Bhutan at 011 ([phone] or visit the link below. If you're calling outside the US, then it would be 00 ([phone].

Tips & Warnings

• International travelers are not permitted to enter Bhutan without a visa, and visas may only be obtained through a local licensed tour operator or through a foreign travel agent. In short, to come to Bhutan, you must be a part of a tour group.

• Be aware that visas are issued in Thimphu, and must be requested at least 10 days prior to travel. Airline tickets to Bhutan cannot be purchased without first obtaining a visa.