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Dhaka Bangladesh

Bustling megacity with rickshaws, Mughal architecture, street food, and vibrant markets.

NovemberDecemberJanuaryFebruary

Weather & Climate

Humid subtropical climate with hot humid summers, heavy monsoon rains June–September, and mild dry winters.

Jan

25° / 13° 15 mm

Feb

28° / 17° 25 mm

Mar

33° / 21° 60 mm

Apr

35° / 24° 140 mm

May

34° / 25° 280 mm

Jun

32° / 26° 520 mm

Jul

31° / 26° 550 mm

Aug

31° / 26° 490 mm

Sep

32° / 26° 360 mm

Oct

32° / 24° 200 mm

Nov

29° / 19° 40 mm

Dec

26° / 15° 15 mm

Transportation

  • Airport

    Dhaka International Airport (N/A) · Typically 20-60 minutes from the city center depending on traffic.

  • Transfers

    Official airport taxi / rideshare (25-45 min, Varies by distance) · Hotel / shuttle coach (30-60 min, Check with accommodation) · Local transit (40-70 min, Local fare)

  • Transit

    Bus, Taxi / rideshare, Metro or tram (where available)

  • Tips

    Use contactless fare cards or exact change on buses when possible. · Ride-hailing apps are the safest option after dark. · Peak-hour traffic can double travel times—plan airport trips with buffer.

  • Walkability

    moderate

Culture & Etiquette

  • Language

    Bangladesh official language; English is common in tourism zones.

  • Currency

    Bangladesh currency

  • Customs

    Offer a friendly greeting when entering shops or meeting hosts. · Use your right hand when giving or receiving money or small gifts. · Dress modestly when visiting religious or government sites.

  • Etiquette

    Ask before photographing people or private spaces. · Tipping 5-10% is appreciated in sit-down restaurants unless service is included. · Queues are respected—wait your turn even if lines feel informal.

Practical Basics

  • Visa

    Visa required for most nationalities. Apply online or at embassy. Visa on arrival available at airport for some ($51 for 30 days).

  • Power

    220V, 50Hz · C, D, G, K

  • Healthcare

    Limited quality. United Hospital and Apollo best private options. Public hospitals overcrowded. Dengue fever common. Travel insurance essential.

  • Safety

    MODERATE · Moderate concerns. Petty crime and pickpocketing common. Traffic extremely chaotic and dangerous. Political demonstrations. Terrorism risk. Air pollution severe. Floods during monsoon.

  • Emergency

    Police 999 · Ambulance 199

Neighborhoods

Gulshan

expensive

Diplomatic zone with embassies, rooftop cafes, and co-living apartments around Gulshan Lake.

Best for business trips, long stays

Banani

moderate

Trendy neighborhood adjacent to Gulshan packed with boutiques, cowork lofts, and fine dining.

Best for foodies, remote work

Dhanmondi

moderate

Lakefront residential district with art galleries, music venues, and dessert cafes.

Best for culture, students

Old Dhaka

budget

Historic heart with Mughal-era architecture, bazaars, and street food legends.

Best for history, photography

Uttara

moderate

Planned township near the airport with upscale malls, metro stations, and family-friendly parks.

Best for families, airport access

Purbachal / Bashundhara

moderate

Emerging eastern districts with universities, cowork offices, and expressway links.

Best for future development, drivers

Restaurants

Puran Dhaka Food Street (Nazira Bazar)

Street food

Legendary night market serving kacchi biryani, naan, and kebabs.

Must-try: Kacchi biryani

Café Social Gulshan

Cafe + brunch

Light-filled cowork-friendly cafe serving espresso, salads, and pastries.

Must-try: Flat white

Nawabi Bhoj

Bangladeshi fine dining

Plates inspired by Dhakaiya Nawab cuisine featuring kacchi, rezala, and desserts.

Must-try: Mutton rezala

Izumi Japanese Kitchen

Japanese

Elegant courtyard for sushi, ramen, and yakitori.

Must-try: Sashimi platter

Dhaba

Casual Bangla + Indian

Colorful eatery for fuchka, chotpoti, and deshi comfort food.

Must-try: Fuchka platter

The Pit Dhaka

BBQ + smokehouse

Texas-style smoked meats, burgers, and craft sodas.

Must-try: Smoked brisket

Itineraries

Old Dhaka Heritage Loop

1 day

River ferries, Mughal palaces, and iconic street food.

  • Day 1: Old Dhaka deep dive

    Rickshaw tour of Ahsan Manzil, Star Mosque, and Armenian Church · Buriganga ferry ride and Sadarghat photography

Remote Work + River Delta Excursions

3 days

Cowork mornings in Gulshan, river cruises, and craft villages.

  • Day 1: Cowork + art

    Remote work session at Moar or Hubdhaka cowork loft · Visit Liberation War Museum and Bengal Art Lounge

  • Day 2: Sonargaon day trip

    Drive to Panam City and Sonargaon Folk Art Museum · Boat ride on Shitalakshya River with char village visit

  • Day 3: Wellness + shopping

    Yoga or spa session at Gulshan fitness club · Souvenir run (Jatra, Aarong, Aranya) for textiles and crafts

Dhaka Remote Residency

5 days

Workweek cadence mixing cowork, architecture walks, and delta escapes.

  • Day 1: Arrival + orientation

    Check-in, local SIM and bKash mobile money setup · Rickshaw art ride and coffee meetings

  • Day 2: Work + foodie crawl

    Deep work at co-creators cowork with reliable backup power · Guided food crawl covering biryani, jilapi, bakarkhani, and falooda

  • Day 3: Rocket steamer or river cruise

    Half-day Buriganga river cruise or overnight Rocket steamer experience

  • Day 4: Architecture + cowork

    Tour Louis Kahn-designed National Parliament (Jatiya Sangsad) · Cowork catch-up and editing block

  • Day 5: Wrap + shopping

    Souvenir run (Aarong flagship, Jatra, New Market) for jamdani, nakshi kantha · Airport transfer via Metro line + shuttle or rideshare

Day Trips

  • Sonargaon & Panam City

    27 km southeast · Full day (8 hours)

    Explore abandoned merchant mansions, folk art museums, and village crafts.

  • Bhawal National Park

    40 km north · Half day (6 hours)

    Forest reserve for cycling, zip line, and picnic spots.

  • Padma Bridge & Mawa Ghat

    35 km southwest · Half day (6 hours)

    Visit the new mega-bridge, eat ilish fish, and cruise on the river.

  • Srimangal Tea Gardens (overnight optional)

    190 km northeast · 2 days

    Rolling tea estates, seven-color tea, and Lawachara forest treks.

  • Bangabandhu Hi-Tech Park & Purbachal

    25 km northeast · Half day (5 hours)

    See Dhaka s smart city expansion, cowork hubs, and art installations.