Bhutan, also known as the Land of Thunder Dragons, is a small Himalayan Country famous for its picturesque natural beauty. Bhutan is one of the few countries in the world where the monarchy is still prevalent. If you are planning to visit Bhutan, then there are five things to know before visiting.

Visa for foreign travelers

Barring Indians, Bangladeshis, and Maldivians, all other nationalities require a visa to enter Bhutan.

Indian, Bangladeshi, and Maldivian nationals can either take a flight or go by road. The nationalities of the above-mentioned countries do not need visas, but having ID proof is mandatory.

Tourists from other countries need to get a visa clearance through their tour company before visiting Bhutan. They need to send the photo page of their passport to the tour operator, and he will then apply for the visa. Before entering the country, showing a visa clearance letter is a must for foreigners. Hiring a travel agent is a must for foreign travelers.

Bhutan has made some rules and regulations to preserve its culture and natural beauty. Travelers need to follow these rules ardently.

Bhutan is considered to be the happiest country in the world. They don't measure the value of their country through GDP but through Gross National Happiness. Here, we will discuss a few rules in Bhutan that may sound weird to you.

Don't Believe the Weather Forecasts

The weather in Bhutan is quite unique and can change very frequently. Weather forecasts are useless here.

Bhutan's weather is extremely unpredictable, and many times, the weather is exactly the opposite of the weather forecast. When weather forecasts show clear skies, it may rain in reality. One needs to be prepared for numerous kinds of weather in one day, especially during trekking, as the weather can change quickly at high altitudes.

Bhutan doesn't provide micro SIM cards

Bhutan has two mobile network operators. Roaming fees in Bhutan are pretty expensive, so many visitors choose to buy a cheap local SIM card. Both 3G and 4G SIM cards are obtainable, and they're very reasonably priced here.

Roaming charges are quite expensive, so it's better to buy a local SIM. But you can't purchase a micro (or nano) SIM card. So, before visiting Bhutan, you should check your mobile device for SIM compatibility if you want to get a local SIM card.

Altitude Sickness

Since Bhutan is located at a very high altitude and because of that tourists may get altitude sickness. So, always keep some medicines handy to cope with altitude sickness.

Bhutan is a landlocked country nestled in the Himalayan mountain range. But you should be aware of the fact that much of the country is located at a very high elevation, which means that visitors can sometimes experience symptoms of altitude sickness.

If you go trekking in the mountains of Bhutan, there is a chance of getting altitude sickness. The symptoms of altitude sickness include nausea, headaches, dizziness, and insomnia.