Cox’s Bazar, on Bangladesh’s southeastern coast, is the country’s favorite seaside escape: a town of hotels, seafood restaurants and beach markets at the northern end of an unbroken stretch of sand that runs about 120 km (75 miles) south to Teknaf, one of the longest natural sea beaches in the world. Named after Captain Hiram Cox, an East India Company officer who settled refugees here in the 1790s, it draws millions of Bangladeshi visitors a year, who come to stroll on the sand at sunset, ride horses and beach bikes, and eat fresh fish and prawns. Beyond town, the Marine Drive follows the shore between green hills and the Bay of Bengal past the waterfalls of Himchari and the rocky beach of Inani, while inland, the Buddhist temples of Ramu and the island of Maheshkhali reflect the area’s Rakhine and Buddhist heritage. In season, ships sail to Saint Martin’s Island, the country’s only coral island. The beach is a place for walking rather than sunbathing, with strong currents and conservative dress codes, and the area has serious seasonal hazards: the monsoon brings close to a meter of rain in July alone, and cyclones can strike in April and May and in October and November. The best time to visit is November to February.
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Top tours in Cox's Bazar
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Cox’s Bazar at a glance
- Best for: long beach walks and sunsets, seafood, scenic drives along the Marine Drive, waterfalls and hills, Buddhist temples, and boat trips to islands.
- How long: 2–4 days; add 1–2 days for Saint Martin’s Island in season.
- Best time: November to February, dry and sunny with calm seas; avoid the monsoon from June to September and watch cyclone forecasts in April–May and October–November.
- Getting there: fly from Dhaka in about an hour, take the train from Dhaka in about 8–10 hours, or ride an overnight bus.
- Getting around: by CNG auto-rickshaw, easy-bike, rented car or on foot along the beach.
- Good to know: dress modestly on the beach and swim only between lifeguard flags.
- Before you go: the visa, money and general safety are in our Bangladesh travel guide.
The main areas of Cox’s Bazar
The beach in brief
The beach is wide, flat and gently shelving, backed in town by hotels and markets and farther south by casuarina trees, fishing villages and hills. In town, it is divided into named access points, from Laboni Point in the north through Sugandha Point to Kolatoli Point, each with stalls, deckchairs and lifeguard stations. South of Kolatoli, the Marine Drive runs along the coast for about 80 km (50 miles) to Teknaf, with quieter beaches all the way.
Laboni and the town center
The northern end, around Laboni Point, is closest to the town center, the main bazaar, the Burmese market and the airport. It is the busiest stretch, with shops selling shells, pickles, dried fish and Burmese goods.
Sugandha and Kolatoli
The middle of the hotel strip, around Sugandha Point and Kolatoli, has the largest concentration of hotels, resorts and restaurants, and is the liveliest part of the beach at sunset.
Himchari, Inani and the Marine Drive
South of town, the Marine Drive passes Himchari, with hills, a seasonal waterfall and viewpoints, and Inani, about 25–30 km (16–19 miles) south, where coral-stone boulders scatter the beach; a few resorts along this stretch offer a quieter stay.
Where to stay in Cox’s Bazar
- Kolatoli and Sugandha: the widest choice of hotels and resorts, from budget to international brands, close to the beach and restaurants.
- Laboni and the town: older and budget hotels near the markets.
- Marine Drive and Inani: a few upscale resorts with quiet beaches, better with a car.
Rooms fill and prices rise sharply in December and January, on Fridays and Saturdays, and during Eid, Durga Puja and school holidays; book ahead and look for hotels set back from the noisiest streets.
Top things to see in Cox’s Bazar
The beach at sunset
Every evening, crowds gather on the sand to watch the sun set over the Bay of Bengal, with horse rides, beach bikes, photographers, peanut sellers and kite flyers. Walk south from Sugandha or Kolatoli for quieter stretches, and come early in the morning to see fishermen hauling in nets.
Marine Drive
The Marine Drive, opened in 2017, runs about 80 km (50 miles) from Kolatoli to Teknaf between forested hills and the sea, one of the most scenic roads in Bangladesh. Hire a car or CNG for a half or full day, stopping at Himchari, Inani, fishing villages with colorful boats and viewpoints at Shamlapur and Teknaf.
Himchari
About 12 km (7 miles) south of town, Himchari has green hills, a small waterfall that flows in and just after the monsoon, and steps up to a viewpoint over the beach and the Marine Drive.
Inani Beach
Inani, about 25–30 km (16–19 miles) south, is quieter and more natural than the town beaches, with coral-stone boulders exposed at low tide and clearer water; sunsets here are spectacular.
Ramu
About 15 km (9 miles) east of town, Ramu is a center of Bangladesh’s Buddhist community, with monasteries, wooden temples and a large reclining Buddha. Several temples were attacked and burned in 2012 and have since been rebuilt. Visit respectfully, removing shoes.
More classic sights
- Burmese Market: shops run by Rakhine families selling textiles, handicrafts, pickles and sandals.
- Aggmeda Khyang: a large Buddhist monastery in town, with wooden halls and old Buddha images.
- Radar viewpoint (Light House): a hill near Laboni with views over the town and beach.
- Dulahazara Safari Park: a large safari park with tigers, elephants and deer, about 50 km (30 miles) north on the Chittagong road.
- Maheshkhali Island: reached by speedboat from the town jetty, with the hilltop Adinath Hindu temple, Buddhist temples, salt pans and mangroves.
- Fish market and dried-fish yards: the busy fishing harbor and the drying racks of Nazirartek, for photographers with a strong stomach.
Beaches, boat trips and activities
Swimming and beach safety
Swimming is popular, but the beach has strong rip currents, especially at changing tides and in rough weather, and drownings occur every year. Swim only where lifeguards are present, between the flags, never when red flags fly or during the monsoon, and never after dark. Bathing is mostly done fully clothed by locals; foreign women in swimsuits attract a lot of attention, so wear modest swimwear or a T-shirt and shorts. See our beaches guide.
Saint Martin’s Island
The coral island of Saint Martin’s, off the southern tip of the country, is reached by ships from Cox’s Bazar (about 7–8 hours) or from Teknaf (about 2–3 hours) in season. To protect its reefs and turtles, the government has limited visits: in recent seasons, tourists have been allowed only from about November to January, with a daily cap, online registration and overnight stays allowed only in part of that period. Check the current rules and buy tickets through licensed operators. See our snorkeling guide.
Boat trips and surfing
Speedboats and ferries cross to Maheshkhali and Sonadia islands, and fishing boats can be hired for short trips. Cox’s Bazar is also the birthplace of surfing in Bangladesh, with a small local surf club; waves are best from about March to October, but conditions can be dangerous. See our boat trips and surfing guides.
Food and drink
Cox’s Bazar is all about seafood: grilled or fried pomfret, red snapper, coral fish, lobster, crab and huge prawns, chosen from ice displays in the evening at restaurants and stalls near Kolatoli and Sugandha, plus ilish in season and Rakhine-style dishes. Try dried fish (shutki) curries, coconut water on the beach, and Burmese-style snacks. Alcohol is not sold in restaurants; a few upscale hotels have licensed bars.
Around Cox’s Bazar
- Teknaf: the southern tip of mainland Bangladesh, about 80 km (50 miles) south, with the Naf River border with Myanmar and the jetty for Saint Martin’s; the area has refugee camps, drug-related violence and security restrictions, so ask locally before going.
- Saint Martin’s Island: in season only; see above.
- Maheshkhali and Sonadia: islands of temples, salt pans and mangroves, reached by boat.
- Chittagong and the Hill Tracts: about 150 km (93 miles) north, with Bandarban and Rangamati, which need advance notice to the authorities.
- Dhaka: by flight or train. See our Dhaka guide.
Getting there
By air
Cox’s Bazar Airport (CXB), on the north edge of town, has frequent domestic flights from Dhaka, taking about an hour, with Biman Bangladesh, US-Bangla and NovoAir, and flights from Chittagong; the airport has been extended and upgraded for international services. Hotels are 10–20 minutes away by CNG or car.
By train
Since the line opened in late 2023, express trains, including the Cox’s Bazar Express and the Parjotak Express, run from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar in about 8–10 hours, ending at an iconic new station designed in the shape of an oyster shell. Book through Bangladesh Railway’s online ticketing, which requires registration, and reserve early for weekends and holidays.
By road
Overnight air-conditioned buses run from Dhaka in about 10–12 hours and from Chittagong in about 4–5 hours, but road accidents are common, especially at night; the trains or a flight are safer.
Getting around: practical details
CNGs (green auto-rickshaws) and electric easy-bikes are the main transport in town; agree on the fare first. For the Marine Drive, Inani and Ramu, hire a CNG or a car with a driver through your hotel for a half or full day. Walking along the beach between the points is easy at low tide.
When to go and how long to stay
Cox’s Bazar has a tropical monsoon climate with very heavy rain in summer. November to February is the best time, with sunny days around 27–31 °C (81–87 °F), calm seas and cool evenings; it is also the peak season, with December and January the busiest. March to May is hot and humid, with thunderstorms and the first cyclone season in April and May. The monsoon, from June to September, brings torrential rain, with nearly 1,000 mm (39 in) in July, rough seas, landslides in the surrounding hills and many closures. October is a transition month, with the second cyclone season from October to November. The table uses the 1991–2020 climate normals for Cox’s Bazar from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, as submitted to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO): average daily highs and lows, total rain, and days with at least 1 mm of rain.
| Month | Average high / low | Rain (days with 1 mm or more) | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27 °C (81 °F) / 16 °C (60 °F) | 6 mm (0.2 in), 1 day | Dry, sunny and calm; peak season |
| February | 30 °C (85 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F) | 15 mm (0.6 in), 1 day | Dry and warm; good beach weather |
| March | 32 °C (89 °F) / 22 °C (71 °F) | 38 mm (1.5 in), 2 days | Hot |
| April | 33 °C (92 °F) / 25 °C (76 °F) | 85 mm (3.3 in), 4 days | Hot; storms; cyclone season begins |
| May | 33 °C (92 °F) / 26 °C (78 °F) | 346 mm (13.6 in), 13 days | Very humid; cyclone risk; monsoon arrives |
| June | 32 °C (89 °F) / 26 °C (78 °F) | 823 mm (32.4 in), 22 days | Torrential rain; rough sea |
| July | 31 °C (87 °F) / 25 °C (78 °F) | 987 mm (38.9 in), 25 days | The wettest month; landslide risk |
| August | 31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (78 °F) | 707 mm (27.8 in), 25 days | Very wet |
| September | 32 °C (89 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F) | 420 mm (16.5 in), 20 days | Monsoon easing |
| October | 32 °C (90 °F) / 25 °C (76 °F) | 255 mm (10.0 in), 10 days | Rains ending; cyclone risk |
| November | 31 °C (87 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F) | 54 mm (2.1 in), 3 days | Dry and pleasant; Saint Martin’s season opens |
| December | 28 °C (83 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F) | 12 mm (0.5 in), 1 day | Dry and sunny; busiest month |
Cox’s Bazar receives about 3,750 mm (148 in) of rain a year, almost all from May to October.
Three days in Cox’s Bazar
Day 1: arrive, walk the beach from Sugandha to Kolatoli and watch the sunset, with a seafood dinner. Day 2: drive the Marine Drive to Himchari, Inani and the fishing villages, returning for sunset at Inani. Day 3: Ramu’s temples and the Burmese Market, or a boat to Maheshkhali.
Two days
The beach and sunset, then a morning on the Marine Drive to Inani.
What a trip to Cox’s Bazar costs
Prices are approximate, for October 2026, converted at about 123 taka to the US dollar.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Flight Dhaka–Cox’s Bazar, one way | 5,000–9,000 BDT (about US$40–73) |
| Train Dhaka–Cox’s Bazar, air-conditioned seat | 1,000–2,000 BDT (about US$8–16) |
| CNG across town | 100–300 BDT (about US$0.80–2.45) |
| Car with driver for the Marine Drive, full day | 4,000–7,000 BDT (about US$33–57) |
| Grilled fish or prawn dinner | 800–2,500 BDT (about US$6.50–20) per person |
| Deckchair on the beach, per hour | 50–100 BDT (about US$0.40–0.80) |
| Ship to Saint Martin’s Island, return | 2,500–6,000 BDT (about US$20–49) |
| Mid-range hotel double, per night | 5,000–12,000 BDT (about US$40–98), more in December |
Practical tips for Cox’s Bazar
- Avoid weekends and holidays: Fridays, Saturdays, Eid and December are the busiest.
- Check the tide and flags: before swimming, and stay near lifeguards.
- Agree on fares first: for CNGs, easy-bikes and boats.
- Dress modestly: both on the beach and in town.
- Watch the forecast: cyclone signals close the sea and the boats to Saint Martin’s.
- Carry cash: ATMs are in town, but not along the Marine Drive.
Safety
Cox’s Bazar town and beach are busy with domestic tourists and generally safe, but the area has particular hazards. Rip currents cause drownings every year; swim only where lifeguards are on duty, between the flags, and never in rough weather or after dark. Tropical cyclones can strike in April–May and October–November; if the Bangladesh Meteorological Department raises a signal, follow your hotel’s instructions, stay off the beach and expect boats to Saint Martin’s to stop. In the monsoon, heavy rain triggers landslides in the surrounding hills and floods low-lying areas. South of town, the Rohingya refugee camps in Ukhia and Teknaf host about a million people who fled Myanmar; there are regular reports of insecurity, protests and drug-related gang violence, especially around Teknaf, and travel there may need permission. Women may face staring and harassment on crowded beaches; going with a companion helps. Petty theft occurs in crowds, so keep valuables in the hotel safe. In an emergency, call 999.
What to pack for Cox’s Bazar
Light, modest clothes, long shorts or loose trousers and a T-shirt for swimming, sandals or water shoes, a sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen, insect repellent, a rain jacket from May to October, a light sweater for December evenings, and an adapter for round two-pin or British-style plugs. See our water shoes, rain jackets and travel adapters guides.
Cox’s Bazar travel FAQ
How long is Cox’s Bazar beach?
About 120 km (75 miles) of unbroken sand from Cox’s Bazar to Teknaf, one of the longest natural sea beaches in the world.
What is the best time to visit Cox’s Bazar?
November to February, when it is dry and the sea is calm. June to September is the monsoon, and cyclones can strike in April–May and October–November.
How do I get from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar?
By domestic flight in about an hour, by express train in about 8–10 hours, or by overnight bus.
Can you swim at Cox’s Bazar?
Yes, near lifeguards and between the flags, but rip currents are strong; never swim in rough weather, during the monsoon or after dark.
What should women wear on the beach in Cox’s Bazar?
Modest clothes, such as a T-shirt and loose shorts or leggings, even for swimming; bikinis attract a great deal of attention.
How do I get to Saint Martin’s Island?
By ship from Cox’s Bazar or Teknaf in season, usually from about November to January, with government limits on daily visitors.
What is the Marine Drive?
A coastal road of about 80 km (50 miles) from Cox’s Bazar to Teknaf, between hills and the sea, opened in 2017.
Is Cox’s Bazar safe?
The town and beach are generally safe, but watch for rip currents, cyclones and landslides, and ask locally before visiting Teknaf and the refugee camp areas.
How many days do I need in Cox’s Bazar?
Two to four days, plus one or two for Saint Martin’s Island in season.
Where should I stay in Cox’s Bazar?
Kolatoli or Sugandha for the widest choice near the beach, or a resort on the Marine Drive for peace and quiet.
Sources and last review
Researched and last reviewed on 5 October 2026. Climate normals: the Bangladesh Meteorological Department via the World Meteorological Organization’s 1991–2020 normals; exchange rate: Bangladesh Bank. Tropical cyclones, monsoon flooding, the Rohingya camps in Ukhia and Teknaf, drug-related violence, permission requirements, women’s safety and transport risks: the UK government’s factual safety pages. The beach’s length, the Marine Drive’s opening and length, the railway’s opening, the airport upgrade, Saint Martin’s Island rules, distances, journey times, emergency numbers and typical prices are general references or estimates, flagged for checking. Rules change, so check locally before you go. For the visa, money and general safety, see our Bangladesh travel guide.
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