Cox's Bazar (কক্সবাজার): travel guide

World's longest unbroken natural sea beach stretching over 120 kilometers with breathtaking sunsets.

Cox's Bazar is in Cox's Bazar district, Chattogram division, Bangladesh. Compare bus, train and air fares to Cox's Bazar and see the route on a map.

Things to do in Cox's Bazar

  • Inani & Himchari Marine Drive Beach (ইনানী ও হিমছড়ি সৈকত): Beaches south of Cox's Bazar along the Marine Drive to Teknaf: Himchari, with a waterfall and hilltop sea view, and Inani, an 18 km beach in Ukhia known for its sharp black-green coral stones. Beach, entry about 30 BDT, best time: November to March; low tide shows the Inani coral stones
  • Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park (Dulahazara) (বঙ্গবন্ধু শেখ মুজিব সাফারি পার্ক, ডুলাহাজারা): Forest Department safari park of about 600 ha at Dulahazara, Chakaria, with deer, tigers, lions, bears, gaur, crocodiles and elephants. Park, free entry, best time: November to February
  • Maheshkhali Island and Adinath Temple (মহেশখালী ও আদিনাথ মন্দির): Bangladesh's only hilly island, known for its sweet betel leaf; the hilltop Adinath Temple is a Hindu pilgrimage site. Island, free entry, best time: October to March
  • Ramu Buddhist Villages (রামু): Buddhist area of Ramu upazila with old Rakhine wooden kyangs, Ramkot/Rangkut vihara and a meditation centre with a 100-foot golden reclining Buddha. Religious, free entry
  • Sonadia Island (সোনাদিয়া দ্বীপ): A 9 sq km island in Maheshkhali upazila, 15 km north-west of Cox's Bazar, with mangroves, migratory birds, red crabs and olive ridley and green turtle nesting beaches. Island, free entry, best time: November to February
  • Kutubdia Island and Lighthouse (কুতুবদিয়া দ্বীপ ও বাতিঘর): Island in the north of Cox's Bazar district known for its lighthouse (batighar) and quiet beach; it has lost about half its area to erosion in 20 years. Island, free entry, best time: November to March
  • Cox's Bazar Sea Beach (Laboni, Sugandha, Kolatoli) (কক্সবাজার সমুদ্র সৈকত): The town's main beach points on the 120 km Cox's Bazar Beach, Bangladesh's top tourist destination; about 200 m wide at high tide and 400 m at low tide. Beach, free entry, best time: November to March; sunset
  • Radiant Fish World: Aquarium in Cox's Bazar; reviewers report a 300 taka ticket with extra charges for 3D movies and fish foot therapy. Museum, entry about 300 BDT
  • Burmese Market (বার্মিজ মার্কেট): Market of about 306 shops started in 1962 at Tekpara, selling Rakhine and Myanmar goods such as pickles, fabrics and sandalwood products; other 'Burmese market' outlets are near the beach. Market, free entry, best time: Evening
  • Aggmeda Khyang: One of the two largest Buddhist monasteries of Cox's Bazar Sadar, founded 1812; the present Burmese-style building on timber columns dates from 1898, with the Maha Thin Daw Gree shrine behind it. Religious, free entry

Where to stay in Cox's Bazar

  • Hotel Sea Crown (MidRange), about ৳3,000 - ৳4,600/night. 3-star sea-facing hotel on Marine Drive, Kolatoli, with about 100 air-conditioned rooms
  • Sayeman Beach Resort (Luxury), about ৳10,200 - ৳23,600/night. Beachfront 4-star resort with 228 rooms, outdoor pool, spa and children's pool
  • Royal Pearl Suites (MidRange), about ৳3,200 - ৳4,600/night. Small 19-room hotel (opened 2018) with indoor pool and fitness centre
  • Prime Park Hotel (Budget), about ৳2,800 - ৳4,000/night. 50-room hotel with free breakfast and airport shuttle, 1.5 km from Kolatoli Beach
  • Best Western Heritage (MidRange), about ৳4,200 - ৳7,800/night. Hotel at Kolatoli Circle with outdoor pool, spa and gym, about 0.8 km from Kolatoli Beach
  • Mermaid Beach Resort (EcoCottage), about ৳22,900 - ৳43,100/night. Eco-style cottage resort beside a secluded beach at Pechar Dwip on the Marine Drive, about 14 km from town
  • Seagull Hotels Ltd. (MidRange), about ৳3,100 - ৳11,200/night. Long-established beachfront hotel near Sugandha and Laboni beaches with outdoor pool
  • Long Beach Hotel (MidRange), about ৳5,400 - ৳7,000/night. 4-star hotel in Kolatoli with indoor pool and free airport transfers

Travel advice for Cox's Bazar

  • Red Flag High Tide Warning: Swim only in the marked bathing zones at Sugandha and Laboni points, where flags show the safe area and lifeguards are posted. Red flags warn of hidden channels and strong currents: stay out of the water. Bathing at ebb tide is banned, though often ignored.
  • Fresh seafood and dried fish: Fried fish such as Ruponchanda and Loitta (Bombay duck) and shutki (dried fish) dishes are common at Cox's Bazar eateries. Agree the price per kilo before ordering fresh fish.
  • Day trip to Ramu: Ramu, about 16 km from Cox's Bazar, has old wooden Buddhist shrines and pagodas and works well as a half-day trip from town.
  • Saint Martin ships leave from Nuniya Chhara ghat: Authorised ships for Saint Martin's Island departed only from Nuniya Chhara BIWTA Ghat in Cox's Bazar between 7 and 10 AM in the 2025-26 season; Teknaf and Inani routes were prohibited. Check current rules.
  • Spicy crab: Whole crabs coated in spice mixes, then slow-cooked or grilled; found at most downtown eateries, with Salt Bistro and Café recommended by UNB.
  • Burmese pickles: Myanmar-style pickles are a speciality of the Burmese Market at Tekpara, sold cheaply along with nuts and dried fish.

More places to explore in Bangladesh

JatraSathi is a free Bangladesh trip planner in English and Bangla. Prices are estimates; check before you travel.