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Travel info
Bhutan’s Sustainable Development Fee is a daily contribution that every visitor pays. It funds the country’s free healthcare and education, conservation and carbon-neutral development.
The SDF is charged per person for every night you spend in Bhutan. These rates are confirmed by the Government of Bhutan until 31 August 2027:
| Traveller | SDF |
|---|---|
| Adult visitor (12 and over) | US$100 per night |
| Child aged 6–11 | US$50 per night |
| Child under 6 | Exempt |
| Indian national, adult | Nu. 1,200 per night |
| Indian national, child aged 6–11 | Nu. 600 per night |
Rates are set by the Government of Bhutan and can change. We always quote the rate that applies to your travel dates.
The SDF is how Bhutan keeps tourism “high value, low volume”. It supports free healthcare and education for Bhutanese citizens, protection of the forests that cover most of the country, training for young people, and investment in sustainable infrastructure.
In practice, it also means quieter monasteries, cleaner trails and a country that has not been reshaped around mass tourism.
Children under 6 pay no SDF, and children aged 6–11 pay half the adult rate — US$50, or Nu. 600 for Indian nationals. A child pays the adult rate from their twelfth birthday.
More travel info
Who needs a visa, who needs a permit, and how we help.
Flights into Paro, overland borders, and onward travel.
Four seasons, month by month, with festivals and treks.
Altitude by region, pacing, insurance and medicines.
Ngultrum and rupees, cards and cash, SIMs, Wi-Fi and power.
Dress for dzongs, temple manners, photography and festivals.
By season and by trip type — culture tours and treks.
Our own hotels, certified hotels elsewhere, farmhouses and trek camps.
Ready when you are
We handle visas, permits and the SDF for you — and answer every question along the way.
