Ngultrums & Cheltrums
Bhutan's unit of currency is the Ngultrum (Nu.) and it is pegged with Indian Rupee and thus trades at par with rupee. All major credit cards can be used in Bhutan, with Visa and MasterCard accepted most widely. Banks are open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday. Some are also open during weekends.
Since Automated Teller Machines (ATM's) are widely available at banks, along main shopping streets and in malls, international credit cards and ATM cards will work as long as they have a four-digit PIN encoded so check with your bank before leaving home. There is an American Express office in the capital, and Amex is accepted in a few rare instances. More important, an Amex office means you can get your travelers' checks replaced if necessary.
Please take note that $50 and $100 notes are given a better exchange rate than $20 notes or lesser, so the smaller USD notes fetch about 5% less. If you plan to bring $100 U.S. notes be aware that the banks in Bhutan do not accept notes printed in 1996 due to counterfeiting that took place in that year. Please check your notes also for tears, ink marks, staple holes etc.
There is no limit on the amount of convertible foreign exchange that may be brought into Bhutan. However, as per the Export and Import of Currency Regulations 2003, a person bringing more than United States Dollars 10,000.00 or its equivalent, should declare the amount at the customs point of entry into Bhutan.
There is no limit on the amount of Indian currency that a person may bring into Bhutan. However, travelers should note that under the laws of India, Indian currency notes in denominations above Rs.100 are not allowed to be sent or brought into Bhutan and Nepal. So please check with your concern authorities prior to your visits to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.
Except with the general permission of the RMA (Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, central bank), no person may take out of Bhutan or bring into Bhutan (other than to or from India) Bhutanese currency exceeding Ngultrum 50,000. The bank notes and travellers' cheques denominated in any of the following currencies are accepted in Bhutan; US dollar, Euro, British Pound, Swiss Franc, Norwegian Kroner, Canadian Dollar, Singapore dollar, Hong Kong dollar, Australian dollar, Japanese Yen, Swedish Kroner
and Danish Kroner.
Since Automated Teller Machines (ATM's) are widely available at banks, along main shopping streets and in malls, international credit cards and ATM cards will work as long as they have a four-digit PIN encoded so check with your bank before leaving home. There is an American Express office in the capital, and Amex is accepted in a few rare instances. More important, an Amex office means you can get your travelers' checks replaced if necessary.
Please take note that $50 and $100 notes are given a better exchange rate than $20 notes or lesser, so the smaller USD notes fetch about 5% less. If you plan to bring $100 U.S. notes be aware that the banks in Bhutan do not accept notes printed in 1996 due to counterfeiting that took place in that year. Please check your notes also for tears, ink marks, staple holes etc.
There is no limit on the amount of convertible foreign exchange that may be brought into Bhutan. However, as per the Export and Import of Currency Regulations 2003, a person bringing more than United States Dollars 10,000.00 or its equivalent, should declare the amount at the customs point of entry into Bhutan.
There is no limit on the amount of Indian currency that a person may bring into Bhutan. However, travelers should note that under the laws of India, Indian currency notes in denominations above Rs.100 are not allowed to be sent or brought into Bhutan and Nepal. So please check with your concern authorities prior to your visits to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.
Except with the general permission of the RMA (Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, central bank), no person may take out of Bhutan or bring into Bhutan (other than to or from India) Bhutanese currency exceeding Ngultrum 50,000. The bank notes and travellers' cheques denominated in any of the following currencies are accepted in Bhutan; US dollar, Euro, British Pound, Swiss Franc, Norwegian Kroner, Canadian Dollar, Singapore dollar, Hong Kong dollar, Australian dollar, Japanese Yen, Swedish Kroner
and Danish Kroner.