Asia > Bangladesh

Tropical and sub-tropical, the country’s climate divides the year into three large seasons: A wet season, the monsoons, which last from May to October; a cooler season between October and February where the temperatures are around 21°C; and the dry season between March to May when rain is rare and temperatures are around 30°C.

Hurricanes are possible around May and June as well as October and November.

The cool season is the best time to discover the country from the point of view of comfort.

The monsoon season can bring rather heavy rainfall at times making travel in certain areas impossible.

Still not a touristic destination, Bangladesh is definitely a place to discover before the others get here.

Dhaka, the Capital, beside the River Buriranga, dates back to the Mongolian era. You will be spellbound by the pink baroque palace, enthralled by the Lalbagh Fort, the National Museum, the Hussain Dalan Mosque and the multitude of rickshaws of all kinds that weave their way through the town.

Chittagong, by the River Karnapuli, has various monuments and buildings worthy of your interest; mosques, an ethnological museum and the area of Fairy Hill where you will discover fantastic panoramas.

Around 60 kilometres away are the Chittagong Hill Tracts, These are valleys covered by a deep jungle and populated by Buddhist tribes - please note you cannot access all these areas. Places you should visit are the Kaptai Lake and its fishing villages. Continue to the huge beach at Cox’Bazar close to Myanmar (previously known as Burma) which is the only sea resort in the country.
Another place not to be missed is the Somapuri Vihara Monastery dating back to the 8th Century, the most outstanding archaeological site of Bangladesh that extends across 11 hectares.

Finally, the Sundarbans National Park is the largest mangrove on the planet and constitutes a protected wildlife reserve: Bengali Tigers, Spotted Deer, living alongside the fisherman that make use of tamed otters to fish, populating this sanctuary that you can only visit if you purchase a permit and are accompanied by a guide.

The simplest way to get there is by plane, arriving in Dhaka via Bangkok or Calcutta.
A visa is required.

The currency in circulation here is the Taka. The budget required is fairly low but conditions and the degree of comfort can sometimes be a little limited. An average meal will cost less than €5 and a room with bathroom can be found for €10.

Sanitary conditions require certain precautions, in particular against malaria and Dengue fever. You should avoid drinking tap water.

Interior transport is relatively inexpensive, even by airplane. The train is fairly practical although travel arrangements can become complicated in certain areas. Travel by boat is often called for with certain destinations. In the towns, the use of rickshaws is common.

Before deciding on this country as a touristic destination, you should keep in mind that natural disasters and the political situation here have made this country one of the poorest in the world.