Bhaktapur Guide for Budget Travelers
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Bhaktapur is situated right next to Kathmandu, 20km east in the Kathmandu Valley. The city is known as the "City of Culture" because of Durbar Square and its ancient temples.
Bhaktapur is filled with monuments, temples with elaborate carved wood columns, palaces, royal baths, ornate roof tops and open-air courtyards. Bhaktapur is scattered with pagodas and religious shrines. Residing on top of an ancient trade route between India and Tibet, Bhaktapur is surrounded by some of the most amazing views, the Himalayas. This city is considered the oldest in Nepal. |
Price of Services in Bhaktapur
Hostels - Hostels in Bhaktapur don't exist. The city isn't backpacker friendly in this category. You will need to stay in Kathamndu for cheap hostels.
Food Costs - Food in Bhaktapur is extremely cheap. Expect to pay no more than 700Rs ($7USD or 6€) for all three meals of the day. Most restaurants don't charge more than 700Rs ($7USD or 6€) for a meal. Upper scale restaurants will charge no more than 1000Rs ($10USD or 9€) for a meal. Expect to pay 200RS ($2USD or 1.50€) for a larger beer (0.5L).
Transportation - Transportation in Nepal in general is the same. Negotiating the price for taxis is extremely common. A taxi from the main airport in Kathmandu to Bhaktapur will run you 600Rs ($6USD or 5€). If a cab is asking for more than 600Rs, you are getting ripped off. "Chicken Buses", as I like to call them due to people hanging off the sides of the crammed buses, are even cheaper than taxis. Expect to pay 100Rs from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur. Taxis and buses are the only way to get around in Bhaktapur.
Activities - The main attraction in Bhaktapur is the old city. There you will have to pay 1500Rs ($15USD or 13€) to get into the city. Once you are in, there are hundreds of ancient temples to examine. Go before 10am or after 4pm for free entry.
Food Costs - Food in Bhaktapur is extremely cheap. Expect to pay no more than 700Rs ($7USD or 6€) for all three meals of the day. Most restaurants don't charge more than 700Rs ($7USD or 6€) for a meal. Upper scale restaurants will charge no more than 1000Rs ($10USD or 9€) for a meal. Expect to pay 200RS ($2USD or 1.50€) for a larger beer (0.5L).
Transportation - Transportation in Nepal in general is the same. Negotiating the price for taxis is extremely common. A taxi from the main airport in Kathmandu to Bhaktapur will run you 600Rs ($6USD or 5€). If a cab is asking for more than 600Rs, you are getting ripped off. "Chicken Buses", as I like to call them due to people hanging off the sides of the crammed buses, are even cheaper than taxis. Expect to pay 100Rs from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur. Taxis and buses are the only way to get around in Bhaktapur.
Activities - The main attraction in Bhaktapur is the old city. There you will have to pay 1500Rs ($15USD or 13€) to get into the city. Once you are in, there are hundreds of ancient temples to examine. Go before 10am or after 4pm for free entry.
Best Ways to Save Money
Negotiate - It is customary to negotiate all taxis, some hostels/hotels and stores. When buying trekking gear, clothes, souvenirs, etc., take a chance and ask for a better price. This method will work 90% of the time.
Red Flags
Food Quality - Make sure the food you eat is hygienic enough. Fruit, veggies, meat and grains need to be washed thoroughly to avoid parasites. Don't eat meat at a sketchy restaurant. More likely than not you'll get sick. AVOID FISH AT ALL COSTS. Most rivers and water ways are polluted in Nepal.
Water Quality - The tap water in Nepal isn't safe to drink. Always buy bottle water for brushing your teeth and drinking.
Renting Motorbikes or Mopeds - When renting these types of transportation, make sure to take plenty of photos of the bike. Renters will try to scam you out of more money. Taking photos will help avoid any type of money scam.
Giving Money to Local Kids - This is an optional piece of advice. Most local Nepalese children will beg for money. Once you give one kid a 100Rs, a swarm of them will run you down. They will beg and plead with you for all your cash. Some times they will fight the tourist. Try to avoid this.
Driving in Nepal - When driving in Nepal, be sure to wear a helmet. Nepal's traffic flow is chaotic and dangers in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and the main highways. I would only recommend driving in smaller villages or Pohkara's lakeside area. There's a weird law about multiple people on mopeds. Only one person can wear a helmet at a time. It has to do a lone drive by shooting some years back.
Water Quality - The tap water in Nepal isn't safe to drink. Always buy bottle water for brushing your teeth and drinking.
Renting Motorbikes or Mopeds - When renting these types of transportation, make sure to take plenty of photos of the bike. Renters will try to scam you out of more money. Taking photos will help avoid any type of money scam.
Giving Money to Local Kids - This is an optional piece of advice. Most local Nepalese children will beg for money. Once you give one kid a 100Rs, a swarm of them will run you down. They will beg and plead with you for all your cash. Some times they will fight the tourist. Try to avoid this.
Driving in Nepal - When driving in Nepal, be sure to wear a helmet. Nepal's traffic flow is chaotic and dangers in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and the main highways. I would only recommend driving in smaller villages or Pohkara's lakeside area. There's a weird law about multiple people on mopeds. Only one person can wear a helmet at a time. It has to do a lone drive by shooting some years back.
Top 3 Things To Do in Bhaktapur While on a Budget
#1 Durbar SquareDurbar Square in Bhaktapur is one of the many World Heritage Sites in Nepal. With temples that are more than 1,000-years-old, Durbar Square (also known as Red Square) is one of, if not, the oldest area of Nepal. Until the devastating earthquake in April of 2015, most of the temples were preserved for hundreds of years. Now, more than 1/3 of the temples have fallen. Durbar Square is a must see for history buffs and travellers searching for historical beauty. Be prepared to pay a entrance fee of $15USD to help rebuild buildings flattened by the earthquake.
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#2 Changu NarayanChangu Narayan Temple is the oldest temple in Kathmandu Valley. The temple was built in the early 4th century making it one of the oldest temples in the world. The temple is made of some of the finest stones, rare wood, and metal craft. The temple represents the passion of culture, religion, history and faith in Kathmandu Valley.
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#3 Eat, Eat, EatNepal has some of the most unique food in the world. The food is a combination of Chinese and Indian with a special twist. Be sure to try the buffalo MoMo dumplings, Dhal Bhat (rice and lentil soup), Chatamari and Juju Dhau or "King Curd." These are must haves when visiting Nepal. Backpackers will love Nepal for its extremely cheap, yet, wonderfully delicious dishes. I highly recommend Hotel Heritage in Bhaktapur.
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