Bangladesh Travel Safety
Travel Safety in Bangladesh
General travel safety in Bangladesh on a scale of 1 to 4 — where 1 is safe and 4 is dangerous. Data compiled on the basis of Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs.
Country
Bangladesh
Updates
Updated: 7 Oct 2024 • Still current at: 13 Oct 2024
Status
LEVEL 3 - Reconsider your need to travel
There are serious and potentially life-threatening risks. This could be due to: an ongoing threat of terrorism or kidnapping, frequent incidents of violent crime, ongoing civil unrest, widespread disease or other safety risks. This can make the destination unsafe for tourism and unsuitable for most travellers. Think seriously about your need to travel to these places - this may mean postponing non-essential travel, or choosing a less risky destination.
Safety and Security Tips
Precautions
Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places. Limit your attendance at events where a large number of people, including foreigners, may gather, including at: outdoor recreation and cultural events, places of worship, festivals, hotels and conference centres. Be particularly vigilant during religious holidays and if attending sporting events and public celebrations. Terrorists have used such occasions to mount attacks.
General safety
Tourist facilities are inadequate. Water supply is also inconsistent and several areas of the country can go for days without any water. Planned power cuts are a daily occurrence in most parts of the country and can last for many hours.
Road safety
Road safety and road conditions are poor. Many vehicles operate without headlights or with full high beams. Traffic in urban areas is extremely congested and chaotic. Road accidents causing injuries or death are common. In the event of a serious accident where you could be deemed at fault, immediately make your way to a police station. If you cannot move your vehicle, lock your doors and windows and call for police. Crowds, which can turn hostile, have been known to gather around the scene of such accidents. Road travel is dangerous and you should avoid it, particularly after dark.
Identification
You must carry a photocopy of your passport in case local authorities ask to verify your identification.
Taxis
Always arrange taxis through your hotel or other trusted establishment. Only use registered taxis.
Marine transportation
Do not board vessels that appear overloaded or unseaworthy. Ferry accidents are common in Bangladesh due to the overloading and poor maintenance of some vessels.
Public transportation
Exercise caution when using public transportation, including buses, trains and ferries, due to poor safety standards.
Women's safety
Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. In addition, don't flash money or valuables in public. Doing so may make you a potential victim of criminal activity.
Fraud
Be cautious when using debit or credit cards, pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by others, use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business, avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature, cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN, check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements. There have been incidents of credit card fraud at ATMs and with merchants in Dhaka.
Crime
Violent crimes such as armed robberies and rapes occur. Pickpocketing, purse snatching and mugging are common, particularly in areas frequented by tourists and foreigners. Thieves target rickshaw, CNG (motorized rickshaw) and taxi passengers, particularly around dusk. They are also present on trains, ferries and long-distance buses on major roads between towns. Cases of abduction for ransom have occurred, though they rarely involve foreigners.
Terrorism
There is a threat of terrorism. There have been numerous attacks on individuals and groups, including religious minorities. The attacks have resulted in multiple casualties. Further attacks are likely. Targets could include:government buildings, including schools, places of worship, airports and other transportation hubs and networks, public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners.
Update 1 November 2020Emergency Calls
- Police999
- Fire199
- Ambulance199
Embassy of us
American Embassy in Dhaka
AddressMadani Avenue, Baridhara
Local Law and Culture
Culture
The workweek in Bangladesh is from Sunday to Thursday. Bangladesh customs, laws and regulations adhere closely to Islamic practices and beliefs. Exercise common sense and discretion in dress and behaviour. Dress conservatively: for women, knee-length or longer dresses and long sleeves are preferable, and men should not wear shorts outside tourist areas. Respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. Overt public displays of intimate affection are frowned upon in Bangladesh culture. During the lunar month of Ramadan, use discretion when drinking, eating, and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset.
LGBT
Bangladeshi law prohibits sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. Other related offences include being in a same-sex marriage and promoting homosexuality. Those who convicted can face lenghty imprisonment. LGBT travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Bangladesh.
Illegal drugs
Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can face life imprisonment or a death sentence.
Driving
Traffic drives on the left. You must carry an International Driving Permit.
Update 1 November 2020Vaccinations and Medications
A doctor's consultation is required prior to any vaccinations being administered. This section is for informational purposes and does not exhaust all issues related to vaccination. Please contact your doctor for complete information on this subject.
Stay Healthy and Safe
Act in advance of to prevent. Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least 4-8 weeks before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need.
All travelers
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Bangladesh.
Before each trip, it is worth making sure that we are up to date with the routine vaccinations. These include vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, polio and flu.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Reduce your exposure to germs
Most travelers
Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.
Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.
It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Eat and drink safely
Typhoid fever is an acute, systemic infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi.
The source of the infection may include dirty water, raw fruits, vegetables, dairy products, as well as dirt containing bacteria.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Eat and drink safely
Some travelers
Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.
Cholera is a disease of the digestive tract caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
The most common infection occurs through the ingestion, mainly through water contaminated with human faeces, and also through food (mainly fruit, seafood). Less often by contact with the sick person and their environment.
Prevention
- Eat and drink safely
- Reduce your exposure to germs
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.
Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Avoid sharing body fluids
- Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment
Japanese encephalitis is an infectious disease caused by arboviruses from the same family of microbes (Flaviviridae) that cause yellow fever or tick-borne encephalitis.
The vector of infection is mosquitoes of the genus Culex and Aedes.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Prevent bug bites
Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Prevention
- Take antimalarial meds
- Prevent bug bites
Estimated relative risk of malaria in Bangladesh
Niskie
Areas with malaria
All areas, except in the city of Dhaka
Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.
The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Keep away from animals
Yellow fever is an acute viral disease which is transmitted by virus-infected mosquitoes.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Prevent bug bites
Vaccination requirements
Required if traveling from a country with risk of YFV transmission and ≥1 year of age.
We have made every effort to ensure that the information presented reliably reflects the general safety situation in a given place. However, the data is provided for informational purposes only and we do not take responsibility for any damages or losses resulting from incorrect risk assessment. Before each trip, we recommend checking the current situation in the country of destination on the websites of the relevant Ministry of Foreign Affairs.