Bangladesh climate
Bangladesh has a tropical climate with mild winters (October to March) and hot, humid summers (March to June). The monsoon season runs from June to October. Travellers considering taking cheap flights to Bangladesh should make sure their travel insurance covers them for extreme weather events such as floods and cyclones.
When to fly to Bangladesh
Peak Season:
November to April is when most visitors arrive on cheap flights to Bangladesh. These are the driest and coolest months.
Off Season:
The low season is the Bangladeshi summer time (March to June).
Getting around Bangladesh
Domestic Bangladesh flights are affordable, with airlines such as Biman Air linking Dhaka with Sylhet, Chittagong and Cox's Bazar. Taking local buses can be an adventure but there are air-conditioned coaches that connect the most popular destinations. The trains are operated by Bangladesh Railways, and, while slow, rail travel can be a wonderful way to see the countryside.
The best way to see Bangladesh is, of course, from a river. There are lots of operators offering boat and ferry trips.
In Dhaka, rickshaws (cycle and auto) are the most popular way of getting around but make sure you fix on a price before you set off. Yellow and black taxis are readily available too.
Bangladesh insider information
- Bangladesh is a Muslim country and it’s illegal to serve alcohol in restaurants (except in hotels).
- The north of Bangladesh has lots of fascinating archeological sites such as the Puthia Temple Complex in Rajshahi. The complex includes the Shiva Temple, the country's biggest shrine dedicated to Shiva.
- The Sompur Vihara is an 8th-century Buddhist Monastery in Paharpur, northwest Bangladesh. It's a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Bashundhara City in Dhaka is the 12th-largest shopping mall in the world! It's considered to be the most visited attraction in Bangladesh and everything is for sale here, from Western brands to Bangladeshi souvenirs.
- The Irrawaddy dolphin (they're cute, but related to killer whales!), was thought to be near extinct in Bangladesh but about 6,000 were discovered in the waters of the Sundarbans mangrove forest and Bay of Bengal.
- Srimangal is a beautiful part of Bangladesh. It's the tea capital, with rolling green hills, tea and pineapple plantations, lemon orchards and national parks.
- One of the most colourful events in Bangladesh is the Janmashtami festival when small children dress up as Lord Krishna to mark the birth of the Hindu God.