Page 15 - Bhutan Destination Guide - Alluring Asia

SHOPPING Words of Wisdom-Buyer Beware Bring your purchases home with you. Unless you are prepared to wait The handicraft industry is much a prolonged period of time, do not have it shipped -- not even by air smaller in Bhutan because there freight. PAGE 3-7 aren't as many tourists but there Population | Time | Visas are plenty of shops in Thimphu Do not purchase expensive goods of supposed high quality unless you History | Religion (the capital) which sell a range of are absolutely sure of what you are buying. goods including wooden bowls, PAGE 8 Language handmade paper, jewellery, masks Unless you are an expert in gems, antiques, artifacts, etc., you should and thangkas. Bhutan is not assume that it is of the highest quality or value. PAGE 9 renowned for it's brightly Climate coloured and boldly designed Always take the time to read the charge slips for credit card purchases PAGE 10 stamps, so it's paradise for stamp before you sign them. This may seem obvious; but in the excitement of The Land collectors! making a foreign purchase, travelers sometimes overlook this and are unpleasantly surprised when they return home and are billed by the PAGE 11 The People | What to Pack | BARTERING credit card company. Taking a few moments to review the charge slip before signing it (and computing the exchange rate to be sure you are The Bhutanese do not generally PAGE 12 charged the right amount) can save you headaches. barter for products and a fixed Currency | Credit Cards Changing Money | Tipping price prevails. Bartering is often Insurance seen as offensive so it's best not to try it. PAGE 13 Etiquette | Safety & theft CUSTOMS PAGE 14 Communications | Media Customs regulations allow, per adult, a maximum of 2 litres of PAGE 15 alcohol, Cigarettes and Tobacco Shopping | Customs Bartering are banned in Bhutan and are not allowed into the country, PAGE 16 However if you are a smoker Food & Drinks some shops sell illegally. PAGE 17-21 Photographic equipment is Culture & The Arts | Religion limited to personal use. Be careful of antique purchases as customs authorities will not allow any old/used item to be taken out of the country if they have not been certified as non-antiques, this usually is checked if they are Religious items. However most shops that sell curio items will have a clearance seal from the Special Commission.