Bhutan Warnings and Dangers

Bhutan is known for its mountain climbing and hiking adventures, which can be dangerous. Even if you are not participating in extreme activities you should follow the safety tips of other travelers and heed the warnings and dangers in Bhutan.

Dogs

Many people love dogs, but when a large number of stray dogs roams the streets, you need to be on your guard. While the dogs are generally not threatening, you may see four to five dogs out on the street or sleeping in a pack. At night, the dogs get more active and are known to bark loud and often. You should never approach a dog you don’t know, even if it seems friendly. Many of the dogs are mangy and may carry diseases.

Photography and Mobile Devices

When you visit temples or museums, leave your cameras and phones at home or keep them in your pockets – photography is prohibited in the temples and museum interiors. Many places offer lockers for your personal items, but you are better off keeping these items with you or at your hotel due to the threat of theft. When it comes to your mobile device, you may have trouble finding service. Bhutan is not the most common tourist destination in the area so there aren’t as many cell phone towers to service visitors.

Personal Health

Even though Bhutan is at a high altitude, there are still issues with malaria, so take anti-malarial medications. And, when it comes to altitude, beware of altitude sickness. Altitude sickness can happen even at lower altitudes, so you should know the symptoms to look for.  If you feel dizzy, have shortness of breath, or tingling in your hands and feet, you should get to lower ground and seek medical attention immediately. Finally, smoking is heavily frowned upon in Bhutan and there is a large tax on tobacco products. Keep this in mind if you need to light up often.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about warnings and dangers in Bhutan.