Paro town

Paro & Punakha, Bhutan

A small town near the country's only international airport, gateway to Tiger's Nest Monastery.

Places in Paro town

Paro market restaurants Local restaurants around Paro's public market serving traditional Bhutanese dishes.
Paro town cafes Small cafes serving Bhutanese butter tea and pastries alongside coffee produced by skilled local chefs.

Best time to visit: March to May and September to November bring clear skies for viewing the Himalayas and comfortable hiking temperatures to Tiger's Nest.
Getting around: A licensed guide and driver are mandatory for all foreign visitors under Bhutan's tourism policy; travel between Paro and Punakha crosses the scenic Dochula Pass.
Currency: Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN)
Language: Dzongkha. English is widely used in schools and tourism.
Timezone: BTT (UTC+6)
Current trends: Bhutan's high-value, low-volume tourism model continues to shape the experience, with new luxury lodges from Aman, COMO, and Six Senses spreading between the valleys, encouraging longer, slower multi-valley itineraries rather than a single-city visit.

Punakha Dzong area — The valley surrounding Bhutan's most beautiful fortress-monastery, at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers.
Dochula Pass — A mountain pass between Thimphu and Punakha lined with 108 memorial chortens and Himalayan views.