The Sustainable Development Fee explained: what it is, where it goes, and why our guests are glad to pay it.
Almost every traveller asks the same question early on: what is the Sustainable Development Fee, and why is it USD 100 a night? Once you know where it goes, most guests see it as a contribution to the kingdom rather than a cost.
Why Bhutan charges it
Bhutan has chosen a “high value, low volume” approach to tourism. It welcomes fewer travellers who stay longer and engage more deeply. The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) puts that vision into practice. It is a government levy paid to the Royal Government of Bhutan for every night a visitor spends in the country.
How much is it?
| Adults (12 and above) | USD 100 per night |
| Children 6 to 11 | USD 50 per night |
| Children under 6 | Free |
| Indian nationals | INR 1,200 per night |
This is half the original USD 200 and applies to stays until 31 August 2027. Rates after that date are subject to government confirmation, so travelling sooner means paying less.
Where your contribution goes
Your fee supports free education and healthcare for Bhutanese citizens, roads and clean water in rural areas, forest protection that keeps Bhutan carbon-negative, and the dzongs, festivals and crafts that make the country what it is. It also sustains the guides, artisans and farmers who welcome you.
Where the Sustainable Development Fee goes, and what it does not cover.
What it does not cover
The SDF is a contribution to the country, not a payment for your holiday. Accommodation, meals, transport and guides are priced separately in your itinerary, and the visa is a one-time USD 40 per person.
We handle it for you
The SDF appears as a clear line item in your quotation. We pay it to the government and process your visa, so there is nothing for you to arrange.
Every night you spend in Bhutan helps keep it the way you came to see it.