Barisal, Bangladesh 🇧🇩
#1879
22.704752, 90.370729
Nomad Score:
53%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Barisal is a major city in South-Central Bangladesh, known for its rivers and lush green surroundings. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 325,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed of 20 Mbps, with some areas having access to fiber connections. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 BDT ≈ 0.012 USD (USD is widely accepted in tourist areas, but BDT is preferred). |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/D plugs common. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Grameenphone and Banglalink offer good coverage and affordable data plans. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Services like bKash facilitate mobile payments; banks like BRAC and Dutch-Bangla Bank are common. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Variety of options including guesthouses, hotels, and short-term rentals via Airbnb. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Moderately cashless, with some acceptance for cards in urban areas. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local guesthouses are available with prices ranging from $10 to $30 per night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Options like Hotel Palki offer rooms starting at approximately $15 per night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Currently, Barisal has limited coworking spaces; locals often work from coffee shops. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe Lassi, offering good Wi-Fi and a comfortable space to work. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Occasional meetups organized through Facebook groups focused on digital nomads. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expats in Barisal organize informal meetups at local cafes and parks. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Pathao and Uber are operational in Barisal. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Limited rental options; local bike shops offer rentals at around $5 per day. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Kuakata Beach, approximately 2 hours away by bus. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | US-Bangla Airlines provides services from Barisal to Dhaka. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Bangladesh Biman and US-Bangla offer flights to international destinations from Dhaka. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Good access to Dhaka and other major cities via the Dhaka-Barisal highway. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Barisal Railway Station connects to Dhaka and Khulna. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Not commonly used; fares are generally low for buses and auto-rickshaws. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses operate regularly to nearby cities like Patuakhali and Jhalkathi. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital is the main healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga classes are offered at various fitness centers, including Basic Health Club. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic Health Club provides gym facilities at reasonable rates, approximately $15/month. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Local laundromats available, with prices ranging from $2 to $5 per load. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Foodpanda operates in Barisal, providing a range of delivery options. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Panta bhat (fermented rice) with hilsa fish is a must-try local delicacy. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Local vegetarian restaurants are available, including Baba Roti. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Baba Roti for tasty sweetmeats and local desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | The local markets, like Ashwini Kumar Hall Market, offer budget-friendly groceries. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Daraz.com.bd is popular for online shopping in Bangladesh. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Bikroy.com offers local grocery delivery options. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Limited nightlife; cafes like The Dhaka Review have a good ambiance. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Limited options; local breweries are rare in this region. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Not commonly available; bars typically serve local spirits. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street food is prevalent; try chotpoti and fuchka from local vendors. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Certain restaurants serve Chinese and Indian cuisine, like Indo-Chinese Dhaka. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Barisal Barisal Bhaban and cross-river ferries are key landmarks. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Local art galleries are limited; consider visiting Dhaka for more options. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The ancient rivers and local temples are key historical locales. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Many mosques and temples; notable is the Charkhali Mosque. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Traditional boat races and local fairs take place during Durga Puja. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Local neighborhoods showcase traditional Bengali culture. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Few local cultural events; check community boards for performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Cultural and artisan products can be found in the local markets. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Traditional folk music is prevalent; local events may feature performances. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Limited street art; some murals can be found in urban areas. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Local chefs occasionally offer classes; inquire in local culinary spaces. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Limited, but art exhibitions can be found in local community centers. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Several colonial-era buildings can be explored throughout the city. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city is rich in Bengali cultural heritage, reflected in local festivals. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Sundarbans mangrove forest is a few hours away, great for wildlife spotting. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Bhawal National Park is accessible, offering hiking and nature trails. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Riverside paths provide scenic spots for walking and cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Riverbanks and local hilltop temples offer beautiful views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Sundarbans is a UNESCO-listed site, perfect for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Outdoor gatherings can be held along riverbanks, respecting local regulations. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and local services like Sundarban offer parcel delivery. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops offer mobile and computer repairs; prices vary. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Some community centers have table tennis facilities available. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Local institutes offer Bengali and English language classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Barisal Library is a quiet place for reading and studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Local community centers host cultural activities and classes. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Limited gaming lounges; check cafes for gaming setups. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Gambling is illegal in Bangladesh, so no casinos are available. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $32,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $24,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $750 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $45,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $30,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $56,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $450 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $36,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 10% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents taxed based on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 30% |
| 🧾 VAT | 15% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applicable regulations exist. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual tax based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Standard rate is 7% |