: A BASIC TRAVEL INFO Print
 

Area                                                           143,998 Sq. KM                            

Comparing to the size of U.S. states               slightly bigger than Pennsylvania

Borders with                                                 India and Myanmar

Population                                                   1 Hundred 55 million

Time Zone                                                  GMT + 6:00

Religions                                                    85% Islam, rest Hinduism, Buddhism and others.

Government Type                                          Republic, Parliamentary System

Capital                                                        Dhaka

Language                                                     Bengali

Passport & Visa Formalities

A passport valid for six months longer than your planned length of stay in Bangladesh and at least one blank visa page, visa, and onward or return ticket are required to enter Bangladesh.

A visa should be obtained prior to arrival in Bangladesh. For the visa rules, check with the nearest Bangladeshi Embassy or Consulate before traveling. Below is a contact detail of the Embassy:

Embassy of Bangladesh,

3510 International Drive NW,

Washington, DC 20008,

Telephone 202-244-0183

Website: http://www.bdembassyusa.org

Weather & Clothing

There are three main seasons in Bangladesh. Hot season from March to May, Monsoon season (rainy season), which starts early June and lasts until the end of September, followed by cool season from October to February.

Since it is warm or hot most of the times, we recommend light garments and clothes made of cotton. Light cotton garments would be the best choice when it comes to the selection of clothes. Light footwear in the nature of sandals is also recommended. It is necessary for all the tourists to wear decent swimwear to avoid offending the sensibilities of the local people.

Health & Immunization

Before visiting Bangladesh, you may need to get the vaccinations including Malaria and medications for vaccine-preventable diseases and other diseases you might be at risk for at the destination: (Note: Your doctor or health-care provider will determine what you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities.)


Please consult your doctor before you leave or visit Central for Disease Control and Prevention at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/bangladesh

Customs & Declarations

Declare all your valuable equipment, jewellary and gems. If you have nothing to declare, go through the “Green Channel”. Baggage should not contain goods for others, goods in commercial quantities, and prohibited or restricted goods.You are required to take back all your personal effects when departing the country. 

Money, Credit Cards & ATM

The Taka is the currency of Bangladesh. You can change US$ cash at the airport, hotels, bank or official money changes. Keep the receipt when you change the money.

 
The credit cards are accepted in hotels, tourist class restaurants and big stores.  ATM machines are available only in big cities like Dhaka.

Culture & Etiquette

Recent estimates of Bangladesh’s population range from 150 to 160 million, making it the 7th most populous nation in the world. 85% population live in rural areas. Density of population is about 900 per sq.km. There are about 2 million indigenous people of 23 tribes. They dwell mostly in Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Bandarban and in part of Northern districts.

The tribes have exotic distinct cultures of their own. Although known as a Muslim country, Bangladesh is a land of religious freedom, harmony and tolerance. People of all castes and creeds live here in perfect harmony. There are 86.6% of Muslims with 12.1% Hindus, 0.6 % Buddhists, 0.4% Christians and 0.3% of other religious people. 

Miscellaneous

 When you arrive at the airport

When you arrive in Dhaka, someone from our local supplier will meet you at the airport, who will be displaying your name. You will be then transferred to your to hotel.  In case,  because of earlier or delayed flight, if you do not  see anybody to pick you up, then give a call to the local tour operator listed on the “Local Operator’s Contact Detail” which is in the information package you have received from us before you left U.S.

Shopping

If you are thinking of purchasing any products, which you cannot carry with you, then think twice before you purchase it. The salesman or guide may tell you that they would pay the shipping charges to your address.  However, besides the shipping charge, you must understand that there are other charges involved at your end, which they may not be aware of, such as destination charges, custom clearance fees, warehouse fees and other fees. By the time, the product reaches your home; the chance is high that you will also receive a bill for all the other charges, which might be higher than the cost of product itself. So, unless you are very sure about these charges, shipping anything home is not suggested. 


Telephone, Email and Wifi

You can make international telephone calls from almost all the major cities in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing countries in telecom sector.

Presently Bangladesh also has widely used Broadband, WAN and WI-MAX connectivity. 

Wifi is avaialble in most of the hotels.

Electricity:

The general power supply is 220 Volt AC all over the country. 

Tipping

The same rules apply about tipping as most of other places.  Roughly 10% of bills at restaurants. Your driver and guide also expect a tip at the end of the tour.  Below is a general idea on tipping in the group size between 1-6 people and more. The mentioned tipping is to be divided by the number of people in the group.  The tips can be more or less depending on the services you get from them.

Guide : US$ 10.00 per day  

Driver : US$ 8.00 per day