Bhutan Accommodation Rules: Hotels, Homestays and Glamping

Tourists in Bhutan must stay in accommodation certified by the Department of Tourism (DoT), or in alternative accommodation specifically approved by the Department. This applies to hotels, village homestays and other overnight accommodation. Trekking groups must use designated trails and campsites.

For travellers, the important distinction is official approval: a listing on a booking website, an attractive property description or the word "homestay" does not establish whether a place is authorised to host tourists.

Druk Asia's Bhutan tour packages include comfortable, DoT-certified 3-star hotels, with upgrades to 4-star and 5-star properties available at an additional cost. If you would like to include a village homestay, a glamping retreat or a camping trek, our Bhutan Travel Specialists can arrange suitable approved options as part of your itinerary.

Here is how Bhutan's accommodation rules apply to your journey.

Bhutan Accommodation Rules at a Glance

What Does DoT Certification Mean?

DoT certification confirms that an accommodation provider has met the applicable requirements for its category. Bhutan's tourism framework recognises star-rated accommodation, village homestays and other forms of accommodation, including campsites and eco-lodges.

The Department has reminded existing and prospective providers that they must obtain the required clearance, technical approval and certification before hosting tourists. Its reminder reinforces the approval requirement rather than introducing a new accommodation category.

Accommodation providers must also maintain valid certification. Under the Tourism Rules and Regulations 2024, accommodation registration certificates are valid for three years and must be displayed prominently at the property.

Certification does not mean every property offers the same facilities. A village homestay, a 3-star hotel and a luxury tented lodge provide different experiences. Druk Asia helps you understand those differences before confirming your accommodation.

You can read the Department of Tourism's accommodation announcement and the Tourism Rules and Regulations 2024 for the official requirements.

Hotels: What Is Included with Druk Asia?

Druk Asia's Bhutan tour packages include comfortable, DoT-certified 3-star hotels, with upgrades to 4-star and 5-star properties available at an additional cost.

Our team recommends hotels according to your route, travel dates, preferences and availability. We explain the proposed accommodation and any upgrade costs during planning, so you know what your quotation includes.

If you prefer a particular location, room arrangement or level of comfort, share this with your dedicated Bhutan Travel Specialist. We can help match your accommodation to the way you want to travel.

Are 1-Star and 2-Star Hotels Allowed in Bhutan?

Yes. Bhutan extended its tourist accommodation classification system to include qualifying 1-star and 2-star hotels in 2023. These properties still need to meet the relevant standards and obtain certification before hosting tourists.

The legal minimum and Druk Asia's standard package accommodation are different considerations. Our standard hotel arrangements use comfortable, certified 3-star properties.

Explore our hotels in Bhutan for accommodation options across the country.

Village Homestays: Staying with a Bhutanese Family

Tourists can stay in certified village homestays in Bhutan. These are small, family-managed stays intended to introduce guests to everyday village life while providing supplementary income to rural households.

A homestay can add a personal dimension to your journey: sharing a home-cooked meal, learning about local food or spending an evening with your hosts. The experience depends on the household, season and activities taking place during your visit.

Under the Department of Tourism's 2026 village homestay guidelines, key requirements include:

• A Bhutanese host family registered in the village or community.
• A rural location outside municipal boundaries.
• The host family living in and managing the same house.
• A maximum of three guest rooms, accommodating up to two guests per room.
• Certification and registration before operation.

How Druk Asia Arranges a Homestay

Druk Asia can include a suitable certified village homestay within a customised itinerary, subject to availability and your preferences.

Before recommending a stay, our team discusses the setting, sleeping arrangements, bathroom facilities and access. This helps you decide whether a family home suits your expectations, particularly if you have mobility requirements or prefer the facilities of a hotel.

You can combine hotel nights with a homestay experience rather than choosing one accommodation style for your entire trip.

Discover our farmhouses and homestays in Bhutan.

Glamping and Tented Accommodation in Bhutan

Glamping is available in Bhutan, but tented accommodation still needs the appropriate official approval or certification. The word "glamping" describes the experience; it does not establish a property's regulatory status.

Established tented retreats may offer proper beds, bathrooms, heating and other facilities associated with hotels. Facilities vary considerably, so it is useful to understand what each property provides before booking.

A tented lodge is also different from a temporary trekking campsite. The accommodation arrangements and approval requirements should match the type of stay being offered.

Glamping Options to Consider

Druk Asia features tented accommodation such as:

• Tenzinling Luxury Villa Tents, Paro: an option for travellers interested in a tented stay while exploring Paro Valley.
• Tiger Nest Camp, Paro: safari-style accommodation in a rural valley setting.
• Gangtey Tent Resort, Phobjikha: a tented retreat overlooking the Phobjikha landscape.

Our team checks the suitability, current operating arrangements and applicable approval status of the accommodation proposed for your journey. We also explain facilities, seasonal conditions and any additional cost.

Glamping can be combined with conventional hotels and cultural sightseeing. Explore our 7 Days Bhutan Glamping Adventure for an example of how tented stays can fit into a Bhutan itinerary.

Camping and Trekking: Where Can You Stay Overnight?

Tourists undertaking a trek must follow designated trails and camp at designated sites. Trekking services must also include a licensed trekking guide and any permits required for the route.

Permission from a landowner alone does not establish that a field, riverbank or other open area is an authorised tourist campsite.

Druk Asia arranges the campsites, applicable permits and licensed trekking guide when you book a trekking tour package. Our team plans the overnight stops as part of the route and explains the camping arrangements before your departure.

The experience differs from staying at a permanent glamping retreat. Trekking camps generally involve temporary equipment and simpler facilities, shaped by the terrain and remoteness of the route.

Explore our Bhutan trekking tours to find a journey suited to your interests and fitness.

Can Tourists Book Airbnb or Private Rentals in Bhutan?

A property advertised through Airbnb or another booking platform must still meet Bhutan's tourist accommodation requirements. The platform does not replace official certification or approval.

The same principle applies to accommodation promoted through social media, personal recommendations or informal booking arrangements. Descriptions such as "private villa", "farmhouse" or "holiday home" do not establish permission to host tourists.

If you have found a property you would like to include in your journey, share it with Druk Asia during planning. Our team can check whether it is suitable and appropriately authorised, or recommend an alternative.

Are There Exceptions in Remote Areas?

The Tourism Rules and Regulations allow the Department of Tourism to approve alternative accommodation in places where certified accommodation is unavailable or insufficient, subject to prescribed conditions.

This requires specific approval. It is not a general exemption for remote properties or informal camping.

For journeys into less-visited areas, Druk Asia reviews the accommodation arrangements and any necessary approvals as part of itinerary planning.

What Are the Penalties for Unapproved Accommodation?

The Tourism Rules and Regulations 2024 prescribe penalties for accommodation and trekking arrangements that do not meet the requirements.

For the accommodation offence, the regulations specify that the service provider is liable to pay the fine where that provider arranged the accommodation.

Druk Asia's role is to put the appropriate arrangements in place before you travel, including suitable accommodation and the required trekking logistics.

The official provisions appear in Schedule 2 of the Tourism Rules and Regulations 2024.

How Druk Asia Arranges Your Accommodation

Your accommodation should support the journey you want to have, from a comfortable base for sightseeing to a family stay or nights on a trekking route.

Certified Hotels as Standard

Our Bhutan tour packages include comfortable, DoT-certified 3-star hotels. Upgrades to 4-star and 5-star properties are available at an additional cost, subject to availability.

Homestays and Glamping Matched to Your Interests

For customised journeys, Druk Asia can recommend appropriate homestays and tented stays that fit your route, preferences and comfort requirements. We explain the experience and any differences in facilities before you decide.

Trekking Arrangements Taken Care Of

When you book a trekking package, Druk Asia arranges the campsites, applicable permits and licensed trekking guide as part of your confirmed itinerary.

One Dedicated Specialist

Your dedicated Bhutan Travel Specialist supports you from your first enquiry through to your journey home. Accommodation requests, upgrade preferences and itinerary questions are handled through one point of contact, with our team in Bhutan supporting your trip on the ground.

Browse our Bhutan tour packages or contact Druk Asia to start planning.

Do Accommodation Rules Affect Bhutan's SDF or Visa Requirements?

Accommodation approval, visa requirements and the Sustainable Development Fee are separate matters. Staying at a certified hotel or homestay does not remove any applicable entry or SDF obligations.

Druk Asia explains these requirements alongside your accommodation and other travel arrangements during planning.

For the detailed information, see our Bhutan Sustainable Development Fee guide and Bhutan visa guide.