does bangladesh have tourism

Bangladesh is south Asia's greenest jewel – a country braided with rivers, with a rich culture waiting to be explored by pioneering travellers.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Shait Gumbad Mosque

Built in 1459 (the same year Khan Jahan Ali died), the famous Shait Gumbad Mosque is the largest and most magnificent traditional mosque in the country…

Running calmly through the centre of Old Dhaka, the Buriganga River is the muddy artery of Dhaka and the very lifeblood of both this city and the nation…

Shankharia Bazar

Clouds of incense and a bursting paintbox of colours signal a welcome to so-called Hindu Street. Lined on either side with old houses, garlands of lurid…

Shrine of Lalon Shah

For both foreigners as well as Bangladeshi tourists, the white onion-domed shrine of musician and poet Lalon Shah is the main reason for visiting Kushtia…

Ferry Piers

Particularly atmospheric in the evenings, when dramatically lit and boldly painted launches depart from adjoining ghats, the piers are a wonderful place…

Tomb of Khan Jahan Ali

A place of active worship, Khan Jahan Ali's Tomb is the only monument in Bagerhat that still retains its original cupolas (domed ceilings). The cenotaph…

This well-kept building and garden complex was the family home of revered 19th-century Bengali poet Michael Madhusudan Dutt (1824–73), who is known to…

Kuthibari is the former residence of Bengal’s most famous poet, Rabindranath Tagore. It was built in the mid-19th century and Tagore lived here for over…

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TOP 10 TOURIST PLACES TO VISIT IN BANGLADESH

• Post author: The Traveler
• Post category: Travel Guide
• Post last modified: June 5, 2024

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Introduction:

Welcome, fellow travelers, to the land of endless wonders and warm hospitality – Bangladesh. Join me on a heartfelt journey as we uncover the beauty of this vibrant country through its top 10 tourist destinations. From the bustling streets of Dhaka to the tranquil shores of Saint Martin’s Island, each place we visit tells a story of resilience, culture, and natural splendor.

1. Sundarbans Mangrove Forest: Where Tigers Roam Free

Our adventure begins in the mystical Sundarbans, home to the majestic Royal Bengal Tigers and the largest mangrove forest in the world. As we navigate through its winding waterways, let’s marvel at the diverse flora and fauna that call this UNESCO World Heritage Site their home. More details

2. Cox’s Bazar: A Symphony of Sun, Sand, and Sea

Next, we set our sights on Cox’s Bazar, where the golden sands stretch endlessly along the Bay of Bengal. Feel the warmth of the sun on your skin as you dip your toes into the azure waters, and let the rhythmic sound of the waves lull you into a state of bliss. More details

3. Sylhet: Where Nature Unfolds its Grandeur

Nestled in the northeastern part of Bangladesh lies the enchanting city of Sylhet, a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by travelers seeking awe-inspiring landscapes and cultural richness. Sylhet, often referred to as the “Land of Two Leaves and a Bud,” is renowned for its sprawling tea gardens, majestic waterfalls, and mystical forests. More details

4. Sajek Valley: A Jewel of Beautiful Bangladesh

Nestled in the pristine hills of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Sajek Valley stands as a testament to the natural beauty and tranquility of Bangladesh. Tucked away amidst lush greenery and rolling hills, this picturesque valley is a haven for travelers seeking respite from the chaos of urban life. More details

5. Bandarban: Where Adventure Awaits

Adventure calls in Bandarban, where rugged landscapes and indigenous cultures beckon us to explore. Let’s embark on a trek to discover hidden waterfalls, encounter the friendly tribes of the hills, and revel in the raw beauty of this remote paradise. More details

6. D haka: A Melting Pot of History and Modernity

In the bustling capital city of Dhaka, let’s delve into the rich tapestry of Bangladesh’s history and culture. From the ancient ruins of Lalbagh Fort to the vibrant chaos of its bustling markets, Dhaka offers a glimpse into the soul of the nation. More details

7. Saint Martin’s Island: Where Time Stands Still

Our journey takes us to the idyllic shores of Saint Martin’s Island, where pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters await. Let’s unwind in this tranquil oasis, indulging in freshly caught seafood and basking in the beauty of Bangladesh’s southernmost paradise. More details

8. Foys Lake Concord – Best amusement park in Chittagong

Foys Lake is a popular recreational destination located in Chittagong, Bangladesh. It offers a serene retreat amidst lush greenery and tranquil waters, making it a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike. Visitors can enjoy boat rides on the lake, stroll along scenic walking trails, and indulge in various recreational activities such as paddle boating, go-karting, and horseback riding. Foys Lake also features picnic areas, children’s playgrounds, and restaurants serving delicious local cuisine, making it an ideal destination for families and nature lovers seeking relaxation and fun-filled outings. More details

9. Scaling Heights: Trekking to the Summit of Keokradong

Keokradong is the second-highest peak in Bangladesh, situated in the Bandarban district of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. It is a popular trekking destination, attracting adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers from around the country. The trek to Keokradong offers breathtaking views of the surrounding hills, lush green forests, and picturesque landscapes. Trekkers can experience the thrill of conquering the summit, standing at an elevation of approximately 967 meters above sea level. Along the way, hikers can also encounter indigenous communities, cascading waterfalls, and diverse flora and fauna, making the journey to Keokradong an unforgettable adventure amidst the natural beauty of Bangladesh. More Details

10. Kuakata Sea Beach: A Tranquil Escape by Boat

Nestled along the shores of the Bay of Bengal lies the tranquil haven of Kuakata Sea Beach, a gem waiting to be discovered by travelers seeking serenity and natural beauty. With its pristine sands stretching as far as the eye can see and the gentle rhythm of the waves lulling visitors into a state of bliss, Kuakata offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. More details

Conclusion:

As our journey through Bangladesh comes to an end, let’s carry with us the memories of the places we’ve visited and the people we’ve met along the way. From the towering mangroves of the Sundarbans to the bustling streets of Dhaka, each destination has left an indelible mark on our hearts, reminding us of the beauty and diversity of this remarkable country. Until we meet again, may your travels be filled with adventure, discovery, and endless wonder. Safe travels, fellow explorers.

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BANGLADESH TRAVEL GUIDE

Bangladeshis are renowned for their hospitality and warmth – they’ll invite you home and treat you to their delectable cuisine. They are passionate about food, football, cricket, theatre and music – and if you’re wondering about the strange combination, their social ambit is wide and they are a broad-minded nation. Bangladesh is among the few Asian nations where religions coexist in harmony. However, don’t be fooled by the smooth and urbane capital city, Dhaka – the smaller cities and villages are simple and well behind modern times.

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Capital: Dhaka (Dacca)

Currency: taka (BDT)

Area: 147,570 km2

Population: 161,4 million (2018)

Language: Bengali (official) English (recognised, has some national status)

Religion: Muslim 90%, Hindu 9%, other 1%

Electricity: 220V/50Hz(US Type A, Europlug, Type D, Type G, and Danish Plug)

21 February, Martyrs’ Day/International Mother Language Day

26 March, National Day

14 April, Bangla New Year

1st Monday in July, Bank Holiday

15 August, National Mourning Day

7 November, National Revolution and Solidarity Day

16 December, Victory Day

Also, Buddha Purnima (Visakaha Day), Durga Puja, and Islamic holidays and festivals.

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SEASONS AT A GLANCE

Most destinations have different times of the year when they’re more or less popular with tourists. 

Peak Season

Shoulder Season

Off Peak Season

BEST TIME TO VISIT BANGLADESH

Bangladesh has three main seasons: the hot season, the monsoon season, and the cool season.

The hot season lasts from March to May, with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas.

The monsoon season runs from June to September, and is characterized by heavy rains and flooding.

The cool season lasts from October to February, with temperatures ranging from 15-25 degrees Celsius (59-77 degrees Fahrenheit). This is considered the best time to visit Bangladesh.

The best time to visit Bangladesh is between October and March, as the weather is generally dry and cool during this time. The monsoon season, which runs from June to September, can cause heavy rains and flooding in some areas.

BEST TIME FOR:

Snow Sports

The best time for outdoor activities in Bangladesh is during the drier months of October to April, as it can really pour with rains during the months of May to September.

Bangladesh claims to have the world's longest unbroken stretch of beach of 120km, with beautiful views of both sunrise and sunset. However, being a conservative and predominantly Muslim country, you won't find people sunbathing here due to the strict cultural restrictions.

Although not a surfing destination in itself, Bangladesh does receive fairly consistent swell between April and November. If you're looking for small, warm water beach breaks and a rather unique and offbeat surf scene, then you will enjoy the uncrowded surf spots that Bangladesh offers the adventurous surfer.

If you're desperate for some wind sports on the water in Bangladesh, check out Coxs Bazar at Laboni Beach, but don't have any high expectations!

For more details on kite surfing in Bangladesh expand this section!

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BANGLADESH TRAVEL COSTS

The cost of traveling to Bangladesh can vary depending on a number of factors, including the time of year, your travel itinerary, and your accommodation and transportation choices. However, it is generally considered to be a budget-friendly destination.

Accommodation options range from budget-friendly guesthouses and hostels, to mid-range hotels, to more upscale resorts. Prices for budget accommodation can start as low as $5-10 per night, while mid-range hotels can cost around $20-30 per night.

Food and transportation are also relatively inexpensive in Bangladesh. A meal at a local restaurant can cost as little as $2-3, and local transportation, such as buses and rickshaws, can also be very cheap.

Overall, it is possible to travel to Bangladesh on a budget of around $25-30 per day, including accommodation, transportation, food, and activities. However, if you want to travel in more comfort or luxury, the cost can be higher.

A sample budget for visiting Bangladesh could be as follows:

• Accommodation : $10-15 per night for a budget-friendly guesthouse or hostel, $20-30 per night for a mid-range hotel.
• Food : $3-5 per meal at local restaurants, $1-2 for street food.
• Transportation : $1-2 for a local bus or rickshaw ride, $30-50 for a full-day taxi rental.
• Activities : $5-10 for entrance fees to tourist sites, $15-20 for guided tours.

It's important to note that this is just an estimate, and the actual cost of traveling to Bangladesh may vary depending on individual preferences, travel itinerary, and other factors.

Also, it's worth to mention that this budget does not include flights and VISA costs. The cost of flights to Bangladesh can vary depending on the time of year and your departure location, and obtaining a visa for Bangladesh can cost around $50-60.

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Find discount flights to bangladesh, travel tips for bangladesh.

Here are some travel tips for Bangladesh:

• Be prepared for the heat and humidity : Bangladesh can be very hot and humid, especially during the summer months. Make sure to wear light, breathable clothing and bring plenty of water with you.
• Respect local custom s: Bangladesh is a conservative Muslim country, and it's important to be respectful of local customs and traditions. Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites, and be mindful of your behavior and actions.
• Be prepared for transportation challenges : Public transportation in Bangladesh can be crowded and chaotic, and road conditions can be poor. Be prepared for delays and plan extra time for travel.
• Be mindful of health and safety : Bangladesh can have health hazards and safety concerns, such as poor air quality in big cities and diseases like dengue fever, Malaria and Cholera. It's important to take necessary precautions and to be aware of current health and safety conditions before and during your trip.
• Learn some basic Bengali : While English is widely spoken in Bangladesh, learning some basic Bengali phrases can go a long way in helping you navigate the country and connect with locals.
• Be flexible : Bangladesh is a developing country and things might not always go as planned. Be prepared to be flexible and adapt to unexpected situations.
• Be open-minded : Bangladesh is a fascinating and diverse country with a rich culture and history. Be open-minded and willing to experience new things to make the most of your trip.

REGIONS & HIGHLIGHTS OF BANGLADESH

Bangladesh is divided into seven main regions:

• Dhaka : This region includes the capital city of Dhaka, which is considered the cultural and economic heart of the country. Highlights of this region include visiting the Old Dhaka, which is known for its vibrant street markets and traditional architecture, and the Bangladesh National Museum, which houses a vast collection of art and artifacts from the country's history.
• Chittagong : This region is home to the port city of Chittagong, which is the second-largest city in the country. Highlights of this region include visiting the Chittagong War Cemetery, which is a memorial to the soldiers who fought and died in World War II, and the Cox's Bazar, which is a long sandy beach that is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.
• Sylhet : This region is known for its tea gardens and natural beauty, including the Lawachara National Park and the Madhabpur Lake. This region is also famous for the shrine of the famous Sufi saint Hazrat Shah Jalal.
• Rangpur : This region is known for its natural beauty, including the Rangamati Hill District, which is home to the indigenous Chakma people, and the Rangamati Buddhist Temple, which is a popular tourist destination.
• Rajshahi : This region is known for its historical sites, including the Mahasthangarh, which is an ancient city dating back to the 3rd century BC, and the Puthia Temple Complex, which is a group of Hindu temples dating back to the 17th century.
• Khulna : This region is known for its natural beauty, including the Sundarbans, which is the largest mangrove forest in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Royal Bengal Tiger is the main attraction.
• Barisal : This region is known for its natural beauty, including the Kuakata beach, which is a popular tourist destination, and the Andharmanik waterfall, which is one of the highest waterfalls in Bangladesh.

It's worth to mention that Bangladesh is a country with a lot of diversity, and there are many other places to visit and explore beyond these main regions.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN BANGLADESH

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Bangladesh has a rich culture and history, as well as natural beauty, making it a great destination for travelers. Here are some of the best things to see and do when visiting Bangladesh:

Visit the capital city of Dhaka : Dhaka is the cultural and economic heart of the country and offers a lot to see and do, including visiting the Old Dhaka, where you can explore the vibrant street markets and traditional architecture, and the Bangladesh National Museum, which houses a vast collection of art and artifacts from the country's history.

Explore the Sundarbans : The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world, and it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's home to the Bengal tiger and a variety of other wildlife, and it's a great place for nature lovers and bird watchers.

Take a trip to Cox's Bazar : The Cox's Bazar is a long sandy beach that is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. It's a great place for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing.

Visit the Rangamati Hill District : This is an area of beautiful natural beauty and is home to the indigenous Chakma people. The Rangamati Buddhist Temple is also a popular destination.

Explore the ancient city of Mahasthangarh : This ancient city dates back to the 3rd century BC and is known for its well-preserved ruins and rich history.

Visit the Puthia Temple Complex : This is a group of Hindu temples dating back to the 17th century, which is known for its intricate carvings and beautiful architecture.

Take a cruise on the Buriganga River : The Buriganga River is an important waterway in Dhaka and taking a cruise on it will give you a great perspective of the city and its history.

Visit the Dhaka University area : The Dhaka University area is a great place to explore the city's student culture and see historic buildings like the Dhaka University Central Mosque, which is considered one of the most beautiful mosque in Bangladesh.

Visit the shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal : This is a famous Sufi saint and it's located in Sylhet division. It's an important pilgrimage site for many Bengalis.

Visit the tea gardens : Bangladesh is famous for its tea gardens, particularly in Sylhet division. Visiting the tea gardens is a great way to experience the country's rural culture and learn about the tea-making process.

WHAT TO EAT IN BANGLADESH

Bangladesh has a rich and diverse culinary tradition, with a variety of delicious dishes to try. Here are some popular foods to eat when visiting Bangladesh:

• Rice and curry : Rice and curry is a staple food in Bangladesh, and you'll find a wide variety of curries to choose from, including chicken, fish, and vegetable curries.
• Biryani : This dish is a type of rice-based dish that is flavored with spices and often includes meat or vegetables.
• Dhakai paratha : Dhakai paratha is a type of flatbread that is popular in Bangladesh. It's made from flour, water, and a little oil, and it's often served with curries or dal.
• Fuchka : Fuchka is a popular street food in Bangladesh, it's a type of fried snack that is filled with a spiced potato mixture and served with tamarind chutney.
• Pitha : Pitha is a type of sweet or savory rice cake that is popular in Bangladesh. Some of the most popular types include chitoi pitha, which is a sweet rice cake stuffed with coconut and jaggery, and vapa pitha, which is a savory rice cake stuffed with lentils.
• Fish dishes: Bangladesh is a country surrounded by water and fish is an important part of the diet. Some of the most popular fish dishes include ilish mach, which is a type of Hilsa fish, and rui mach, which is a type of carp fish.
• Sweets: Bangladesh has a variety of sweet dishes, including rasgulla, which is a spongy sweet made from cottage cheese and jaggery, and kulfi, which is a type of frozen dairy dessert.
• Street food: Bangladesh has a wide variety of street food available, including samosas, pakoras, and jhal muri, a puffed rice snack with a variety of toppings.

It's worth to mention that Bangladesh is a country with a lot of diversity, and there are many other dishes to try beyond this list.

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WHERE TO STAY IN BANGLADESH

When visiting Bangladesh for the first time, choosing the right area or region to stay in is crucial for experiencing the country's diverse culture, history, and natural beauty. Here are some recommendations along with accommodation suggestions for each category: budget, mid-range, and luxury.

Where to stay in Dhaka:

Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, serves as the cultural and economic heart of the country, offering a vibrant mix of historic landmarks, bustling markets, and authentic culinary experiences, making it an ideal base for exploring Bangladesh's urban life and heritage.

Budget:   Hotel 71  - Affordable accommodations with modern amenities, located in the heart of Dhaka's commercial district.

Mid-range:   Amari Dhaka  - A contemporary hotel offering comfortable rooms, multiple dining options, and a rooftop pool with panoramic city views.

Luxury:   Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka  - A luxurious hotel featuring elegant rooms, fine dining restaurants, spa facilities, and extensive conference and event spaces.

Where to stay in Cox's Bazar :

Cox's Bazar is home to the world's longest natural sea beach, offering breathtaking views of the Bay of Bengal, serene surroundings, and a relaxed beach vibe, making it an ideal destination for beach lovers and relaxation seekers.

Budget:  Hotel Sea Crown  - Affordable beachfront accommodations with basic amenities and easy access to Cox's Bazar Beach.

Mid-range:   Long Beach Hotel Cox's Bazar  - A beachfront hotel offering spacious rooms, multiple dining options, and recreational facilities such as a pool and spa.

Luxury:   Royal Tulip Sea Pearl Beach Resort & Spa  - A luxurious beach resort featuring lavish rooms, upscale dining options, a private beach, and indulgent spa treatments.

Where to stay in Sundarbans :

The Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the largest mangrove forest in the world, known for its rich biodiversity, stunning landscapes, and unique wildlife experiences, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers.

Budget:   Sundarbans Tiger Roar Resort  - Affordable eco-friendly accommodations located near the Sundarbans, offering basic amenities and guided tours of the forest.

Mid-range:   Sundarbans Jungle Lodge  - A rustic lodge offering comfortable rooms, delicious local cuisine, and guided excursions into the Sundarbans.

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Everything You Need to Know Before Traveling to Bangladesh

Someone asked me if I was up for traveling to Bangladesh? Hell yes, I would love to! It was actually only about 4 months ago that I looked for cheap flights to Bangladesh when on my budget trip to Fulidhoo Island in Maldives . Although I have traveled multiple times to all the countries around like India , Maldives , Sri Lanka and even China and Nepal  and Myanmar, somehow a trip to Bangladesh never happened? Why not? I honestly have no idea…

It must be that no one really spoke about traveling to Bangladesh I guess, it still is a quite unknown destination in the backpacker scene. Very few travelers visit this country. It simply is NOT on the backpack trail in southeast Asia. But with my trip I am willing to show you that there are many reason to change that and may be you should start considering to visit Bangladesh. Although, I have to say this place is not for everyone. Keep reading and I will explain to you why.

Some handy facts for traveling to Bangladesh

• This is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with an estimated population of more than 165 million.
• The national currency is Taka and 85 Taka is about $1.
• Bangladesh is almost entirely flat.
• Garment is the biggest industry although originally half of the Bengali population are farmers.
• The Bengal Tiger is almost extinct.
• Almost 90% of the people are Muslim, which makes it the 3th largest Muslim population in the world after Indonesia and Pakistan. The other 10% is mainly Hindu.
• Bangladesh was first part of India, then became East - Pakistan and successfully fought for independency in 1971.
• A normal Bengali salary is just $5 a day!

My trip to Bangladesh

I was invited by the Bangladesh Tourism Board to experience their country and looking back at my trip I am super grateful to be the first international travel blogger who has been invited on a trip to Bangladesh. Together with my friend Sarah Richards, we traveled to Bangladesh for 10 days and got a feel of the Bengali culture and explored some tourist places.

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I now wish I had stayed longer and explore more of the country because there are many cool places to visit in Bangladesh and I only saw a fraction. At least now I have a good reason to go back and trust me my Bengali friends I will!

How did I like my Bangladesh travel experience?

Wow, wow, wow, wow! I am traveling around the world now for more than 6 years and have seen a ton of cities and been to 87 countries, but what I saw in Bangladesh blew my mind. Because my blog and Instagram account are doing really well the last two years I mostly traveled to so-called instagramable places, like Maldives , Philippines , Indonesia , Thailand , Greece and Australia . But what people don’t know is that before that I loved traveling to places like India , Iran , China, Guatemala, Myanmar, Bolivia , Colombia and so on. With my trip to Bangladesh I finally felt like the good old traveling again where experiences are more important than pretty pictures. And exactly that is what Bangladesh is about! This is not a place to go on a holiday to get your pretty pictures taken and show them off on social media. The landscapes are not to die for and the hotels aren’t those ones with amazing infinity pools. Bangladesh is for travelers!

If you are looking for a real and authentic experience than this is the ultimate country to travel. There are hardly any tourists and even if you go to the most famous Bangladesh tourist attractions you will feel like you are off the beaten path. The experience of really exploring a country, finding ways to get from A to B, struggling with the language, seeing things you have never seen before in your life, interacting with genuinely friendly locals, being frowned upon like they did not see a Western for years, feeling the appreciation of visiting their country and not being screwed over as a tourist was simply incredible. Bangladesh was an absolutely amazing experience!

Things to know when traveling to Bangladesh

In the next paragraphs I am giving you an honest inside into Bangladesh tourism. Some things may sound negative, but all I want is to prepare you for what is coming because I simply know you are going to need these Bangladesh travel tips badly.

Bangladesh is just one adventure after the other and exactly that is what this country makes so unique and incredible to visit!

1. Is it safe to travel to Bangladesh?

This was the most asked question during my 10-day trip throughout all my social media channels. About a 20 people a day would either warn me or tell me to be careful. But for what? Why do people think Bangladesh is not safe? The more people would ask me the more I loved showing how wrong they were. If you are searching on Google how safe Bangladesh is, then let me tell you first hand! I can assure you that there is no real treat for tourists. Last year there was a terrorist attack, yes that is right. But what about Paris? There is a constant threat but no seems to care. When it happens in a less developed country we all start asking questions! I did not feel unsafe a single second and I have even been off the beaten path in Bangladesh on my own with a GoPro, an iPhone 8 plus and a Canon DSLR. No one cares about your gadgets, people don't even know how to use them. They are only interested why a white guy is visiting their country. Traveling in Bangladesh is totally safe! Travel responsible and nothing will happen, I am 100% sure about it.

2. Bangladesh is crowded

No wait, I mean: Bangladesh is out of this world: I feel like I just visited the most crowded place on earth. I have been to busy cities, like Sao Paulo, Tokyo, New York, Tehran, Seoul or Jakarta, but all these cities are villages compared to Dhaka. I constantly asked myself: Where do all these people come from? I simply could not believe what my eyes. Bangladesh is the most crowded place I have ever been to, busier than any city in India, China or Pakistan.

I felt like it was rush hour 24 hours a day. If you are planning a trip to Bangladesh prepare for an intense journey. Your eyes and brain will never get a break! There is literally something to see on every meter, it is hard to describe. A day in Dhaka will drain you completely. If you have ever been to New York and felt exhausted after a day in the city, then amplify this feeling by ten and then you know what to expect from traveling in Bangladesh.

3. How to get around in Bangladesh

When it comes down to transportation to get to the Bangladesh tourist destinations then accept some challenges. The transportation network is not that advanced yet. As I said everything is an adventure in this country and so is getting to and from tourist places in Bangladesh. Dhaka is made easier as there you can find Uber and Uber is really cheap here. I would say an average ride will cost you max $3. Dhaka without Uber would be a nightmare to get around.

Of course taxi drivers don’t speak English so how to tell them where you are going and how much would be an acceptable fair to pay? Uber solves all these problems in Dhaka, but don’t expect your Uber driver to be able to read the map or use navigation. This sounds weird, but this is Bangladesh, nothing is what it seems. Use Google Maps yourself and guide your driver to your destination is the best solution. Make sure you have a data connection, more about buying a sim card in Bangladesh later.

What is a useful tool to get around Bangladesh is the search engine of 12Go Asia. There you can find long distance busses, domestic flights and even train or taxis. Try it yourself below.

As soon as you travel a little outside the center you won’t find an Uber, sometimes not even a car. All you can do is hop in a tuktuk, tricycle or catch an overcrowded bus. Getting to places can take up to 30 minutes, but the same route can also take you 2 hours. Traffic is madness!

On most Bangladesh travel routes expect to suffer from bad road conditions. On my trip to Sylhet we had a driver to show us all the tourist places. Sitting a couple hours a day in the car was exhausting as a lot of roads where just dirt roads in this region.

4. Traffic in Bangladesh

I always used to say that Tehran had the worst traffic in the world as during my trip for the airport to my hostel I had two small car accidents. It is may be a bit crazy to say but to me the traffic here is one of the Bangladesh tourist attractions. Did you ever get stuck in traffic as a pedestrian? Now there you go! This will only happen in Bangladesh. :)

Most streets in Dhaka are filled with tricycles, buses, trucks and some cars, but not that many. You can hardly get through and walking is sometimes even faster. One time I was going from Old Dhaka back to my hotel in Gulshan and it took me nearly 1,5 hour for just 13 kilometer! You cannot escape the traffic on your trip to Bangladesh but like everything in this country it is an experience.

Once while crossing the street I got stuck half-way as there was zero space between the tricycles and the busses. Then the traffic slowly started moving and the bus started pushing me forward. This was crazy! It made me laugh and knew I was experiencing something unreal, but if you easily panic or are claustrophobic you better stay away! ;) Mind you the traffic is so extremely slow that major accidents are actually impossible to even happen.

5. Airport delays

In Bangladesh flight schedules are just an estimate and you kind of know that there will be a delay. Airports are chaotic and lines are huge, but the advantage of being a western tourist is that someone will come and pick you up to put you in front of the line. Not that I asked for it, but it always happened like that. Of course they do it for the money! A dollar can go a long way in this country, but don’t be a dick and treat everyone with respect!

6. Train travel in Bangladesh

This is something Bangladesh tourism should advertise with. LOL! Of course they will never, but that is why I do it for them. Because where in the world can you surf a train? Standing on top of a riding train has been a dream since I was in Cambodia in 2008 where I saw people doing it. Here in Bangladesh it is completely normal to invade a train when it arrives at the station. People will fight for their spot wherever on the train. Already looking at that phenomenon was a moment where I just stopped and stared. But I wanted to do this myself, I wanted to climb the train, sit on top of it and hitch a ride. It took a lot of courage and my heart was beating like crazy but I managed to get my tall body on top of that train.

Of course with the help of a ton of people and everyone cheering. Seeing a white tourist in Bangladesh is one thing, seeing him at a local train station is already surprising, but a western climbing up to the roof of a train made them go crazy! I definitely felt like one of them and I made a ton of new friends on top of the train.

You won’t read this in any Bangladesh travel guide, but this was one of the best experiences of my trip to Bangladesh!

Best way to sit on top of a train in Dhaka is to go to the Airport train station and then take a train to either Tongi or Komlapur. I hitched a ride to Tongi, which was away from the city and it was a challenge to get back. If you hitch a ride to Komlapur you will end up close to Old Dhaka and start your sightseeing.

See my vlog about traveling by train in Bangladesh below.

7. Pollution is next level

One of the major downside of my Bangladesh travel experience was the pollution. Sorry to say but this is the most polluted country I have ever visited. Brunei and India come close but Bangladesh definitely takes the cake. As a tourist you have no choice you gotta deal with it. You can’t blame the people either; they don’t know better and lack education about the effects of pollution. When I traveled on a train to the outskirts of Dhaka I could see big open fields full of trash. At first I though it was a dump but then I saw it actually was just an open field.

8. Smog in Dhaka

This is serious! I have often seen Chinese and Indian cities in the news but never anything about Dhaka. Because I suffer Bronchitis I started coughing straight away. Walking around in Dhaka it was surprisingly that no one was wearing these anti pollution masks. An important Bangladesh travel tip is to get one before your trip as I could not find a place to buy one either. When I traveled to northeast Bangladesh by plane I realized how nice it felt to breath fresh air. Walking out of the airport in rural Sylhet made me gasp for fresh air.

Nice place to stay in Dhaka

Especially if you are traveling in Dhaka I would recommend you to get a nice place to stay. Keep in mind though that the Bangladesh tourism industry is not yet that developed so there is not much choice. For a nice mid-range accommodation you will easily pay about $50 per room in a good area. The Gulshan area is where most tourists stay and where you will find most embassies, a couple international hotel brands and is only 5 kilometers from the airport. The area is not that extremely busy and a little less noisy. When you roam around the city your brain will never get a break and at the end of the day your head will feel like exploding from all the impressions. You simply saw too many things and heard to many noises. On top of that you will feel extremely dirty because of the smog. A nice place to stay, a quiet room, fresh air and a hot shower are the only things you want trust me!

Where to stay in Dhaka?

Luxury: Westin Dhaka  ($180 - $250)

Mid-range: Executive Inn  ($80 - $120)

Budget: Hotel Progati Inn ($30 - $50)

8. Best sim card for Bangladesh

There are a couple sim cards in Bangladesh that can be obtained by tourists. Immediately when you walk out of the arrivals in Dhaka Airport there are some booths offering you a prepaid sim card. I have written articles about getting a sim card in Indonesia for example in where I tell people to not buy a sim card at the airport as they charge you way more than in the city. Here in Dhaka airport buying a sim card is not a bad idea. I did not see any other places around the city where to buy a Bangladesh sim card for tourists. Getting a sim card at Dhaka airport takes a lot of time and you will need to fill in a ton of paper work. No clue what they do, but it takes a damn while to get everything sorted. Good thing is they do it for you and make sure it works. For 5GB with a 3G connection I paid 1,000 Taka = $12. There is no 4G in Bangladesh!

I decided to get a sim card with Banglalink but for traveling to Sylhet I found out that was not a good idea. The best sim card for Bangladesh according to locals is Grameen and this is also the outcome after taking a look at the coverage maps for both providers above. Some vital Bangladesh travel tips for the modern traveler! ;)

9. The people of Bangladesh

If you are an unexperienced traveler I bet Bangladesh might be a little too much. I have been to places before where tourists are a rarity and I am used to a little too much attention. Everywhere you go people will stop and stare, if you are a girl you will probably even get more attention. As I said before I never felt unsafe or uncomfortable but I am a man and most Bangladeshi already look up to me for being almost 1.90 meter.

People are simply not used to tourist and will stare at you, not because they want something from you, simply because they are interested. If you walk around in local areas people will even follow you and I understand that sounds scary, but the Bangladeshi people are some of the nicest people I have met around the world.

A hundred times a day you will get the same question: which country? I always replied politely saying I was from Holland and taught myself how to say I love Bangladesh: 'Ami Bangladeshke posondo kori', or at least something that comes close to this. Saying this to people on the street will be received with cheering.

These people have not a lot but they will share with you, because they are extremely happy to see tourists in their country. One of the best things about traveling in Bangladesh are the people of this country. Service in restaurants is outstanding, Ubers are extremely nice, hotel staff are the most friendly ever and locals will always smile when they see you.

10. No scams - HONEST PEOPLE

How good does it feel to travel hassle free? One other great thing about Bangladesh tourism is that you will hardly find any people that try to scam you or at least I did not come across one in my 10-day trip to Bangladesh. Neither will you find any touts approaching you and hassling you to buy their shit. Compared to like India where people will try to rip you off 10 times a day this is a blessing!

11. Be prepared to take a million selfies

I hope you are comfortable with cameras because if you are going to travel in Bangladesh everyone wants to take a photo with you. Not everyone has a photo with a camera, but even if they don’t have they will ask you to take a photo with your smartphone. After ‘which country?’ the second most asked question is ‘selfie?’! :)

Most of the time you will be the Bangladesh tourist attraction yourself! People want selfies with you at all times. Airport staff, hotel staff, people on the streets, police, army and of course kids.

12. Tipping in Bangladesh

I already mentioned that most people live off $5 a day and may be even less. That means a couple cents is a lot to some people. Giving someone a dollar extra will get you the biggest smile in return. I am not much of a tipping guy but here in Bangladesh I tipped extremely generous. Another way of giving is to buy things from the streets vendors like fruits, ice cream or drinks and hand them out to the people around you or those ones that wanted to take a selfie with you. Small things are still appreciated here in Bangladesh.

13. Streetfood in Bangladesh

I know people will say I am crazy but I did try some and nothing happened. Even locals warned me not to eat any street food because it would upset my tummy. I think after 6 years of traveling and eating on the streets my stomach can handle a lot. Honestly I have to admit the street food did not look really appealing as most of it was deep-fried and that is not really my thing. There are a bunch of fruit sellers, but none of them sell juices. And although the fruit looked good, it was laying there all day in the smog.

14. Keep on eating a drinking

While sightseeing in Bangladesh there is constantly so much going on that you will forget to eat and drink. Buying some snacks seems easy in a place where they sell 1 million things on the streets but somehow it was not. Bring snacks and water. If you are lucky you will find someone selling coconuts on the streets!

15. Visa on arrival Bangladesh

Getting a visa on arrival seems a little tricky, as you have to have a couple documents ready: hotel confirmation, invitation letter and return ticket.

The first two I did not have so I got a little nervous, but in the end as long as you pay the $51 and have a return ticket they are not that fuzzy about not having an invitation letter or a hotel reservation.

While traveling around Bangladesh I learned that crossing the border overland a visa on arrival for Bangladesh will only cost you around $8. Check out the visa policy of Bangladesh in the link.

16. What to wear in Bangladesh?

You might think it is always warm in Bangladesh, but in winter there are places where the temperature drops till 12 degrees Celsius at nighttime. Therefore depending on the season bring something warm for the evenings. A jacket, a hoodie and jeans will do. Daytimes are extremely pleasant, although in summers it can get really hot.

For a man short pants is totally fine and although local men will always wear long pants, for male tourists it is accepted. Be aware that if you enter religious buildings you might have to wear something to cover your knees, but someone will always provide you something.

On my trip to Bangladesh I was hardly ever wearing my flipflops while mostly on my travels I wear them every day. The streets are full of surprises here in terms of trash, potholes, etc and therefore I would recommend to wear some comfortable running shoes or something similar instead of sandals.

17. Travel to Sylhet

On my trip to Bangladesh I took a domestic flight to Sylhet in the Northeast of the country. It is regarded to be the Switzerland of Bangladesh. In my opinion not anything quite like it, but still a super cool place to visit in Bangladesh. Cool things to do in Sylhet are visiting a village where women are in power and you can actually meet the queen. Of course you have to tour the tea plantations and take a boat ride through the swamp to see the wildlife out here. Check out my complete list of things to do in Sylhet .

Bangladesh travel guide

I hope this Bangladesh travel guide will make your trip a lot easier. I wish I had known about some Bangladesh travel tips before my journey. Nevertheless my trip was one to remember and may be one of the best I took in the last year as it made such a deep impression! I made so many new friends with local people and seriously you Bangladeshi guys are the best, you made most of my days memorable! Thank you all for such a great experience!

Please leave me a comment with questions about traveling in Bangladesh or anything else. I would love to hear from you! And if you like it please share it on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest for me, that would be amazing!

I wrote a couple more articles about traveling in Bangladesh. If you need some Bangladesh tourism options then definitely have a look at my Sylhet blog . This province in the northeast of Bangladesh is almost entirely surrounded by India and is called the Switzerland of Bangladesh. And if you want to read my personal story of how I felt being the only tourist in this country then read my weekly adventure blog of my trip to Bangladesh in where I tell you exactly about my ups and downs during this intense journey!

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Bangladesh Travel Guide

Untouched by mass tourism, Bangladesh offers diverse landscapes, heritage monuments and a warm and welcoming population.

Bangladesh might not top the list of the most visited countries in Asia, but therein lies its charm. You’ll discover cities and villages untouched by mass tourism, where you’ll be warmly welcomed. The country is known for its gorgeous rivers and backwaters, in particular the Sundarbans national park, an intricate network of mangroves and small tidal islands. A popular tourist activity is to take a boat trip around the park, searching for a glimpse of the elusive Bengal tiger. If you’re interested in exploring Bangladesh’s rivers further, take an indolent voyage on one of its heritage paddle steamers (known as ‘rockets’), which run from Barisal to Dhaka or Morrelganj.

In the east of the country lie the hilly regions of Sylhet and Chittagong, where you can hike among tea estates, forests and waterfalls. Meanwhile, Cox’s Bazar is the world’s longest natural sandy beach, stretching for 120 kilometres and home to a burgeoning surf scene.

For those looking for more urban encounters, the capital of Dhaka is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, bursting at the seams with Mughal and Hindu landmarks, and a thriving arts and restaurant scene. A quieter alternative is Bagerhat, a UNESCO-designated open air museum of mosques and mausoleums beloved by history buffs.

Bangladesh is surrounded on both sides by India, and shares a small section of its border with Myanmar. Its cuisine is influenced by India (particularly the adjacent state of West Bengal) and also bears traces of Mughlai cuisine from its former Persian rulers. Travellers may recognise dishes from menus in western curry houses – such as curries cooked with the shatkora citrus, and bhuna curries – but there will still be plenty of new flavours. Popular dishes include ilish macher paturi (river fish marinated with mustard oil and chili, and steamed in a banana leaf) and haleem, a wheat and ground meat stew eaten during Ramadan. Make sure you grab a glass of the country’s famous seven-layered tea, invented by Romesh Ram Gour, each layer with a different taste.

While Bangladesh is predominantly a Muslim country, heritage monuments attest to the influence of Hindu culture. Its Chittagong region is home to Buddhist and Adivasi tribal groups. Wherever you visit you’ll receive a warm welcome, with the culture on display everywhere.

BANGLADESH TOURISM BOARD

Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) was established through the National Tourism Act in 2010 to help promote the tourism industry at home and abroad. Its vision: to make Bangladesh a popular tourist destination in Asia. Since inception, BTB has been working tirelessly with the government and other private stakeholders to achieve this goal. 

Outlook Travel spoke to Mohibul Islam, BTB’s Assistant Director, about how the organisation has fared over the past decade.

Q&A WITH MOHIBUL ISLAM, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, BANGLADESH TOURISM BOARD

What are your current goals?

Mohibul  Islam (MI):  Bangladesh Tourism Board is currently working to promote Bangladesh to the rest of the world, so that it emerges as a top destination in the eyes of the international tourist communities. To achieve this, it has many ambitions to expand and develop the sector. 

These include: providing advice, guidance and training to those involved with the tourism industry; ensuring the quality of tourism services and infrastructure; arranging for responsible tourism through advancing participation between the government, private sector, local communities and NGOS; promoting women’s participation in the tourism industry; and arranging training programmes for those in the sector.

How was the tourism industry in Bangladesh affected by COVID-19 and what are its plans for recovery?

MI: The worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 has brought the world to a standstill, and tourism has been the worst affected of all major economic sectors. All the tourist destinations in the world have introduced restrictions in response to this pandemic.

On March 8, 2020, the first corona-infected patient was identified in Bangladesh. From March 26 to May 30, 2020, all tourist attractions, hotels, motels, resorts, restaurants, recreation centres, air, roads, railways and waterways were closed with the announcement of general holidays in the country. Domestic tourism has now been reopened under the guidance of SOP but outbound, inbound tourism is still closed. 

As a result, the outbound, inbound and domestic tourism of Bangladesh fell into a catastrophe; people from all walks of life associated with the tourism industry suffered. About four million tourism workers and at least 1.5 million dependents have been plunged into deep uncertainty. According to the information received from various sources, the loss in the travel and tourism sector in these three months from March to May amounted to 1487.02 crore ($175,700,000). 

BTB has developed a three-stage Tourism Recovery Plan. The first stage is crisis management and impact reduction, which includes a tourism support package, liquidity assistance to organisations in the industry, and protecting tourists to recover their loyalty. The second stage is to provide incentives for encouraging and accelerating recovery activities including visa-on-arrival for tourists, diversifying the market through new products and activities and creating employment opportunities for the future. The final stage of the plan involves preparing for the future, ensuring the resilience of the sector.

Are there any interesting projects in the pipeline you wish to highlight?

MI: Yes, we are currently working with an international consultancy firm, IPE Global Limited, to develop a Tourism Master Plan over the next 18 months. It will help with the government’s goal to develop Bangladesh as a middle-income country by the year 2021 and a developed economy by 2041.The plan will serve as the guidelines for ensuring sustainable development of tourism and a blueprint for the planned development of the tourist sites, utilising country’s tourism resources.  It will identify the opportunities and development of heritage and cultural tourism, agri-tourism, community-based tourism, eco-tourism in the protected areas of the country, and will also focus on infrastructure development.

Preparation of the Master Plan will ensure participation of all concerned departments, parties and entities so that they can agree on the common vision, policies, strategic directions, programs, proposed projects and implementation. The Master Plan will provide a clear road map for the sector over the next 25 years, with the focus on achieving incremental growth of tourism in Bangladesh.

Why, in your opinion, should someone visit Bangladesh?

MI: Land of never-ending waterways and some of the friendliest faces in the world, Bangladesh is arguably the last frontier of South East Asia. Travel in Bangladesh is offbeat travel at its best – you won’t find mass tourism here. Bangladesh is a raw country, fully charged with a unique energy that you won’t find in any other country throughout the world. An energy that you can only feel and understand by visiting the country. 

If you’re coming to Bangladesh, you cannot miss out on a trip to the Old Town in Dhaka, a melting pot of chaos, culture and crowds. A huge collection of traditional wares like Dhakai Jamdani, Tangail and crafting will give you the opportunity to make it happen. A strong hit of sights, sounds, and smells –an attack on all of the senses. And it’s awesome. Cox’s Bazar is home to the world’s longest unbroken stretch of sandy sea beach. 

Another superlative for Bangladesh; it is home to the world’s largest mangrove forest, famous for the Bengal tiger. Bangladesh is super friendly, super helpful, and super excited to see you. Its magical monuments, fascinating landscape and friendly people – Bangladesh has lots to offer. Discover history, culture and cuisine. Bangladesh is unique because of its simplicity. 

Bangladesh will be there for you till we meet again.

What trends are transforming the tourism industry in Bangladesh and how are you using them?

MI: With travellers’ desire for new experiences, the rapid global technological advancements, climate change, and other dynamics, the travel and tourism industry is constantly transforming. Having experienced an all-time high in the past decade, with 2018 recording the highest number of international tourist arrivals, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the sector is now undeniably faced with big challenges and uncomfortable changes in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. All the same, there are still rising tourism trends in Bangladesh that can help tour operators, Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), and other industry suppliers to revamp their businesses and experience success as we get into the new normal. 

Bleisure travel is a growing tourism trend whereby people of Bangladesh travelling for work or business include some leisure time at their destination. In Bangladesh there is also a growing trend among millennials known as the “digital nomad” phenomenon, whereby online workers and freelancers adopt a lifestyle of travelling as they work. Tour operators can take advantage of this growing trend by creating offers that entice business travellers to extend their stay for leisure. For example, you can sell team retreat packages combined with perks like photos, videos, and transportation. Having WIFI and chargers in buses and accommodation (for multi-day tours) can also entice digital nomads and other travellers looking to stay connected for work.

Automation, digitisation and mobile bookings are also growing trends, with more and more bookings made online. This has made advertising cheaper for travel companies, but also customers are enjoying and increasingly prefer the convenience it offers. Tour and activities companies have also progressively adopted technology and online booking. 

In Bangladesh, travellers believe that companies should personalise their buying experience and base it on their behaviours, personal preferences, and past choices. Personalisation is also important when it comes to the actual tour or activity. By offering flexible experiences that can be tailored to a traveller’s needs, you stand a chance of better satisfying your clients, and that can lead to repeat visits. Your priority should, therefore, be on offering customer-oriented services.

Sustainable tourism is increasingly important – in Bangladesh more travellers are adopting this mindset and making their travel decisions with the environment in mind. Carbon offsetting, for example, is becoming more popular in Bangladesh day by the day especially since travellers want to help mitigate the impact of the climate crisis. Tour companies can also support this mission by making small but significant adjustments. You can do away with single-use plastics or opt to only use solar for all your energy needs. But it’s important to note that sustainability is not only about the environment. It’s also about making a positive impact on cultures, economies, and the people at the destinations that clients visit.

Other trends include transformative travel, – making a difference to the lives on others and oneself – solo travel and wellness travel. Almost any business can take advantage of these trends. Think of how you can market your business offers while developing and promoting communities, making it clear how tourists and locals can benefit. Your existing offers may already allow people to empower themselves by learning a new skill set, which also encourages personal growth.

Are you optimistic about the future of the tourism industry in Bangladesh?

MI: Domestic tourism in our country has already been booming. We are trying our level best to attract foreign tourists to our lovely land. Bangladesh is almost an unexplored destination to the rest of the world.  The hospitable people, golden past and heritages, mouth-watering Bengali cuisine, adventurous hill tracts, lifestyle, calm and quiet villages, greenery landscape, amazing backwaters, enriched culture of our ethnic groups, the roar of the longest sandy sea beach and wildlife species from different forests like the Sundarbans will surely amaze tourists.  

Thanks to our innovative approach to promotion, I am strongly optimistic about the golden future of the tourism industry of Bangladesh.

OUTLOOK RECOMMENDS

For high-end boutique villas in a tropical forest…

DuSai Resort & Spa

For endless variety…

Share Trip  is Bangladesh’s first and leading travel aggregator, designed to make travel within the country easier and more competitive. A winner of multiple prizes at the World Travel Awards – including Bangladesh’s Leading Travel Agency – it has succeeded in its mission to become a one-stop shop for travel in Bangladesh. Travellers can book flights, hotels and apply for visas online. They can also choose from a series of tours to landmarks within the country. The site has a comprehensive cancellation policy and places a strong emphasis on customer care.

For unique sustainable tours…

Bangladesh Eco Adventure

For authentic cooking classes…

The Travelling Spoon

For high-end urban accommodation…

Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden

DHAKA IN FOCUS

Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka is one of the world’s most densely populated cities, and the noise and crowds can prove overwhelming for first-time visitors. But stick around and you’ll discover some attractive monuments, an endless variety of restaurants and an unrivalled arts scene.

The city is at its best in the relatively cool winter months from November to March. This is also when it holds an array of fascinating cultural events, ranging from the biennial Dhaka Arts Summit (attended by 300,000 Dhakaites the last time it was held) and the Dhaka Lit Fest. The University of Dhaka’s Fine Arts Institute – designed by pioneering modernist Muzharul Islam – is an airy structure enveloped in landscaped gardens.

There are plenty of sights to feast your eyes upon. Lalbagh Fort – a sprawling 17th century Mughal complex – is one of them. The pink-hued Ahsan Manzill, former pleasure palace of the Sheikh Enayet Ullah, is another. Dhaka also has plenty of chaotic, colourful markets to visit – Dhanmondi Hawkers’ Market sells some of the most beautiful Jamdani and Tangail textiles and saris in the city.

Make sure you take the time to wander down the winding alleys of Old Dhaka, the city’s historic centre. You’ll pass timeworn buildings, shaded courtyards, religious buildings and plenty of markets. Bangla Bazar is crammed with book stalls, while Shakhari Bazar is a Hindu neighbourhood known for its shakhari makers (an instrument made with conch shells). There are plenty of places to eat, from street food stalls to heritage coffee houses and restaurants selling morog pulao (a variation of chicken biryani). 

And no trip to the city is complete without a trip on the river! Catch a boat from Sadargat, the city’s busiest river port.

LANDMARK ATTRACTIONS

Srimangal is the tea-growing capital of Bangladesh, its hillsides carpeted in emerald plantations. Visit the Tea Museum to learn more about the region’s history, or enjoy a picturesque hike in the surrounding countryside. There are several upmarket hotels where you can stay in comfort.

The Sundarbans

Located in the Bay of Bengal, where the vast rivers of the Brahmaputra and Ganges meet, the Sundarbans is an intricate network of mangrove forests, rivers, and tidal islands. It boasts an astonishing array of wildlife, including Bengal tigers, rhesus macaques, Gangetic dolphins, and estuarine crocodiles. This unique, fragile ecosystem has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the top spot in Bangladesh for a boat trip.

Cox’s Bazar

This gorgeous sandy beach stretches for over 120 kilometres along the Bay of Bengal. It’s a popular tourist attraction, offering activities such as jet skiing or boat trips to the nearby islands. However, there is more than enough space to avoid the crowds. It’s an excellent place for watching dramatic, fiery sunsets.

GETTING THERE AND AROUND

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, in Dhaka, is the largest in the country, with a handling capacity of 18.5 million passengers. Carriers such as Air Asia and Qatar Airways provide flights to destinations across Europe, the Middle East and Asia including Seoul, London and Muscat.

Bangladesh has a good network of domestic flights, with airports in popular tourist destinations such as Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong. Top domestic carriers include US-Bangla Airlines and Novoair.

For those who prefer a more environmentally friendly alternative to travelling around the country, we recommend those with the time travel by boat. There are 8,000 kilometres of navigable inland waterways and a wide variety of different crafts on offer. These include public ferries – which travel long distances – and private boats, which take you from one town to another.

Trains are another option. Although the network is limited, first class carriages are very comfortable. There is a good network of long-distance buses – however, the state run BRTC buses can be uncomfortable, with limited toilet stops, so it’s best to choose a private coach. A more comfortable but expensive way to travel long distances is to hire a private car with a driver, something your tour operator can help you with.

When travelling within cities, its possible to choose from a wide – and somewhat confusing – array of vehicles, from public buses to pedal-powered rickshaws. Many people opt for CNGs (three-wheeled autorickshaws powered on compressed natural gas) to get from place to place.

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You are here: Home » Experiential Travel Guides » Bangladesh Travel: A Beginner’s Guide

Bangladesh Travel: A Beginner’s Guide

Last Updated on July 21, 2021 by Audrey Scott

Let’s face it. Reliable independent travel information about Bangladesh doesn’t flow quite as freely as it does for some other nearby countries in south Asia.

And even when you get in country, information can be hard to come by: ask five people a question and you're likely to get ten answers.

But persevere and show your curiosity and you’ll find that Bangladesh actually offers more diversity in sights and experiences that you might first expect, from UNESCO pre-Moghul mosques to cycling through tea estates to tracking tigers in mangrove forests. But perhaps more distinct are the human interactions that make visiting Bangladesh such a unique experience.

More than five weeks in Bangladesh? Is there really enough to do there?

— A typical response when we shared our Bangladesh travel plans.

Next time you wonder what there is to do and see in Bangladesh, take a look at the list below for inspiration. Seek it out, understand that things don’t always go as planned, and enjoy the journey.

Cox’s Bazar Spoiler: We're prepared for flak from Bangladeshis regarding the fact that Cox’s Bazar does not appear on our list. Cox's Bazar, home of the longest continuous stretch of beach in the world didn't make the cut during our visit. We'd spent plenty of time on beaches in Thailand before visiting Bangladesh, and frankly we were having too much fun in the Bangladesh countryside to up and make our way to the beach.

Dhaka: Bangladesh’s sprawling, crazy capital city

Make your way to old town Dhaka (Puran Dhaka) and Shakari Bazaar for interaction with some of the friendliest and most energetic people in the world. Go early in the morning or on a holiday so that you have a chance to see it all and engage with the crowds before things become too hot or busy. Take a rickshaw ride through the narrow old town streets. Wild, fun, human. Our favorite part of Dhaka by far.

Also recommended is the walking tour of old Dhaka by the Urban Study Group working to protect Dhaka’s historical buildings (ask for Taimur). Our tour happened to coincide with the Hindu holiday of Holi so our walks through the Hindu parts of town were in full festival and color mode. A fulfilling, educational experience all around.

The easiest way to get to the old town is by CNG (compressed natural gas auto rickshaw ) – ask to use the meter. Traffic in Dhaka is horrible, so plan your way around the city wisely or risk spending hours stuck in traffic that may leave you never wanting to exit your hotel again.

View more photos: Dhaka

Rocket steamer: river travel.

While the rocket steamer may not be one of the fastest ways to travel, but it is one of the most pleasant. Bangladesh is a country of rivers; you have to travel them to get a feel for the country. The Rocket Steamer is a great way to do this.

Although we’re usually cheapskates when it comes to transport, we do recommend splurging for an overnight first class cabin (around $25 total for the two of us). On the route from Dhaka to Khulna, this allowed us access to the front of the boat along with a handful – as opposed to hundreds – of other people.

Pull up a chair outside and watch Dhaka disappear in the rear view as the river opens wide with fishermen, villages and the occasional brickfield (brick-making operation). We will never forget drinking tea after sunset on the front deck as we exited Dhaka's orbit and made our way into wider, more silent waterways. Epic and soothing.

Because water levels were low, we chose to exit the boat at Pirojpur. From there, we took a bus the remainder of the way to Khulna (about 2 hours). In Khulna, we met up with our Sundarban tour boat the following day.

A note on safety: You might be asking, “ Is it really safe to take a boat in Bangladesh? I keep hearing reports of boats sinking .” The Rocket Steamer does indeed have a good safety record. However, be aware that other public river ferry transport options may not be as safe due to overcrowding and spotty maintenance.

Buying tickets: The Rocket Steamer departs around 6 PM from Sadarghat in old Dhaka. Although touts may suggest otherwise, you cannot buy tickets for the Rocket Steamer at Sadarghat in Dhaka. We advise going directly to the BIWTC (Bangladesh Inland Water Transport) office at 5 Dilkusha. Call ahead to confirm that boats are running. Schedules are subject to change based on water levels and repairs: +88-02-9559779. You can also buy Rocket Steamer tickets through local travel agent for a fee that will include a commission.

View More Photos: Rocket Steamer from Dhaka

Sundarbans: tiger tracking in mangrove forests..

The Sundarbans, the largest tidal mangrove forests in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a big attraction in Bangladesh. A Sundarbans tour is usually among the first items on a visitor's Bangladesh travel itinerary. The Sundarbans feature mangrove forests, visits to the Bay of Bengal, and an often unsuccessful search for tigers.

Most journeys to the Sundarbans depart from Khulna and travel south and east along various rivers and streams towards the Bay of Bengal. Within a few hours of leaving Khulna, industry, towns, fishermen and villages fade in favor of virtually uninhabited mangrove forests. Birds, deer, crocodiles, and wild boar become your new companions. Oh, and tigers — whether or not you get a chance to see them, they will likely see you.

Sundarban tours include a few landings to walk through the thick mud of the mangrove forests in search of the shy Bengal tiger. Although it’s unlikely you’ll actually see a tiger (there’s an estimated 400 of them remaining in this vast land mass), this is still a recommended trip to get yourself into the middle mangrove forests, see some different animals, and just enjoy nature and its silence.

Booking a Sundarbans Tour:

We went with Bengal Tours . The boat, food, and staff were all great. A standard tour for two nights/three days is around $150. If we had known in advance, we would have better timed our visit to coincide with the honey harvest season (April) and booked a “honey-hunting tour.”

Honey-hunting tiger tours run at the very end of the Sundarbans tour season, as the dry season becomes full-blown. This special tour follows villagers in the northwest reaches of the Sundarbans and includes as they harvest honey, a rather dangerous undertaking because of the apparent relative profusion of curious tigers in the area.

The Guide Tours also runs Sundarbans tours. Although we didn’t travel with them, one of our close friends did and he recommended them. Rupantar Eco-Tourism , was also recommended to us, but there were no tours running at the time of our visit.

View More : Sundarbans Photos

Bagarhat: pre-moghul mosques and crocodiles.

While Shait Gumbad Masjid (Sixty Dome Mosque) in Bagerhat, Bangladesh might qualify as one of more remote and foreigner-free UNESCO sites we've come across in our travels, it's certainly not a lonely place.

From the moment we stepped foot on the grounds of this 15th century pre-Mughal-era mosque, we were approached by playful school girls, elderly Imams, extended families, shutter-happy teenagers and everyone in between. Like all their Bangladeshi countrymen and women, they are a curious and friendly lot and will pay you oodles of attention, as this site currently does not get many foreign visitors.

Conversations went in and out of Bangla and English about Bangladesh, United States, Islam, crocodiles, cricket, Facebook and more. At every turn, mobile phones clicked with photos of us.

And although the grounds of the mosque teem with people and activity, the interior is impressive with its dozens of columns, pre-Moghul architecture, and faded wall decor wiped out by heavy-handed plastering. However, what we enjoyed most was that the mosque is not a museum, but is still actively used by the local community.

If you have more time, take a rickshaw to Khan Jahan Ali Mazar where you’ll find a pond full of well-fed crocodiles and the Nine-Domed Mosque a short walk away. Keep an eye out for this friendly Imam who will take you around the 15th century building.

There isn’t really a place to sleep here, so visiting Bagerhat is best done as a day trip from Khulna. For a taste of beautiful peaceful brick-lined village lanes, a visit here is an absolute must.

Khulna Hotel : We enjoyed staying at Hotel Jalico on #77 Lower Jessore Road. Around $14 for a double room with A/C, including breakfast served in your room. Request a local breakfast – the “western breakfast” includes soggy eggs and toast.

More Photos from Bagerhat

Rajshahi and puthia: university town and hindu temples.

Take the early morning train from Khulna to Rajshahi for one of the most pleasant rides in the country through villages and rice fields. Besides offering an absolutely beautiful journey, this train seems to run on time. Purchasing a ticket at the Khulna train station is fairly easy. Foreigners will likely be directed around the back of the building to make their visit even easier. 1st class cabin tickets run about $3-$4/piece. Among the world's greatest train ticket values.

At dusk, go down to the Ganges/Patma river front: kids play cricket, families gather around food carts, and boats carry people back and forth towards the Indian border. You’ll soon be surrounded by Rajshahi’s students; curious, outgoing, and sporting good English. A good sign if these are the future leaders of their country.

Nearby Puthia is worth a stop to walk around, see the Hindu temples, and chat with the temple caretakers and other locals. You can see the town’s former prominence in the Hindu Temples and Palace. We particularly enjoyed the Govinda Temple with its exterior of carved terracotta tiles.

Note that the representative from the Puthia archeological association can be a bit overbearing and ultimately hijack your visit and your sanity, so be firm in expressing your wishes.

More Photos: Rajshahi and Puthia Photos

Paharpur monastery: tantric buddhist monastery.

Another UNESCO World Heritage site in Bangladesh: the 8th century Paharpur Monastery in northwestern Bangladesh is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries south of the Himalayas. Today, much of the site is in ruins but it’s still worth a visit. Fascinating to imagine how this university-style “dorms” where Buddhism and Buddhist monks thrived for several centuries under in what was once Buddhist Bangladesh.

If you visit Paharpur, we recommend spending the night in Joypurhat and taking an electric or auto rickshaw to the the site.

Paharpur Hotel : We stayed in a great guest room at an NGO called DMSS for around $11/double room. Our host, Aburpa, was wonderful and the money from your stay goes to support DMSS' work with indigenous people in the region. He can also arrange a rickshaw to the ruins. Contact the organization in advance to see if they have availability. A great place to stay.

More Photos: Paharpur Buddhist Monastery

Rural homestay in a bangladesh village exploration.

Bangladesh’s cities are busy, harried and full of people, traffic and commotion. From our perspective, an absolute must in Bangladesh: spending time in rural Bangladesh to get a completely different perspective. One of the highlights of our trip was a two-day village homestay in the village of Hatiandha outside of the city of Natore.

In the village, we stayed with a local family for two nights and enjoyed delicious home-cooked Bangladeshi food. We also had an opportunity to visit rural schools, walk around the village and fields to learn about agriculture, see a pottery village, various aspects of harvesting, puffing rice with hot sand and enjoying the pace of Bangladesh village life.

Arranging a Bangladesh home stay

The home stay program we used is a new initiative from Eco Connexion, the rural tourism arm of the NGO ESDO.

Srimongal: Tea Estates and Long Bike Rides

From our perspectives, another must see during a visit to Bangladesh. The aim: to get out of town and enjoy the countryside; tea estates, ethnic villages, national parks, lakes and greenery. You can hire a car, or as we did, rent bicycles and cycle your way through the teaberry flavored air of tea plantations, take up a local or two on their invitation for tea (or a birthday party). Go, enjoy the outdoors and let your days unfold by themselves.

Our suggestion: rent bikes and head out to Madhabpur Lake, not so much to see the actual lake but for the adventure on the way there and back. Beautiful scenery, villages and people. The fragrance of tea bushes in the fresh air of early morning is like nothing you'll experience in life.

The tea gardens surrounding Srimongal are remnants from the British Empire; workers were brought from other parts of the country and also from India. Today, this area is home to several different ethnic groups. Although working conditions are exceptionally difficult for the tea pickers, we found them incredibly friendly and welcoming.

It’s possible to arrange visits to indigenous Garo, Manipuri, and Khashia villages. Our suggestion is to go with a guide who is from that indigenous group and village so that you have a more personal experience. You can contact Nishorgo Network or Community EcoTour to arrange village visits. Don't miss a visit to Nilkantha for a taste of 7-layer tea. There's also an unassuming stand that serves up puchka. Makes for a perfect late-afternoon snack.

To rent bikes, contact Sablu at Classic Tours and Travels in Srimongal. He's a really nice guy who can arrange other tours. He also knows where to find a get a good shave.

READ MORE : The Destination Is Everything, The Destination Is Nothing

Chittagong Hill Tracts: Bandarban and Rangamati

This little sliver of land in the southeastern corner of the country can be a bit tricky to get to, but it's all worth the effort. More than a dozen ethnic groups share this region; it’s like a journey through Southeast and South Asia in one swoop.

Try to plan your visit around the weekly market in Bandarban and Rangamati on Wednesdays and Saturdays. In scenes like this one at the indigenous market in the town of Bandarban, it's easy to forget which country we're visiting.

Bandarban is part of an area known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). CHT's rolling hills in southeastern Bangladesh are home to over fifteen indigenous groups, many of which have their origins in far eastern India, Burma and Southeast Asia .

While the market had some unusual features for one in Bangladesh — a monitor lizard butchered to bits at the river's edge, a huge pig sawed in half mid-market, massive sting rays hanging on hooks, and sacks jumping with plump frogs — something else stood out. Women.

Women were everywhere – as vendors, buyers, connoisseurs of cigars, and among the out and about. While the presence of women may not sound terribly profound, their absence from other markets and many facets of public life here in Bangladesh has been noticeable. And we've missed it.

So at the Sunday episode of the Bandarban indigenous market we enjoyed the opportunity to sit with vendors (men and women), throw around a few words in Bangla (didn't really help), use charades to communicate some more, learn the local names of vegetables, and share a few smiles.

Also highly recommended is hiring a guide for half a day in Bandarban to go through villages and take a boat ride down Shangu river. We arranged for this through Guide Tours Bandarban Hill Resort (about $8-$10) and it was a fantastic experience. Our guide, Royel, was a Baum man from the surrounding villages and knew everyone, everything.

Another site to see near Bandarban is Bangladesh's largest active Buddhist temple, Buddha Dhatu Jadi or Golden Temple — a peaceful little place tucked into the hills above the town. You might be thinking, “Buddhism in Bangladesh?” Once upon a time, Buddhism was the prominent religion across the land that is now Bangladesh.

Although Buddhists only make up around 1% of the population today, you can find pockets of of Marma, Chakma and other ethnic communities practicing in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in southeastern Bangladesh. There are even a few Bengali Buddhists about.

Our visit to Rangamati overlapped with both local Buddhist water festival and Bangla new years; we were adopted by a local Chakma man and visited about ten groups of family and friends, each with outrageous amounts of rice wine and food. Let’s just say we didn’t do a lot more than that during our two days there.

Permits to CHT:

It’s necessary to get a permit to enter the CHT. Most travel agents or hotels can arrange this for you for free or for a small fee. They will submit your passport details to the authorities so that your name appears on an approved list.

Bandarban Hotel

We stayed at Hotel Purbani on the main road in Bandarban town. Around $8 for a double room (fan) with some of the most attentive staff in the world. To enjoy the hills and countryside outside of town, take a look at the Bandarban Hillside Resort run by Guide Tours. We hired a guide from here and the facilities looked nice.

Rangamati Hotel

Banarupa Tourists Inn is on the outskirts of town. We were there during a big holiday, so rooms were hard to find. A double room cost around $18-$20.

Of course, there is much more to do in Bangladesh than what is on this list. Our aim is to provide you a starting point to inspire your thinking, planning, and preparation for Bangladesh. Independent travel in Bangladesh is intense, so be sure to plan in enough down time; try to get out of the big cities. Once you do, you are sure to set yourself up for some unforgettably unique experiences.

If you're interested in more information on travel to Bangladesh, be sure to listen to our Bangladesh podcast interview with Chris Christensen from the Amateur Traveler.

About Audrey Scott

36 thoughts on “bangladesh travel: a beginner’s guide”.

Great details, very informative.

Just adding to this otherwise pretty complete guide.

Boga Lake A part of Chittagong Hill Tracts, but can only be reached by trekking through some darn nice hill country inhabited by different tribes.

Cox’s Bazar Yes, you mentioned it yourself. A visit to Cox’s Bazar beach is pretty mandatory. Not because is pretty, but because Bangdeshis consider it to be a paradise and it is so far from. It is a wonder how a beach can be so unattractive in a fascinating way… but hey, this is Bangladesh!

Sorry, I should have added some pictures from both Boga Lake and Cox’s Bazar. Here they are:

Boga Lake http://www.globespots.com/photogallery.php?photogallery=boga_lake

Cox’s Bazar http://www.globespots.com/photogallery.php?photogallery=coxs_bazar

@Sutapa: There’s a lot of inconsistent information about Bangladesh in guide books and even when you get on the ground, so we tried to be thorough here with all the details we wish we had known before we went.

@Bo: Boga Lake was on our wish list, but as we were in CHT during the new year it was difficult to find guides and transport. We’ll just have to return to be able to visit next time…including Cox’s Bazaar 🙂

@Tom: Yeah, tigers going after honey does sound rather Winnie the Pooh-ish, but it is a dangerous activity. Something like 50-60 people get killed each year by tigers and many of them during the honey season.

Bangladesh definitely does surprise on its old mosques and ruins; there used to be much more, but as the population has grown it’s hard to keep things up. I don’t see EasyJet going to Dhaka anytime soon, but Air Asia used to from Kuala Lumpur. We flew $90 one-way from Dhaka-KL. Such a shame they stopped service!

Great tips, thanks for sharing! Tigers being curious about honey sounds adorable but I’m sure it’s far from the opposite – I need to switch my brain off of Disney mode!

I’m a complete geek for things like old mosques and ruins, I had no idea there were so many in Bangladesh! Now to book a ticket… EasyJet to Dhaka? Hmm!

Thanks for the wonderful detailed guide. I’ll be referring back to this when we eventually visit Bangladesh.

@Erin: You’re welcome! Just get in touch if you need any more details for planning your trip to Bangladesh or when you’re there.

Definitely one of the most detailed, well-illustrated and thorough write-ups I’ve seen about Bangladesh. Could you let me know if/where you discovered “inconsistent information about Bangladesh in guide books” in the Bradt guide? I’m in the midst of updating right now!

Thanks for covering Bangladesh in such a positive and interesting manner. One thing though, the mention of Tea Pluckers(not pickers in the true Tea jargon)life being exceptionally difficult is not correct as they are probably the only working group that are provided with their own homessteads, clean water, weekly ration and a large communal meeting place with TV for their entertainment.In some large estates they also have dispensaries and small scale hospitals. Working conditions are difficult for all agricultural growers in Bangladesh.In fact it is specially difficult for the Rickshaw Wallas who migrate from the villages due to no employment opportunities there and live in almost squalid conditions in the large cities.

@Mikey: Wow, thank you for your kind words about our write-up. Coming from you as an expert on Bangladesh that means a lot.

I don’t have the Bangladesh guidebooks in front of me at the moment, but some suggestions we have for updating the Bradt Guide would be: 1) For all transport routes, be sure to list (expected) hours/length of route. If possible prices as well (although these do change). 2) Give the Bangla name for sites and locations since many rickshaw drivers don’t speak English. I remember doing charades trying to communicate Buddhist temple when we were in Bandarban to the rickshaw drivers since they only knew the local name. 3) Improve the maps. I know Bangladesh is impossible to map, especially its cities, but we found it quite difficult to navigate the maps in the Bratdt Guide.

If more ideas come to mind, I’ll be sure to send you an email. Good luck with updating the Bangladesh Bradt Guide!

@Marc: Many people don’t think about Bangladesh as a travel destination, which is really a shame. Bangladesh is not the easiest travel out there, but it’s certainly fascinating and people are so welcoming.

@Murad: Thanks for sharing this about the Tea Pluckers. I completely agree that life for all agricultural people in Bangladesh is difficult and for rickshaw drivers they live extremely challenging lives.

Yes, the tea estates provided housing when the pluckers moved from other parts of Bangladesh and India many years ago. Of the people we spoke with, they still live in the same homes their parents had when they arrived many years ago. However, we were told by different sources that the situation now for tea pickers is worse than it used to be because the tea estates don’t have as much money for these services. Many earn around $1/day and the food rations are often not sufficient. But, it’s hopeful to hear that some tea estates are able to provide better services and pay.

Yes, Bangladesh is good for traveler. It is green. people also green here. River and and green tree are beautiful.

its great about travel in Bangladesh, nice writing. hope your page is run very rapidly. thanks.

The post is briefly helpful for the tourist who want to travel Bangladesh

My fingers tingle as I begin to pen this down; I’m a Bangladeshi by descent and the closest living link, is only a Bangladeshi friend staying in London. Every conversation with him is like taking a trip to the land I have sworn to visit at least once, the land where my roots lie.

Remarkable, Bruce. Hoping you have the opportunity to visit Bangladesh to bring your thoughts full circle.

WOW, great listing. It will help foreigners when they will visit my country Bangladesh. Thank you so much.

Thank you for your blog. I was wondering could you advise on a rough travel itinary I.e which route to take around the country. We land in Dharka and have 30 days and will be missing out Chittagong. If you could give a rough idea of the best route around the country taking into account transport options that would be fab. Look forward to hearing from you

I am sorry if this is the second message/ comment you get. I am currently in India and the internet is well…Indian. I cant see my first comment so maybe it didn’t send.

Anyway as of the 15 of this month i will be travelling Bangladesh (for the first time) for 30 days. I fly into Dhaka. I would be grateful if you could provide any advice / a rough idea of which way around you would travel the country. I.E taking into account the transport options and how possible it is to get from region to region, from Dhaka which region would you explore next and from there, where next and so on. I would like to end up in Dhaka again. I am trying to learn from experience as i have been in a situation where i should have traveled the opposite way around to the way i chose which meant to couldnt easily get to a place without spending days going back on myself. Any advice you can provide would be gratefully received.

Thank you in advance.

PS. dont worry about timing – i will attempt to sort that 🙂

Casey, we ended up transiting through Dhaka a couple of times during our travels in Bangladesh as it sometimes worked out easiest from a transportation standpoint. As for our route, we went from Dhaka to Khulna via the Rocket Steamer and then onward to the Sundarbans (boat tour) and Bagerhat. Then we continued train and buses to Rajshahi, Puthia, a homestay in Hathiendha, and Paharpur. From there we returned by bus to Dkahka and went by train to Srimongal and then all the way south to the Chittagong Hill Tracts (Bandarban & Rangamati). I’m not sure if that was the most efficient itinerary, but we were trying to maximize our use of trains and minimize our use of buses and highways. And, of course, there were many places in Bangladesh that we didn’t get to that you may want to visit.

Good luck with planning for your trip and enjoy!

This is a great post and really informative.

We have just one week in Bangladesh on our way from India to Myanmar. We fly in and out of Dhaka. Given our short time 7 nights 6.5 days what would you recommend as must see’s do’s? We like off the beaten track too.

Ideally we want to pick 2 or 3 keys things so we’re not too rushed!

Hi Tanya, Glad this post was useful! Given your short time I’d probably take the Rocket Steamer and head down to the Sundarbans on a boat tour. Otherwise, you could take the train up to Srimongal and enjoy the tea plantations and lakes. The other option is go to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, but if you’re spending time in Myanmar then culturally that might be similar. Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Great post, very informative. My husband and I are traveling to Bangladesh Nov 30 – Dec 18 are are including many of the same stops in our itinerary. One quick question regarding the trains…. was it easy to book/purchase the train tickets at the stations yourselves, or did you typically purchase the tickets through travel agencies or with the help of lodge owners (or others)? We also plan to travel mostly by train. We found that booking train tickets in India was very easy as there was typically at least one desk (or more) where foreigners could book tickets in English, though it sounds like this is likely not the case in Bangladesh. Thanks very much for any information you can provide!

Thanks, Kate! Glad you found this useful. Please take a look at Casey’s comment below as she recently traveled to Bangladesh in October 2016. Her experience is similar to ours — we bought our train tickets directly at the train station and language usually wasn’t an issue as someone usually spoke some English. Usually this was done the same day (if a very untraveled route) or the day before. However, we didn’t take any overnight trains so I’d probably check at the guesthouse/hotel if that needs to be reserved further in advance.

Hi, I love your posts on Bangladesh! They’re truly fascinating! I’m interested in planning a trip there myself, how did you go about finding places to stay? Let’s say both in Dhaka and in the countryside. From what I’m seeing on the internet, there aren’t that many hostels in the country.

Justin, thanks for the kind words about our Bangladesh articles! Please see Casey’s comment below as she recently traveled to Bangladesh (October 2016). Our experience was that we found hotels by looking in the guide book, asking around with Bangladeshis we met, and sometimes just walking around a town looking for signs. We never had a problem. One thing we did have was a Bangladeshi SIM card so we could make local phone calls to hotels in advance to see if they had availability and check the price. There weren’t many traditional hostels, but instead simple hotels/guest houses.

Hi there (Kate and Justin)

I returned from a month in Bangladesh on October 13. We did not have one nights accommodation booked in advance. They only places we had problems were Syhlet and Rangpur – the majority of guesthouse/hotels/hostels didn’t want ‘foreigners’. This is due to the hassle they get from the police after the terrorist incident in July. Also in Sylhet we were not able to hire cycle bikes to cycle through the tea gardens at all, but we went to the police station and the police commissioner have us two armed gaurds to go through the tea garden and to the lake – bonkers. Regarding train ticket. We book all at the train station there was always someone who spoke english and wanted to help. Some trains like night trains I would be at least a day in advance. Enjoy your travels – females have cover up clothes and a scarf (just for certain time not all the time)

Casey, thanks so much for commenting and helping to answer Kate & Justin’s questions based on your recent trip. Really appreciate this updated information.

Yes, that is bonkers about Sylhet and needing armed guards to go through the tea gardens and lake. I figured that security would have been tightened after the July attacks, but didn’t realize it would take that form. Same with guesthouses having stricter restrictions on foreigners.

Thanks again!

Thank you all for the good information! Very informative!

Glad to read a great guide about my Country Bangladesh. Thanks dear.

Awesome blog! I used to be questioning May you advise on a rough travel itinerary I.e. that route to require around the country. We have a tendency to land in the capital of Bangladesh and have thirty days and can be missing out metropolis. If you’ll provide a rough plan of the simplest route around the country taking under consideration transport choices that may be fabulous. Expect to hear from you. Thanks for sharing.

The experiences and places listed here are roughly the itinerary path that we took around Bangladesh, including transport (steamer first, then bus, then train, bus, train, etc.).

A nice read! Really enjoyed reading your adventure. Thanks for sharing it! I can see from the comments that it made everyone so curious about Bangladesh, most of whom never even thought anything about visiting this country ever! No wonder, this is the least traveled destination in the world.

me and my girl friend are travelling around Asia at present and potentially have a week in Bangladesh. We are not sure if it’s safe to travel to at the moment as it’s very hard to find any recent information. The travel advice from the foreign office is concerning us and the amount of sercurity that is surrounding the England cricket tour. I understand that care needs to be taken when visiting any large city but the travel advice suggests not walking around the streets and avoiding busy areas but doing these things would be one of the reasons to go there and don’t want to feel worried all the time while travelling!

We haven’t met any one who has been there or going there. Is it safe for western tourists to go there or is it maybe not the best time to visit?

Thanks, Mike.

congrats for ur blog is all so very nice & thanks for sharing it with us… can u please say me what do immigration officers offenly ask in dhaka airport to foreigners that arrived there? i will soon travel to bangladesh for the first time & i am a honduran woman who will travel alone to bangladesh with a tourist visa & i will have a hotel reservation for the days i will stay there, so it will be most helpful for me if u can inform me about the matter, in advance i thank u most for ur answer & help…

Dear Sally, We’re glad our blog post on our travels in Bangladesh was useful. I have to be honest that I don’t remember exactly what the immigration officers asked us when we arrived in Dhaka airport as it’s been a few years. However, usually the questions are related to your itinerary (where you will visit) and where you are staying (hotel). They might ask if you are on a tour or traveling independently, but that is more unusual.

Have a good trip!

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Bangladesh Scenic Tours

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13 Best places to visit in Bangladesh

Beautiful Bangladesh. It is a land of beauty and heritage. There are so many places to be enjoyed here. In this article, you get 13 best places to visit in Bangladesh.

Wondering to check the best places to visit in Bangladesh?

Bordering with India and Myanmar, Bangladesh is one of the most wonderful countries in the world. But according to a World Bank report, this is placed on one of the least tourist destinations. It happened as the tourism facilities are not up to the mark here.

However, despite all the negative aspects, there are lots of things to see and explore. There are no tourism scams, people are friendly and the spots are heavenly. Besides, people of the rural areas are also curious about the tourists and welcome them from their hearts.

The tourist spots are not that much busy in handling the global and local tourists. But a remarkable number of people annually visit the spots. Luckily, the number of tourists is on the rise here.

So, if you want to explore Bangladesh, this is a great option for you. We have gathered 13 must places to visit in Bangladesh. They are tourist-friendly and provides almost all sorts of facilities to the visitors.

You can also read the Experience of Western travelers in Bangladesh and Traveler’s opinion about Bangladesh visiting experience. Surely, you will be surprised at their remarks upon their arrival and visit in the country.

Where to visit in Bangladesh

It is always tough to create a list as all of them are attractive and lovely. It was hard to make the list. Frankly speaking, it was a great trouble to discard the places from the list. After visiting the country, you can share your experience at the comment box.

We can make some friendly debates over the issue. Besides, you can also provide your valued recommendations to make the places better than before. Lets see the wonderful places to visit in Bangladesh.

1. Sundarbans – the largest Mangrove Forest

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest mangrove forest on this planet are Sundarbans. The forest is on the borderline of Bangladesh and India but Bangladesh owns the largest part of this mangrove. Sundarbans is the home of the Royal Bengal Tigers. Besides, there are lots of other wild animals are available here too.

The environment of the forest is amazing. You will have a special experience after visiting Sundarbans. Honestly, it would be a lifetime experience for you if you visit the forest. The surrounding environment, wildlife, nature – all are breathtaking. So, this is on the top of the list.

We arrange a trip to Sundarbans with a maximum of six people and you can check out the Sundarbans small group tour here. The trip would remain in your memory for a long time.

Besides, you may also check – Top things to do in Sundarbans.

2. Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT)

Chittagong Hill Tracts (also known as CHT) is made with wonderful hills and natural outlook. A notable number of tribal people live in the areas. If you love adventure, this is the right place for you.

Trekking deep inside the CHT for a couple of days will provide you an amazing taste. But we need to get permission from the local authority prior to the trekking for different reasons.

Meeting the tribal, exploring their life and living, visiting the Sangu River – the most beautiful river of the country – will be a memorable event in your life. The boat ride on the river during monsoon is also adorable.

We have placed CHT on the second position considering all the grounds.

You can check our Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram trip package here if you want to visit the CHT.

3. Sreemangal Upazila

If you want to see the tea capital of the country, you must visit Sreemangal Upazila of Sylhet District. The spot is in the north-east part of Bangladesh.

A wide range of lush green tea gardens will blow your mind. You will be surrounded by tea plants during the visit. The environment is serene and wonderful.

There is a provision of cycling through the tea plantations and it can render you joy and amusement.

Alongside the tea plantations, you can visit the Lawachhara National Park. Trekking towards the Hamham waterfalls is another thrilling activity here.

If you want to spend a couple of days in the lap of nature, this is the right place for you. So, we have placed it in the third position of the ladder while visiting the country.

To get the best experience and know the details of the trip, you can check our Sreemangal and Sylhet trip packages here.

4. Rangamati

Rangamati is located in a part of the vast CHT. Kaptai lake is the key attraction here. Surrounded by beautiful hills, this is a lake that was made by humans long ago to increase the natural beauties.

Riding boat for an entire day on the lake would be the most memorable experience for you. Besides, you can also meet some of the tribal people living in the spot.

They have their own products and sell those on the handicraft market. You can collect some of the best handmade fabrics.

The Buddhist monastery named as Rajban Bihara is another attraction of Rangamati.

Based on all the grounds, we have placed it in the fourth position.

You can check our Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar tour packages here. It will provide you with detailed information about visiting Rangamati and other related activities there like riding a boat in Kaptai Lake, among others.

5. Paharpur

Somapuri Mahabhihara is an impressive tourist site and the other UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bangladesh and it is located in Paharpur. Paharpur is located in the north-western part of the country and smaller in size and shape.

During the 8th century, this monastery was the second in the position of shape and size in the south region of Himalayas. The place was used for learning and monks from around the globe visited the place.

In fact, it was one of the best monasteries for Buddhists in the world. So, we have placed the location on the fifth position considering its archaeological values.

You will find our archaeological tour packages here. It will inform you of the necessary information about this particular archaeological site.

6. St. Martin’s Island

If you are hungry to enjoy a holiday on a coral island, St. Martin’s Island is the best place for you. This coral island is located at the Bay of Bengal. The place is always occupied with local and global beach lovers.

But this is better for a day trip. And most of the locals come here to spend a day or two. The island turns quiet once the visitors leave the area.

There are numerous resorts and private beaches available on the island. You can stay at any one of them and enjoy nature for the next couple of days. This is the perfect place for relaxation after visiting other places in Bangladesh.

Staying in a resort that has a private beach would be the best solution for your relaxation.

Based on all the features, we have placed St. Martin’s Island on the sixth position of this list. If you are a sea lover then it is the best places to visit in Bangladesh.

You can check the Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar tour packages before visiting this wonderful island of Bangladesh.

There were many historic cities in Bangladesh and Gaur is one of them. This is a ruined city now that was once a significant city during the medieval period. The city is also located on the border between Bangladesh and India.

The city passed its golden days between the 12th and 14th centuries. Once it was the capital of the then Bengal. And of course, the city was wealthy during the ancient days.

Unluckily, due to the outbreak of cholera, people left the city and never returned. However, some of the ancient relics are still visible here in Gaur and there are some mango orchards that are also available.

The restoration and renovation work from the Bangladesh Archaeological department has brought back the beauty of the city. They undertook a renovation to some of the mosques.

If you have an interest in history and love to explore the ancient relics, this is the best place for you. So, we have positioned it on the seventh place of the must visiting list.

You can get details of archaeological tour packages here if you wish to explore Gaur – the ancient city.

In a single word, this is not possible to describe Sylhet. This is a place of natural beauty. It is located in the north-eastern part of the country. Besides, the district is nearby to the Indian district of Meghalaya.

The district offers some scenic beauties and nice views to the visitors. It has a green-water canal named Lalakhal. Besides, the stone collection zone of Jaflong is the other attraction. The Ratargul swamp forest will blow your mind.

And of course, the tea gardens are the other attraction of the district. While meeting with the tribal people, you can know about their life and living. Most of them are known as Khasia and they mostly grow betel leaves in the places where they live and inside the forest.

Based on all the aspects, Sylhet is on the eighth position of the ladder.

You can get detail information about Sylhet and Srimangal tour packages here. Then select what you need and where you want to visit.

9. Barishal

Bangladesh is a riverine country and you will have the feel during your trip to Barishal. Have you heard the name of Ganges Delta? Well, Barishal is located in the center of the Ganges Delta.

The life and living of the local people is the key attraction of visiting Barishal. While visiting the district, you will find many floating markets, schools, villages, market places and more other things. All the elements make the culture of the region.

But when you are in monsoon in Barishal, you can experience the real beauty. The water bodies are in full bloom and the nature turns green. You can also get some guavas from the floating guava markets. Remember, you can also capture some of the best shots of your life from here.

So, we have placed Barishal on the ninth position of must visiting list in Bangladesh.

Find the Barisal Backwater Tour package here. And book your desired package.

Filled with wonderful Hindu temples, this tiny rural spot is located in Rajshahi. In fact, Puthia holds the largest number of temples in the country and they are well-maintained as well.

Alongside the unique design, you will find the application of wonderful terracotta in the temples. Different Hindu stories are inscribed on the terracotta plaques.

So, based on historical importance, we have listed it in the tenth position.

Find the archaeological tour packages here and do not miss the chance of visiting Puthia, also known as the temple village.

11. Bagerhat – the Mosque City

Earlier known as Khalifatabad, A Turkish general and preacher founded Bagerhat in the 15th century. The city is famous for its mosques, especially the sixty-dome mosque. And this is a globally famous mosque too.

The entire city is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site and also one of the 15 lost cities of the world.

The city has over 50 monuments related to Islamic structure. They have been discovered recently and remained hidden several centuries.

This is on the eleventh position of our must-visit list. You can get a Rocket Steamer Tour while preparing to visit Bagerhat.

12. Cox’s Bazar

Enjoying the breeze on the longest sandy sea beach is not a matter of luck now. You can easily have it in Cox’s Bazar. This is the longest sea beach in the globe and its length is 125 kilometers.

Moreover, this is the most famous tourist spot in the country among the locals. In line with the locals, a significant number of foreign nationals also visit the beach to enjoy the natural beauty.

Since the place is always crowded, you may select a resort that owns a private beach. It will help to get rid of the crowds and enjoy the beach, wave, and the sea.

Besides, you can pay a visit to the local fish market and check the fishing process. They have different types of fishes including the dry fishes.

Thereby, we have placed it in the twelfth position. If you are a beach lover then it is the best places to visit in Bangladesh. You can get more information about the Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar tour packages here.

13. Sonargaon

In line with Gaur, Sonargaon was the capital of Bengal. It was in the medieval period when the region passed its golden days. Though the glory is lost, the shadow remains.

You will find some lost relics and heritage here. Moreover, there are a few interesting places which will blow your mind. If you love photography, nothing could be perfect than this.

Visitors crowd here for the Panam Nagar. Panam Nagar is an ancient merchant city and now is abandoned. Once it was the place of wealthy Hindu merchants.

But they left this city during religious riots in the area after 1947. The year is also known as the partition year when India and Pakistan were divided into two separate states based on religious beliefs.

However, the merchants had the intention to return but they did not.

At present, there are 52 houses available on a single row.

The Folk Arts and Crafts Museum and the Goladi mosque are the other attractions of Sonargaon. You will find your day filled with joy after visiting this place.

Find your Old Capital Tour here and book accordingly to pay a visit to Sonargaon.

Finally, 13 best places to visit in Bangladesh list is finished. We hope you enjoyed the list of the best 13 places to visit in Bangladesh. If you have any questions about this article please comment or contact us.

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Bangladesh is the most undiscovered country in the world, as I am from a village in sunamgonj, I know how tranquil life can be in rural villages as for commercial tourist spots Banderbon, cox Bazar, st Martin’s island khagrachori and many others. There are unspoiled locations to see well as commercial ones.

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Bangladesh Tourism and Travel Guide

Trips and itineraries for bangladesh.

Top Places To Visit in Bangladesh

17 Best places to visit in Bangladesh you can’t miss

A comprehensive list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh you can’t miss on your trip for a memorable experience of the country.

According to World Bank, Bangladesh is the least touristy destination in the world . It is a beautiful country in South Asia bordering India and Myanmar. Tourism is yet to develop in this country. For that reason, there is no tourism-related scam here, and people are generally surprised to see tourists, especially in the rural areas outside Dhaka, the capital city.

People welcome foreigners everywhere and try to help them in any way possible. Tourist sites are not overcrowded here yet. You’ll find very few tourists here during your visit. That is why it is the best time to travel to Bangladesh. Here you will find a list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh , which you should not miss on your trip for a memorable experience.

You can read some recent Bangladesh experiences of the western travelers and what travelers say about their Bangladesh experience with us and be surprised!

Table of Contents

• Sundarban Mangrove Forest
• Cox’s Bazar
• Gauda / Gour
• St. Martin’s Island

Visiting Bangladesh

Best places to visit in bangladesh.

If you’re searching for the best places to visit in Bangladesh, get ready to be amazed by the country’s abundance of hidden treasures. With stunning natural marvels and culturally vibrant cities, Bangladesh provides an eclectic mix of locations that will enthrall any traveler. This comprehensive guide is perfect for curious adventurers, history enthusiasts, and nature lovers alike, as it will direct you to the most extraordinary and fascinating places to visit in Bangladesh.

A Bengal tiger in Sundarban Mangrove Forest. © Photo Credit: Alistair McKinley.

1. Sundarban Mangrove Forest Best place to visit in Bangladesh for wildlife

The Sundarban is the largest mangrove forest in the world and one of the wildest, least-known environments in southern Asia. Located in the delta formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers in the Bay of Bengal, the Sundarban extends over 10,000 sq km. Two-thirds of the Sundarban is located in Bangladesh, and the rest is in India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and designated a wetland site of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

The Sundarban is the home of 104 Royal Bengal Tigers, 30,000 spotted deer, 35 species of reptiles (including giant cobras and pythons and eight species of amphibians), 300 species of birds, 120 species of fish, 42 species of mammals, numerous river dolphins, wild boars, claw-less otters, monkeys, and salt-water crocodiles together with many other species of wildlife.

Hundreds of rivers, creeks, and canals are the veins of the forest, making it a pristine environment. The environment of Sundarban is tranquilizing, and visiting this forest could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Sundarban is number one on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.

Visiting Sundarban Mangrove Forest

You can book our small group Sundarban tour packages for a memorable experience of the Sundarban Mangrove Forest.

More Reading

• 8 Top things to do in Sundarban for a great experience of the forest .

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A Mro family in Bandarban in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

2. Bandarban Best place to visit in Bangladesh for tribal life

Bandarban in the Chittagong Hill Tracts area is a naturally beautiful place full of beautiful hills. This is the only hilly region in Bangladesh, home to many tribal groups of the country. This is the best place in Bangladesh for adventure travel. Trekking through its hills, visiting different tribal villages and bazaars, and experiencing their lifestyle are the major attractions of Bandarban.

The most beautiful river in Bangladesh, Sangu, is located in Bandarban. It is the only hilly river in the country. A boat ride on the river Sangu in the afternoon would be a remarkable memory of Bandarban. Bandarban is number two on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.

Visiting Bandarban

Foreigners require a special permit from the government to visit Bandarban, which is only possible to get by traveling with a government-listed tour operator, like us. Tour operators must keep close contact with the law-enforcement agencies during the visit of any foreigner. They will be the tour operators’ responsibility during the stay in Bandarban. Also, the government limited the area where foreigners could go inside Bandarban.

You can book our 4-day Chittagong Hill Tracts Tour , 7-day Exploring Chittagong Tour , 18-day Best of Bangladesh , or 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour to visit Bandarban. All of these tours include getting the foreigner’s permit to visit Bandarban.

• 11 Major tribes (ethnic/indigenous groups) of Bangladesh and their culture .

A fishing port in Cox’s Bazar. © Photo Credit: Pongtharin Tanthasindhu.

3. Cox’s Bazar One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for beach holidays

Cox’s Bazar is the longest unbroken sandy beach in the world, 125 km in length. It is the most popular tourist spot among the locals in Bangladesh. Perfect place to relax at the end of a long trip. To avoid the crowd, stay at a resort with a private beach. The Wholesale Fish Market in Cox’s Bazar would be an interesting place to visit while you are here. Cox’s Bazar is number three on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.

Visiting Cox’s Bazar

You can book our 7-day Exploring Chittagong or 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour to visit Cox’s Bazar.

Tea workers at Sreemangal returning home at the end of the day. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.

4. Sreemangal One of the top places to visit in Bangladesh for nature

Sreemangal is the tea capital of Bangladesh, located in the northeastern part of the country. You’ll find lush green tea plantations anywhere you go here. This is one of the few places in the country where if you look around, you may not find any other people anywhere except you—a nice and calm place.

Walking through the trails inside the tea plantations here could be one of the best things you can do in Bangladesh. Also worth visiting is the Lawachhara National Park and the villages of different tribes. You can easily spend a few days here with nature. Sreemangal is number four on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.

Visiting Sreemangal

You can book our Sreemangal Day Tour , 2-day Sreemangal Overnight Tour , 3-day Sreemangal Leisure Tour , 11-day Highlights of Bangladesh , 14-day Glories of Bangladesh , 16-day Raas Festival Tour , 18-day Best of Bangladesh , or 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour to visit the attractions of Sreemangal.

A floating vegetable market of Barisal. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.

5. Barisal One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for experiencing life

Barisal is a unique place located in the heart of the Ganges Delta. Life in Barisal is entirely based on the river. The main attraction of visiting Barisal is to experience the unique life and culture of the people of this region. You can see its many floating markets, bazaars, schools, and villages to experience the unique culture of Barisal. Monsoon is the best time to visit this region when its numerous rivers and canals become full of water and nature becomes very green. Also, it is time for the floating guava markets, which are very photogenic. Barisal is number five on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.

Visiting Barisal

You can book our 3-day Barisal Backwaters Tour or 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour to visit the attractions of Barisal.

Choto Sona Masjid (Mosque) in Gaur (Gauda / Gour). © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.

6. Gauda / Gour One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for archaeology

Gaur or Gauda is a ruined city from the ancient and medieval period, located on the India-Bangladesh border. The city was in its prime time from the 12th to the 14th century. It became the capital of the whole of Bengal. It was a vibrant and wealthy city in the medieval period, which was finally abandoned because of cholera.

Some of the beautiful mosques of Gaur are still remaining hidden behind the mango orchards. The archaeological department of Bangladesh has done some excellent restoration work to some of these mosques. This is a fantastic place to visit for history lovers. Gaur is number six on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.

Visiting Gaur

You can book our 4-day Exploring Rajshahi , 6-day Discover Rajshahi , or 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour to visit the attractions of Gaur.

• Gaur (Gauda / Gour): The rich ancient capital of Bengal located on the India-Bangladesh border .

Kaptai lake in Rangamati. © Photo Credit: Simon Roozendaal.

7. Rangamati One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for nature

Rangamti is a district of the Chittagong Hill-Tracts area. The main reason to visit this place is Kaptai Lake. It is a naturally beautiful artificial lake surrounded by beautiful hills. The best thing to do at Rangamati is to enjoy a boat ride on Kaptai Lake for the whole day. Rangamati is also home to many tribal groups. You can visit their handicraft market to buy some fine quality handmade fabrics. There is a Buddhist monastery called Rajban Bihara, which is also worth visiting. Rangamati is number seven on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.

Visiting Rangamati

You can book our 4-day Chittagong Hill Tracts Tour , 7-day Exploring Chittagong Tour , 18-day Best of Bangladesh , or 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour to visit Bandarban. All of these tours include getting the foreigner’s permit to visit Rangamati.

Dilapidating temples at Puthia Temple Complex in Rajshahi. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.

Puthia is a small village in Rajshahi full of beautiful Hindu temples. The largest number of historical temples in Bangladesh are found in Puthia, some of which are well maintained. These temples are unique in design. Some of them are ornamented with beautiful terracotta plaques describing epic Hindu stories. This is a must-visiting place if you visit Bangladesh. Puthia is number eight on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.

Visiting Puthia

You can book our 3-day Best of Rajshahi , 4-day Exploring Rajshahi , 6-day Discover Rajshahi , 14-day Glories of Bangladesh , 18-day Best of Bangladesh , or 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour to visit the attractions of Puthia.

• Puthia Temple Complex: A village full of historic Hindu temples in Bangladesh .

Kantajew Temple – a stunning Hindu temple in Dinajpur. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.

9. Dinajpur

The most beautiful Hindu temple in Bangladesh, Kantajew Temple, is the main attraction of Dinajpur, a remote district in north-western Bangladesh. Built at the beginning of the 18th century by the maharaja (feudal landlord) of Dinajpur, every inch of this temple is wrapped in stunning terracotta plaques describing epic Hindu stories and life in the 18th century.

Another attraction of Dinajpur is the nearby Nayabad Mosque, a small Mughal period mosque built in 1793 AD. The locals believe that the Muslim architectural workers of Kantajew Temple built this mosque for their use. The mosque is located just 1.5km southwest of the temple.

Also worth visiting is a school made of mud and bamboo designed by a German architect, which received the Agha Khan Award for Architecture. Dinajpur is number nine on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.

Visiting Dinajpur

You can book our Kantajew Temple Day tour to visit all these places in Dinajpur with other attractions on a convenient day tour from Dhaka. Also, our 6-day Discover Rajshahi and 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour visit these places.

• Kantajew Temple: Bangladesh’s most beautiful Hindu temple wrapped in stunning terracotta .
• Nayabad Mosque: A tiny Mughal mosque in a remote village at Dinajpur in Bangladesh .

The hustle and bustle of megacity Dhaka. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.

10. Dhaka One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for photography

Dhaka is a megacity and the capital of Bangladesh, located on the bank of the river Buriganga. It is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, home to 22 million people. The main attraction of Dhaka is its hustle and bustle, a paradise for street photographers. Walking on the backstreets of Old Dhaka, visiting its many busy bazaars, and enjoying a boat ride on Buriganga would be some of the great experiences travelers can have in Dhaka city.

Dhaka has a rich history of civilization, starting from the 7th century. It first became a capital city during the rule of the Mughal emperor Jahangir. In 1610, the newly appointed Mughal governor Islam Khan of the Bengal subah transferred the capital from Rajmahal in the current day Jharkhand state of India to Dhaka.

Dhaka was also an important city under British colonial rule for 200 years afterward. It has many archaeological sites from the Mughal and British periods that are major tourist attractions. Ahsan Manzil, Lalbagh Fort, Star Mosque, Dhakeshwari Temple, and Armenian Church are a few. Dhaka is number ten on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.

Visiting Dhaka

You can book our Dhaka City Tour to visit the major attractions of both the New and Old Dhaka conveniently on a day tour, including a boat ride on Buriganga and walking on the backstreets of Old Dhaka. Also can book our Dhaka Photography Tour to visit some interesting bazaars and backstreets of the city and get numerous photo opportunities.

• 13 Places to visit in Dhaka not to miss on first trip .
• 7 Best things to do in Dhaka for the ultimate experience .

People collecting sand from the riverbed in Jaflong. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.

11. Sylhet One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for nature

Sylhet is a naturally beautiful place in northeastern Bangladesh, close to the Meghalaya state of India. It has many lovely places to visit. Green-water canal Lalakhal, stone collecting area Jaflong, Ratargul swamp forest and many of its tea gardens are the attractions to visit Sylhet. You can also meet some tribal people in Sylhet, especially in Jaflong. Here you can meet the Khasia tribal people who grow betel leaves in the forest. Sylhet is number eleven on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.

Visiting Sylhet

You can book our Sylhet & Sreemangal tour packages to visit the attractions of Sylhet.

• Jaflong: A popular tourist site in Bangladesh with unique photo opportunities .

Somapura Mahabihara, a massive Buddhist monastery from the 8th century. © Photo Credit: Karen Fraser.

12. Paharpur One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for archaeology

In the north-western part of Bangladesh, there is a tiny little place called Paharpur, which holds the most impressive archeological site in Bangladesh called Somapura Mahabhihara, a UNESCO world heritage site. It was the second-largest Buddhist monastery south of the Himalayas in the 8th century. In its prime time, monks worldwide came here for higher education. It was one of the best Buddhist monasteries in the world at that time. Paharpur is number twelve on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.

Visiting Paharpur

You can book our 3-day Best of Rajshahi , 4-day Exploring Rajshahi , 6-day Discover Rajshahi , 14-day Glories of Bangladesh , 18-day Best of Bangladesh , or 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour to visit Paharpur.

Sixty Dome Mosque (Shat Gombuj Mosque) at Bagerhat City. © Photo Credit: Daniel Whitfield.

13. Bagerhat One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for archaeology

Bagerhat is a city founded in the 15th century by a Turkish general, which was formerly known as Khalifatabad. It is full of beautiful historic mosques, among which 60 Dome Mosque is the most famous. This whole city is recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site. The historic city, listed by Forbes as one of the 15 lost cities of the world, has more than 50 Islamic monuments that have been found after removing the vegetation that had obscured them from view for many centuries. Bagerhat is number thirteen on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.

Visiting Bagerhat

You can book our 4-day Bagerhat & Sundarban Tour , 5-day Dhaka, Bagerhat & Sundarban Tour , 8-day Sundarban Safari , 11-day Highlights of Bangladesh , 14-day Glories of Bangladesh , 16-day Raas Festival Tour , 18-day Best of Bangladesh , or 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour to visit the attractions of Bagerhat.

• Mosque City of Bagerhat: A Lost 15th-Century City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

The fishing port of Chittagong.

14. Chittagong

Chittagong is the second largest city in Bangladesh, located in the south-eastern part of the country. The largest seaport in Bangladesh is located here. The major attraction of Chittagong is fishing port of Chittagong. Set early in the morning and full of activities, this is an excellent place for photography. Chittagong is number fourteen on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.

Another attraction of Chittagong is the Commonwealth War Cemetery, established to honor Commonwealth soldiers and others who died in World War II. The British Army created the cemetery, and there were about 400 burials. Graves have since been transferred to this cemetery from other isolated sites, making the current number 731.

Visiting Chittagong

You can book our Exploring Chittagong Tour to visit the attractions of Chittagong.

Abandoned city Panam Nagar in Sonargaon. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.

15. Sonargaon One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for culture

Sonargaon is a popular tourist destination near Dhaka. It was the old capital of Bengal in the medieval period – a mint capital beside Gaur or Gauda . Although the prime time of the ancient capital is gone, some interesting sites are still there to spend a whole day.

The main attraction of Sonargaon is the abandoned merchant city, Panam Nagar. Built in the early 19th century during British rule, this was a city of wealthy Hindu cotton merchants who fled to India during riots after the partition of the Indian sub-continent in 1947 and the Indo-Pak war in 1965. They intended to return someday, which never happened. Nowadays, this is an entirely abandoned city of 52 houses built on a single street, forming a ghost city and the main tourist attraction of Sonargaon.

Other attractions of Sonargaon are the Folk-arts and Crafts Museum, 16th-century Goaldi Mosque, the tomb of Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah, the 3rd independent sultan of Bengal in the 14th century, whose capital was Sonargaon, and the interesting sandbank islands of river Meghna. Sonargaon is number fifteen on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.

Visiting Sonargaon

You can book our Sonargaon & Panam City Tour to visit all the attractions of Sonargaon on a convenient day tour from Dhaka. Also can book any of our Bangladesh holiday packages , all of which include visiting Sonargaon.

• Panam Nagar: An entirely abandoned city of the wealthy Hindu cotton merchants in Bangladesh .
• Goaldi Mosque: The little-known pre-Mughal mosque in Sonargaon .
• Sonargaon Travel Guide: Visiting Museum and other attractions in the old capital .

A girl cycling at a beach on St. Martin’s Island in Bangladesh. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.

16. St. Martin’s Island One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for island holiday

St. Martin’s Island is a beautiful coral island in the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh. For beach lovers, this is the best place to visit in Bangladesh. Local tourists go to visit this island mainly on a day trip. After they leave in the afternoon, it becomes tranquil. You can stay in any resort with a private beach and relax on the island for a couple of days when you are tired of traveling for several weeks in the country. St. Martin’s Island is number sixteen on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.

Visiting St. Martin’s Island

You can book our Chittagong & Cox’s Bazar region tours to visit St. Martin’s Island.

Historical Bagha Mosque in Rajshahi. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.

17. Bagha One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for archaeology

Bagha is a village in north-western Bangladesh, 20 km away from the temple village of Puthia. The attraction of this place is Bagha Mosque, a pre-Mughal architecture in Bengal. Built in 1523-1524 by Sultan Nusrat Shah, son of Alauddin Shah, the founder of the Husain Shahi dynasty, Bagha Mosque is the most beautiful terracotta mosque in Bangladesh.

Unlike other historical mosques in Bangladesh, extensive terracotta work is present on this mosques’ inside and outside walls. It would be very convenient to combine a visit to Bagha with your visit to Puthia. Bagha is number seventeen on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.

Visiting Bagha

You can book our 3-day Best of Rajshahi , 4-day Exploring Rajshahi , 6-day Discover Rajshahi , 14-day Glories of Bangladesh , 18-day Best of Bangladesh , or 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour to visit Bagha Mosque.

• 10 Most beautiful historical mosques in Bangladesh.

Planning to visit Bangladesh? We can help organize a memorable holiday in Bangladesh for you to experience the best of it. We are an award-winning local tour operator in Bangladesh specializing in organizing tours and holidays in Bangladesh for Western travelers, with 375+ reviews on TripAdvisor with an average rating of 5/5 . Check out our 1-7 days Bangladesh tour packages and 8-28 days Bangladesh holiday packages to see what we can organize for you in Bangladesh. Contact us now for your memorable Bangladesh holiday!

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• 17 Best places to visit in Bangladesh you can't miss on your holiday
• 13 Places to visit in Dhaka you can't miss on your trip
• 16 Top Bangladeshi food you must try on your visit
• 11 Major tribes (ethnic/indigenous groups) of Bangladesh and their culture
• 8 Top things to do in Sundarbans for a great experience of the forest
• 8 Top things to do in Sreemangal for the ultimate experience
• 10 Most impressive archaeological sites in Bangladesh you can't miss on your trip
• 10 Most beautiful historical mosques in Bangladesh
• Bangladesh Tourist Places: A full list of the best sights
• Lawachara National Park: A Guide to its diverse flora and fauna
• Puthia Temple Complex: A village full of historic Hindu temples in Bangladesh
• Kantajew Temple—The most beautiful terracotta temple in Bangladesh
• Gaur (Gauda / Gour): The rich ancient capital of Bengal located on the India-Bangladesh border
• Mosque City of Bagerhat: A Lost 15th-Century City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Panam Nagar: An entirely abandoned city of the wealthy Hindu cotton merchants in Bangladesh
• Sonargaon Travel Guide: Visiting Museum and other attractions in the old capital
• Jaflong: A popular tourist site in Bangladesh with unique photo opportunities
• Tajhat Palace: The finest Jamidar Bari in northern Bangladesh
• Mahasthangarh: Ruins of the oldest known city of Bengal from the 3rd century B.C.

Sundarban Safari

Bangladesh Photography Tour

Classic Bangladesh

Glories of Bangladesh

Raas Festival Tour

Express Bangladesh

I am the Owner & CEO of Nijhoom Tours, a multi-award winning local tour operator in Bangladesh specializing in organizing memorable holidays in Bangladesh for western travelers. Connect with me on Facebook or Mastodon , or join our Facebook group Let's Go To Bangladesh for updates and help about traveling to Bangladesh.

I traveled through Bangladesh in 2015 and visited most places. I could found main highlights was the people of Bangladesh.

Wonderful breakdown of places to see and the experiences to expect! I hope to come to Bangladesh soon.

Please feel free to publish my post in your site. Thank you and very best wishes. JT

I traveled extensively through Bangladesh in 2013 and visited most places on your list as well as a few others. One of the main highlights for me could be found in every city, every village street, every single location. The People ! The welcome I received as a foreign tourist was absolutely spectacular, the people of Bangladesh could not have been more welcoming, polite, helpful, kind, compassionate, considerate, generous and thoughtful. Bangladesh is a spectacular destination and I would strongly recommend it to anyone considering it.

Thank you for the testimonial! Indeed it is the people of Bangladesh who are the main attraction of Bangladesh. Glad to know that you liked it here!

If you are interested, we can publish your Bangladesh travel story in our site, so that more people can know about Bangladesh, which is the least traveled destination in the world.

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Places to Visit in Bangladesh

• Places To Visit

Tourist Places In Bangladesh

Here is the list of best places to visit in bangladesh:.

Rajshahi is a vibrant city located on the Padma River's plains bounded on the north, west, and east by Paba Upazila. It is situated near the Bangladesh-India border and is surrounded by the towns of Kathakali and Nowhata.  Rajshahi captivates travelers through its world-class architecture, cultural institutions, and narrow cobblestone streets. It overflows with storybook charm due to its colorful buildings, lush green spaces, picturesque gardens, and turreted castles.  If you're hunting for the best places to see in Rajshahi, you can visit the Varendra Research Museum, a storehouse of artifacts and architectural exhibits. You can also visit Hardinge Bridge constructed on the Padma river and take a fascinating tour of Paharpur Buddhist Bihar. If you're a spiritual enthusiast, you can also visit Puthia Temple Complex, which is a large Annik temple. No trip is complete without trying out some of the best activities that guarantee unlimited thrill and excitement to the visitors. You can seek enlightenment at Choto Sona Mosque and peek into the city's rich history at Mahasthangarh Museum. Rajshahi is the coldest region in Bangladesh, with an average high temperature of 30 degrees centigrade. The best time for traveling to this city is from October to March as the weather remains pleasant.

Sylhet is a beautiful city in Bangladesh located on the bank of the River Surma in northeastern Bengal. It is the district-headquarters and the divisional headquarters of Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Sylhet District. The postcard-perfect city has all the makings of an idyllic fairy tale world: a scenic harbor, sweeping views of the surrounding mountain group, and colorful rows of wooden houses. With its peaceful, tree-lined parks and cobblestone streets, it's not hard to see Sylhet as one of the most beautiful fairytale settings come to life. Sylhet is home to some of the most iconic sites you should definitely include in your bucket list. You can visit Manipuri Rajbari, a significant piece of Sylhet's architecture, and take a tour of Hakaluki Haor, a marsh wetland ecosystem with a wide range of biodiversity. If you're looking for endless fun and excitement, you can visit Dreamland Park that offers some of the best rides.  Some of the best activities that you must try in Sylhet are enjoying a boat ride, shopping at the local stores, and sampling the lip-smacking cuisines. You can enjoy camping on the riverbank, explore Crusader Shah Syed Nasir Uddin's shrine, and take a trip to the Ratargul Swamp Forest.  The weather in Sylhet is generally temperate and warm, with a good amount of rainfall. The average annual temperature ranges around 23.6 °C, and annual rainfall is 198.7 inches.

Dhaka is the largest city in South East Asia, situated on the northern side of the Buriganga River. It is situated in central Bangladesh on the lower reaches of the Delta Ganges.  Dhaka is Bangladesh's megacity with swathes of green spaces, beautiful museums, and storied red-brick facades. Here, glossy high-rises are beautifully juxtaposed against thousands-year-old mosques, giving the city a charismatic appeal you won't find anywhere else.  There are many popular attractions in Dhaka that will leave you spoilt for choices during your tour. You can visit the Ahsan Manzil museum to have a glimpse of the Mughal lifestyle and head to Lalbagh Kella that is renowned for its architectural beauty. Dhakeshwari Mandir, The Khan Muhammad Mirza Mosque, and Baitul Mukarram are the most famous spiritual attractions of the city.  Some of the best things to do in Dhaka for an ultimate experience are enjoying a boat ride to Buriganga, strolling around Gulshan Lake Park, and enjoying fun rides at Nandan Park. You can also learn about the rich history and culture of Dhaka by visiting the Bangladesh National Museum. Dhaka experiences a tropical wet, and humid climate with a distinct monsoonal season.  The temperature mostly varies from 93°F to 57°F and is rarely above 98°F or below 52°F.

Khulna is the third-largest city in Bangladesh, located in the central part of the country. It lies on the bank of the Rupsha river and is served by Port of Mongla which is the second-largest seaport in the country. Khulna remains a popular draw for the tourists due to its lush foliage, traditional shophouses, and best skylines. It is one of the most vibrant cities in Bangladesh that has glammed up with contemporary art galleries, religious centers, and boutiques. From fantastically craggy mountain ranges to beaches, you'll be greeted by spectacular vistas over here.  There are many impressive sites in Khulna that deserve the topmost spot in your itinerary. You can visit Shait Gumbad Mosque, Ron Jaipur Mosque, and Tomb of Khan Jahan Ali to satiate your spiritual soul. To learn about this city's rich history, you can take a tour of the Bagerhat Museum.  If you're looking for some of the best things to do in Khulna, you can admire the architectural beauty of the Nine-Domed Mosque and watch how the legal proceedings are carried out at High Court Building.  You can also learn about the life of Rabindranath Tagore at Kuthibari.  Khulna experiences temperate and humid weather with a good amount of rainfall. June is the wettest month, with 368mm rainfall on average.

Best of Kathmandu

Chattogram is a financial center and a major coastal city in Southeastern Bangladesh. It is situated on the banks of the River Karnaphuli between the Bay of Bengal and the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Chattogram is a wonderland for visitors looking for a digital detox from the fast-paced city life. On one side, you can see breathtaking mountain ranges overlooking the sea, and on the other is the vast ocean's tranquil water. Due to its geographical position, sea, lush greenery, and mountain, there is no other city in Bangladesh that offers similar geodiversity. If you're looking for the best places to visit during your Chattogram, you must head to Patenga Beach, where you can soak the sun and enjoy picturesque views. You should also visit Chandranath Hill & Temple, a popular pilgrimage site, and explore Rangamati, a hilly district.  Some of the best things that you can try during your Chattogram tour are enjoying a scenic walk in Sajek Valley and boating at Kaptai Lake. You can also hike up to Nilgiri Mountain and enjoy shopping at Cox's Bazar. Chattogram experiences dry and humid weather, and July is the hottest month of the year. January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of 15.8°C.

Best of Nepal

Other Attractions

Cox's bazar.

The Sundarbans

Lalbagh Fort

Saint Martin

Amiakhum Waterfall

Bangladesh National Parliament

Ahsan Manzil Museum

Liberation War Museum

Baitul Mukarram National Mosque

Banglar Taj Mahal

Armenian Church

National Botanical Garden Dhaka

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Top 27 Places to visit in Darjeeling, Explore the Beautiful Hills of Darjeeling

Top 10 things to do when traveling to shimla: shimla travel guide, the ultimate paris travel guidelines for first timers | top attractions & things to do.

The Top 12 Tourist Places in Bangladesh That you probably Don’t Know

Bangladesh has so much to offer from green hills and azure blue water of its rivers and sea to the terracotta plaques of its famous archaeological site. The country that is mostly known for its history of independence has so many beautiful tourist places. But most international tourists are unaware of the beautiful tourist places in Bangladesh .

With an area of only 148,460 square kilometres, this small country has mesmerizing sea beaches, forests, green hills, and so much more to leave a stunning experience in every tourist’s mind. The country might be small, but still, there are numerous tourist places in Bangladesh , some known, and perhaps most are yet to be discovered.

Now let me not beat around the bush and introduce you to the 12 best tourist places in Bangladesh that you must visit in 2022.

WHAT IS COVERED IN THIS ARTICLE?

The 12 Best Tourist Places in Bangladesh

1. cox’s bazar.

The fresh seafood, long natural beaches, local hospitality, and the nearby attractions are the notable reasons why Coxs’ Bazar is famous to both local and international tourists. It is the longest natural sea beach globally, with several beachside hotels making it easier for people to spend time at the beach. Near Cox’s Bazar town, other than the Cox’s Bazar Sea beach, several tourist attractions attract travellers all around the year.

At the east of Coxs Bazar town, Himchari National Park has around 117 tree species, 286 bird species, and 26 mammal species. Then there is Ramu, a Buddhist village selling local handicrafts in their markets. The first Safari Park of the country, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, is also located nearby. The only aquarium in Bangladesh , the Radiant Fish World, is also located in Cox’s Bazar . 

Things To Do in Cox’s Bazar

There are so many exciting things to do in Cox’s Bazar. You can do parasailing, horse riding, beach biking, water biking and visit all the tourist attractions nearby. You can also enjoy the sunset and sunrise from the beautiful beach. Before trying out any risky adventure in Cox’s Bazar, make sure that you have travel insurance .

Best Time To Visit Cox’s Bazar

Tourists visit Cox’s Bazar throughout the year. But November-December is the best time to visit the sea beach. During these months, it is the Winter season in Bangladesh. The prices of hotels are lower. You will see young tourists mainly during this time in Cox’s Bazar as the prices are affordable to them.

How To Reach Cox’s Bazar

You can go to Cox’s Bazar by flight, train, or bus from Dhaka. Novo Air and U.S. Bangla Airlines have daily flights to Cox’s Bazar from Dhaka. I think flights are the best way to go to Cox’s Bazar from Dhaka as they require the shortest time, which is around 1 hour.

If you are looking for an exciting journey to Cox’s Bazar, you can get on a train. Direct train journeys aren’t available from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar. But you can get on a train to Chittagong and then go to Cox’s Bazar by bus.

Both AC and non-AC bus services are also available from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar. If you choose to go to Cox’s Bazar by bus, you will most probably reach your destination within 10-12 hours. You can also drive directly to Cox’s Bazar from Dhaka, which will require around the same time.

Where To Stay in Cox’s Bazar

There are many beautiful hotels and resorts to stay in Cox’s Bazar. You can also get mesmerizing views of the sea from some of these hotel and resort rooms. My favourite hotels to stay in Cox’s Bazar within a budget are-

• Hotel Asia | Check prices and availability
• Hotel Sea Shine | Check prices and availability
• Laguna Beach Hotel & Resort | Check prices and availability
• Long Beach Hotel | Check prices and availability
•  Best Western Heritage | Check prices and availability

2. St. Martin’s Island

The only coral island in Bangladesh is St. Martin’s Island . Due to the excessive coconut trees on the island, this island is known as “Narikel Zinzira” in Bengali, which means ‘ Coconut Island’ . The island is 9 km south of Coxs Bazar.

Some rare species of corals can be found only on St. Martin’s Island. There are some resort hotels on the island for tourists.

Things To Do in St. Martin’s Island

Walking over the clean beaches and swimming in the clean water are enjoyable. You can enjoy a boat ride to the Chera Dwip, a small island near St. Martin’s. Chera Dwip was detached from St. Martin due to high tides.

Scuba diving is a must when you are in St. Martin. You can also try the delicious local food , buy some souvenirs at low prices from the local market, and click some great pictures.

Best Time To Visit St. Martin’s Island

November-February is the best time to visit the island. There are chances of cyclones during March-July, so it isn’t safe to visit then.

How To Reach St. Martin

To reach St. Martin, first, you need to go to Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar district. So, either you can go to Teknaf directly from Dhaka, or you can go to Cox’s Bazar from Dhaka, then to Teknaf and, lastly to St. Martin.

From Dhaka, you can take a bus to Teknaf, which will require around 10-12 hours to reach. Then from Teknaf, you have to get on a ship to reach St. Martin. Ships are only available for the months November-April.

Ships leave the J.T. Ghat every day at 9.00 am and return from St Martin at 3.00 pm. So, if you miss the timing, you have to take a boat which is risky. Ships take around 2-3 hours to reach St. Martin from Teknaf.

Trawlers and speedboats from Teknaf to St. Martin are available throughout the year, but they are extremely risky to get on. Moreover, during the summer season, the seawater remains hot, so it’s not safe to travel over the sea during this time.

Where To Stay in St. Martin

Some of the best hotels and resorts to stay in St. Martin are-

• Blue Marine Resort | Contact: +880 17272 66077
• Shamudra Bilash Ananda Ashram | Contact: +880 19119 20666
• Music Eco Resort | Contact: +880 16133 39696
• Coral Blue Resort | Contact: +880 18441 70350

3. Srimangal

The green tea fields make Srimanga l a famous tourist place in Bangladesh. It is located in the Moulvi Bazar District of Sylhet Division. It is the tea capital of Bangladesh due to a large number of tree plantations and the origin of the seven coloured tea.

Madhobpur Lake and Baikka Beel are two notable reasons for the popularity of Srimangal . Madhobpur Lake is the only confirmed site in Bangladesh where the great white-bellied heron is found. Baikka Beel is a small wetland that is home to the large-billed reed warbler.

Other than Madhobpur Lake and Baikka Beel, Srimangal is also popular for Lawachara Rain Forest, Hum Hum waterfall, and Reama Kalenga Reserve Forest located nearby.

Things To Do in Srimangal

While you are in Srimangal, trying out the seven-coloured tea is a must. You can walk around the tea gardens and click on some good photographs. You can take boat rides in Madhobpur Lake and Baikka Beel.

Bathing under the Hum Hum waterfall will be a really exciting thing to do. You can also walk around the two reserve forests, Lawachara Rain Forest and Reama Kalenga Reserve Forest.

Best Time To Visit Srimangal

You can visit Rangamati during the monsoon, that is, during March-May. As the main attraction of Srimangal is the tea garden, so to enjoy the best scenic beauty of the garden, it is better to visit the place during this time. And the nearby forests and lakes are also in the best state during the monsoon, which makes this season the best time to visit Srimangal.

How To Reach Srimangal

You can go to Srimangal from Dhaka by plane, bus, taxi or train. If you are an international traveller, you can directly take the flight to Sylhet Airport from your country and go to Srimangal by hiring a taxi.

But if your flight lands in Dhaka Airport, you can take a flight from Dhaka Airport to Sylhet Airport. You will reach Sylhet within 40 minutes by flight. Then you can hire a taxi and head to Srimangal, which will take you around 1 and half hours to reach your desired destination.

If you are looking for a cheap transportation method from Dhaka to Srimangal, you can get on a Dhaka-Sylhet train or Dhaka-Sylhet bus. If you go by train, you will reach Sylhet within 6-7 hours, and if you go by bus, you will reach there within 10-12 hours. From Sylhet Railway Station or Sylhet Bus Station, you have to take a taxi to reach Srimangal.

Where To Stay in Srimangal

There are many cheap hotels in Srimangal where you can stay. Some of them are-

• Grand Selim Resort & Tour | Check prices and availability
• Hotel Ishaqi Amos | Check prices and availability
• Shanti Bari Resort | Check prices and availability
• Cha luxury Hotel & Restaurant | Check prices and availability
• TONY’S PLACE | Check prices and availability

4. Lalakhal

The wide canal, Lalakhal , is located in Jaintiapur of Sylhet District. The bluish-green water is the main reason why people visit this place.

Things To Do in Lalakhal

A boat ride is the only thing to do in Lalakhal. But the combination of the green hills and beautiful water of the canal will definitely blow your mind off. Sunsets have a different beauty in Lalakhal.

There are no restaurants nearby, so you have to take food and water along if you are on a day trip. But there are some resorts where you can stay and have your meal. 

Best Time To Visit Lalakhal

November-February is the best time to visit Lalakhal. During these months, the water of the canal is in its best form. It means that the colour of the water is clearly visible. If you are lucky enough, you might also see some migratory birds in Lalakhal. During other times of the year, especially during the rainy season, the water loses its clarity.

How To Reach Lalakhal

To reach Lalakhal, you can take a flight from Dhaka Airport to Sylhet Airport. Novo Air and Biman Bangladesh Airlines offer around 6-7 flights from Dhaka to Sylhet daily. After reaching Sylhet Airport, you have to head to Osmani Shishu Park in the city. You can go there by rickshaw or CNG within 20 minutes.

Microbus and bus leave from the gate of Osmani Shishu Park towards Sarighat. After reaching Sarighat, you have to take a CNG to Lalakhal. If you want a different kind of experience, you can go to Lalakhal by the river. From Sarighat, you can hire a boat and head to Lalakhal.

You can also go to Sylhet by train or bus and then leave for Sarighat from Osmani Shishu Park. Or, if you find the entire process hectic, you can hire a taxi from Sylhet Airport/Sylhet Railway Station/Sylhet Bus Station and head directly to Lalakhal.

If you hire a taxi, the cost will be more, but you won’t have to get down at different points and change your transportation. After reaching Sylhet, you will reach Lalakhal within 2-3 hours, no matter whichever transportation method you choose.

Where To Stay in Lalakhal

There aren’t many resorts and hotels in Lalakhal to stay in. There is only one resort in Lalakhal, which is a bit expensive-

• Nazimgarh Wilderness Resort | View website

You can stay in a hotel or resort in Sylhet city. Then you can go to Lalkhal by bus or taxi. Some budget-friendly hotels and resorts in Sylhet are-

• The Grand Hotel B.D. | Check prices and availability
• Hotel Mira Garden | Check prices and availability
• Bottomhill Palace Hotel | Check prices and availability
• Hotel Supreme | Check prices and availability
• Grand Surma Hotel | Check prices and availability

5. Sundarban

Sundarban is home to some of the globally endangered species like- the Royal Bengal Tiger , river terrapin, estuarine crocodiles, and Ganges-Irawadi dolphins, which makes this mangrove forest one of the most famous tourist places of Bangladesh.

Sundarban is the largest mangrove forest globally, located in the Khulna Division of Bangladesh. About 60% of the total area of Sundarban is in Bangladesh, and the rest, 40%, is in India.

In Sundarban, there are 334 plant species, 150 species of commercially imported fish, 270 species of birds, 42 species of mammals, 35 reptiles and 8 amphibian species. There are around 180 Bengal tigers in Sundarban.

Things To Do in Sundarban

You can visit a wildlife sanctuary in Sundarban as there are around 4-5 sanctuaries. Many estuaries and canals are flowing through the forest. A boat ride through these in the morning can be an exhilarating adventure. You can walk on the peaceful and serene beach located inside Sundarban, which is Jamtola Beach. Tourists are mainly attracted by the Coxs Bazar sea beach, due to which the Jamtola beach remains empty, clean and quiet.

Best Time To Visit Sundarban

October-March is the best time to have a trip to Sundarban. The lovely weather and moderate temperature below 30 degrees Celcius make these months the perfect time to visit Sundarban. During summer the hot weather is intolerable to tourists and during monsoon the heavy rains won’t let you enjoy the beauty of the forest.

How To Reach Sundarban

There are many ways to go to Sundarban from Dhaka. You can fly from Dhaka to Khulna by Novo Air or Biman Bangladesh Airlines flights. They have daily flights from Dhaka to Saidpur. You will reach Khulna within an hour, and then you can get on a launch to Sundarban.

You can also get on a bus or train from Dhaka to Khulna. After reaching Khulna, you can get on a launch to reach Sundarban. Launches leave from Mongla Port and Khulna Steamer Port. But firstly, you need to buy a launch ticket from any travel agency. You will reach Sundarban within 2 hours by launch.

Where To Stay in Sundarban

As Sundarban is a forest, there’s no way for you to stay there. But there are some hotels in Khulna where you can stay to make the most out of your Sundarban trip-

• Tiger Garden Int Hotel | Check prices and availability
• Jatra Flagship Khulna City Centre | Check prices and availability

6. Bandarban

In the past few years, Bandarban has gained extreme popularity as one of the beautiful tourist places in Bangladesh. Bandarban is a hill district of Chittagong Division. It is mainly famous for the exotic tourist attractions like- Boga Lake, Nilachol, Meghla Hanging Bridge, Keokradong peak, several Buddhist temples and many waterfalls.

Located in the Ruma Upazila of Bandarban, Boga Lake is a natural deep lake filled with sweet water. It is not allowed to swim in the lake because many deaths have been caused due to it. At the further east of the lake, Keokradong peak is the 5th highest peak in Bangladesh. The most famous waterfalls in Bandarban are Jadipai, Nafakhum, and Amiakhum. Out of numerous Buddhist temples of Bandarban , the Theravada Buddhist temple is the most popular to tourists.

Things To Do in Bandarban

As I said, there are numerous tourist attractions in Bandarban, so there are also many exciting things to do. You can have a boat ride in Boga Lake, hike in Keokradong, and sightsee the waterfalls. As Bandarban is a hilly area, so to enjoy most of the tourist attractions, you have to do a lot of hiking and trekking.

Best Time To Visit Bandarban

Most tourists visit Bandarban during Winter, that is during November-February as this is the busiest season in Bandarban, the prices rocket. During other months, especially during monsoon, the prices are lower, and the place is less crowded with tourists. But due to rain, there are great chances of landslides which is extremely risky and causes transportation problems.

How To Reach Bandarban

You can fly from Dhaka to Chittagong and then head for Bandarban by bus or taxi. Novo Air and Biman Bangladesh Airlines have daily flights from Dhaka to Chittagong. U.S. Bangla Airlines have flights from Dhaka to Chittagong on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.

Each of these airlines has 10-12 flights from Dhaka to Chittagong per day, and you will reach Chittagong within 45 minutes. When you reach Chittagong, you can get on an A.C. or non-AC bus and expect to reach your destination within 2-3 hours. You can also hire a taxi from Chittagong to Bandarban.

Bus and train services are also available from Dhaka to Chittagong. If you choose to go to Chittagong by train, you will need 7-8 hours to reach your destination. And if you go to Chittagong by bus, you will need 10-12 hours.

And if you want to reach Bandarban directly from Dhaka, you can rent a car or drive by yourself. If you do so, you will reach Bandarban within 14-15 hours from Dhaka.

Where To Stay in Bandarban

Two great budget-friendly hotels to stay in Bandarban are-

• Hotel Plaza | Check prices and availability
• Hotel Hill View | Check prices and availability

7. Somapura Mahavihara

Somapura Mahavihara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Paharpur of Naogaon district. It is one of the most famous archaeological sites in Bangladesh.

The architecture of the monastery consists of a quadrangular structure consisting of 177 cells and a traditional Buddhist stupa in the centre. The monks used the cells for their accommodation and meditation. The carved decoration, terracotta plaques, inscriptions etc., make this monastery a must-place to visit for those who love to know about history and culture.

Things To Do in Somapura Mahavihara

It might take you an entire day to check out the beautiful architecture of the monastery. So, you can join a guided tour to get a better understanding of this archaeological site. The good thing is that there aren’t many tourists here due to its remote location, so you will have an uninterrupted experience.

Best Time To Visit Somapura Mahavihara

As Somapura Mahavihara is an archaeological site, there is no need to worry about the weather; you can visit it any time of the year. The place remains uncrowded round the year, so you also don’t need to worry about that and pay a visit anytime.

How To Reach Somapura Mahavihara

To reach Somapura Mahavihara, you can either fly to Rajshahi or Saidpur from Dhaka and then take a taxi to Somapura Mahavihara. Novo Air and Biman Bangladesh Airline have daily flights from Dhaka Airport to Rajshahi Airport or Saidpur Airport. 

You will reach Rajshahi or Saidpur from Dhaka within 50 minutes to 1 hour. After reaching Rajshahi or Saidpur, you can take a taxi and reach Somapura Mahavihara within one and a half hours.

However, taking a bus from Dhaka to Natore is the cheapest way to reach Somapura Mahavihara. Buses leave from Uttara to Natore every 4 hours. It also takes four hours to reach Natore from Dhaka. After reaching Natore, you can get on a taxi and expect to reach your destination within 2 hours.

You can also rent a taxi or drive directly from Dhaka to Somapura Mahavihara. In both these cases, you will reach Somapura Mahavihara within 4-5 hours.

Where To Stay in Somapura Mahavihara

You won’t find any hotels and resorts very near to Somapura Mahavihara. But there are some hotels which are within a few minutes driving distance from this place. They are-

• Momo Inn | Check prices and availability
• Annex Suites | Check prices and availability
• Red Chillies Restaurant and Guesthouse | Check prices and availability

8. Bagerhat

Bagerhat , also known as the Mosque City, is located in the southwestern part of Bangladesh. There are around 360 mosques in the city. It was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1973.

Khan Jahan’s mausoleum, Nine-Domed Mosque, Sixty-Domed Mosque, Chunakhola Mosque and Singair Mosque are the most popular attractions in Bagerhat.

Things To Do in Bagerhat

When you are in Bagerhat, you can walk throughout the historic city and visit the famous tourist attractions. As it’s not possible to check out 360 mosques, you can visit Sixty-Domed Mosque, Chunakhola Mosque, Nine-Domed Mosque, and Singair Mosque. By visiting these mosques, you will get an idea of the Muslim architecture of the 15th century.

Best Time To Visit Bagerhat

Winter is a great time to visit Bagerhat. Due to the cool weather, you will have a comfortable experience walking around the city. But if you visit Bagerhat during the rainy season, your experience might be hindered due to rain and mud. And summer in Bangladesh is extremely uncomfortable for any sort of travelling.

How To Reach Bagerhat

There are many ways to reach Bagerhat from Dhaka. You can go there by plane, bus, taxi or car. If you choose to drive yourself to Bagerhat, it will take you around 10 hours to reach the place.

Novo Air and Biman Bangladesh Airlines have Dhaka to Barisal or Dhaka to Jessore flights. You will reach Barishal or Jessore within 40-50 minutes from Dhaka. Once you reach Barisal or Jessore, you can take a taxi to Bagerhat and reach there within 2-3 hours.

Buses leave from Gabtoli and Dhaka Technical to Jhalkathi every 4 hours and reach there within 7 hours. After reaching Jhalkathi, you can hire a taxi to Bagerhat, which will take you around 2-3 hours to reach your destination.

Where To Stay in Bagerhat

Some great hotels to stay near Bagerhat are-

• Hotel Grand Park Barishal | Check prices and availability
• Zabeer Hotel International | Check prices and availability

9. Rangamati

The city of lake, Rangamati is a famous tourist place in Bangladesh, mainly known for its waterfalls, lakes, parks, and highlands. Just like Bandarban, it is another hill district located in Chittagong Division.

The largest lake of Bangladesh, Kaptai Lake, is situated in the Kaptai Upazila of the Rangamati district. The lake has an average depth of 30m and a maximum depth of 150 m. Other than this lake, Rangamati is also popular for Shuvolong Waterfall, Hanging Bridge, Sheikh Rasel Eco Park, Rajban Bihar Pagoda and many other tourist attractions nearby.

Read more All You Need To Know About Rangamati

Things To Do in Rangamati

Kayaking in Kaptai Lake is a must when you are in Rangamati. There is Lakeshore Resort near the lake, which has a swimming pool with a wide view of the lake. So, you will have a great experience swimming there. You can also take the cable ride in Sheikh Rasel Eco Park, sightsee Rajban Bihar Pagoda, enjoy the scenic beauty of Shuvolong waterfall, etc.

Best Time To Visit Rangamati

Just like every other tourist spot in Bangladesh on this list, the best time to visit Rangamati is November-February. Due to the cool weather, it is comfortable to visit Rangamati during this time. As Rangamati is a hilly area, landslides frequently occur during monsoons blocking the local transportation systems and making it risky for travellers.

How To Reach Rangamati

There is no way to go to Ragamati from Dhaka directly. At first, you have to go to Chittagong from Dhaka. There are two ways to reach Chittagong from Dhaka- one is by flight, and another one is by bus.

US-Bangla, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and Novo Air offer flights to Chittagong Airport from Dhaka Airport. It will take you around 1 hour to reach Chittagong by flight.

If you want to reach Chittagong from Dhaka at a cheap price, you can board a bus. Bus from Dhaka to Chittagong leaves every 15 minutes and will take you to Chittagong within 7-8 hours.

After reaching Chittagong, you can hire a taxi to Rangamati. Bus services are also available from Chittagong to Rangamati. Whether you take a taxi or decide to go by bus, you will reach Rangamati within an hour.

Where To Stay in Rangamati

You will find some really good hotels to stay in Rangamati within your budget. Some of these hotels are-

• Hotel Prince | Check prices and availability
• Moti Mahal | Check prices and availability
• Hotel Green Castle | Check prices and availability

10. Kuakata

Kuakata , known as Daughter of The Sea, is one of Bangladesh’s most scenic tourist places. This panoramic sea beach is located in the southern part of Bangladesh. The beach is around 18 kilometres in length and 3 kilometres in width.

The most beautiful thing about Kuakata is that you can get an unhindered view of both sunset and sunrise from the beach. Kuakata is home to some other tourist attractions like- Mishri Para Buddhist Monastery, Well of Kuakata, Keranipara Rakhaine settlement, Alipur Port, Fatra forest, Kuakata Eco Park, Kuakata National Park, etc.

Things To Do in Kuakata

As I said earlier, the Kuakata sea beach offers a mesmerizing view of unobstructed sunset and sunrise. So, you must check out the beautiful sunset and sunrise when you are in Kuakata. You can visit the nearby tourist attractions that I mentioned above to make the most out of your travel experience.

Best Time To Visit Kuakata

Kuakata can be visited all around the year. But Winter is a good choice compared to the other seasons. During summer and monsoon, the sea waves crash the beach roughly. So, if you want to enjoy the calmness of Kuakata, you should plan your trip to Kuakata during Winter. 

How To Reach Kuakata

You can head to Kuakata from Dhaka either by launch or by bus. A direct BRTC bus service leaves for Kuakata from the Sayedabad Bus terminal at night. It will take you around 12 hours to reach Kuakata by bus.

If you want a different kind of journey, you can go to Patuakhali by a launch that leaves for Patuakhali from Sadarghat terminal. The launches depart from Sadarghat from 4 pm to 7 pm. So, you will reach Patuakhali at around 6-7 am. Then, from Patuakhali you have to take a bus to Kuakata, and you will reach there within 3-4 hours.

Where To Stay in Kuakata

Some of the best hotels to stay in Kuakata within a reasonable price are-

• Hotel Graver Inn International | Check prices and availability
• Hotel Khan Palace | Check prices and availability
• Sawpnorajjo Park & Resort | Check prices and availability

11. Sajek Valley

Sajek Valley is one of the most exotic tourist places in Bangladesh. The valley is located in Baghaichhari Upazila of Rangamati District. The floating clouds, green hills, and calming natural beauty make this place attractive to both local and international tourists.

There are many notable tourist attractions in Sajek Valley like- Konglak Pahar, Risang Waterfall, Alutila Cave, Lushai Heritage Village, Ruilui Para etc. You can read more about them here .

Things To Do in Sajek Valley

As Sajek Valley is a mountainous area, you can do a lot of hiking and trekking here. You can trek through the Risang waterfall or bath below it. You can take a look inside the mysterious Alutila Cave. You can hike up to Konglak Pahar to get the most mesmerizing view from the top of the mountain. You can also have a walk around the neighbourhoods to get an idea about the lifestyle of ethnic people living there.

Best Time To Visit Sajek Valley

During Winter, the prices of resorts are low. So, if you are planning a budget trip to Sajek, you should go there during Winter, especially during mid-November. During other seasons, the prices rocket.

No matter in which season you visit Sajek Valley, you can always enjoy the scenic beauty of the floating clouds. The place is crowded in almost every season so you can’t avoid that.

How To Reach Sajek Valley

After reaching the Dhaka Airport, you have to take a bus to Khagrachari District. You will find many A.C. and non-AC buses for going to Khagrachari. It will take around 7-8 hours to reach Khagrachari from Dhaka by bus.

The road to Sajek Valley from Khagrachari is immensely beautiful. You have to board on a Chander Gari (local vehicle of Sajek Valley) from Khagrachari. Chander Gari can accommodate around 10-12 people, and it will be with you the entire time you are in Sajek Valley.

The group of people you will be travelling with can be chosen by you or the Khagrachari Jeep Owners Association office. But you can also hire the entire vehicle for yourself if you aren’t comfortable travelling with strangers. The fare will be higher if you hire the entire vehicle for yourself. But if you travel with a group, the fare will be divided equally among the tourists.

The vehicles only leave for Sajek Valley between 10 am and 3 pm, escorted by armies for safety. So, you can’t miss the timing. Foreigners need to take permission from the Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati to travel to Sajek Valley. You will reach Sajek Valley from Khagrachari within 2-3 hours.

Where To Stay in Sajek Valley

There are many resorts in Sajek Valley. Some of them are cheap, some are mid-range, and the rest are luxury. I’m naming some resorts in Sajek Valley below along with their contact numbers-

• Ruilui Resort | Contact: +880 16320 30000
• Sajek Army Resort | Contact: +880 17693 02370
• TGB Lushai Cottage | Contact: +880 16341 98005
• Sampari Resort | Contact: +880 18498 89055
• Alo Resort | Contact: +880 18223 56303

12. Lalbagh Fort

The Lalbagh fort is famous as one of the historical tourist places in Bangladesh due to its beautiful Mughal architecture. It is located in the capital city of Bangladesh, Dhaka. The fort is divided into three main parts- the Tomb of Pari Bibi, Diwan-i-Aam, and Quilla Mosque.

The tomb of Pari Bibi was constructed in memory of Pari Bibi, the daughter of Shaista Khan. The tomb is a white marble room in the middle of the fort. There are eight rooms surrounding this central room.

The Diwan-i-Aam is a two-storied residence located on the east side of the fort. Out of seven bathhouses of the Diwan-i-Aam, only one Hamam Khana(bathhouse) still exists in the southern part of the fort. The bathhouses had underground water boiling rooms, and water was supplied to the Hammamkhana through terracotta pipes.

The Quilla Mosque, also known as Lalbagh fort mosque, has three domes with a water tank for ablutions in front. The mosque is divided from the fort with a fence so that people can enter the mosque and pray without any ticket.

Things To Do in Lalbagh Fort

It might take you an entire day to explore Lalbagh Fort. Walking around the fort and exploring the Mughal architecture of the fort is a great thing to do in Lalbagh Fort.

Best Time To Visit Lalbagh Fort

As Lalbagh Fort is a historical landmark, you can visit the place at any time of the year. However, the fort remains closed during Sundays, government holidays, and Eid holidays. So, keep an eye on the calendar before planning your trip to Lalbagh fort.

How To Reach Lalbagh Fort

After reaching Dhaka Airport, you can take a taxi to reach the Lalbagh Fort. There are three routes from Dhaka Airport to Lalbagh Fort- Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, Mouchak Moghbazar Flyover-Moghbazar Rd, and Central Shahid Minar Rd-Dhakeshwari Road to Lalbagh Road.

Continuing along the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, you can reach the fort within 5-10 minutes. This is the shortest route from Dhaka Airport to the fort. It also takes the shortest time to reach Lalbagh fort by this route.

Where To Stay in Lalbagh Fort

There are many hotels near the Lalbagh Fort where you can stay. I am mentioning some of the best hotels near Lalbagh Fort below.

• Hotel 71 | Check prices and availability
• Priyo Nibash Stylish Residential Hotel | Check prices and availability
• InterContinental Dhaka | Check prices and availability
• Asia Hotel & Resorts | Check prices and availability
• FARS Hotel & Resorts | Check prices and availability

Tourist places in Bangladesh are definitely not limited to these twelve. Just like every other country on the globe, Bangladesh also has some scenic wonders to offer to travellers. And it is also one of the cheapest countries to travel to. I hope that you will have a great time checking out the best 12 tourist places in Bangladesh.

Related Posts

How expensive is dhaka for travellers, is bangladesh safe for travel, the top 15 historical places in bangladesh, dhaka’s finest: the top 15 famous restaurants in dhaka.

I think Fantasykingdom.net is one of the best amusement park in Bangladesh and a place must visit if you are in Bangladesh.

This is realy good and informative content for me. I love all this place. If i get time i will visit all the place. Thanks to say “the simple travel”. I recently visited Bandarban and stayed at Labah Tong hill resort and restaurant. It’s the best resort in the area with friendly staff, stunning views, and beautiful interior design. If you want a relaxing getaway, I highly recommend a visit to Labah Tong.

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15 Incredible Things to Do in Dhaka | Ultimate Travel Guide

• March 27, 2024

I won’t sugarcoat it, Dhaka is wild. 

A place where the energy never dips, the streets are always buzzing, and your senses get totally stimulated with each step. That’s Dhaka for you.

As the capital of  Bangladesh ; it’s the soul of an unbreakable spirit that resonates through its crowded bazaars, vibrant rickshaws, and its people.

Now, if you’re expecting some peaceful walks around its city streets, Dhaka will throw you off your game. But if you’re here to dive into the depths of culture, taste food that tingles your very soul, and experience life in one of the most densely populated cities on earth, you’re in for a treat.

Dhaka is not just a city; it’s an experience, an adventure for the brave and the bold. And no worries, this  guide is here to take you through the beautiful chaos. Trust me, it’s a journey you won’t forget.

Table of Contents

History of Dhaka

Let’s go back a hundreds of years, to when the city was buzzing with traders from across the world, and majestic ships docked at its ports. It’s a city with roots that stretch deep in history.

Originally known as Jahangir Nagar during the Mughal era in the 17th century, Dhaka blossomed into a center of trade and  culture , famed for its fine muslin fabric that was sought after globally. The Mughals, who were known for their architectural prowess and sophisticated lifestyle, left a lasting imprint on the city (including the Lalbagh Fort). 

It’s a city that has witnessed the tides of change, surviving colonial rule under the British, who took over in the 19th century, and later becoming the focal point of Bangladesh’s struggle for independence. In 1971, Dhaka emerged as the proud capital of Bangladesh, embarking on a new chapter that would see it grow into the bustling metropolis it is today.

Bangladeshi Culture Overview

Bangladeshi culture is a tapestry woven with the threads of diverse influences, from ancient civilizations through the Mughal Empire to British colonialism, all leaving their mark on this land’s identity. For a deeper dive into this fascinating culture, don’t miss out on my article on  Bangladeshi Culture & Traditions .

It’s also important to note the distinction between “Bengali” and “Bangladeshi” as you would most likely encounter these two terms in Bangladesh. “Bengali” refers to the ethnic group with a shared language (Bangla) and culture, primarily residing in Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. “Bangladeshi,” on the other hand, denotes the nationality of people from Bangladesh, embracing a multitude of ethnic groups and cultures within the country.

Bangladeshi culture is also a celebration of life’s moments, big and small, through its festivals. The Durga Puja and Eid celebrations showcase the country’s religious diversity (A  Hindu  and  Islamic   festival respectively) yet unified spirit.

The culinary landscape of Bangladesh is as diverse as its people, with rice and fish considered staples, embodying the saying, “Fish and rice make a Bengali.”

Best Places to Visit in Dhaka

1. Old Dhaka

I won’t beat around the bush—Old Dhaka is like stepping into a whole different world. It’s the kind of place where the air is thick with the aroma of street food, spices, perfume, amongst a multitude of other things. If you’re interested, you can join a tour of Old and New Dhaka through  here .

You’ll be walking down streets lined with buildings that have seen centuries come and go. You’re dodging rickshaws, sharing smiles (and stares) with locals, and every so often, you stop because something fascinating catches your eye. It’s chaotic, sure, but in the best possible way. There’s an energy here that you won’t find anywhere else in the city.

This part of town is where you get to see the real Dhaka. It’s not polished or pretentious—it’s authentic, raw, and absolutely wild. You’ll wander past markets where the locals shop, duck into a tiny tea shop for a cup of cha that hits just right, and maybe even stumble upon a hidden gem of a restaurant that serves up dishes you’ve never heard of but will  dream  about for days.

So, if you’re up for an adventure and don’t mind getting a bit lost along the way, Old Dhaka is the place to be. It’s an experience that’s as unforgettable as it is hard to describe, but one thing’s for sure—you’ll leave with stories to tell.

2. Dhakeshwari National Temple

The Dhakeshwari National Temple, as the name suggests, isn’t just any temple—it’s one of the few prominent  Hindu  temples in the city and it’s state-owned. Dhakeshwari means “ Goddess of Dhaka “, and once you’re there, you’ll feel her presence. Though you can see other deities present as well including  Ganesha ,  Durga , and  Shiva .

Dedicated to the Hindu goddess Dhakeshwari, from whom the city of Dhaka is said to derive its name, the temple has stood the test of time and witnessed the city’s evolution from ancient times to modern-day Bangladesh.

Structurally, the temple complex is a fascinating sight. You’ll have to take off your shoes before entering the main temple grounds. I think the main highlight are the pink and white patterned structures that are super eye-catching even from afar.

3. Khan Mohammad Mridha Masjid

Khan Mohammad Mridha Masjid is one of those places that might not make the front page of glossy travel brochures, but it’s absolutely packed with history and a sense of tranquility that’s hard to find in the bustling city.

Built in the early 18th century, the mosque sits on a high platform, accessible by stairs, which is a bit unusual for mosques from that period. This elevated design not only adds to its grandeur but also protected it from the floods that were common in Dhaka.

It’s got this Mughal architectural vibe with three domes crowning the main prayer hall and two slender minarets at the front. What’s really cool about this mosque is its blend of Mughal and pre-Mughal architectural elements.

I found the locals here to be very friendly, and you’ll most likely be the only tourist here. It’s definitely worth checking out as the upper terrace gives you a better view of the surrounding neighborhood as well.

4. Lalbagh Fort

Lalbagh Fort is a story of dreams, ambitions, and an unfinished legacy that still stands proud.

Constructed in the 17th century under the orders of Prince Azam Shah , the son of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb , the fort was envisioned to be a magnificent example of Mughal architecture. However, as fate would have it, the fort remains incomplete to this day. Despite its unfinished status, Lalbagh Fort is a breathtaking site, with its grandiose structures and intricate designs that offer a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of the Mughals.

Walking through the fort, you can’t help but feel transported to another time. The main components include the tomb of Pari Bibi, a mosque, and the Diwan-i-Aam, where the Mughals held their public audiences. The tomb of Pari Bibi, in particular, is a heart-touching story of loss, believed to be a major reason the construction was halted, as it cast a shadow of grief over the project. 

I t’s surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens that offer a serene escape from the city’s chaos. It’s a popular spot for locals as well, and it’s not uncommon for them to start conversations with you as you walk around the compound.

5. Tara Masjid

Originally built in the early 18th century by Mirza Golam Pir , Tara Masjid’s modest beginnings belied the astronomical wonder it would become. It was later in the 20th century that a local businessman, financed an expansion and adorned the mosque with the tiles that would earn it the name “Star Mosque.”

Step inside, and you’re enveloped in a galaxy of tiles, with stars twinkling back at you from walls, domes, and archways. The mosque is covered in black, white, and yellow tiles, with patterns that mimic the night sky. It’s not just the design that captures your imagination; it’s the meticulous detail in every tile, every pattern, that tells you this place is something special.

It’s still an active place of worship yet it welcomes all who come in peace. Just be sure to be respectful especially during the times of prayer.

6. Armenian Church

The Armenian Church. Imagine a little oasis where the noise of the city fades into the background and you’re once again in a place of peace. That’s this place. And take it from me, it’s hard to find places of solace in Dhaka so we have to take what we can get before we venture out into the fray.

The Armenian Church isn’t just about the beautiful, old architecture, though that alone is pretty cool. It’s a peek into the lives of the Armenian community that once thrived here in the 1700s. These folks were part of the city’s vibrant trade scene, and this church was their gathering spot, a slice of home away from home.

Walking through, you’ll notice it’s kept in great shape. There’s a peaceful vibe that makes you slow down and take it all in – the detailed archways, the quiet graveyard with its ancient tombstones.

You can actually go up to the upper floor and out onto the rooftop, but you can even go higher than that if you climb the ladder. You’ll get an amazing view of Dhaka’s bustling streets and apartments.

7. Ahsan Manzil Museum

Ahsan Manzil Museum is one of those places in Dhaka that kind of stops you in your tracks. Right on the banks of the Buriganga River, this massive pink palace doesn’t just stand out because of its color. It’s a dive into the luxurious world of the Nawabs of Dhaka , showing off what high living looked like back in the day.

Back in the 19th century, this was the spot where the Nawab of Dhaka had his digs. We’re talking big parties, important political meetings, and all the lavish lifestyle you can imagine from that era. Nowadays, turned into a museum, Ahsan Manzil is a window into that opulent past.

But let’s dial back to the main color at hand: pink. The Pink Palace is easily one of the most photogenic and Instagram-worthy places of Dhaka and at sunset the colors are even more vibrant!

Hidden Gems in Dhaka

8. Gol Talab

Gol Talab is this pretty little pond tucked away in the older part of Dhaka, in a neighborhood called Islampur. It’s a spot that might not make the big tourist maps, but for those in the know, it’s a slice of local life that’s worth checking out. It’s a bit hard to get to and I had to ask for some directions that took me through an underground pitch-black alley but I did make it to the other side.

What’s cool about Gol Talab is that it’s a perfectly oval-shaped pond smack-dab in the middle of the city and it’s even been designated as a heritage site by the government!

9. Ruplal House

Ruplal House is not as widely talked about as some of the other landmarks, but if you’re the type who loves digging into the lesser-known pages of history, this place is a gem. I wasn’t able to make it here just because I was already too tired and I couldn’t bring myself to go on another long journey through Dhaka’s crazy streets.

Built in the late 19th century, Ruplal House was once a symbol of opulence in Farashganj, a reminder of the wealth and cultural sophistication of its owners, the Ruplal brothers . These guys were among the city’s elite, and their residence was a hub of social gatherings. The architecture of Ruplal House is a fascinating blend of European influences with traditional  Bengali  elements.

Today, Ruplal House stands in a state that cries out for preservation. Walking past or through it, you can’t help but feel a mix of awe and a slight twinge of sadness. Awe, because even with the wear and tear, the grandeur of its design and the stories it must hold are palpable. Sadness, because it’s clear that without some love and attention, more of its stories could be lost to time.

Top Things to Do in Dhaka

10. Shop at Chawkbazar

Alright, if really want to see Dhaka, you’ve got to wander through the bazaars, and Chawkbazar is a prime spot for this.

Chawkbazar isn’t just a place to shop; it’s like the city’s pulse with streets buzzing with energy, stalls overflowing with colorful goods, and the air rich with the scent of spices and street food. This is where you get a real taste of Dhaka’s street life. It’s loud, it’s crowded, and it’s absolutely brilliant.

Hidden in this bustling market scene is the Chawkbazar Shahi Jame Masjid , a historic mosque that offers a peaceful counterpoint to the market’s frenzy. But you’re gonna have to tell me what it’s like though because I never did find the mosque. I was simply too overwhelmed and couldn’t bring myself to keep going deeper into the urban jungle.

Still, it’s could be an expedition of some sort, just keep your wits about you and stay safe in there!

11. Take a Day Trip to Sonargaon

Heading out of the city for a bit?  Sonargaon  is the perfect day trip from Dhaka. I was actually able to do this in the morning before exploring Old Dhaka in the afternoon.

Sonargaon, which translates to “ City of Gold ,” was once the capital of ancient Bengal in various phases of history.  The star attraction here is Panam City, an abandoned yet remarkably preserved part of Sonargaon. Walking down its main road, lined with the ruins of magnificent colonial-era buildings, feels eerily like time travel. These structures once housed the wealthy merchants of the region, and though they now stand empty.

The Folk Art and Crafts Museum is a colorful showcase of Bangladesh’s living traditions, though the best shot is the one taken from outside with a reflection of it by the pool.

And then there’s the natural side of things. The area around Sonargaon is dotted with rivers and lush greenery, giving you a look at what rural life is like and it’s honestly so much better than Dhaka, but don’t take it from me! See it for yourself!

12. Check Out the Bangladesh National Museum

From the moment you step in the National Museum, you’re greeted with a vast collection that spans several floors, each dedicated to different aspects of Bangladeshi life. There’s something almost overwhelming but in the best way possible about the depth and breadth of what’s on display. 

You’ve got galleries filled with ancient Bengal artifacts, exhibits on the flora and fauna of the region, and even sections dedicated to the struggle for independence. It’s all there.  There’s an entire section devoted to folk art and t here are contemporary art galleries.

So, if you find yourself in Dhaka with a few hours to spare, the Bangladesh National Museum is well worth your time, especially if history is important to you.

13. Dine at Buriganga Riverview Restaurant

The Buriganga River is the lifeline of Dhaka, and dining alongside its banks gives you a front-row seat to the river life that defines the city. From the early morning fishermen in their wooden boats to the colorful hustle of the river traffic throughout the day, it’s a snapshot of Dhaka from a perspective not often seen.

I accidentally found the Buriganga Riverview Restaurant while walking towards Ruplal House but ended up eating an early dinner and watching the sunset here instead. The food and service is top-notch and if you’re afraid of trying out the streetfood and other street restaurants then I highly recommend this place as the quality and ambiance is really high. It seems to be a popular place as there were signs that said “No Food Bloggers Allowed.”

14. Ride a Rickshaw

Forget about Uber, ride a rickshaw! The quintessential mode of transport in Dhaka. It’s an adventure that lets you dive headfirst into the busy streets, all from the unique vantage point of a colorful, often intricately decorated, three-wheeler.

Weaving through the bustling traffic, the sounds of the city buzzing around you, as you take in sights and sounds that you’d miss from the confines of a car. Rickshaws open up a whole new perspective on Dhaka, bringing you up close to the daily lives of its people. You’ll pass by local markets spilling onto the streets, dodge alongside buses and cars in a dance that seems chaotic but flows like a well-practiced routine though I must say I still saw some small bumbs and scraps every now and then.

What makes rickshaw rides truly special in Dhaka is their cultural significance. They’re not just a mode of transport; they’re a part of the city’s identity, an art form on wheels.

But beyond the cultural flair, riding a rickshaw is about connecting with the city on a human level. Understand that this is their livelihood and it’s one heck of a job to be pedalling people the whole day, without any technological supports. It never hurts to give a bit more if you can afford to.

15. Watch the Sunset at Sadarghat

If you’re not too keen on the riverside restaurant, ending a day in Dhaka with a sunset at Sadarghat is still something truly special. A round you, the day’s hustle begins to slow, but the energy of Sadarghat lingers, with boats of all sizes winding down their day’s work. It’s here, amidst the chaos of coming and going vessels, that you find a moment of profound beauty.

You’re surrounded by the rhythm of daily life—fishermen securing their boats, vendors making their last sales, and families gathering to enjoy the cooler evening air. The sunset here tells the story of the city—a blend of relentless energy, timeless tradition, and natural beauty.

It’s also a photographer’s dream, I mean I couldn’t stop snapping because with every passing minute the Golden Hour just keeps giving! But even without a camera, sitting by the river and watching the day turn into night is a moment you’ll want to hold onto.

Where to Stay in Dhaka

When looking for accommodations in Dhaka, I prioritize peace and safety. You must have read many times by now but Dhaka is a noisy city, a city that never  sleeps . The worst thing is to have your sleep taken away from you when you still have plenty of days to explore. Safety is another prime factor, being in a safe neighborhood, away from the crowds can give you that sense of peace which is highly relevant in this city. Here are some of my recommendations on where to stay: 

Best Hotels in Dhaka :

• Nascent Gardenia Residence – this is where I personally stayed. It’s in a quiet and cozy neighborhood in Gulshan area. Make sure to put the right one in on your Uber as there’s also another Nascent Gardenia that I mistakenly ended up in which was like an apartment. On the booking website, they mentioned that free airport shuttle is included though they did try to charge me at first when I asked for it. And the shuttle actually was not there when I arrived which put a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. But! They more than made up for it though, the place was perfect. Big and comfortable beds, spacious and quiet rooms. The bellboy was extremely polite and kind, always happy to assist. The bathroom’s shower worked perfectly and came with various toiletries and other amneties including water and fruits. Breakfast is a buffet with a great selection. They also offered me a shuttle back to the airport but I didn’t need it as I was heading to  Khulna . All in all, I highly recommend it, just be on the same page and follow up with the airport shuttle as we discussed that a month back so perhaps it got lost.
• Hotel the Capital Ltd. – provides a range of amenities including a fitness center, complimentary WiFi, and on-site parking at no extra cost. This 3-star establishment not only features round-the-clock front desk and concierge services but also caters to families with a kids’ club, offers room service, and facilitates currency exchange. You’ll have the option to dine at the hotel’s restaurant, which serves a variety of Chinese, Indian, and Italian dishes, with special dietary requests such as vegetarian, halal, and vegan meals accommodated.
• InterContinental Dhaka  – Experience the luxury of celebrity-like treatment at InterContinental Dhaka, an IHG Hotel. This lavish 5-star hotel boasts an array of upscale facilities, including an outdoor swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a serene garden, and a sophisticated restaurant complemented by a chic bar. You’re welcomed around the clock at the 24-hour front desk and can enjoy the convenience of airport transportation, room service, and complimentary WiFi across the premises.

How to Get Around Dhaka

Getting around Dhaka is an adventure in itself, and I mean that. If you want a thrill go for the motorbikes, they are cheaper and the adrenaline you get from weaving across traffic is really something else. I always make sure to pay my driver more just because making it out unscathed seems like a miracle. Still, the traffic is one thing to consider, two-wheelers can get you to where you need faster than CNGs and four-wheeled vehicles. I recommend using Uber and it’s easy to hail any of the modes of transport listed on here. Here’s a breakdown:

• Taxis : The traditional yellow taxis are a staple on Dhaka’s roads. They’re a bit of a step up from rickshaws in terms of comfort and can be hailed off the streets. Just be prepared to haggle over the fare since most don’t use meters. Again, Uber is your friend here.
• Auto Rickshaws (CNGs) : Auto rickshaws, locally known as CNGs due to their compressed natural gas fuel, are like motorized rickshaws with a small cabin for passengers. They’re nimbler than cars in traffic and cheaper than taxis, plus you’ll feel a bit safer inside the cabin as opposed to rickshaws and motorbikes.
• Rickshaws : For shorter distances and a truly local experience, you can’t beat a rickshaw ride. It’s an eco-friendly option and provides a livelihood for many.
• Motorbikes : Another option through ride-sharing apps is booking a motorbike ride. It’s the quickest way to get around, especially during peak traffic hours, as bikes squeeze through gaps that cars can’t. Helmets are always provided, all you can do is trust that the driver knows these roads like the back of his hand, which they often do.

How to Stay Safe in Dhaka

Now let me get real with you. Dhaka is generally an okay place, as a foreigner you will catch attention and I personally found that people tend to stare. It’s hard not to stand out, but just do your best and ignore it. People are naturally curious. Wearing sunglasses or a balaclava can help.

It’s also a fact that Dhaka is one the most polluted cities on Earth. There’s garbage everywhere and the scents intermingle with the heavy perfumes,  incense , spices, and food which completely barrages the senses. I highly recommend wearing a mask. In fact, I would say it’s a requirement.  I literally got sick the same night on the first day of exploring just because I wanted to experience the city “unfiltered.” Regrets were made. That cough stayed with me the whole time I was in Bangladesh, from  Bagerhat  to the  Sundarbans  and all the way to  Nepal .

Not to mention the crowds, it’s really crowded, like you’ll have to creatively maneuver just to get from point A to B. And oh the traffic, the horns of rickshaws blaring incessantly. All of these factors combined clearly takes a mental toll and a 5 minute walk really takes a lot of energy. But I never did encounter anything untoward (though I did get  sexually harassed  in Sonargaon), still, you should always keep your wits about you and keep your valuables close.

As for the food, sticking to vegetarian meals or fancier restaurants should give you that sense of peace. In the end, Bangladesh is one of the few countries that I highly recommend getting travel insurance for when going.

Best Time to Visit Dhaka

The best time to visit Dhaka is during the cooler, drier months from November to February . During this period, the weather is more pleasant, making it easier to explore the city without the discomfort of the intense heat or monsoon rains that characterize other times of the year.  Temperatures during these months can range from about 15°C – 26°C (59°F – 79°F).

Do keep in mind, however, that this is also the peak tourist season, so you might encounter more crowds at popular attractions and potentially higher prices for accommodations. Planning and booking in advance can help mitigate some of these issues.

Plan Your Trip to Dhaka | Best Travel Resources

Book Your Accommodations

• Booking.com  – the world’s leading online booking platform for accomodations around the world, they have an extensive amount of available listings with zero booking fees and best price guarantees.
• Hostelworld  – a backpacker’s best friend, Hostelworld has the largest collection of hostels and guesthouses for affordable prices.

Don’t Forget Insurance

• SafetyWing  – from Nomad Insurance, an insurance by nomads for nomads. They understand our lifestyle well and have really comprehensive and flexible plans that cater to any traveler.

Find Cheap Flights

• Kiwi.com  – my go-to for booking and finding the cheapest flights and it’s helped me save tons of money. They do virtual interlining which is connecting flights from airlines that do not codeshare, so you can find routes that you wouldn’t be able to find normally. 

Join Tours & Activities

• GetYourGuide  – is one of the best places to find unique tours and activities. I found that it’s an excellent way to meet fellow travelers and create fond memories. They are not only limited to tours as they also offer niche services such as skip-the-line tickets or private transfers.

Catch a Ride

• Rentalcars.com  – nothing beats the freedom of the road, Rentalcars.com is the world’s largest online car rental service. They operate across 160 countries so they’re the perfect partner to work with if you find yourself wanting a ride.

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Tourism and cultural Relations in Bangladesh

The social interrelation between tourists and the indigenous community of chittagong hill tracts., introduction.

Bangladesh is a country rich in natural beauty of rivers, mountains, and the sea. The country’s Chittagong hill tracts (henceforth, CHT) region is especially abundant in ecological and cultural diversity, making it one of the main tourist attractions for tourists in Bangladesh. CHT, consisting of almost one-tenth of the land of the country, is a culturally unique and ‘exotic’ spot with more than ten different ethnic communities (UNICEF, 2019). Tourism is one of the reasons for increasing reciprocity among the rural hill tribes and the lowlanders of Bangladesh. The close intersections between tourism, social life,economy, and ecology shapes the relationship between the communities of tourists and locals. There are several positive and negative impacts of tourism in the hilly areas and the lifestyles of the Highlander ethnic communities. It is necessary to talk about the people living for centuries in CHT, which recently emerged as a tourist attraction spot. With the evolving role of the hill tracts for the people of the country, the relationship between lowlanders and highlanders is also evolving with major impacts on lifestyle, economic and cultural aspects. To understand the dynamics and mobility of tourists and indigenous communities, it’s important to bring out the perspective of both, and the role and perspective of the tourists are equally important as the indigenous. Though there is much research and reports being conducted with the indigenous and economic perspectives, the tourist community, who are the main focus of the tourism industry, are being overlooked. My paper intends to bring out the standpoints of the tourists in the matter of indigenous lives. The stand of both indigenous community and tourists are important to create a social dialogue about tourism development as a fast growing sector. In fact, with the inclusion of indigenous and local perspectives on the emergence of tourism, the opinionated participation of the tourists are also important to create a sustainable society around the tourist attraction spots. 

Background Context

The tourism industry of Bangladesh has been a concern for the country’s leaders since the independence of the country. In 1972, after the victory of the Liberation War, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) or Bangladesh Tourism Corporation was introduced by the presidential order . This suggests that since the state’s inception, Bangladeshi leaders had a vision about tourism’s importance for the country’s future. about the emergence of tourism and its economic aspects for the future. And accordingly, th e industry contained 3% of the total GDP in the 2019 fiscal year and is rising over the recent years and the government has allocated 1000 crore in tourism development in 2022 (Dhaka Tribune, 2022). The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) predicts that by 2023 Bangladesh’s tourism sector will employ about 1.7 million workers, roughly 4.2 percent of the country’s workforce (Hasan, 2021). This suggests that the tourism industry has enough potential to boost economic growth in Bangladesh. Yet the consequences of the development of the country’s tourism industry for its indigenous minorities remained fraught from the beginning . Bangladeshi tourism focuses mostly on the rural and hilly areas of the country, which also consists of a diversified community of indigenous people. With the concern of tourism and its development as an industry, in most cases, the lives of the indigenous community are excluded (Tithila, 2020). This exclusion traces back to the first constitution of Bangladesh which conflated Bangladeshi identity with Bengali ethnic identity, thus marginalising indigenous communities in the newly formed state (Jnan, 2018). Then, the militarization in the territory, because of the demand for the CHT Regulation Act by the locals, was actually a threat to the freedom of the indigenous people. The Regulation Act was introduced by the British government for the perseverance of the tribal minorities of CHT. Therefore, the emerging tourism industry of CHT, is related to such historically marginalised society, creating a new economical way of exclusion and exploitation (Tithila, 2020). 

Economic Interconnection of Tourism and Indigenous 

For people searching for ‘refreshment’, ‘stress detox’, and ‘productivity boost’, travelling is the top choice for a lot of people. According to one of the interviewees, “There are two types of tourists to find in CHT. The first group consists of those who want to have a vacation, live in luxury hotels, and have all the urban facilities. The second group includes those who want to experience the place”(Rashid, personal interview 3).  Fortunately, CHT has arrangements for both types of tourists. Most famous tourist spots like Bandarban, Sajek, Rangamati have enough hotels and resorts to accommodate  tourists throughout the year. The BPC also has authorised hotels, motels, resorts and restaurants over the country and including several places in CHT . And these provide economically to a vast number of local families as the jobs in the tourism sector are easily available. The adventurous and experience-seeking travelers are in favor of accommodations that enable natural intimacy and for this, camping is one of the most popular and convenient living arrangements. Other than the concept of living in tents, there is one unique living arrangement introduced by the indigenous community. The tourists can spend the night or stay inside the remote villages in the forestry lands of CHT. A young tourist and member of the ‘Adventure Club’ of his University, stated that “the  indigenous people are very welcoming and friendly to invite the tourists to stay in their houses, or simply spend the night on their veranda in exchange for an affordable amount of money” (Islam, personal interview 1). Certainly, the indigenous people have economic advantages to gain from tourism. Unfortunately, the commercial tourist businesses have thus far marginalised indigenous communities from the industry, snatching indigenous lands for building luxury hotels. Sajek , which is one of the tourist hotspots of CHT, is a rapidly developing area in the context of tourism. Protests by the ‘Mro’ community against the snatching of their rights to their land( The daily star, 2023) , has been reported in the press as a major setback for the tourism industry of Bangladesh. A student of BRAC University who recently visited Sajek, a tourist hotspot of CHT, stated that “the resorts in Sajek are likely to be built on the inhabitants of the ‘Pahari’ people as a tourist reports that the resort they were living in, was previously the residence of a local family and now the family lives in the resort being employees of that place” (Kubra, personal interview 9)

. More concerning report comes out in another research that there have been deaths of people due to  forceful displacement from their lands in Nilgiri, another tourist attraction of the CHT. But this case is slightly different than Sajek’ s as here the military is involved( Chakma, 2016). As land issues of the CHT are parallel with the growth of tourism and tourism business, the relationship between tourism and local inhabitants has come to be marked with more lines of conflict. It shows that the tourism industry is actually working as a tool of exploitation and displacement for the indigenous community. According to Prof. Azim, chairperson of English and Humanities department at BRAC University, the domestic property developers are the driving force of land related subjugation and injustice towards the indigenous people. The escalation of tourism, leads to more investment in this sector for an amplified return of investment. In this whole system of business and development, the tribal communities are overlooked (Azim, Personal Interview). Tourism as a business sector is growing with social prejudice towards the tribal communities and the Bengali community also participates in such land disputes with the local indigenous community of CHT.

Some 295 Christian families in a cluster of three villages — Saingya Tripura Para, Hatibhanga Para and Laimi Para — are concerned that a Bengali Muslim businessman intends to build a five-star hotel on 101 hectares by allegedly exploiting his financial and political clout. (Rozario, 2019).

On the contrary, another interviewee, a frequent tourist and a member of an “Adventure Club”,  remarked about the rising cost of basic necessities in newly developing tourist areas. The local restaurants inside small tourist  villages, or the grocers, charge more than the actual market price of everyday  products which was a disappointing experience for one of my interviewees. Another tourist and interviewee for this project, corroborated this  information with the explanation that the supplies of the commodities are limited and the sellers are dependent on the tourists from the lowland to do business. The interviewee stated that, “Small village shops are not rich in supplies and customers to maintain the actual market price. Also local indigenous people are in the transportation field as well as small businesses and the tourists can rent the vehicles in exchange for a good amount of money for their local exploration, as their income is totally based on the tourists, they ask for extra payment”. Additionally, an important testimony of a frequent visitor of CHT is that the income source of the ‘ Pahari’ people are shifting towards the tourism industry rather than their traditional Jhum cultivation. Seemingly, it is a matter of concern that the locals are being diverted from their agricultural economy and being involved in the tourism industry while making the tourists pay extra cost for the services. 

Environment, adventure, and ecotourism

The term ecotourism refers to the methods where the tourism industry will be managed in a way that does not harm the ecology. The BPC (Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation), has ecotourism on their development agendas too. The increase in tourist interaction in the rural hilly areas can threaten the natural balance of that place. As mentioned earlier, the cultivation system and lifestyle of the indigenous people are heavily dependent on local ecology which is being hampered with the development of tourism. The idea of development around the hill tracts is seen as tourism based rather than local concerns. The tourism infrastructure like roads, and buildings, materially beautifying the surroundings, are a threat to the ecosystem. A fellow of YECAP (Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform) and a contributing NGO employee, during the interview, stressed on the necessity of ecotourism in CHT while addressing the failings of Bangladesh in providing proper ecotourism support due to the lack of proper policy-building and implementation, even though Bangladesh was one of the first countries to take climate and mitigation plans(personal interview,  Anonymous 6). The implementation of ecotourism will also increase the chances of a better economy with reduced prices of living cost and more tourism from diverse economical backgrounds. One of my interviewees suggested that with proper publicity  ecotourism can help foster a more cooperative relationship between tourists and the environment. (Anonymous, Personal interview 6). The interviewee is part of a tourist  adventure club that has  a  strict ‘zero littering policy’ where they do not throw any kind of plastic or waste in nature, rather they carry the plastics with them to dump in a particular place. According to the tourists, not all places of CHT are commercialised. Many tourists prefer places like Nafakhum, Amiakhum, Sakahafongh, that require a little bit of trekking, are attractive for trekkers and adventure seekers.   Tourists visiting these places tend to stay with local families in the small villages in these areas. (Islam, personal interview 1). Another interviewee pointed out that, “Even though the Paharis are harmoniously coexisting with nature, being dependent on it, the majority of tourists are not responsible enough to keep the environment clean and free from their personal waste to pollute the nature” (Rashid, personal interview 3). The YECAP fellow also stated that “

rights (Anonymous, personal interview 6). One of my interviewees, belonging to the Bandarban region as a local, informed me that  “tourism development is a tourist based development style where the locals are lacking proper social development. There’s water shortage and no proper health care system for the tribal villages as well (Anonymous, interviewee, 4). This suggests that the tribal people are deliberately marginalised by the tourism development industry. The ecology and development of lifestyle is a further context for the tourism development sector.

Cultural and social identity in the influence of tourism

“I love to visit the hilly areas because of the tribal people and their culture over there. Especially the food”(Amit, interviewee 2) 

The vibrant culture of indigenous communities plays a vital role in attracting tourists multiple times. Many of my interviewees found the lifestyles of indigenous communities inspiring. As one of them put it, the everyday lives of these communities were deeply connected with nature, as was their culture. . Their houses are distinctively different from the lowland houses which further enhances the beauty of hills. The rich cultural lives of indigenous communities, as well as their warm and welcoming attitude towards visitors, made one of my interviewees want to keep going back (Riya, Interviewee 5).  On the other hand, One of my interviewee stated from their personal experience that “the tribes are not very welcoming or are critical of the tourists” He also added “some locals are critical over the outfits of the tourists as most of the tourists wear ‘western’ clothes while trekking and visiting the tribal places” (Anonymous, personal interview) . So, there are two different versions of feedback extracted from the interviewees in the matter of social acceptance of tourism into the indigenous community. Sometimes the behaviour, clothing and habits are too different to them, so they are critical over this (Islam, interviewee 1).An  interviewee who was born in Bandarban (a district of CHT) but grew in Dhaka, related to CHT both as a local and as a tourist. She also talked about the diversity of cultures and practices in these areas.  Coming from a tribal family, she commented upon the differences of lifestyle of indigenous and lowland Bangladeshi people. According to her, “tourism was in fact exacerbating these differences. By profiting off the “exoticization” of minority ethnic groups, tourism was further marginalising these groups from popular understandings of   Bangladeshi identity and society (Anonymous, personal interview). On the other hand, Prof. Azim has argued that ethnic cultural identity can also be a source of pride. At the same time, many people from these communities also seek social mobility through new opportunities in education and economic life (Azim, Personal Interview).

. Many of these groups are learning Bengali and seeking schooling in the language to increase their chances of social and economic mobility. Despite this, their distinct cultural practices remain important not only to members of these communities but also to tourists visiting these areas. For example, “ three predominant indigenous communities – Chakma, Marma and Tripura – celebrate the New Year in different ways and with different celebrations” (Alom, 2017) and in recent times, the lowland Bangladeshiu tourists are also being intrigued and excited to experience the festival. The cultural diversity of the tribes is therefore an important factor driving the growth of tourism. But there are many other religious festivals which are only for people from the community and there are even times when the tourists or any outsiders are completely prohibited from  entering  the villages (Rashid, interviewee, 3). But the common statement almost all the interviewees stressed upon, was the need to have mutual respect and integrity while engaging with different cultures. 

Social position and expectations

Marginalisation, racial domination and ‘otherness’ towards the ethnic communities, are some challenging issues for the tourism development sector of Bangladesh. Beagle Chilisa in the book titled  “ Indigenous Research Methodologies” has clearly stated that

“Tourism can also perpetuate unequal power relations between Indigenous peoples and dominant cultures. The promotion of tourism often emphasises the exotic and primitive aspects of Indigenous cultures, while downplaying the modern and contemporary realities of Indigenous peoples.” (p. 157).

While the tourists are fascinated by the cultural practice of the indigenous people, there is also an evident sense of patronization in how they talk about and treat these communities. Bengali being the state language of Bangladesh, is also therefore imposed upon the tribal communities who have their own diverse linguistic identities. Two interesting factors identified for this are firstly education, job and inclusion in the mainstream, secondly, stronger communication with the tourists and many tourists even expected that knowing Bengali by the tribal locals, would be beneficial for the tourist groups. The cultural integrity of the tribal groups is an equal responsibility for the low and highlanders as it also represents the diversity of Bangladesh. The tribes have experienced many oppressions and negative impacts because of many pseudo-development of tourism and their resources were snatched. Tourism does put the mainlanders in a socially dominant position over the locals and tourists explicitly or implicitly accept this social hierarchy.

While some of my tourist interviewers were suggesting forms of tourism sensitive to local ecology and culture, , many other tourists desire material luxury in their travels to places like CHT. Numerous individuals hold racial prejudice with discriminatory conduct against ethnic communities. Prof. Azim suggested a unique style of installing a university in CHT for students of all backgrounds to learn in a diverse cultural setting which can enable a sense of acceptance and community among students. She also suggests introducing university courses about tribal culture, literature, and lifestyle. This way, the relationship and inclusion of the indigenous in the mainstream and the mainstream to the indigenous community can see a new horizon. Education can actually be a way of inclusion and empathy building for the future generations of Bangladeshi citizens be it from indigenous or Bengali communities

The rapid growth of commercial tourism has been detrimental for Bangladesh’s indigenous minorities and their lifestyle from every possible aspect. However, ecologically, and culturally sensitive tourism where indigenous minorities are important stakeholders, has the capacity to encourage intercultural dialogue and promote inclusive community building specifically around the tourist areas. Tourism is definitely a sector in Bangladesh that has the capacity to bring diverse populations together and create new contexts for inter-cultural exchange. Like the interviewees supporting sustainable tourism, the government should encourage the implementation of tourism in the relationship of coexistence between the majority and minority communities while implementing inclusive planning and policy building to determine the perseverance of indigenous economy and culture along with tourism development policies. 

Work Cited 

Alom, Z. (2017, April 15). The many shades of Boisabi. The Daily Star . https://www.thedailystar.net/celebration-unity/the-many-shades-boisabi-1390897

            Chilisa, B. (2011). Indigenous Research Methodologies .

Chakma, M. (2016). Tourism development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh: The impact on indigenous peoples (IPs) (Doctoral dissertation, Thesis, Flinders University. https://flex. flinders. edu. au/file/6842a80c-cce0-4f2a-a85f-8014acf5ec07/1/Chakma% 20MCw% 20thesis% 20March% 202017. pdf).

Hasan, E. H. (2021, December 20). The future of the travel industry . The Financial Express. https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/views/reviews/the-future-of-the-travel-industry-1639981030

Jnan. (2018, June 14). Ethnic cleansing in Bangladesh: the Chittagong Hill Tracts? Asia Dialogue. https://theasiadialogue.com/2018/03/08/ethnic-cleansing-in-bangladesh/

The Daily Star. (2023, January 3). Protect Mro community from violent land grabbers. The Daily Star. https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/editorial/news/protect-mro-community-violent-land-grabbers-3211761

UNICEF. (2019, August). MANY TRACTS ONE COMMUNITY UNICEF’S Work in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. UNICEF . https://www.unicef.org/bangladesh/sites/unicef.org.bangladesh/files/2019-09/CHT-report-LR-August20-website.pdf

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Bangladesh Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Factsheet

Discover the total economic contribution that the Travel & Tourism sector brings to Bangladesh and the world in this data-rich, two-page factsheet.

Discover the total economic contribution that the Travel & Tourism sector brings to the Bangladesh’s economies and to the world in this data-rich, two-page factsheet.

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Over the next few weeks we will be releasing the newest Economic Impact Research factsheets for a wide range of economies and regions. If the factsheet you're interested in is not yet available,  sign up to be notified via the form on this page .

Factsheet details

This factsheet highlights the importance of Travel & Tourism to Bangladesh across many metrics, and features details such as:

• Contribution of the sector to overall GDP and employment
• Comparisons between 2019 and 2023
• Forecasts for 2024 and 2034
• International and domestic visitor spending
• Proportion of leisure vs business spending
• Top 5 inbound and outbound markets

This factsheet highlights the importance of Travel & Tourism to the Bangladesh across many metrics, and features details such as:

• Contribution of the sector to overall GDP and employment in the group and globally
• Contribution of the sector to overall GDP and employment in the region and globally

This factsheet highlights the importance of T&T to this city across many metrics, and features details such as:

• Contribution of the sector to overall GDP and employment in the city
• Comparisons between 2019, 2020 and 2021, plus 2022 forecast
• Proportion of the T&T at city level towards overall T&T contribution at a country level
• Top 5 inbound source markets

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Is Bangladesh Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

• Bangladesh : Safety by City

This humble country, often overlooked by many tourists, is located in Southern Asia, sharing its borders with the Bay of Bengal to the South, though its major part is almost completely encircled by the Republic of India – literally around: to the West, North, and East.

It also borders Myanmar to the Southeast.

And although tourists keep forgetting it and overlooking its many virtues, considering it to be off the beaten path by literally any measurement, Bangladesh is a country of very friendly people and you can expect a warm welcome if you stumble into this part of the world.

A major part of Bangladesh is covered by the Bengal delta, the largest delta on the planet.

The country is actually famous for having 700 rivers and 8,046 km (5,000 miles) of inland waterways.

It also boasts highlands with lavish green forests located in its northeastern and southeastern regions, as well as many islands and a coral reef.

Among other natural beauties you can find here, there is the longest unbroken sea beach, Cox’s Bazar Beach, and the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world.

It is a country of immense biodiversity, with flora, fauna, and wildlife like nowhere else, including endangered Bengal tigers, the national animal.

• Warnings & Dangers in Bangladesh

OVERALL RISK: HIGH

Bangladesh is mainly a safe country to visit. However, it does have an extremely high rate of both petty and violent crime, though it's mainly ridden with petty street crime. You should be vigilant and take all possible precaution measures in order to minimize the risk of getting hurt.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Public transport is also risky. If you're traveling in rickshaws, CNGs or taxis, especially at night, you may be particularly vulnerable to being attacked and robbed at gunpoint. Avoid public transportation when traveling alone.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

Since Bangladesh is a very poor country, it is no surprise that pickpockets are extremely active. They are an everyday occurrence, so you should be extremely careful when handling your valuables and never carry your money in a purse or a pocket. Never carry all your money in the same place, and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Bangladesh is susceptible to many natural disasters. It has suffered from floods, cyclones, storm surge, river bank erosion, earthquake, drought, salinity intrusion, fire and tsunami, with cyclones and floods particularly causing massive damages.

MUGGING RISK: HIGH

Violent crime is also a common occurrence in Bangladesh and you have to be very careful. Armed robbery is the second most common crime in this country, so do everything you can do keep your valuables low profile. Kidnapping of businessmen and abduction of children are becoming increasingly popular.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

There is a high probability of terrorists trying to carry out attacks in Bangladesh. The last terrorist attack occurred in March 2017 and it targeted security forces and there is a risk that future attacks could also occur in public places where public gatherings take place. Places where foreigners are known to gather may be at higher risk of attack, so be vigilant at all times.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

Scams are an everyday occurrence in this country. As in most countries ridden with poverty, there are a number of scams performed on tourists, and it is no wonder that the locals use every situation to try and get money from you. Double check everything, and negotiate everything in advance. Be careful when taking a taxi and make sure they use the meter or negotiate the ride before getting into the cab.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Though many women have visited Bangladesh and encountered no problems at all, going to Bangladesh alone has its risks. If you do, be sure to avoid remote streets, both during day and night, and do not flash your belongings or handle money in public. Stay out of the streets at night and be vigilant for any possible dangers at all times.

• So... How Safe Is Bangladesh Really?

Despite being a country of friendly and open-minded people, Bangladesh is poor, with a high crime rate, so coming to Bangladesh may not be the safest option crime-wise.

This means that you should stick to your wits and apply basic common sense, like not going anywhere alone after dark.

However, if you do find yourself in a risky situation, start shouting and drawing attention to yourself.

That should work just fine, as someone will probably run to your aid.

Most tourists are safe during the day as they draw curious looks and locals are highly interested in them, so you will probably be watched at any time.

However, you should keep your valuables close to you at all times, especially when traveling by rickshaw, CNG (auto-rickshaw) or bus.

Never wear anything that is visibly valuable, latest technologies and expensive jewelry, and most middle-class locals just opt for gold or silver imitations when going out.

Most crimes typical for Bangladesh are petty in nature, so expect thefts like pickpocketing or purse snatching, especially when walking near the road: many criminals work as teams on motorcycles.

The second most common crime in Bangladesh is armed robbery and the areas you should avoid are those of Gulshan and Banani in Dhaka, as they have experienced such cases.

The robbers mostly target westerners or anyone looking like them.

Avoid moving from place to place in a rickshaw, CNG or a taxi, especially at night, as they are particular targets when it comes to gunpoint robberies.

In general, avoid public transportation when alone.

• How Does Bangladesh Compare?
• Useful Information

Many countries do need a visa to enter Bangladesh. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Bangladesh. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.

Bangladeshi taka is the official currency in Bangladesh. You can find ATMs that accept foreign cards in most big towns and cities, but not in smaller towns, at least not many. Bear in mind that whenever you take money out of an ATM using your foreign card, you will have to pay a convenience fee of a few hundred taka.

The climate in Bangladesh is subtropical monsoon climate that, depending on the season, varies in rainfall, high temperatures and humidity. Generally speaking, Bangladesh has three distinct seasons: a hot, humid summer that lasts from March to June; a cool, rainy monsoon season from June to October, and a cool and dry winter from October to March.

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, formerly known as Zia International Airport, is the largest airport in Bangladesh. It is located in Kurmitola in northern Dhaka.

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Bangladesh, since it covers not only the costs medical problems, but also theft and loss of valuables.

Bangladesh Weather Averages (Temperatures)

• Average High/Low Temperature

Bangladesh - Safety by City

• Where to Next?

15 Reviews on Bangladesh

Safer than the us.

Weird that the website states one of the safest areas of the capital as a place to avoid. The Gulshan/Banani/Baridhara area is the diplomatic zone under 24/7 security and surveillance. Use common sense, stay in populated areas and have a guide if traveling off trail.

What a shithole

Terrible place with the worse slums i’ve ever seen

More safe then US

What an a**hole! These poor slum dwellers in that country and elsewhere are the ones who are forced to work overtime in health hazardous conditions by companies from so called “civilized*, rich” west.

Safest than so called Ultra- modern, racist, Terrorist USA…

Bubbled mind

Have you ever seen a luxury 5 star slum anywhere on the planet?

Come out of your bubble world and have some empathy who struggle to feed their family a healthy diet.

I agree mate went here and was traumotised from the experiience ive had it doesnt even comppare to my house in Yemen, would not return i wud raher be in a gulf war

Safer than US and UK

Those who wrote the article have 0 ideas. Gulshan and Banani is a diplomatic zone and the safest area in Bangladesh with 24/7 armed security.

Yes, there is theft, snatching and scam possibility like other countries but it’s safe than many countries in the world.

Go tell the relatives of the bakery shooting and pf the italian jogger in Gulshan! Take a walk around in darker areas of Banani and Gulshan themselves (let alone suburban areas or Chittagong!)…then come back and let us know if it’s safer than UK or US’s Gulshan correspondent areas (diplomatic rich western like downtown)

Overall risk: Nil

This rating is totally shit. They exaggerated some small issues. Terrorists attacks also happening in Europe. Some small crime like theft and robbery happens but that are now rare and they never target foreigners because law enforcers are much more serious about foreigners than local. I never heard of armed robbery in my last 10 years. Bangladesh is poor and densely populated. People are helpful and extremely curious about foreigners, because they don’t see foreigners everyday life (maybe in whole life)

Safer than european countries

The local law enforcement personnel’s are much active and people are also very much friendly. No petty crime detected in my watch.

Bangladesh is absolutely a naturally beautiful country

There are many historical & famous places in this country. It’s one of the most densely populated countries in the world 🌍.

But It is a great Muslim-oriented county. All the people follow the peace rules of religion. But poverty, indiscipline, corruption is a bitter side of this country. But most of the citizens of this country are absolutely friendly, helpful, well behaved, civilized, gentle, polite & humane.

Basically, they simply sacrifice their own life for sake of others. Especially they are very hostile. Hostility is one of the traditions of this country. People are curious about foreigners. As western so-called ultra boost countries.

Muslim people always believe in society and family rules of religion.

Nicest People

Been there many times. What makes Bangladesh so unique is not the country but its the people. Warm welcome and such hospitality. Always!

Always felt safe and welcome

Incredibly country, extremely safe. I travelled there solo for 3 weeks, the people could not have been nicer or more helpful – couldn’t recommend more!

You have no idea on what you are talking about. Gulshan, Banani & Baridhara are one of the most secured and safest areas in the city even for the local people, let alone foreigners. There has been only one single isolated incident in history in that zone when a group of young gun men took over a cafe. And because of that incident the security of already a secured area has been tightened.

Foreigners has seldom been a victim of mugging or any other crime not just in that area but in the whole country as a general.

The only disadvantages for a new foreigners would be their bargaining skills at local markets (usually for local people) and annoyance of getting too much attention (like a celebrity)

Watch YouTube travel vlogs on Bangladesh and you will see that how wrong is the article.

Bad side about this country is that there is lots of crimes here. But people are very friendly and welcoming.

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Can ousted PM Sheikh Hasina be extradited from India to Bangladesh?

Bangladesh’s interim government is considering an extradition request to India for Sheikh Hasina over several cases including murder accusations. However, do the two nations have an extradition treaty in place? Will New Delhi heed Dhaka’s call if such an appeal is made? read more

Nearly a fortnight ago, Bangladesh’s politics changed when anti-government protests forced Sheikh Hasina to resign as prime minister and flee the country, making her way to India. Since then, an interim government under the leadership of Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has been set up.

Now, it seems that Bangladesh may demand Hasina’s extradition from India with the country’s de-facto foreign minister Mohammad Touhid Hossain saying on Thursday (August 15) that the government will “soon enough decide on the same”.

But what is extradition? Can Sheikh Hasina be extradited? We explore all of this and get you the answers.

Hasina’s likely extradition

On Thursday (August 15), which is marked as National Mourning Day in Bangladesh, the country’s foreign affairs adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain, speaking to news agency Reuters , said that the government will decide whether to ask India to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is facing numerous cases at home.

In an interview, he said he did not want to speculate, but noted that Hasina was facing “so many cases”. If the country’s home and law ministries decided, “we have to ask for her… return to Bangladesh,” he said.

“That creates an embarrassing situation for the Indian government,” he said, adding India “knows this and I am sure they will take care of it”.

The news of Hasina’s possible extradition comes after she bolted from the country on August 5, facing angry protesters. In the time that she has left, multiple cases have been filed against her. On August 13, a murder case was filed against the former Bangladesh PM for her alleged involvement in the death of grocery shop owner Abu Sayeed, who was killed in a police shooting on July 19. This was the first legal action against Sheikh Hasina since her resignation from the Prime Minister’s office on August 5.

Later, on August 14, a case of enforced disappearance was filed against her and several others, including former ministers of her Cabinet, on the charge of kidnapping a lawyer in 2015. According to a Daily Star report, the application was filed by the victim — Supreme Court lawyer Sohel Rana.

His application, as per the report, said: “On 10 February 2015, I was detained from Sector 5 in Uttara and forced into a vehicle. As soon as I was inside the car, I was nearly made unconscious by electric shocks to my ears and genitals.

“After enduring various forms of brutal torture over time, I was eventually released in August in Godagari, Rajshahi.”

And on August 15, Ataur Rahman, deputy director of the investigation cell of International Crimes Tribunal, a domestic court, said it had launched a third case — an investigation against 10 people, including Hasina, for murder, torture and genocide during the period of the protests.

The case comes after a Supreme Court lawyer filed the case on behalf of Bulbul Kabir, father of slain Arif Ahmed Siyam, a class 9 student who was shot dead by police during the protest on August 5.

Extradition explained

Facing a slew of cases back home, the Bangladesh government may ask for her extradition from India. But what does extradition mean?

Extradition is the formal process of a state surrendering an individual to another state for prosecution or punishment for crimes committed in the requesting country’s jurisdiction. For this, countries sign extradition treaties with one another to facilitate this process.

Extradition treaties between countries vary from one another; some may state what is an extraditable crime. Moreover, treaties also define instances when extradition is to be denied. As the Council on Foreign Relations notes, authorities generally cannot extradite individuals for military or political offences, with exceptions for terrorism and other violent acts. Some states will not extradite to jurisdictions with capital punishment or life imprisonment under any circumstances, or unless the requesting authority pledges not to impose those penalties.

India-Bangladesh extradition treaty

But can Hasina be extradited from India to Bangladesh? And if yes, what’s the process?

New Delhi and Dhaka have an extradition treaty in place since 2013, which allows the countries to exchange convicts or undertrials as and when required. In 2016, there was an amendment added to the treaty, allowing the exchange of convicts sentenced for more than a year in prison but does not apply to political prisoners and asylum seekers.

For Bangladesh to request for Hasina’s extradition, it will have to approach the Indian government, namely the Ministry of External Affairs, which is the central authority in extradition matters.

However, top Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader and former Cabinet minister Abdul Moyeen Khan said that the extradition treaty between the two countries may not be applicable to Hasina’s case. That’s because the agreement between New Delhi and Dhaka doesn’t extend in the case of political asylum seekers.

He told the Indian Express that the government of India hasn’t yet made its position clear on how and on what basis Sheikh Hasina, who fled from Bangladesh, has been accommodated in India .

He told the Indian Express , “It is obvious to the people of Bangladesh that she is probably going to stay for the time being in India. It’s now up to the Indian authorities, the policymakers, the politicians and their foreign ministry to appreciate the circumstances under which she had to leave the country, and whether patronising her and allowing her to make statements which go against the people of Bangladesh would be helpful for the friendly relations between India and Bangladesh.”

In a CNA interview, professor Sreeradha Datta from the Jindal School of International Affairs also noted that it is up to New Delhi now to consider Dhaka’s request based on the charges that the country imposes on her.

Implications for India

The question that many are now asking is will India extradite Hasina if a request is made? India and Sheikh Hasina share old ties — she had sought refuge in India in 1975 after soldiers assassinated her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with seven family members including his 10-year-old son Russell. India had provided political asylum to Hasina. Then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi met her soon after she returned from Germany and assured her safety, providing her house. In the subsequent years, she has maintained ties with India and the Narendra Modi-led government.

While India has old ties to keep in mind, it also has to remember that it needs to maintain good relations with the current administration in Bangladesh in order to maintain its position in the region. Moreover, it will stoke stronger anti-India sentiments in Bangladesh.

As experts note, India will have to walk a tightrope between old friends and its future in the region. But for now, the future remains uncertain for Hasina.

With inputs from agencies

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Palm Beach County tourism is booming and bed tax is generating record amounts of revenue

Concerns have been raised whether the ever increasing number of short-term vacation rentals are contributing to the county's housing affordability problem..

• Palm Beach County's booming tourist economy is generating record amounts of bed tax revenue.
• The current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, is on pace to set another record high.
• The demand for rooms has allowed hotel operators to increase daily rates.

Palm Beach County’s booming tourist economy is generating record amounts of bed tax revenue, ensuring the county has money to pay off Convention Center and baseball stadium bonds on schedule, preserve beaches and market the region as a premier destination area.

With the tourism industry ravaged by COVID in 2020, bed tax collections fell to $43.3 million, a crushing decrease of more than 20% from pre-COVID 2019. But the industry has since fully recovered, setting a bed-tax record in fiscal year 2022 when nearly $78 million was collected and in 2023, another all-time high was set at $84.2 million, nearly double the COVID numbers.

The current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, is on pace to set another record high. Collections are expected to be near $87 million. More than 9.5 million tourists visited Palm Beach County in fiscal year 2023, and more than 2,000 hotel rooms have been added to the county’s inventory since 2019.

“Tourism has always been a vital part of the county’s economy,” said Emanuel Perry, executive director of the Tourist Development Council (TDC), which oversees the bed-tax program. “With COVID, we faced unprecedented challenges but we have made a full recovery and then some.”

How does a tourist tax work in Palm Beach County?

Tourists pay a 6% bed tax on overnight stays of less than six months. They include stays at hotels, condominiums, rooming houses, mobile home parks and recreational vehicle parks.

A third of the bed tax funds are used to pay off the debt of the county's two baseball stadiums (Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter and CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach) and the Palm Beach County Convention Center. The remainder pays for tourist promotion by Discover the Palm Beaches, the county's tourism marketing agency.

The bed tax also pays for beach restoration, cultural and fine arts programs, the film commission and major sporting events. Perry said the purpose of the bed tax is to make Palm Beach County “a globally recognized destination that all travelers will want to visit because of its culture lifestyle and amenities.”

To further enhance tourism in the coming years, a tourism master plan is being developed to identify additional attractions. It is expected to be completed next year.

Tourism tax began in 1982 in Palm Beach County at 1%

The tourism tax was first levied in 1982 with a 1% tax. It gradually increased until 2015 when it reached 6%, the maximum permitted by state law. Only 10 other Florida counties have a 6% bed tax. Since the 6% rate was imposed in 2015, the amount collected has more than doubled.

The demand for rooms has allowed hotel operators to increase daily rates. They averaged $246 in fiscal year 2023, an increase of 37% from the pre-COVID year of 2019. Hotel revenue has soared to $1.2 billion, an increase of 47% from fiscal year 2019. Room nights totaled 4.8 million, an increase of 10%, and since 2019, non-hotel revenue has nearly tripled to $228 million.

Fueling much of the overnight stays are the county's two minor-league baseball facilities. The Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals train at Roger Dean; the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals train at CACTI Park, making Palm Beach County one of the spring training destinations in Florida. Minor league teams play in Jupiter as well.

Palm Beach County was home to one out of every four spring training games in Florida during the 2023 Major League Baseball spring training season. More than 237,000 people attended spring training games at the two stadiums, and more than half were non-residents, according to an economic impact report prepared for the county's Sports Commission. The spring training games alone accounted for 55,300 room nights. Houston, St. Louis and Washington are major travel markets for Florida.

The two baseball stadiums are used throughout the year to host scores of amateur baseball events. The multi-purpose fields are also used for soccer, lacrosse, rugby, field hockey, flag and tackle football. In fiscal year 2023, nearly 200 sporting events generated more than 300,000 room nights, representing about 10% of all room nights sold that year. The events are responsible for nearly one million sports visitors coming to Palm Beach County that sleep in hotels, utilize county facilities and patronize area restaurants, according to the Sports Commission.

Can too much tourism be a negative for Palm Beach County?

Several European destination markets are struggling to cope with overtourism. There is pushback against tourism in Barcelona in Spain and Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Protestors in both cities are concerned about how tourism is impacting housing affordability.

In Barcelona, protesters recently fired water pistols at unsuspecting tourists, chasing them from outdoor restaurants. They chanted "tourists go home," calling for a freeze on short-term rentals. Amsterdam is looking to ban cruise ships as part of a "stay away" campaign; Venice did so in 2021.

Could it happen here? Probably not said Ken H. Johnson , a real estate economist at Florida Atlantic University, but it is something that needs to be closely watched.

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"There is no question," he said, "that short-term rentals, such as those listed on Airbnb and similar websites, keep units out of an already-depleted housing stock. It is that much less units available for our year-round residents to rent. As a state, we need to realize that the current rental crisis is hurting our economic growth potential and making it increasingly difficult for service workers to live within reasonable distances of their jobs."

A check on the VRBO vacation rental web site on Aug. 2 showed that nearly 6,000 units were available for rent in December in Palm Beach County. The owner of a two-bedroom unit was asking $10,000 for the month of December 2024.

Johnson said in many cases it makes more sense for an owner to rent short-term than year-round but with the economy contracting, he said he believes more rentals will return to the year-round market.

Perry said Palm Beach County is not anywhere close to the "overtourism" that has occurred in Europe but added: "We have to strike a balance that attracts visitors, while also enriching the lives of our residents. The purpose of the master plan is to identify attractions that won't impact our residents.”

As for future years, Perry said fiscal year 2025 might be flat but he expects 2026 to be very strong as the county will benefit from World Cup matches at Hard Rock Stadium that will host seven soccer events, including the bronze final match.

Mike Diamond is a journalist at  The Palm Beach Post , part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government. You can reach him at  [email protected] . Help support local journalism.  Subscribe today.

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

Ex-Bangladesh PM Hasina demands probe into protest ‘killings and vandalism’

Hasina’s statement comes hours after a court orders probe into her role in the death of a grocery shop owner during the protests.

Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for action against those involved in “killings and vandalism” in the country last month, her first comments since violent protests forced her to flee to India.

More than 300 people died in the demonstrations that began as student-led protests against quotas in government jobs spiralled into a larger movement seeking Hasina’s overthrow.

Keep reading

Bangladesh court orders probe in murder case against ex-pm sheikh hasina, what does sheikh hasina’s resignation mean for india-bangladesh relations, will yunus-led interim government bring bangladesh out of its ‘dark era’, after hasina: cautious optimism for bangladesh’s future.

Hasina’s written statement, issued on X on Tuesday through her United States-based son, came hours after a court ordered a probe into her role in the death of a grocery shop owner during the protests.

Many people died “in the name of revolution” in July, Hasina, 76, said.

“I demand that those involved in these killings and vandalism be properly investigated and the culprits be identified and punished accordingly,” she said.

The deposed Bangladeshi leader also urged her supporters to appear in public in the capital Dhaka on Thursday to mark the anniversary of her father’s assassination.

“I appeal to you to observe the National Day of Mourning on August 15 with due respect and solemnity,” she said in the statement.

Thursday marks the anniversary of the 1975 assassination of her father, independence hero Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, during a military coup – a date her government had declared a national holiday.

Hasina asked supporters to “pray for the salvation of all souls by offering floral garlands and praying” at her childhood home in Dhaka. The landmark was until recently a museum to her father, but it was torched and vandalised by a mob hours after her fall.

The caretaker administration now running Bangladesh said earlier on Tuesday it had cancelled observance of the politically-charged holiday.

The murder case against Hasina – the first following the protests – was accepted by Dhaka’s chief metropolitan magistrate’s court after a hearing and the police have been ordered to investigate.

Six others accused in the case include Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of Hasina’s Awami League party, former Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and senior police officials.

Prosecutors said grocer Abu Saeed was hit by a bullet while crossing the street on July 19 as police fired on protesters in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area.

The complainant blamed Hasina, who had called for strong action to quell the violence, for the shooting.

Lawyer Amir Hamza said he was not related to Saeed but approached the court because Saeed’s family could not afford to file the case.

“I am the first ordinary citizen who showed the courage to take this legal step against Sheikh Hasina for her crimes. I will see the case to an end,” Hamza told the Reuters news agency.

Other members of her government also face criminal action, with former Law Minister Anisul Huq and Hasina’s adviser Salman F Rahman arrested for allegedly “instigating” the murder of two people, police said on Tuesday.

Bangladeshi student leader Nahid Islam, now part of the interim government, said recently that Hasina must face trial for the killings during her term.

Hasina plans to return to Bangladesh when the caretaker government decides on holding elections, her son has said.

The mpox strain spreading now is different from the one in 2022: Here's what to know

The World Health Organization’s decision to declare mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years may seem like déjà vu — but there are key differences between the strain that’s causing international concern now and the one that spread in 2022.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral infection characterized by painful lesions. It’s spread by direct contact with an infected person, animal or contaminated items like clothing or bedding.

The virus is classified into two distinct groups: clade I and clade II. 

Clade II was responsible for the 2022 outbreak, which has led to around 100,000 cases worldwide . 

But now, a version of clade I has spread internationally. The outbreak started in January 2023 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and has since reached 12 other countries in the region.

On Thursday, Sweden confirmed the first known infection of clade I outside Africa , though Swedish health officials said the person was infected while spending time in Africa. Health authorities in Pakistan also confirmed a case of mpox on Friday but have not identified the strain yet. 

Clade I is more transmissible than clade II and capable of being more severe, so infectious disease experts are concerned about further international spread.

“We should have learned a lesson from 2022 that an infection anywhere is potentially an infection everywhere,” said Anne Rimoin, an epidemiology professor at the University of California, Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health.

How does this version of mpox spread?

Mpox has historically spread in a few ways. The first is through close, personal contact with an infected person, such as skin-to-skin contact with rashes or with saliva or mucus. The second is via contact with contaminated materials. And the third is contact with infected animals: hunting, trapping or cooking them, touching sick rodents or getting bitten or scratched. 

In 2022, the version of clade II that spread globally, dubbed clade IIb, was passed primarily through sexual contact, particularly among men who have sex with men.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo recently, clade Ib has also been spreading through sexual contact among female sex workers and men who have sex with men. Research that hasn’t yet been published or peer reviewed linked an outbreak in an eastern mining town in Congo to professional sex work in bars.

But that’s not the only way the virus is being transmitted. Dr. Stuart Isaacs, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, said much of the spread of clade I could be due to exposure to animals and transmission within households, but limited surveillance in the regions where the virus is make it difficult to know for sure. 

Isaacs said there’s early evidence that clade Ib has certain “properties that are allowing it to spread more readily person to person.”

How severe are the recent cases?

In the past, outbreaks of clade I have been deadlier than clade 2, killing up to 10% of people who got sick . But more recent outbreaks have had lower death rates. Out of an estimated 22,000 cases in this outbreak in Congo , more than 1,200 people have died — which puts the fatality rate at just above 5%. 

By comparison, clade II outbreaks in Africa have generally had a mortality rate of around 1%, and just 0.2% of cases linked to the 2022 global outbreak were fatal.

Rimoin said the disease’s severity “can have less to do with the actual clade and more to do with route of transmission, the immune system of the individual, the source of the infection.” 

The threat in the U.S. could be milder than in Africa, according to Marc Siegel, an associate professor of medicine at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

“The underlying health conditions of the population in the DRC are probably contributing to the current case fatality rate,” he said, using the acronym for the Democratic Republic of Congo. “With less malnutrition and better access to health care resources, I would imagine that the case fatality rate will not be as high as we’re seeing in the DRC.”

Vaccines for mpox are also widely available in the U.S., following a major rollout effort in 2022. Two doses of the mpox vaccine or a previous clade II infection should protect against severe illness from clade I, the Department of Health and Human Service said Wednesday.

Do mpox symptoms differ between the clades?

Symptoms of the two mpox clades can be difficult to distinguish from each other.

The illness generally starts with a rash that progresses to small bumps on the skin, followed by blisters that fill with whitish fluid — a hallmark of the disease — and eventually scab over. People may also experience a fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.

These symptoms often disappear on their own within a few weeks. But in severe cases, people may develop larger, more widespread lesions, secondary bacterial infections, pneumonia, heart inflammation or swelling of the brain. Immunocompromised people may develop atypical symptoms and have a greater risk of hospitalization and death. 

Historically, mpox lesions have tended to appear on the face, chest, palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. But during the 2022 outbreak, people frequently developed lesions around the genital and anal region or inside the mouth and throat, presumably because of how the virus was spreading at the time . The lesions were also fewer in number and less pronounced overall.

Some cases of this nature have also been detected in the current outbreak in Congo. 

“There is talk that there are more people that have lesions around the genitals this time around than previous clade I outbreaks,” said Amira Albert Roess, a professor of global health and epidemiology at George Mason University. “It’s going to take us some time to really understand what may be going on here.”

Aria Bendix is the breaking health reporter for NBC News Digital.

Mob violence in Bangladesh after Hasina’s ouster stirs fear within the country’s Hindu minority

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When a mass uprising forced Bangladesh’s longtime prime minister to step down and flee the country last week, a 65-year-old retired auditor who had worked for her political party feared for his life.

Arobinda Mohalder, who is part of Bangladesh’s Hindu minority, had just learned that a Hindu official working for the Awami League party in the country’s Khulna district was forced to flee his home when an angry mob set it on fire.

Mohalder and his wife quickly packed their clothes and passports and left their home to stay with a relative nearby. Later that evening, they found out their home had also been torched. The attackers first stole almost everything inside, including their television, refrigerator and two air conditioners.

Ever since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India , her supporters and associates have faced retaliatory attacks by mobs who have been met by little, if any, resistance from authorities. Members of the country’s Hindu minority feel the most vulnerable because they have traditionally backed the Awami League — seen as a secular party in the Muslim-majority nation — and because of a history of violence against them during previous upheavals.

World & Nation

Bangladesh’s prime minister resigns and flees country as unrest widens

Bangladesh’s prime minister has resigned and fled the country, after weeks of protests against a quota system for government jobs descended into violence.

Aug. 5, 2024

Since Hasina was ousted on Aug. 5, there have been hundreds of attacks against Hindus and other religious minorities across much of the country, according to the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, a minority rights group that has been tracking incidents.

But experts caution it is hard to establish the extent of and motivations for the violence in this South Asian country of 170 million.

“There may be an element of minorities, particularly Hindus, being targeted due to their faith. But many Hindus had links to the Awami League, because historically it has been the party that protected minorities, so they may have been targeted for their political affiliations,” said Thomas Kean, a senior consultant on Bangladesh and Myanmar at the Crisis Group.

Hasina’s ouster was triggered by student-led protests against a quota system for government jobs. After clashes between protesters and government forces that led to hundreds of deaths , the movement grew into a broader rebellion against the leader and her government.

Bangladesh mourns some 200 deaths as student protests wind down and thousands are arrested

Bangladesh is observing a day of mourning in memory of more than 200 people killed in recent weeks during student protests.

July 30, 2024

Mobs rampaged across the country after Hasina fled. Some of the violence was just criminal activity, Kean said, and “we shouldn’t assume they are all due to race or religion.”

The interim government put in place after Hasina’s ouster has condemned the attacks as “heinous” and said it was working with community leaders to ensure Hindus’ safety.

Hindus, who make up 8% of the population and are the largest minority group, “are shivering,” said Kajal Debnath, a vice president of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council. “They are closing their doors; they are not opening it without confirming who is knocking. Everybody [in the Hindu minority] … from the Dhaka capital to the remote villages are very scared.”

For many, the violence has evoked painful memories of Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence against Pakistan during which Hindus were targeted. Hindus were also attacked during the rise of Islamic groups in the 1990s, which Hasina stamped out.

Hindus have held large protests in the last week drawing thousands, demanding protection and condemning the recent spate of attacks.

Munni Ghosh, a Hindu housewife in Dhaka, said that attacks have grown since Hasina fled. “The reason is because she used to support us,” she said.

According to the minority groups organization, the attacks have included vandalizing and robbing of Hindu homes and businesses. A few temples have been damaged.

Details remain scarce, and police — whose members were also killed during recent violence — went on strike last week.

Some analysts say many of the attacks against Hindus are politically driven and reflect resentment against Hasina’s party.

Hindus have suffered, but most attacks have been “politically motivated because the Awami League has been targeted,” said Zillur Rahman, executive director of the Dhaka-based Center for Governance Studies.

In Mohalder’s village, dozens of other Hindu homes were unscathed. And his brother-in-law’s house, which is attached to his own, was not vandalized. A temple in their family compound was also untouched.

Mohalder believes he was targeted because of his ties to the Awami League. He doesn’t know when it will be safe for him to return home. “I want to go back, but goons looted my home, and because of that, I am scared.”

The issue has become increasingly sensitive for India, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern Thursday over attacks.

A lack of investigations is fueling misinformation about the attacks, much of it coming from Indian news, social media and leaders, said Kean.

On Aug. 5, the day Hasina fled, a leader belonging to Modi’s party in West Bengal state, which borders Bangladesh, claimed without providing evidence that Hindus were being slaughtered. Television news channels ran headlines saying the attacks were “an act of genocide” and a “pogrom.” In another example, an Indian outlet claimed a temple had been set on fire, but Prothom Alo — a leading Bengali-language daily newspaper — found that was false, and reported that an Awami League office behind the temple had been burnt down.

Nahid Islam, one of the leading student protesters who was sworn in as a minister in the interim government last week, said the violence was more politically than religiously motivated and was meant to divide the country, but that the government would protect them.

“The responsible will be brought to justice. ... Be assured that the people of Bangladesh, the government of Bangladesh will stand by you.”

But for many Hindus, the biggest worry has been the lack of police since they went on strike in many parts of the country after Hasina fled.

“Anything can happen at any moment of time because there is no law and order,” Debnath said. “There is no place to complain. If they kill me, if they burn my house, there is no one I can complain to.”

This week, several police stations reopened and many people hope that will help ease tensions.

But while police were on strike, students and other volunteers in Dhaka and elsewhere banded together to patrol neighborhoods and keep watch, sometimes carrying sticks and umbrellas.

Tahsim Uzzaman, a 26-year-old student in Dhaka, is one volunteer who has been patrolling neighborhoods in the capital late at night.

“I no longer feel all right just sitting at home. I’ve been going out at night to guard places, especially in minority neighborhoods. We took bullets to reclaim our country. It shouldn’t be for nothing; we must now keep it safe for all,” he said.

Associated Press writers Garjon reported from Khulna, Bangladesh, and Pathi and Ganguly from Dhaka.

More to Read

What to know as India’s medical workers strike over the the rape and killing of a trainee doctor

Aug. 17, 2024

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus sworn in as Bangladesh’s interim leader after unrest

Aug. 8, 2024

Anti-government protests leave nearly 100 reported dead, hundreds more injured in Bangladesh

Aug. 4, 2024

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