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Bangladesh Travel Risks 2026: What Nobody Is Telling You (Warning)

Bangladesh Travel Risks 2026: What Nobody Is Telling You (Warning)
Last updated 3/13/2026•~5 min read•More in Travel
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Travel in Bangladesh in 2026 will be fraught with unexpected dangers. Rising crime rates and an unstable political situation will make Bangladesh unsafe for tourists and expats alike. Reports say tourist scams are up 30% and Bangladesh suffered an outbreak of 100,000 reported dengue fever cases in 2025.

  • The rise in street crimes in our cities especially in Dhaka and Chittagong.
  • Political unrest is rampant, with frequent violent protests.
  • Air quality in the city of Dhaka deteriorated into one of the world’s worst recently, exposing residents to hazardous concentrations of pollutants and threatening public health.
  • Inflation has driven up the cost of food and other staple items by more than 20 percent over the last 12 months.
  • Dengue fever cases have skyrocketed to a new high with more than 100,000 cases recorded in 2025.

Danger Lurking Abroad As a result of increased criminality, illness and unrest, travelers are being warned of dangers and hazards associated with a variety of destinations worldwide.

Crime and Safety Risks in Bangladesh

Is Bangladesh safe to visit? Well in my opinion, probably not. Looking at the statistics for 2026, there are clear reasons as to why I believe this. In recent years Bangladesh has seen a rise in street crime which includes the rising number of thefts and muggings, especially in cities such as Dhaka and Chittagong. Crime statistics have shown that street crimes have increased by 25% over the last 12 months. The safety of tourists is therefore increasingly at risk.

It’s already known that Bangladesh has unstable politics and this often translates into frequent demonstrations that can frequently turn violent. All this can make tourism a very unsafe experience and one is advised to stay as far as possible from demonstrations and also to not express any political opinions in public. The increase in harassment and scams against tourists is up 30 per cent, which won't do much to alleviate concerns tourists and potential tourists have regarding the country’s current safety record.

Health and Environmental Hazards

Environmental hazards continue to affect Bangladesh. Air pollution in the capital city of Dhaka is amongst the worst in the world, resulting in serious respiratory health issues that not only affect the local population but the visitors as well, because the condition of air pollution has aggravating various health problems.

Overlapping environmental problems have led to waterborne diseases. We strongly advise against the use of tap water. Unfortunately dengue fever has turned into a real epidemic with over 100,000 cases reported in 2025 – a 50% increase on the previous year.

Dengue fever is at a record high with more than 100,000 recorded cases. See our health advice before you travel.

Economic and Cost Concerns

With the recent rise in inflation in Bangladesh, prices of food items and other everyday commodities have shot up by about 20pc in the last one year. And all these are more bad news for tourists as the cost of stay, food and travelling around the country has gone up over the years.

The average cost for an overnight stay at a hotel is about BDT 8,000 (EUR 70 or USD 75 or INR 6,000). The food costs at mid-range restaurants have also gone up by BDT 1,500 (EUR 13 or USD 14 or INR 1,100). In a string of developments that indicate a recent hike in prices due to the country’s financial crises, hotel prices and meals at restaurants have gone up.

Travel and Transportation Warnings

Transport in Bangladesh is a difficult proposition. Most roads are badly maintained and traffic accidents are a common occurrence. Moreover, the public transport is usually highly overcrowded and considered not to be a safe mode of transport especially for tourists.

The recent increase in fuel prices is yet another factor in play which is affecting our transport costs. This is affecting everyone locally and tourists travelling internally. We strongly recommend all to budget for their transportation costs and to use reputable private transfer companies wherever possible.

With the fuel prices going up, the transport costs are also expected to rise. Using the public transport is often the choice of many locals but it's also very crowded and not considered a safe choice for tourists.

What Indians in Bangladesh Must Know Right Now

Life as an Indian Expatriate/ Tourist in Bangladesh Indians living and traveling in Bangladesh are likely to encounter a number of problems. Anti-foreigner feelings are growing in the country and Indians are asked to be careful, also there's always the danger of diplomatic disputes, which could affect the Indian citizen.

Emergency numbers to remember for Indians Every now and then we encounter situations that demand us to have some emergency numbers handy. Important numbers for Indians in Bangladesh - Indian Embassy in Bangladesh - Phone number: +880 2-9888789 Ministry of External Affairs emergency number - Phone number: +91-11-23012113 Remember to reach out to these numbers at the earliest in case of any trouble.

Risk and Crisis Data Breakdown

Before vs. Now: Bangladesh's Crisis Impact

Official Resources and Contacts

For the most up-to-date information please refer to official sources. The Official Bangladesh Government Portal contains information on the policies of the government of Bangladesh and other safety advisory notices. The Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs also contains information on Bangladesh’s relations with other foreign countries and official travel advisories.

Data for Bangladesh is available on the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and World Health Organization - Bangladesh, which provides information on the economic and human development aspects, as well as health issues.

Check the latest government travel advisories and updates here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bangladesh

Is it safe to travel to Bangladesh in 2026?

Based on the latest information available to us, there appears to be an increased risk of crime and health issues. You should exercise extreme caution.

What are the major health concerns for travelers in Bangladesh?

Air pollution, waterborne diseases, and dengue fever are significant health threats.

How expensive is traveling in Bangladesh?

Costs have risen sharply. expect higher expenses for accommodation and food.

What should Indian expats be aware of in Bangladesh?

Be aware of potential anti-foreigner sentiment and have emergency contacts ready.

Are there any travel advisories for Bangladesh?

Yes, please refer to official government travel advisories before planning your trip.

What are the risks of political unrest in Bangladesh?

The political situation can lead to unrest, demonstrations, riots and violence. Large gatherings are to be avoided. Keep informed of local developments and follow the advice given by authorities.

What steps can be taken to ensure safety while traveling in Bangladesh?

Follow local media, take licensed transport, avoid troubled areas and keep important numbers at hand.

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Bangladesh Travel Risks 2026: What Nobody Is Telling You (Warning) | AbroVa