Cox's Bazar City
Bangladeshi city famous for its beach
Cox’s Bazar delivers an unbroken stretch of sand, low‑rise guesthouses and seafood shacks beside the Bay of Bengal. Tourists arrive for long beach walks, fishing villages, evening markets and day trips to nearby Himchhari falls and fishing piers.
PlacesNeighbourhoods and where to base yourself
Neighbourhoods of Cox's Bazar#
- Main Beach: Lively, tourist-oriented seafront; ideal base for visitors who want to be in the centre of the action.
Dining: Seafood Nightlife: Lively Shopping: Souvenirs Stays: Resorts- Laboni Point: Main access point to the beach with nearby restaurants and shops.
- Main Beach stretch: Endless sandy shoreline ideal for long walks and sunbathing.
- Hotel row: Seafront resorts and guesthouses with immediate beach access.
- Kolatoli & Marine Drive: Calmer coastal stretch with cafés and shops, good for relaxed evenings and seaside photos.
Dining: Seafood Nightlife: Rooftop Bars Shopping: Shops Stays: Mid-Range- Kolatoli Beach: Slightly quieter beach area with cafés and shops.
- Marine Drive: Scenic coastal road with viewpoints and sunset stops.
- Local cafés: Cafés serving fresh seafood and evening drinks.
- Himchari & Natural Sites: Nature-focused coastal area, best as a base for day excursions and quiet walks.
Dining: Cafés Nightlife: None Shopping: Limited Stays: Guesthouses- Himchari National Park: Clifftop viewpoints and a waterfall area reached a short drive away.
- Inani Beach: Rocky beach noted for its stone formations and clearer water.
- Local boat trips: Short boat excursions to nearby coastal spots and islands.
At a GlanceKey facts, why go and what's on now
Cox's Bazar at a Glance#
Costs: Budget to midrange: $35-70/day - wide range-from cheap guesthouses to pricier beachfront resorts during high season.
Safety: Generally safe, busy tourist areas - generally safe for tourists; watch belongings on crowded beaches and tourist sites.
Best Time: October-May (beach season) - dry, cool months offer the best beach weather and clear seas.
Cox’s Bazar hosts the world’s longest natural sandy sea beach, a seaside town of lively markets, seafood shacks and ocean sunsets. It’s the gateway to Himchari, Inani and coastal drives toward Teknaf.
Getting around: Walk Laboni and Kolatoli beaches; use cycle rickshaws and CNG autos for town; taxis or prebooked cars from Cox’s Bazar Airport; minibuses along Marine Drive to Teknaf.
Infrastructure & convenience: Tourist hubs have wide beachfront promenades, souvenir stalls and good mobile coverage; medical clinics near Kolatoli; ATMs and supermarket chains in Laboni and Cox’s Bazar town.
Local tips: Respect beach safety flags at Laboni and Inani; avoid swimming after dusk; modest swimwear accepted at resort beaches, conservative dress in local markets and mosques.
Dining: Seafood dominates: try grilled hilsa, lobster and fresh prawns at Kolatoli and Inani shacks; sample Rohingya-influenced dishes in Teknaf, watch for spicy preparations.
Why Visit Cox's Bazar?#
Home to one of the longest sandy shorelines, Cox’s Bazar draws sun-seekers and surfers to wide beaches and colorful seaside markets. Nearby Himchari National Park and the Ramu Buddhist temples offer green escapes and cultural contrast, while seafood stalls serve freshly caught fish and local dried specialties. Beachside guesthouses and sunset walks give a laid-back coastal rhythm. It’s ideal for long stretches of sand, seafood and coastal scenery.
Who's Cox's Bazar For?#
Cox’s Bazar’s long sandy stretch-Laboni and quieter Inani Beach-makes for memorable romantic walks and sunset dinners. Beachfront guesthouses and private cabanas offer affordable to midrange options for couples.
Shallow waters and long sandy beaches are ideal for families, with lifeguard-patrolled zones near Laboni and family-friendly hotels offering midrange rooms from roughly $20-60 per night during low season.
Surfing, kiteboarding and boat trips to nearby islands (St. Martin’s) satisfy adventure travelers. Local operators run dives, snorkeling and fishing excursions; expect day-trip prices that are generally affordable.
Budget guesthouses, beach dorms and cheap eateries make Cox’s Bazar a backpacker-friendly destination. Off-season stays are particularly cheap, and buses from Chittagong keep overland costs low.
Seafood dominates menus along the beachfront: fresh grilled fish, prawn curries and local spicy preparations are available at market stalls and casual restaurants. Expect very affordable local prices.
Beyond the sand, Himchari National Park and nearby hills offer short hikes and viewpoints. The coastline’s natural scenery and nearby wetlands are great for birdwatching and coastal walks.
Plan Your Visit to Cox's Bazar#
Things to DoTop sights, bucket list and day trips
Best Things to Do in Cox's Bazar#
Cox's Bazar Bucket List#
Cox’s Bazar Sea Beach - The world’s longest natural sea beach; miles of sand and lively shoreline activities.
Laboni Point - Central access point to the beach with restaurants, souvenir stalls, and sunset viewpoints.
Himchari National Park - Coastal park with seasonal waterfalls, palm-fringed cliffs and short rainforest hiking trails.
Inani Beach - Pebble-strewn shore famous for large coral boulders and quieter swimming spots.
Cox’s Bazar Marine Drive - 2.5-kilometre coastal road ideal for scenic drives and evening ocean panoramas.
Ramu Buddhist Village - A short drive inland for traditional wood carving workshops and Buddhist monasteries.
Burmese Market - Bustling market where local artisans sell shell crafts, textiles and street food.
Kolatoli Beach - Calmer stretch near town with beachfront cafes, early-morning kitesurfing, and relaxed crowds.
Cox’s Bazar Fishery Harbour - Early-morning fish market where fishermen land catches and locals buy fresh seafood.
Maheshkhali Island - Island reachable by short boat ride, known for Adinath Temple and hilltop views.
Teknaf - Southernmost town offering boat trips, river views, and access to wildlife corridors.
Kutubdia Island - Quiet island with salt fields, mangroves and traditional fishing villages reachable by road and boat.
Ramu (day visit) - Nearby craft village with Buddhist monasteries and traditional wood-carving workshops worth exploring.
Nearby Cities #
When to GoSeasons, weather and festivals
Best Time to Visit Cox's Bazar#
Visit Cox’s Bazar in the cool season (November-February) for clear skies, lower humidity and pleasant beach days - perfect for long walks along the world’s longest natural sandy sea beach. Avoid the June-October monsoon when heavy rains and rough seas limit boat trips and outdoor plans.
November - February
18 - 28°C (64 - 82°F)
Perfect beach weather: sunny days, low humidity, calm seas, and spectacular sunsets - busiest time but worth it for swimming, walking the long sandy shore, and seafood.
March - May
26 - 34°C (79 - 93°F)
Hot, humid days with fewer tourists - challenging for midday beach time but great for cheaper stays, sunrise walks, and sampling local markets late afternoon.
June - October
24 - 31°C (75 - 88°F)
Heavy rain, choppy seas, and frequent storms make beach activities unreliable; expect limited boat trips, muddy streets, and dramatic skies - not ideal for sunbathing.
Cox's Bazar's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with hot summers (peaking in May) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 15°C to 32°C. Heavy rainfall (3678 mm/year), wettest in July with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 15° - 26° | 21° | 4 mm | mostly sunny | 70% | 1.3 m/s | 1.3 high | 10.9h |
| February | Ideal | 17° - 28° | 23° | 16 mm | mostly sunny | 69% | 1.5 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.3h |
| March | Ideal | 21° - 31° | 26° | 25 mm | mostly sunny | 73% | 2.0 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 24° - 32° | 32° | 102 mm | some cloud | 78% | 2.3 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.5h |
| May | Acceptable | 25° - 32° | 34° | 285 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.8 m/s | 2.0 very high | 13.0h |
| June | Acceptable | 25° - 31° | 33° | 816 mm | overcast | 87% | 2.5 m/s | 1.7 very high | 13.3h |
| July | Good | 25° - 30° | 32° | 997 mm | overcast | 89% | 2.7 m/s | 1.7 very high | 13.2h |
| August | Good | 25° - 30° | 32° | 740 mm | overcast | 89% | 2.3 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.7h |
| September | Acceptable | 25° - 31° | 33° | 351 mm | overcast | 86% | 1.7 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Good | 24° - 31° | 31° | 218 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 1.5 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.5h |
| November | Excellent | 20° - 29° | 25° | 106 mm | mostly sunny | 75% | 1.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.0h |
| December | Ideal | 16° - 27° | 22° | 18 mm | mostly sunny | 73% | 1.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 10.7h |
Getting There & AroundAirports, trains and local transport
How to Get to Cox's Bazar#
Cox’s Bazar is served by its own domestic airport (Cox’s Bazar Airport, CXB) and is also reachable overland from Chattogram (Shah Amanat International Airport, CGP). Long-distance rail access is via Chattogram Railway Station; most visitors arrive by plane from Dhaka or by intercity bus from Dhaka/Chattogram.
Cox’s Bazar Airport (CXB): Cox’s Bazar has a domestic airport with multiple daily flights from Dhaka and occasional services from Chattogram. The flight from Dhaka takes about 1 hour; one-way fares commonly range from ~3,000-8,000 BDT depending on carrier and season. From the airport to Cox’s Bazar town/sea beach it’s about 10-20 minutes by taxi; expect prepaid or metered taxis to cost roughly 300-600 BDT, while CNG auto-rickshaws cost about 60-150 BDT. Hotel transfers are common - confirm availability with your hotel.
Shah Amanat International Airport, Chattogram (CGP): If you arrive at Chattogram (Chittagong) rather than CXB, the road journey to Cox’s Bazar takes roughly 4-5 hours by car or bus (around 150 km). Regular AC and non-AC intercity buses run this route with fares typically in the 200-500 BDT range; private car hires/taxis cost substantially more (commonly 4,000-6,000 BDT one-way).
Train: Cox’s Bazar does not have a major long-distance passenger rail hub; the main nearby railway station is Chattogram (Chittagong) Railway Station. Long-distance trains from Dhaka and other cities terminate in Chattogram, and from there you continue to Cox’s Bazar by bus or taxi (road transfer ~4-5 hours). Check Bangladesh Railway for schedules into Chattogram, then connect by road onward.
Bus: Direct intercity buses run to Cox’s Bazar from Dhaka (Gabtoli departures) and from Chattogram and other regional towns. Dhaka→Cox’s Bazar buses take about 8-10 hours; fares typically range from ~700-1,500 BDT for AC services. Chattogram→Cox’s Bazar buses take about 4-5 hours with fares around 200-500 BDT. Many operators sell tickets online or from terminals - choose reputable AC operators for overnight comfort.
How to Get Around Cox's Bazar#
Getting around Cox’s Bazar is easiest by a mix of short CNG/taxi hops and walking along the beach; for longer distances (from Chattogram or Dhaka) choose flights to CXB or reliable intercity buses. For island trips or day excursions, arrange boats or a private car in advance - local operators and hotels can arrange most transfers.
- Domestic Flights (3,000-8,000 BDT) - Short domestic flights connect Dhaka and Chattogram with Cox’s Bazar (about 1 hour from Dhaka). Flights are the fastest way to arrive and are convenient if you want to maximize beach time; expect luggage restrictions and seasonal price spikes, so book early in high season.
- Intercity Bus (200-1,500 BDT) - Buses are the most common budget option from Dhaka and Chattogram. Dhaka→Cox’s Bazar takes ~8-10 hours, Chattogram→Cox’s Bazar ~4-5 hours; AC sleepers/volvos are more comfortable for overnight trips. Buy tickets from reputable operators or online platforms and allow extra time during peak holiday periods.
- Private Taxi / Car Hire (4,000-6,000 BDT (one-way from Chattogram)) - Hiring a private car from Chattogram or Dhaka gives flexibility for stops (e.g., Foy’s Lake, Teknaf) and is faster door-to-door. Expect higher cost but more convenience - typical private transfers from Chattogram run several thousand taka. Negotiate and confirm inclusions (driver meals, tolls) in advance.
- CNG Auto-rickshaw (Local) (60-150 BDT) - CNGs and three-wheelers handle short hops around town and to nearby beaches. Fares are inexpensive and ideal for short distances, but they can be cramped with luggage; always agree price upfront if the driver won’t use a meter. Useful for first/last-mile transfers from the airport or bus stops.
- Motorbike / Scooter Rental (400-1,200 BDT/day) - Motorbike rental is an easy, flexible way to explore the beach, nearby villages and viewpoints - traffic is light outside the main beach area. Helmets may not always be provided; inspect the bike and rental terms carefully. Not recommended in heavy rain or for inexperienced riders due to variable road surfaces.
- Boat (Island Transfers) (600-2,000 BDT+ (varies by route)) - Boat trips run from Cox’s Bazar and nearby Teknaf to places like St. Martin’s Island and local fishing hamlets; schedules depend on season and tides. Book through a reputable operator or via your hotel; expect journey times of 2-4+ hours and variable prices depending on vessel and route.
- Walking - Much of the tourist area, including the long sea beach, is best explored on foot - it’s flat and pedestrian-friendly along the promenade and beachfront. Walking is the easiest way to enjoy sunrise/sunset and hop between shops and eateries; bring sun protection and stay hydrated.
Where to StayThe best areas to base yourself
Where to Stay in Cox's Bazar#
Laboni / Near long beach - $10-50/night
Budget guesthouses and economy hotels line the beach. Expect simple rooms with sea views at lower prices in peak season.
Long Beach Hotel (budget rooms) - Basic beachfront rooms available
Local guesthouses (Cox’s Bazar) - Affordable options near the beach
Laboni / Inani access - $45-120/night
Plenty of mid-range beachfront hotels offer air conditioning, pools, and on-site dining. Great for beach-focused stays and family trips.
Sayeman Beach Resort - Popular mid-range beachfront resort
Long Beach Hotel - Comfortable rooms, beachfront location
Central beachfront / Laboni - $120-350/night
Luxury resorts provide large rooms, spas, pools, and private beach sections. Expect higher prices during peak season and holidays.
Sea Pearl Beach Resort & Spa - Luxury beachfront resort and spa
Hilton Cox’s Bazar (newer upscale) - International chain with luxury services
Laboni Beach - $40-150/night
Stay near Laboni or the main beach to access eateries, boat trips, and tours easily. Central beachfront hotels simplify planning and transfers.
Sayeman Beach Resort - Central beachfront, easy to reach sights
Long Beach Hotel - Good orientation base for beach activities
Laboni / Central beach - $50-200/night
Choose resorts with pools and family rooms close to the sand. On-site dining and easy access to boat trips keep kids entertained.
Sayeman Beach Resort - Pools, family rooms, beach access
Long Beach Hotel - Child-friendly facilities and beachfront
Laboni / Central beachfront - $50-180/night
Pick a beachfront hotel with stable internet and quiet lounges. Off-peak season gives better rates and more reliable connectivity for remote work.
Sayeman Beach Resort - Reliable Wi‑Fi and relaxing work spots
Sea Pearl Beach Resort & Spa - Quiet corners and business facilities
Eat & DrinkStreet food, restaurants, bars and nightlife
Where to Eat in Cox's Bazar#
Cox’s Bazar’s food scene revolves around its enormous beach and the nearby fish market. Fresh seafood is king - eat grilled whole fish, prawn curry and fried hilsa at Laboni Beach stalls or one of the Inani shacks. The atmosphere is casual and sea-salty, best enjoyed with bare feet in the sand.
For less rustic fare, the hotels along Marine Drive and beachfront cafés serve international dishes and more polished seafood plates, while small bakeries and cafés provide vegetarian options.
Cox’s Bazar is all about fresh seafood - grilled fish, prawn curries and beach shacks selling straight-from-the-net dishes.
- Laboni Beach seafood stalls - Grilled fish, prawn curries and bangladeshi fish fry.
- Cox’s Bazar Fish Market - Huge variety of fresh catches and local sellers.
- Inani Beach shacks - Cheap seafood platters and beachside grills.
Marine Drive and the main beach road have hotel restaurants and cafés serving international food for travelers.
- Hotel restaurants on Marine Drive - Seafood and international buffet options.
- Beachfront cafés - Pizza, burgers and international snacks.
- Tourist-oriented restaurants - Fusion menus and western-style plates.
Vegetarians won’t go hungry: beach cafés, bakeries and hotel buffets offer salads, vegetable curries and rice-based dishes.
- Beach cafés - Salads, vegetable curries and rice plates.
- Local bakers - Vegetarian snacks, sweets and breads.
- Hotel buffet options - Vegetarian choices in larger hotels’ spreads.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Cox’s Bazar’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Cox's Bazar#
Cox’s Bazar is the country’s main beach town and its nights are largely centered on the seafront: Laboni Beach, Marine Drive and the long stretch of beachfront hotels and restaurants. Evenings mix seafood dinners, beachfront bars and casual beach parties during high season.
Most beach restaurants and bars slow down around midnight to 1 a.m.; peak season extends hours. Dress beach‑casual and be cautious with open‑air setups after storms. Alcohol is available at many hotels and licensed beachfront bars.
Best Bets
- Laboni Beach promenade - The busiest evening strip for food, bars and people‑watching.
- Marine Drive beach road (evening restaurants) - Sundown restaurants with sea views and casual nightlife.
- Beachfront bars and hotel terraces (search) - Hotel terraces and bars hosting live music and drinks.
- Laboni night market and street stalls (search) - Street food, souvenirs and lively evening atmosphere.
- Inani Beach (day trip, evening calm) - Quieter nights - good if you prefer relaxed seaside evenings.
- Seafood restaurants along the beach (search) - Fresh catches and bustling dining spots at night.
ShoppingMarkets, malls and souvenirs
Shopping in Cox's Bazar#
Cox’s Bazar is as much about beach souvenirs as shopping: lanes off Laboni Beach are lined with stalls selling handicrafts, seashells and cheap beachwear. The Burmese Market is the go-to place for carved wood, textiles and imitation gems. Prices are tourist-oriented; bargain firmly and compare multiple stalls before committing.
Best Bets
- Burmese Market (Tekpara area) - Main souvenir market for carvings, textiles and imitation jewellery.
- Laboni Beach stalls - Beachfront stalls selling bracelets, shells and tourist trinkets.
- Cox’s Bazar Main Market - Everyday market with clothing, seafood and household items.
- Parkside kiosks and shops - Small vendors selling snacks, souvenirs and beach gear.
- Independent handicraft stalls - Shops and stalls selling local woven goods and small crafts.
- Local tailors and clothing shops - Tailors who can stitch quick beachwear and custom garments.