Bhutan’s official currency is the Ngultrum (BTN), which holds the same value as the Indian Rupee (INR). At present, 1 USD is roughly equivalent to 67 Ngultrum (check the latest rate at www.xe.com). While Indian Rupee notes of ₹50 and ₹100 are accepted in Bhutan, the Ngultrum cannot be used in India. Large denominations of ₹500, ₹1,000, and ₹2,000 are not accepted in Bhutan.Tourists can exchange traveler’s cheques or cash at the foreign exchange counter in Paro Airport or at Bank of Bhutan branches in major towns such as Paro and Thimphu. Once you travel into rural areas, ATM and banking facilities become scarce, so it’s best to handle all banking needs in Paro or Thimphu and carry sufficient local currency for the countryside.
Foreign currencies that can be exchanged in Bhutan include:
Some hotels also provide currency exchange, though usually only for US Dollars.Credit card usage is very limited, accepted mainly at a few handicraft stores in Thimphu and in high-end hotels. ATM services are also limited to larger towns and can process international Visa and MasterCard debit or credit cards for cash withdrawals.
