Bangladesh Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Bangladesh.
Healthcare System
Bangladesh has a mixed healthcare system with public hospitals, private clinics, and international-standard facilities in major cities. The quality varies dramatically between urban centers like Dhaka and Chittagong, which have modern private hospitals, and rural areas where facilities are basic. Public hospitals are often overcrowded with limited resources, while private facilities offer better care at reasonable costs compared to Western standards.
Hospitals
International-standard hospitals in Dhaka include United Hospital, Apollo Hospitals Dhaka, Square Hospitals, and Evercare Hospital. These facilities have English-speaking staff, modern equipment, and can handle most medical emergencies. They require upfront payment or insurance guarantees. Outside Dhaka and Chittagong, quality decreases significantly.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are widely available in cities and towns, often staying open late. Many medications available by prescription-only in Western countries can be purchased over-the-counter. However, counterfeit medications are a concern; use reputable pharmacies in major hospitals or established chains. Bring sufficient supplies of any essential medications as specific brands may be unavailable.
Insurance
Travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage and emergency evacuation is strongly recommended and often required by quality hospitals before treatment. Ensure coverage includes evacuation to Thailand or Singapore for serious medical issues. Most facilities require payment upfront before treatment.
Healthcare Tips
- Bring a comprehensive first-aid kit and sufficient supplies of prescription medications with copies of prescriptions
- Drink only bottled or purified water; avoid ice in drinks unless from trusted sources
- Use reputable private hospitals in cities; avoid public hospitals unless absolutely necessary
- Keep contact information for your embassy and insurance provider readily accessible
- Consider vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, and ensure routine vaccinations are current
- Consult a travel medicine clinic 4-6 weeks before departure for malaria prophylaxis recommendations for certain regions
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpocketing and bag snatching occur in crowded areas, markets, public transport, and tourist sites. Thieves often work in teams to distract victims. Snatch-and-grab thefts from vehicles are also common.
Road safety is a major concern with chaotic traffic, poorly maintained vehicles, lack of traffic law enforcement, and dangerous driving practices. Pedestrians face significant risks. Road accidents are a leading cause of injury to travelers.
Political protests, strikes (hartals), and demonstrations occur periodically, particularly around elections. These can turn violent with clashes between protesters and police. Hartals can shut down transportation and businesses with little notice.
Traveler's diarrhea, typhoid, hepatitis A, and other gastrointestinal illnesses are common due to contaminated water and food. Cholera outbreaks occur periodically.
Annual monsoon rains cause severe flooding, particularly in low-lying areas and river deltas. Flooding disrupts transportation, damages infrastructure, and increases disease risk.
While uncommon, terrorist attacks have occurred, targeting foreigners, religious minorities, and secular activists. Attacks have included cafes, religious sites, and public gatherings frequented by foreigners.
Dengue fever is endemic with outbreaks during and after monsoon season. Malaria exists in some regions, particularly near the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis also occur.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Drivers quote inflated prices to foreigners or claim meters are broken. Some take unnecessarily long routes. At the destination, drivers may claim you agreed to a higher price or demand more money.
Someone approaches offering to help or practice English, then leads you to shops where they receive commission, pressures you to buy overpriced items, or eventually asks for money for their 'services' or a fabricated emergency.
Unlicensed operators offer cheap tours but provide substandard service, don't show up, or demand additional payments. Some operate from fake offices that look legitimate.
Scammers befriend tourists and convince them to buy gems, carpets, or handicrafts to 'export' for profit, claiming they'll arrange buyers. Items are overpriced and worthless, and promised buyers don't exist.
Taxi drivers claim your hotel is closed, fully booked, or has problems, then take you to another hotel where they receive commission. The alternative hotel is often overpriced and lower quality.
Criminals install devices on ATMs to capture card information and PIN numbers, later using this to withdraw money or make fraudulent purchases.
People approach tourists claiming to collect for orphanages, schools, or disaster relief, showing fake documents or photos. Money rarely reaches legitimate causes.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
General Safety
- Register with your embassy upon arrival for safety updates and emergency assistance
- Keep copies of important documents (passport, visa, insurance) separately from originals and store digital copies in cloud storage
- Share your itinerary with family or friends back home and check in regularly
- Learn basic Bengali phrases for emergencies and common situations
- Keep emergency contacts, including your embassy and insurance provider, saved in your phone and written down
- Avoid discussing politics, religion, or sensitive topics with strangers
- Be respectful of local customs and Islamic traditions, especially during Ramadan
- Trust your instincts; if a situation feels unsafe, remove yourself from it
Money and Valuables
- Use hotel safes for passports, extra cash, and valuables when not needed
- Carry only what you need for the day; leave excess cash and cards secured
- Divide money between different locations (wallet, money belt, hotel safe)
- Use ATMs inside banks during business hours rather than standalone machines
- Notify your bank of travel dates to avoid card blocks
- Carry small denominations as change can be difficult to obtain
- Be discreet when handling money; don't flash large amounts in public
- Consider using money belts or hidden pouches for important items
Transportation
- Use reputable ride-sharing apps (Uber, Pathao) instead of random taxis when available
- Avoid traveling by road at night due to poor lighting and dangerous driving
- Always wear seatbelts in vehicles; sit in the back seat of taxis
- Pre-arrange airport transfers through your hotel for arrival
- Avoid overloaded buses and boats that exceed safety capacity
- Use domestic flights for long distances when possible to avoid road risks
- Be extremely cautious crossing streets; traffic rarely yields to pedestrians
- Verify vehicle condition before long journeys and ensure proper insurance
Accommodation
- Book hotels in advance, especially during peak season and political events
- Choose accommodations in safer neighborhoods; ask for recommendations from your embassy or trusted sources
- Verify that rooms have working locks and consider using door wedges for additional security
- Keep windows and doors locked, especially at night and when leaving the room
- Know emergency exits and evacuation procedures
- Don't open doors to unexpected visitors; verify identity through hotel staff
- Use hotel safes and get receipts for deposited valuables
- Keep hotel contact cards with you to show taxi drivers and for emergencies
Food and Water
- Drink only bottled water from sealed bottles; check seals are intact
- Avoid tap water, including for brushing teeth; use bottled or purified water
- Choose busy restaurants where food turnover is high and food is freshly cooked
- Eat thoroughly cooked food served hot; avoid lukewarm buffet items
- Peel fruits yourself and avoid pre-cut fruits
- Be cautious with street food unless from vendors recommended by locals
- Avoid raw vegetables, salads, and unpasteurized dairy products
- Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer before eating
Health Precautions
- Get recommended vaccinations at least 4-6 weeks before travel
- Bring adequate supplies of prescription medications in original containers with prescriptions
- Use insect repellent and protective clothing to prevent mosquito-borne diseases
- Avoid contact with animals, including dogs and monkeys, due to rabies risk
- Seek medical attention immediately if you develop fever, especially during dengue season
- Practice sun safety with sunscreen, hats, and staying hydrated
- Avoid swimming in rivers, lakes, or ponds due to contamination and disease risk
- Consider bringing oral rehydration salts for treating traveler's diarrhea
Communication
- Purchase a local SIM card for reliable communication (Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink)
- Keep your phone charged and consider carrying a power bank
- Download offline maps before traveling to areas with poor connectivity
- Learn the address of your hotel in Bengali to show drivers
- Save important numbers in Bengali and English
- Use VPN if accessing sensitive information on public Wi-Fi
- Have translation apps downloaded for offline use
- Keep your embassy's 24-hour emergency number easily accessible
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Women travelers can visit Bangladesh safely with appropriate precautions, though solo female travelers may face additional challenges including staring, unwanted attention, and occasional harassment. Bangladesh is a conservative Muslim-majority country where women's public presence is less common in some areas. Foreign women often receive curiosity and attention, which while usually harmless, can be uncomfortable. Traveling with companions, dressing modestly, and being aware of cultural norms significantly improves the experience. Many women travel successfully through Bangladesh, particularly in tourist areas and major cities where foreigners are more common.
- Dress conservatively covering shoulders, chest, and knees; loose-fitting clothing is most appropriate and comfortable
- Consider wearing a scarf or dupatta that can be used to cover your head when visiting mosques or religious sites
- Avoid eye contact with men as it may be misinterpreted; staring is common but usually harmless curiosity
- Use women-only compartments on trains and women's sections in buses when available
- Book accommodations in reputable hotels in safe neighborhoods; read reviews from other female travelers
- Avoid traveling alone at night; use registered taxis or ride-sharing apps rather than walking
- Be firm but polite when declining unwanted attention; don't feel obligated to be overly friendly
- Consider hiring female guides when available, especially for rural or conservative areas
- Wear a wedding ring (real or fake) as married women often receive less harassment
- Keep your phone charged and share your location with trusted contacts
- Join group tours for certain activities to avoid being alone in unfamiliar areas
- Trust your instincts; if a situation feels uncomfortable, remove yourself from it
- Be prepared for frequent photo requests, especially in rural areas; it's okay to politely decline
- Avoid isolated areas, beaches, and parks, especially when alone
- Learn basic Bengali phrases for 'no,' 'go away,' and 'I need help'
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Homosexuality is illegal in Bangladesh under Section 377 of the Penal Code, a colonial-era law that criminalizes 'carnal intercourse against the order of nature' with potential penalties including life imprisonment. While prosecutions are rare, the law exists and creates legal vulnerability. There are no legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Exercise extreme discretion regarding sexual orientation and gender identity; do not discuss openly
- Avoid any public displays of affection with same-sex partners
- Do not use LGBTQ+ dating apps or websites, as they may pose security risks
- Be aware that same-gender friends commonly show platonic affection (hand-holding, arms around shoulders) which is not interpreted as romantic
- Research LGBTQ+-friendly accommodations in advance if traveling as a couple; book rooms discreetly
- Consider traveling as 'friends' or 'colleagues' rather than identifying as a couple
- Be cautious about sharing personal information with strangers
- Have a cover story prepared if questioned about relationships or marital status
- Avoid LGBTQ+-related clothing, accessories, or symbols that might identify you
- Know your embassy's contact information in case of legal issues
- Be aware that local laws apply to all visitors regardless of home country laws
- Consider whether travel to Bangladesh is necessary given the legal and social climate
- Connect with international LGBTQ+ travel resources for updated information and support
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is essential for visiting Bangladesh and is often required by quality hospitals before providing treatment. The country's healthcare system varies dramatically in quality, and serious medical issues may require expensive emergency evacuation to Thailand, Singapore, or India. Medical facilities often require upfront payment or insurance guarantees before treatment. Additionally, political unrest, natural disasters, and transportation issues can disrupt travel plans, making trip interruption coverage valuable. The relatively low cost of comprehensive insurance is minimal compared to potential medical evacuation costs which can exceed $100,000.
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