Essentials
- City
- Cox's Bazar, Chittagong Division, Bangladesh
- Population
- Approximately 285,000 (urban area)
- Internet Speed
- Average 15-25 Mbps on broadband; 4G/LTE is reliable near Kolatoli Circle (~20 Mbps)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 110 BDT, 1 EUR ≈ 119 BDT. ATMs available at Dutch-Bangla Bank and City Bank
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water like Mum or Fresh (approx. 30 BDT per 1.5L)
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C, D, and G sockets; load shedding is common
- SIM Card
- Grameenphone or Robi; 20GB data packages cost around 500 BDT ($4.50)
- Banking for Expats
- Dutch-Bangla Bank (DBBL), City Bank (American Express partner), bKash for mobile payments
- Accommodation
- Hotels and serviced apartments along Marine Drive; Airbnb listings near Sugandha Beach
- Cashless Friendly
- Limited; cash is king. bKash is widely used for digital transfers
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options range from $25-$60/night; Hotel Sea Crown offers monthly rates
- Budget Accommodation
- Long Beach Hotel (Hatchery Road) or local guesthouses near Laboni Beach (approx. 1,500 BDT/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Kolatoli Beach area for proximity to restaurants and the main beach strip
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Marine Drive area (e.g., Inani or Sayeman Beach surroundings) for better views and quieter work environments
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated coworking hubs; Sayeman Beach Resort Business Center offers desk space ($15/day)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Narratio (Kolatoli Road) - Good Wi-Fi, coffee, and quiet corners
- Networking Events
- Informal meetups at Mermaid Beach Resort; check 'Expats in Bangladesh' Facebook group
- Social Events for Expats
- Sunset drinks at Fly Fishing Cox's Bazar or weekend gatherings at Sayeman Beach Resort
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber is available but unreliable; Pathao (Bike/Car) is the primary app
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Local shops near Sugandha Point; expect 500-800 BDT per day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Inani Beach (30km south) - clearer water and less crowded than Laboni
- Top Regional Airline
- US-Bangla Airlines, Novoair (Daily flights from Dhaka)
- Top International Airline
- Biman Bangladesh Airlines (via Dhaka or Chittagong)
- Highway Access
- N1 Highway connects Cox's Bazar to Chittagong and Dhaka
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Cox's Bazar Railway Station (iconic oyster shape, newly opened 2023)
- Public Transport Passes
- No digital passes; Tom-Toms (electric rickshaws) cost 20-50 BDT per ride locally
- Regional Travel
- Green Line or Desh Travels (AC Buses) to Dhaka (approx. 2,000 BDT)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hope Hospital or Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital; for emergencies, Chittagong hospitals are better
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Royal Tulip Sea Pearl Resort Spa & Wellness (Inani Beach)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Sayeman Beach Resort Gym (Day pass approx. 1,000 BDT) or local fitness clubs near Main Road
- Laundry Services
- Hotel-based services or 'Clean & Dry' laundry near Laboni Point
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Foodpanda (widely available in the main tourist zones)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Shutki Maach (dried fish curry) and Loitta Fry (Bombay Duck)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Mermaid Café (Sayeman Road) - offers salads, organic juices, and vegetable pastas
- Best Dessert Spots
- Gelato at Secret Recipe (Kolatoli Road)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Burmese Market (East side of town) for local snacks and textiles
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Daraz.com.bd (standard for electronics and home goods)
- Grocery Delivery
- Chaldal (limited delivery) or local bazaar trips for fresh produce
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Alcohol only served in licensed 5-star hotel bars like Sayeman or Ocean Paradise
- Local Brewery
- None (Alcohol production is restricted); local juices like Green Coconut are ubiquitous
- Wine Bars
- Available only via high-end hotel lounges at premium prices
- Street Food Stalls
- Sugandha Beach stalls for fried snapper and shrimp (approx. 200 BDT per plate)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Salt Bistro & Café - Italian and Continental (Kolatoli)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Kolatoli Beach, Marine Drive (longest continuous beach in the world)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Radiant Fish World (Large aquarium and marine museum on Main Road)
- Historical Sites
- Ramu Buddhist Temples (15km away) featuring the 100ft reclining Buddha
- Religious Sites
- Aggmeda Khyang Monastery; Adinath Temple (located on Maheshkhali Island)
- Annual Events
- Shakrain (Kite Festival) in Jan; Bengali New Year (Pohela Boishakh) in April
- Cultural Districts
- Ramu (crafts and weaving communities)
- Theater Venues
- None dedicated; local cultural performances often held at the District Cultural Academy
- Local Markets
- Burmese Market for pickles, lungis, and handicrafts
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic bands at Mermaid Café on weekends
- Street Art
- Colorful rickshaw art found throughout the transit hubs
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes at Mermaid Beach Resort focused on Bengali seafood
- Art Galleries
- Adhunika Fine Arts (occasional exhibitions)
- Historic Buildings
- Old circuit house and colonial buildings near the hill tracks
- Local Heritage
- The Sampan boat culture (traditional crescent shaped fishing boats)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Himchari National Park - famous for waterfalls and hilltop views
- National Parks Nearby
- Medha Kachhapia National Park (North of the city)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Marine Drive Road - 80km of paved road next to the ocean
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Himchari Hilltop (entry fee 50 BDT) for a panoramic view of the Bay of Bengal
- Birdwatching Locations
- Sonadia Island - accessible by boat for migratory birds
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Private stretches of Inani Beach (authorized via resorts only)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- SA Paribahan or Sundarban Courier Service
- Tech Repair Services
- Main Road electronics shops near the General Hospital area
- Table Tennis Spots
- Long Beach Hotel Recreations Center
- Language Classes
- Private tutors for Bengali (Bangla) via local University students
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Cox’s Bazar Public Library (near the District Court)
- Community Centers
- Cox's Bazar Cultural Center
- Gaming Lounges
- Small PC cafes in the town center (limited high-end gaming)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Bangladesh; no venues available
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 5,500 BDT per sq ft (40 m² ≈ $20,000) near Kolatoli
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 3,500 BDT per sq ft (40 m² ≈ $12,500) near Ramu
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 6,000 BDT per sq ft (60 m² ≈ $32,000) for sea-view units
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 4,000 BDT per sq ft (60 m² ≈ $21,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 5,800 BDT per sq ft (80 m² ≈ $41,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 3,800 BDT per sq ft (80 m² ≈ $27,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 27.5% for non-listed companies in Bangladesh
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 20% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Residency-based; citizens/residents taxed on worldwide income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% (on income over 1.6M BDT annually)
- VAT
- Standard rate 15% (7.5% or 5% for some hospitality services)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC legislation currently in place
- Property Tax
- Annual municipal tax based on the annual value of the property (varies by ward)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 10-12% including Stamp Duty and Registration fees
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; Foreigners often use tourist visas, but income earned abroad is rarely taxed locally