Hostels in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a country in Asia. It is bordered by India and Myanmar and separated from Nepal and Bhutan by the Siliguri Corridor (a narrow strip of Indian land). It lies on the Bay of Bengal and is one of the world’s most populated countries. The capital of Bangladesh is Dhaka; Chittagong is the second largest city and the biggest port.

The climate in Bangladesh is tropical. The country straddles the Tropic of Cancer, and therefore has hot, humid summers from March to June and a mild winter from October to March. Monsoon season runs from June to October. There are often tropical cyclones, floods, and tornadoes in Bangladesh.

Three of Asian’s largest rivers converge in Bangladesh and form the Bengal Delta, the biggest river delta in the world. Much of the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, is located in Bangladesh. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are also rainforests, coral reefs, highlands, and one of the world’s longest beaches. The Himalayas are not part of the country but can be seen from the fertile Bangladesh Plain.

The currency in Bangladesh is the Bangladeshi Taka. The economy is the third largest in Asia, after India and Pakistan. The main industry is agriculture, with rice, potatoes, jute, tropical fruits, tea, and seafood being the top products. Bangladesh is also the 7th largest producer of natural gas in the world; there are major gas fields in the northeastern part of the country. Bangladesh also produces leather goods and is a huge exporter of leather footwear. It also produces much of the world’s pharmaceuticals.

Travellers looking for budget hostel accommodation in Bangladesh should search in Dhaka or in Chittagong, as there are several. There are even women’s hostels for female travellers. Look for the word “hostel,” or “backpacker, “ both in English. For travellers who need accommodation in more remote areas, consider a guesthouse instead as European-style hostels are very rare.

Once you have your accommodation sorted, explore this rich country. From the fertile plains to the rolling highlands to the world’s longest beach and fishing port, there is plenty to do for the outdoor enthusiast, while culture seekers will find what they are looking for in the art, history, and literature of Bangaldesh.

Ancient Bangladesh dates back at least 20,000; archaeologists know this because they have found Stone Age tools that indicate human habitation, but the earliest settlements are Copper Age (4,000 years ago.) Travellers that are interested in history can explore the Paharpur ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that date from the 9th century Pala Empire. The Pala Empire covered much of the Indian subcontinent and patronised art, music, literature, and education, traditions that still define Bangladesh today.

Art is highly regarded in Bangladesh; everything from architecture to dancing to theatre to painting is respected. Jatra is the most popular form of Bengali folk theatre. The dancing combines classical Indian dances with traditional Bengali and indigenous tribal dances. Terracotta architecture is considered the defining feature of Bengali design and many of the grand mosques in the country are built from it. There are many mosque and temple complexes in Bangladesh that are well worth visiting.

Whatever you choose to do in Bangladesh, you will enjoy every moment of it!

Handwritten by local expert for Bangladesh hostels Jakob Lombardi