Planning to travel to Bangladesh? This is the most comprehensive guide to backpacking in Bangladesh on the interwebs, so you’ve come to the right place. If you’re not a backpacker, no worries—this Bangladesh travel guide is useful for everyone!
Why travel to Bangladesh?
Few people consider to travel to Bangladesh for their next vacation, but the small country is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on even the most experienced travelers.
I could ramble on about the country’s infinite serene waterways, rich Bengali cuisine, or vibrant tropical landscapes, but they’re trivial in the grand scheme of things—people are Bangladesh’s best asset.
Bangladeshis are some of the most hospitable people on earth. Their endless curiosity and willingness to help a foreign guest never ceases to amaze. Your time traveling in Bangladesh will be full of invitations for tea, requests to dine at people’s homes, and conversations both simple and deep about your respective countries. In my opinion, the people are the only reason you need to visit Bangladesh.
Now for the dark side: because Bangladesh is one of the least visited countries on earth, there’s misinformation abounds when it comes to travel in Bangladesh. From poorly translated—and outdated—price lists, to schedules only revealed by asking others, to claims by locals that pirates will kidnap you if you visit certain cities (no, really), traveling in Bangladesh can be a massive headache.
During the six weeks I backpacked in Bangladesh, a lot of time was wasted simply figuring out what or how to do what I wanted to do. There’s no reason you should do the same!
To ensure your adventures in Bangladesh are slightly smoother than mine were, here’s a guide to traveling in Bangladesh, with everything you need to plan your travels to Bangladesh.
<p style=”text-align: center;”>Lost With Purpose’s Bangladesh travel guide</p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”>Bangladesh basics</p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”>National language: Bangla</p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”>Currency: Bangladeshi taka</p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”>Population: 163,000,000+</p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”>Capital city: Dhaka</p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”> </p>
When is the best time to visit Bangladesh?
Sitting on the coast of the Bay of Bengal, close to the Indian Ocean, Bangladesh is a tropical country, to say the least. Though you’ll find some hills, most of the country is pancake-flat, excellent for frying on the griddle roasting in the sun.
Monsoon arrives around May or June and runs until September, during which much of the country is submerged. Though some Bangladeshis enjoy the monsoon season, it is not the best time for a traveler to explore the country. Roads flood, launch journeys take longer due to strong currents, and mosquitoes run rampant. Yum.
Unless you have a strong fondness for aquatic struggles (or malaria), I recommend waiting until monsoon is over to embark on your Bangladesh adventure. If you travel during monsoon make sure to come prepared.
If you want to avoid roasting, the winter season of October to March is the best time to travel to Bangladesh. Monsoon rains and changing seasons cool the air by October, and the floodwaters will recede.
“Winter” in Bangladesh brings clear skies and lower temperatures—think an average of 20-25°C (68-77°F) around the country—though the temperature has dropped to as low as 2°C in the capital. Yay climate change!
Summer arrives by late March/early April. Expect unpleasantly humid heat and temperatures in the 30-40°C (86-104°F) range… or higher, given our planet’s current condition.
If traveling Bangladesh in summer, drink plenty of water, and prepare to sweat.
