Guided Tour Overcharges
Inflated Daily Guide Fees
In Bhutan, where guided tours are mandatory for tourists, some unlicensed or opportunistic guides in areas like national parks inflate the standard daily fee from the official 1,500-3,000 Ngultrum (Nu) per person to as much as 5,000 Nu by claiming extra costs for permits or meals, often targeting solo travelers at Thimphu's main bus station or during transfers.
- Book tours exclusively through the official Tourism Council of Bhutan website to ensure fixed rates
- Verify guide credentials with a government-issued license before starting
- Request a detailed itinerary and fee breakdown in writing, referencing the standard SDF-inclusive packages
Fake Sustainable Development Fee Waivers
Scammers posing as tourism officials may approach travelers at Paro International Airport or border crossings, offering to waive or reduce the mandatory Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of 1,200 Nu per night, then demanding payment for a 'special permit' that doesn't exist, exploiting confusion around the fee structure.
- Pay the SDF only through official government portals or authorized tour operators
- Ignore unsolicited offers and report them to hotel staff or the Royal Bhutan Police
- Keep your tourism visa confirmation as proof of paid fees
Souvenir Authenticity Frauds
Counterfeit Handicrafts Sales
In Bhutan's artisan markets, vendors sell fake traditional items like prayer wheels or thangka paintings, claiming they are authentic and handcrafted from places like the Zorig Chusum Institute, charging 2,000-5,000 Nu for items worth only 500 Nu, by using convincing replicas made in neighboring regions.
- Purchase from certified government handicraft emporiums or cooperatives with authenticity stamps
- Ask for a certificate of origin and verify the artisan's workshop details
- Haggle cautiously and compare prices at multiple stalls in Thimphu Weekend Market