Capital: Dhaka
Time zone: GMT + 6
Telephone services: Country Code: 880
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: Police central control point Dhaka 866 551-3, Ambulance and Fire Service Head Office Dhaka 9 555 555.
Tourist information: Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (National Tourism Organisation) 233 Old Airport Road, Tejgaon, Dhaka 1215, Bangladesh Tel: (2) 817 855 Fax: (2) 817 235.
Passport information: Valid passport required. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.
Visa information: Required by all except: Holders of re-entry permit issued by Bangladesh. Those continuing their journey on the same day by the same or first connecting aircraft without leaving the airport do not require a visa.
Health information: Seek Advice from GP before travel.
Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Exists throughout the year in the whole country with the exception of Dhaka City. The falciparum variety is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required if arriving from an infected area.
Other Health Risks: Cholera, Rabies, Filariasis, Visceral leishmaniasis, Dengue Fever, Dysentery and Hepatitis A, B and E are present.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Currency: Bangladeshi Taka (Tk) = 100 poisha. Exchange: Many shops in the cities will offer better exchange rates than the banks. NOTE: All currency exchange must be entered on a currency declaration form.
Diners Club and Amex are accepted. Visa and Mastercard accepted to a lesser extent Travellers cheques can be exchanged at Dhaka Airport major hotels and banks. Passport required for card transactions.
ATM availability: Limited availability.
Cost of living: You are expected to bargain for everything. Cost of Living can be cheap if willing to sacrifice luxuries.
Languages: Bengali (Banga). English is spoken in Government and commercial circles.
Weather: Generally a hot humid climate with a monsoon season from June to October. Temperatures are highest in April and May when it is generally dry. The cool season is November to March.
Electricity: 220/240 volts AC, 60 Hz. Plugs are of the British 5 an 15 amp, 2 or 3 pin 9 (round) type. Supply is erratic and subject to load shedding.
Post: Airmail takes 5 days to Europe. Surface mail can take several months and is not secure.
Transport: Many roads and railways are still damaged from the floods, but there are many ferry crossings. NOTE: Poor driving and vehicle maintenance as well as unlit buses and lorries are the cause of frequent accidents. You are recommended to hire a driver when travelling outside of Dhaka BUS: Services serve between all major towns, fares are generally low. TAXI: Available at airports and major hotels. Agree fares in advance. CAR HIRE: Available at airports and major hotels. There is little mass transport available within towns RICKSHAWS and AUTO RICKSHAWS are available for transport in Dhaka but caution is advised when travelling by Rickshaw and is not recommended after dark. DOCUMENTATION: IDP or national licence is accepted.
Special information: NOTE: New arrivals should register with the High Commission in Dhaka. Money must not be given as gifts as it causes offence. Religious customs should be respected by all visitors. Because of the recent flood disaster safety and health precautions are necessary when travelling. PHOTOGRAPHY: In rural areas people are unused to tourists and therefore respect should be shown. Do not take photographs of military installations. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS: Visitors should avoid demonstrations and crowded places where outbreaks of violence have occurred. Major roads between towns are subject to night time armed banditry. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise that sporadic demonstrations are a problem at present. Avoid political gatherings. Avoid travel after dark.