Ratargul Swamp Forest
A freshwater swamp forest where tall trees stand in water during the rainy season. Visitors explore by small boat through the flooded forest, which is a rare habitat in the country.
Sylhet and Srimangal
Tea estates roll across this green region, and the freshwater swamp forest of Ratargul and river scenery lie near the Indian border.
Attractive locations
Jaflong
A border area on the Piyain river at the foot of the Khasi Hills of India, with clear streams, stone collecting and views of the hills across the frontier. It is a popular outing from Sylhet.
Khadimnagar National Park
A forested hill park on the edge of Sylhet with walking trails, tea gardens nearby and good birdwatching. It is an easy escape from the city.
Madhabkunda Waterfall
One of the largest waterfalls in the country, plunging over a rocky cliff into a pool in a forested hillside. The area is popular for picnics and walks, especially after the rains.
Shah Jalal Dargah
The shrine of Shah Jalal, a revered Sufi saint linked with the spread of Islam in Sylhet. Pilgrims gather at the tomb and mosque, and visitors should dress modestly.
Lawachara National Park
A protected forest near Srimangal with walking trails, tropical woodland and a good chance of seeing the rare western hoolock gibbon, as well as monkeys and birds. Tea estates surround it.
Lalakhal
A narrow waterway in the Sylhet region known for its deep blue-green water and the greenery along its banks. Visitors come for slow boat rides and photographs.
Airports
Osmany International Airport ZYL
It is about 7 km in a straight line from Sylhet and Srimangal.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Bangladesh page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan17.1 °C11 mm
- Feb19.7 °C34 mm
- Mar24.1 °C98 mm
- Apr26.8 °C377 mm
- May27.8 °C540 mm
- Jun28.0 °C701 mm
- Jul28.0 °C693 mm
- Aug28.0 °C545 mm
- Sep27.5 °C432 mm
- Oct25.8 °C231 mm
- Nov22.1 °C24 mm
- Dec18.5 °C21 mm
Driest months: Jan, Nov, Dec. Wettest months: Jun, Jul, Aug.
Costs
Prices here are about 25% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
999 for police, ambulance and fire.
local government
Tourist Police Bangladesh
Helps with: Police unit set up to give security to tourists and protect tourist spots. Its website has a tourist helpline page and a 'Please Help Me' button item. Its phone numbers could not be confirmed here.
Who qualifies: Tourists, local and foreign, at tourist spots in Bangladesh.
local government
National emergency service 999
Helps with: Bangladesh's national emergency service number, shown on the Bangladesh Tourism Board site together with 333 for government information and services and 102 for the fire service hotline.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Bangladesh facing an emergency, including visitors.
Phone: 999
local government
Bangladesh Tourism Board
Helps with: Bangladesh's national tourism organisation. Its contact page gives an office address in Dhaka, a phone number and an email address for tourism enquiries.
Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Bangladesh or planning a trip there.
Phone: +88-02-41024234
Email: btbnto@gmail.com
Address: Paryatan Bhaban, E-5 C/1, West Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Administrative Area, Dhaka 1207
ngo
Bangladesh Red Crescent Society
Helps with: Bangladesh's national Red Crescent society. Its headquarters in Dhaka lists a main phone line, a hotline open 9 am to 4 pm and a blood hotline.
Who qualifies: People in Bangladesh who need its humanitarian, disaster or blood services.
Phone: +88 02 48310188
Address: 684-686 Red Crescent Sarak, Bara Maghbazar, Dhaka 1217
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Bangladesh
Helps with: The UN migration agency, working in Bangladesh since 1998 on migration management, crisis response and international cooperation. It is based at UN House in Dhaka.
Who qualifies: Migrants and partners working on migration in Bangladesh. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +88 02 55051751
Address: UN House, House 1, Road 86 & 88, Gulshan 2, Dhaka 1212