How to travel to Bangladesh
Travel Bangladesh
Travelling in Bangladesh is the kind of holiday that you won't hear much about in the usual wandering bloggers and Instagrammers' circles. Because the country, despite its beauty and wonder, is often overlooked by tourists due to the frequent political unrest or natural disasters. Located on the deltas of some of South Asia's largest rivers, Bangladesh may be volatile but is an undiscovered paradise waiting to be explored. Here are some things you should know before you go.
Where to Stay in Bangladesh
The first point in question would be asking yourself if you have what it takes to visit Bangladesh. While it can be vibrant and beautiful, the lack of tourists and tourist-aid programmes within the country means you will have to consider roughing it out at times. The roads are unpaved, many people don't speak English so communication would be an issue and you won't find many options for comfortable transport to the places you want to visit. Nevertheless, the lack of many tourists means the chances of getting caught in tourist scams are very minimal.
There are hotels in Dhaka that are luxurious and comfortable where the staff speak English and you will be well taken care of. So it would be advisable to make the capital your base camp when you are staying in the country and consider a hotel the likes of Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka your primary accommodation.
The Concept of Visas
Before you plan a holiday to Bangladesh do some digging for the latest news. You should read as many different views on the local political situation and plan a trip only if it seems like everything is relatively peaceful. Many countries can get visas on arrival in Bangladesh so be sure to check with the local consulate in your country before you start making your plans. You can also make it part of a trip to India by taking the Maitree Express International train which has a route going from Kolkata to Dhaka.
Customs & Culture
a. Bangladesh was part of India and referred to as East Bengal until 1947 when India gained independence from the British Empire. During the bloody partition that established Pakistan, Muslims removed from India and sent to Bangladesh which was then called East Pakistan until 1971 when with the help of India it managed to gain independence from Pakistan.
b. 14 million of the whopping 140 million people in Bangladesh live in Dhaka so it can be very crowded and come off as a bit of noise and pollution shock to those unprepared for it.
c. While a majority of Bangladeshis are Muslim there is also a large Hindu population. While in most of the country there is a degree of religious harmony, some areas are at tension.
d. You will get a lot of, often well-meaning attention from the locals are they aren't used to having foreigners visit and are extremely hospitable. If you are a solo female traveller always answer questions regarding your family by saying you are married. It is fine to decline invitations to their homes as a rule of thumb Bangladeshis tend to be welcoming and inviting.
General Practicalities
The official currency of Bangladesh is not available outside the country. If you are coming by train from India be careful of scams when changing currencies. It is better to have USD with you and change that in exchange shops in Bangladesh instead.
The Bangladeshi's speak Bengali. While English isn't widely spoken you will find that they would relatively be able to understand you. This would be especially easy if you are speaking to young people who have a better grasp of the language.
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