Essentials
- City
- Sylhet, Sylhet Division, Bangladesh
- Population
- Approx. 950,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 25-40 Mbps (Fiber available via AmberIT or Link3)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 110 BDT, 1 EUR ≈ 120 BDT
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water like Mum or Fresh (30 BDT per 1.5L)
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/D/G sockets (Universal adapters recommended)
- SIM Card
- Grameenphone or Banglalink; 10GB data approx. 500 BDT
- Banking for Expats
- City Bank (Amex support), Dutch-Bangla Bank, HSBC
- Accommodation
- Hotel Rose View, Grand Sylhet Hotel, or Airbnb apartments
- Cashless Friendly
- Limited; large hotels and supermarkets accept cards, but cash is king
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (average $25-$50/night for full apartments)
- Budget Accommodation
- Hotel Metro International ($20/night), Hotel Star Pacific ($35/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Zindabazar or Amberkhana (Central, near markets/food)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Shahjalal Uposhahar (Quieter, residential, better infrastructure)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Hub Sylhet (Amberkhana); Day pass approx. 500 BDT
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cafe 12 (Uposhahar) or Panshi Inn (reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets)
- Networking Events
- Sylhet IT Forum meetups at the Hi-Tech Park (Zindabazar)
- Social Events for Expats
- Sylhet International School community events or Rotary Club Sylhet
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (Cars), Pathao (Motorbikes/Cars)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- No formal rental apps; private rentals via Facebook groups approx. 800 BDT/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- No nearby beach; Cox's Bazar is a 1-hour flight away
- Top Regional Airline
- US-Bangla Airlines, Novoair
- Top International Airline
- Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Emirates (via Dubai)
- Highway Access
- N2 Highway connecting Sylhet to Dhaka
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Sylhet Railway Station (Kadamtali)
- Public Transport Passes
- None; pay per trip in Rickshaws (20-100 BDT) or CNGs
- Regional Travel
- Green Line or Ena Bus for luxury travel to Dhaka (1,200-1,500 BDT)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Mount Adora Hospital (Akhalia) or Al-Haramain Hospital
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Sylhet Station Club (Membership based for yoga/swimming)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Muscle Pro Gym (Zindabazar), Powerhouse Fitness (Uposhahar)
- Laundry Services
- Bandbox (Multiple locations in Zindabazar and Uposhahar)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Foodpanda (widely available)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Satkara Beef (Beef cooked with local wild citrus)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Panshi Restaurant (excellent lentil and vegetable bhortas)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Purnima Sweets (Amberkhana) for local Mishti
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Sukria Market, Blue Water Shopping City
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Daraz.com.bd, Chalbal.com
- Grocery Delivery
- Chaldal or Pandamart
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Alcohol available only in 4/5-star hotel bars (e.g., Rose View Bar)
- Local Brewery
- None (Alcohol is restricted/regulated)
- Wine Bars
- Restricted to international hotel lounges
- Street Food Stalls
- Chouhatta area for Fuchka and Chotpoti
- Popular International Cuisine
- Woondaal King Kebab (Indian/Mughlai), Eatopia (Continental)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Shah Jalal Dargah (Shrine), Keane Bridge
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museum of Rajas (Hason Raja Museum)
- Historical Sites
- Ali Amjad's Clock Tower, Jaintiapur Rajbari ruins
- Religious Sites
- Hazrat Shah Paran Mazar
- Annual Events
- Satyen Sen Sylhet Festival, Hay Festival Sylhet
- Cultural Districts
- Zindabazar (Bookshops and street culture)
- Theater Venues
- Kabi Nazrul Audotorium
- Local Markets
- Bandar Bazar (Massive local dry fish and spice market)
- Music Scene
- Sufi and Baul music performances at local shrines
- Street Art
- Graffiti near Sylhet MC College campus
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes at local guest houses or culinary schools like SCIT
- Art Galleries
- Sylhet Art Council Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- Assam-style bungalows in tea estates
- Local Heritage
- Tea culture and the indigenous Monipuri dance
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Ratargul Swamp Forest, Bisnakandi (Stone collection area)
- National Parks Nearby
- Khadimnagar National Park (15km away)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Lakkatura Tea Garden trails
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Malnicherra Tea Estate, Jaflong Zero Point
- Birdwatching Locations
- Baikka Beel (requires a 2-hour drive to Sreemangal)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Resorts in Jaflong or private tea estate bungalows
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Sundarban Courier Service, Paperfly
- Tech Repair Services
- R.B. Complex in Zindabazar (Tech hub)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Sylhet District Stadium complex
- Language Classes
- British Council Sylhet (for English/Bengali resources)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Central Public Library (near Chowhatta)
- Community Centers
- Amanullah Convention Center
- Gaming Lounges
- Portal Gaming Lounge (Zindabazar)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Illegal in Bangladesh)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 65,000 BDT per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 2,600,000 BDT)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 45,000 BDT per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,800,000 BDT)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 60,000 BDT per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 3,600,000 BDT)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 40,000 BDT per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 2,400,000 BDT)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 55,000 BDT per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 4,400,000 BDT)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 35,000 BDT per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 2,800,000 BDT)
- Corporate Tax
- 27.5% - 30% for non-listed companies
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 20% for companies, up to 15% for individuals
- Tax System
- World-wide income for residents (182+ days in country)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% - 30% depending on yearly budget changes
- VAT
- Standard rate 15%, reduced rates for specific services
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Developing; transfer pricing rules are strictly enforced
- Property Tax
- Yes, annual holding tax to City Corporation (approx. 7%-12% of annual rental value)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Total approx. 10%-12% (Stamp duty, Registration, Gain tax)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; standard income rules apply, though foreign income for IT services is often tax-exempt until June 2027