Bhutan

Recommended Vaccinations For Bhutan

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) and who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk from coming in close contact with infected persons or for unvaccinated, children under 16 years of age, who are going to live in Bhutan for more than 3 months.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

Vaccination against Japanese encephalitis is recommended for long-term travellers and expatriates and for or travellers who visit or work in rural agricultural areas such as rice fields and marshland, especially during the transmission season from June to December. Short-term travellers and those who restrict their visits to urban areas are at very low risk.

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions.

Recommended Medications For Bhutan

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

The recommended anti-malarial medication for the at-risk districts is atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Resistance to chloroquine occurs.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Bhutan

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Bhutan.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Bhutan through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks can occur in Bhutan.

For Some Travellers

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Malaria

There is a **low** risk of malaria in the southern districts of **Chukha, Geyleg-phug, Samchi, Samdrup Jonkhar and Shemgang.** There is low to no risk in the rest of Bhutan.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Bhutan. Travellers to Bhutan are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Bhutan, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Bhutan. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis occurs in this country. There is no data regarding affected areas, but southern border regions with India may be a risk. The transmission season is thought to be **June** to December. Short-term travellers and those who restrict their visits to urban areas are at very low risk. Those at higher risk are travellers who visit or work in rural agricultural areas, such as rice fields and marshland. Long-term travellers and expatriates are also at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Bhutan

Personal Safety

Bhutan ranks among the safest countries in South Asia and is the 21st most peaceful country globally according to the Global Peace Index 2024. The country reported 2,153 total registered crime cases in 2024, down from 2,352 in 2023. The national crime rate also declined to 32 incidents per 10,000 population in 2024. Petty crimes, such as pickpocketing or bag-snatching, occasionally occur in urban centres such as Thimphu and Paro but remain infrequent. Overcharging or misleading tour offers have been reported in busy tourist areas. The country’s low crime levels reflect a combination of Buddhist-influenced social values and its policy emphasis on Gross National Happiness. Most visitors move around with licensed guides and drivers, which contributes positively to personal safety. Crime specifically targeting tourists is very uncommon. Offences related to substance abuse remain the largest single category of recorded crime as of 2024. Scams targeting tourists are less common than in neighbouring countries, though they do occur, particularly involving fraudulent tour operators or counterfeit goods. The government’s high-value, low-volume tourism policy, combined with community-driven safety programs and strict law enforcement, creates a secure environment for visitors.

Extreme Violence

Violent crime in Bhutan is very rare. Available data indicate a homicide rate of around 2–3 per 100,000 people, among the lowest in South Asia. Physical attacks, hate crimes, and harassment are uncommon. The historical security threat came from insurgent groups from India that illegally camped in border regions during the early 2000s. These groups were involved in kidnappings near border areas with India. In December 2003, the Royal Bhutan Army launched operations that destroyed terrorist camps. Isolated incidents occurred, including a 2004 bombing in Gelephu that killed two people and a 2008 attack that killed four forest rangers. However, since then, Bhutan has experienced no major acts of terrorism, and there have been no recorded incidents affecting tourists. Current terrorism risks are considered very low, with any potential threats confined to remote border regions that are off-limits to tour operators. The country’s Buddhist philosophy and emphasis on non-violence contribute to minimal violent crime. The likelihood of visitors encountering any violent incident remains minimal.

Political Unrest

Bhutan operates as a constitutional monarchy that has undergone democratic consolidation with credible elections and periodic transfers of power between parties. The country held parliamentary elections in late 2023 and early 2024, demonstrating robust multiparty competition. Public demonstrations are uncommon and generally require prior government permission. Around 30 to 40 individuals are serving long-term prison sentences dating from the 1990s and 2000s in connection with protests and activities linked to the Nepali-speaking Lhotshampa minority. These detainees were convicted under national security and terrorism-related laws. The government has been criticized by UN experts and human rights organizations for these detentions and for restrictions on freedom of assembly. Public protests and large gatherings are rare and have not recently affected tourists. While formal curfews are uncommon, restrictions on demonstration locations and public assembly remain in place. The country enforces strict laws protecting the King and the monarchy, and criticism of the royal family can carry legal penalties. There are no confirmed cases of travelers being arrested for social-media comments, though such actions could technically fall under existing laws. Civil society organizations focusing on ethnic Nepali issues operate under tight constraints. Despite these limitations, political stability remains high, and day-to-day political unrest affecting tourists is virtually nonexistent. The country’s tourism framework, which requires licensed guides for most travel, further insulates visitors from any political activity.

Areas To Avoid

Remote border areas with India and China should be avoided. Insurgent activity historically occurred in border regions, though this has largely been addressed. Tour operators generally do not take visitors to these remote, border-sensitive areas where past security incidents happened, and travel beyond main towns typically requires permits handled by licensed operators. Military zones and certain sacred mountain areas are completely off-limits to all travellers; climbing peaks such as Gangkhar Puensum is prohibited. Certain border-sensitive areas require prior security clearances. During the monsoon season (June–September), many roads become impassable due to landslides and flooding, particularly affecting travel in mountainous regions and along the eastern Lateral Road. Flash flooding can occur with little warning in both rural and urban areas. Central and southern parts of the country are prone to forest fires during dry seasons. Several parts of Bhutan lie in seismically active zones, and emergency response capabilities are limited outside major cities. Isolated or poorly lit areas at night should be avoided everywhere. Rural areas have limited emergency services, and hospitals with modern facilities are concentrated in Thimphu and Paro. Remote trekking areas pose risks due to altitude, limited medical evacuation options, and distance from healthcare facilities. Most of Bhutan remains safe for tourists when following standard precautions and travelling with licensed guides.