Know Bhutan◆

Money & Payments in Bhutan

Bhutan is still largely a cash economy, but paying has become much easier for visitors. Here's what money is accepted, how to change cash at Paro Airport, how to use the goBoB wallet as a foreigner, and how you can even pay with cryptocurrency.

Source: Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan • Bank of Bhutan • DK Bank

Currency at a Glance

The national currency is the Ngultrum (Nu, code BTN). It is pegged 1:1 to the Indian Rupee, so Nu 100 = ₹100. Banknotes come in Nu 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000; 1 Ngultrum = 100 Chhertum.

What Money Is Accepted

You will mostly pay in Ngultrum, but several other options work — some everywhere, some only in larger towns.

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Bhutanese Ngultrum (Nu)

Accepted everywhere — shops, restaurants, taxis, temples and village stalls. Always carry some Ngultrum, especially outside Thimphu and Paro.

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Indian Rupee (₹)

Legal tender alongside the Ngultrum at the same value. Smaller notes (₹100 and below) are accepted almost everywhere; larger notes such as ₹500 may be refused by small shops, so carry small denominations.

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US Dollars & other foreign cash

USD, EUR, GBP and other major currencies can be exchanged at banks and the airport counter. Some hotels and larger handicraft shops accept USD directly, but day-to-day spending should be in Ngultrum. Bring clean, undamaged, recent notes.

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Credit & Debit Cards

Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most tourist hotels, larger restaurants and handicraft emporiums in Thimphu and Paro, often with a 3–5% surcharge. Small shops, rural areas and markets are cash-only.

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goBoB Mobile Wallet

Bank of Bhutan's wallet for tourists. Load it with your Visa or Mastercard, then pay by scanning the QR codes found at most shops, cafés and even small stalls across the country.

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Cryptocurrency

Since May 2025, Bhutan has a national crypto payment system for tourism. Using Binance Pay, you can pay merchants in crypto while they receive Ngultrum through DK Bank.

Currency Exchange at Paro International Airport

Paro is the only international airport in Bhutan, and changing money there is the easiest way to get Ngultrum on arrival.

  • A bank foreign exchange counter operates in the arrival hall and is generally open when international flights land.
  • You can exchange major currencies such as USD, EUR, GBP, SGD, AUD, JPY and THB. US Dollars are the most widely accepted — bring USD if in doubt.
  • Rates are set by Bhutanese banks and are close to bank rates in town, so there is little reason to wait.
  • Bring your passport — it is needed for the exchange.
  • Keep your exchange receipt. You need it to change leftover Ngultrum back to foreign currency when you leave.
  • ATMs are also available at or near the airport and in Paro town if you prefer to withdraw cash.

Tip: Change enough for the first few days

Change enough at the airport to cover tips, snacks, souvenirs and small purchases for your first few days. Ngultrum is hard to obtain outside Bhutan and India, so don't over-exchange — you can always top up in Thimphu or Paro.

Using goBoB as a Foreigner

goBoB is a digital wallet from Bank of Bhutan (BoB), the country's largest bank. It has a tourist mode, so visitors can pay by QR code just like locals do. QR payments are now accepted in most shops, cafés, restaurants, taxis and even vegetable stalls, so goBoB means you need to carry much less cash.

How to set it up

  1. Download the goBoB app from the Apple App Store or Google Play — you can do this before you travel.
  2. Choose to register as "Other National" and then "Tourist".
  3. Enter your mobile number, passport number and email address. You'll receive a one-time passcode (OTP) and a default MPIN by email.
  4. Set your own transaction PIN (TPIN). Registration is free.
  5. Top up the wallet with an international Visa or Mastercard. You can load money before you arrive.
  6. Complete KYC verification under "Verify KYC" in the app's settings. This is checked against your Bhutan immigration record, so it completes once you have entered the country.
  7. To pay, scan the merchant's QR code, check the amount, and confirm with your TPIN.

Good to know

  • Loading money with a card carries a convenience fee of about 3.68%.
  • When paying with the card, complete the payment within 3 minutes of entering your card details or it may time out.
  • Unused balance can be refunded to your original card using "Refund to Card" under Send Money — do this before you leave Bhutan.
  • Logging in on a new device requires an OTP. Bank of Bhutan will never ask for your PIN by phone, SMS or email.
  • A local SIM card (B-Mobile or TashiCell, sold at Paro Airport) is useful for mobile data and for receiving SMS from the bank.

Don't rely on goBoB alone

You can't make payments until your KYC is verified, and mobile networks can be patchy in remote valleys and on trekking routes. Always carry some cash as a backup. Check the latest steps on the Bank of Bhutan website, as the registration process is updated from time to time.

Paying with Cryptocurrency

In May 2025, Bhutan's Department of Tourism partnered with Binance Pay and DK Bank to launch what they called the world's first national-level crypto payment system for tourism. Visitors can pay in cryptocurrency, while merchants are paid instantly in Ngultrum through DK Bank.

How it works

  1. Set up and verify a Binance account in your home country before you travel, and fund it with crypto.
  2. Look for merchants displaying a Binance Pay / DK Bank QR code.
  3. Open the Binance app, scan the QR code, and confirm the amount. Supported coins include Bitcoin (BTC), BNB and USDC, among others.
  4. The merchant receives Ngultrum instantly — you don't need to exchange crypto into local currency yourself.

It has been rolled out to more than 100 merchants, and can be used for things like flights, visa fees, hotels, tour guides, entrance fees, and even small vendors. Coverage is growing but not universal, so ask before you order.

Note

Crypto payments only work through Binance Pay — other wallets are not supported. Crypto prices can change during your trip, and your home country's tax rules on crypto spending still apply. Treat crypto as a convenient extra, not your only way to pay.

ATMs & Banks

ATMs from Bank of Bhutan, Bhutan National Bank, DK Bank and others are found in Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Bumthang and other district towns. Most accept international Visa and Mastercard, though not every machine works with every foreign card and withdrawal limits are low. Banks are generally open Monday to Friday, with shorter hours on Saturday. In remote areas and on treks there are no ATMs at all.

Money Tips

  • Tell your bank you are travelling to Bhutan so your card isn't blocked.
  • Carry a mix: some Ngultrum cash, a Visa or Mastercard, and goBoB on your phone.
  • Your tour package and the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) are usually prepaid through your tour operator, so you only need money for personal spending.
  • Small change is useful for temple offerings, tips and market stalls.
  • Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated — guides and drivers are commonly tipped at the end of a tour.
  • Ngultrum is not easily exchanged outside Bhutan and India, so spend or change it back before you leave.

Related Guides

Immigration & Visa →Shopping →Transportation →