Bangladesh Basics

Print this Guide |  Email this Guide

The Basics

Time: Local time is GMT/UCT + 6 hours

Electricity: Electrical current is 220 Volts, 50Hz. Round pin plugs, flat blade plugs, triangular three round pin plugs and parallel flat pins with grounding pin plugs are all common.

Money: The currency in Bangladesh is the Bangladesh Taka (BDT). There are ATMs in major cities but credit cards are usually only accepted in Dhaka. Banks and large stores will accept travellers cheques. The best exchange rate is found in private shops. Travellers are not allowed to leave with more currency than what they declare on arrival. Banking hours are 9 am to 3 pm, Sunday to Thursday.

Note: These rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Language: The official language is Bangla. The language is central to their national identity. English and Urdu are often understood.

Entry requirements for Americans: United States passport holders require a valid passport as well as a visa.

Entry requirements for UK nationals: British passport holders require a valid passport as well as visa.

Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian passport holders require a valid passport as well as a visa.

Entry requirements for Australians: Australian passport holders require a valid passport as well as a visa.

Entry requirements for South Africans: South African passport holders require a valid passport as well as a visa.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand passport holders require a valid passport as well as a visa.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish passport holders require a valid passport as well as a visa.

Passport/Visa Note:  Most nationalities require a visa which is valid for 90 days travel six months from issue date. Passports must be valid within three months of departure date. Although some visas are available on arrival these are limited and inconsistently 'given out'. Visa fees depend on embassy and nationality. Israelis are denied entry. A return or onward ticket is required and departure tax depends on onward destination.

Travel Health: Medical facilities aren't close to the quality of most western hospitals and travellers with serious conditions should seek help outside of the country. Before travellers arrive they should consult a physician four to six weeks in advance to receive necessary immunisations and begin taking anti-malaria and typhoid medication. Make sure all ordinary immunisations are current. Hepatitis A and B immunisations are recommended as well as rabies and Japanese encephalitis for travellers to rural communities and the outdoors. Tuberculosis is also on the rise in Bangladesh. Travellers' diarrhoea is the most common affliction. Make sure to drink bottled water and keep sceptical of undercooked foods. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers older than one year of age arriving from a yellow-fever infected area.

Tipping: Tipping is not expected but welcome.

Safety Information: The country is in an official state of emergency and tensions over 2008 December elections may turn violent. All protests should be avoided in case they turn violent. Chittagong Hill Tracks should be avoided by all tourists as they have had recent political unrest and violence. Armed robbery and theft is a problem especially in poor urban areas. Pickpocketing and purse snatching are common and directed at foreign travellers. Travellers should avoid walking or taking public transport at night because of crime. However city transport can be dangerous due to road and traffic conditions at all times. Ferries also result in fatalities each year. Monsoon season cyclones and flooding are a threat especially on coastal regions and near rivers.

Local Customs: The left hand is considered unclean and generally isn't used to greet people or pass food. It is common to eat with one's hands. Women should dress conservatively and often don't shake hands with men in greetings. People are addressed with a suffix denoting their relative age so addressing unknown people as older brother or sister is common. Bangladesh is an Islamic and a male dominated society despite having prominent women in government.

Communications: The international access code for Bangladesh is +880. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom) and city codes are in use (e.g. 2 for Dhaka). Dial up internet connections are found in larger towns and cities. Most cell phones work on a GSM network with prepaid SIM cards.