BangladeshTravel Tips

Typical weather seasons by month.

When the city is peak, balanced, or quieter.

Typical monthly AQI index trends.

What to know before drinking water, eating street food, or dining out.

• Drink sealed bottled water; check the cap seal before paying.
• Choose busy kitchens where rice, lentils, fish, chicken, and vegetables are cooked fresh.
• Avoid raw salads, cut fruit, and ice outside higher-end hotels or vetted cafes.
• Street tea is usually safe when served boiling hot; fresh juice is riskier.

Common scams and safety precautions during your stay.

• Dhaka traffic is the main daily risk; build wide buffers before flights and trains.
• Use ride-hail apps or hotel-arranged cars after dark, especially with luggage.
• Negotiate rickshaw fares before boarding unless using an app-based option.
• Keep phones away from open vehicle windows in congested areas.
• Guides at busy sites can be persistent; agree on price and scope before walking.

Respectful behavior for temples, neighborhoods, and restaurants.

• Dress lightly but conservatively; covered shoulders and knees work everywhere.
• Use your right hand for giving money, food, or documents.
• Remove shoes before entering homes and many sacred or private interiors.
• Public affection reads poorly outside international hotel settings.
• Ask before photographing people, especially women, workers, and security sites.

Plugs, voltage, and electrical charging standards.

Tipping customs for dining, taxis, and services.

• Tipping is appreciated, not automatic.
• In better restaurants, add 5-10% if service is not already included.
• Round up for porters, drivers, and boat staff when service is clean and punctual.
• For private guides, tip only when they add real access, translation, or time discipline.

Essential local laws and regulations to respect.

• Carry passport identification when taking domestic flights, trains, or ferries.
• Drones require formal permission and are a poor idea near bridges, ports, airports, and government zones.
• Do not photograph military, police, port, or border infrastructure.
• Alcohol service is limited and mostly hotel-based; do not assume availability outside international properties.
• Traffic enforcement is inconsistent, so defensive walking matters more than right of way.

Health advice for climate, insects, and well-being.

• Use strong mosquito protection year-round, especially around dusk and after rain.
• Heat exhaustion is common from March to September; schedule walks early and hydrate aggressively.
• Private clinics in Dhaka and Chattogram are better equipped than rural facilities.
• Pack oral rehydration salts and basic stomach medication; pharmacy quality varies.
• For the Sundarbans and river travel, carry personal medication in waterproof bags.

Simple local phrases that help with greetings and polite conversation.

Useful phrases for shopping, bills, and price negotiations.

Phrases for dietary preferences, vegetarian choices, and water.

Polite ways to decline offers, transport, or street vendors.

Directions for finding toilets, basic shopping, and asking help.

Emergency calls, hospitals, and help phrases in the local language.