Beach town in Chattogram Division, Bangladesh
Cox's Bazar
World's longest natural sea beach by popular claim, packed with Bangladeshi families, seafood and surf. Cheap and lively, but crowded, litter-strewn, conservative for women and close to the Rohingya camps.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$488–813Comfortable, one person · ৳60,000–100,000Details
- Value for money79/100Better value than 78% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goNov–MarWarmest: May, 30°CDetails
- Internet71 MbpsFixed broadband, Bangladesh medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDon't drink tap water or unknown ice.Details
- LGBTQ+1/5DangerousDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$4.1–12.2Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundCNG auto-rickshawWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashATMs in town; hotels and restaurants take cards, but beach stalls, transport and shops want cash.Details
Where to stay in Cox's Bazar
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Laboni Beach area | Most hotels, restaurants and the busiest beach |
| Kolatoli | Mid-range hotels, shops and quick beach access |
| Sugandha and Himchari (Marine Drive) | Quieter beaches and scenic coast road |
Apps that work in Cox's Bazar
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| foodpanda | Limited to central hotels and restaurants |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp, IMO
- Rail Sheba: Bangladesh Railway e-tickets
- Taxis: No reliable ride apps. Hotels can book cars; CNGs and tuk-tuks need a fare agreed before the ride.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Bangladesh.
- Mostly cash ATMs in town; hotels and restaurants take cards, but beach stalls, transport and shops want cash.
- Currency: Taka (BDT). US$1 ≈ ৳122.95 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Dutch-Bangla, BRAC and City Bank ATMs accept foreign cards in cities; scarce in rural areas.
- Tipping: Not expected at cheap eateries; leave 5–10% in better restaurants. Tip drivers and guides, and give porters small change.
- Paying by phone: bKash and Nagad need local registration; visitors pay cash, or cards at hotels and chains.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Most visitors need a visa from a Bangladesh mission; fill in the online form at visa.gov.bd first.
- Visa on arrival for eligible nationalities costs US$51 or €51 in cash; bring an onward ticket and hotel booking.
- Foreigners need prior government permission to visit the Chittagong Hill Tracts (Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachari); tour operators arrange it.
Emergency numbers
Police 999 · Ambulance 999 · Fire 999 · All emergencies 999
Plugs
Type C, D, G, K · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Buy at operator customer centres with your passport; fingerprint registration is required. Data packs are cheap. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Bangladesh
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.