Cox's Bazar

November to February is dry and pleasantly cool, the best time for the beach and day trips. March to May gets hot and humid. The monsoon, roughly June to September, brings heavy rain and dangerous seas. Holidays and long weekends are very busy, so book ahead then.

• Kolatoli and Sugandha

  The busy heart of the beach, with most of the hotels and restaurants within a short walk.

  Good for: First visits, Families

• Laboni Beach

  Closest to the town and its markets. Lively in the evenings, and practical for shopping.

  Good for: Short stays, Shopping

• Inani

  Further south along the Marine Drive. Quieter sand, rocks at low tide and larger resorts.

  Good for: Couples, Slow trips

1. 1

   Drive the Marine Drive

   The coastal road south towards Teknaf, with the sea on one side and hills on the other. Stop at Himchari for the hills and a view over the beach, and at Inani.

2. 2

   Sunset on the beach

   Evenings on the sand are the town's main event. Watch from Laboni or Sugandha as the light goes down over the bay.

3. 3

   Ramu's Buddhist temples

   An easy half-day inland to old monasteries and a large reclining Buddha. Dress modestly and take your shoes off where asked.

4. 4

   Maheshkhali Island

   A short boat ride across the channel to a hilltop temple, salt fields and island villages. Check the boat times before you go.

Seafood is the reason to come hungry: grilled pomfret, prawns, crab and lobster at the beach restaurants, chosen fresh from the ice. Shutki, the region's dried fish, is sold everywhere and is worth tasting cooked into a bhorta.

CNGs and easy-bikes

Auto-rickshaws and battery rickshaws for short hops along the beach roads. Agree the fare first.

A hired car or microbus

The comfortable way to do the Marine Drive and Ramu in a day, with stops where you like.

Getting there

Flights from Dhaka land at Cox's Bazar's airport; there is also a direct train and long-distance coaches.

• Swim only near the lifeguard posts and follow their flags. Currents can be strong, especially in the monsoon.
• Saint Martin's Island trips are limited by season and by government rules that have changed in recent years. Check the current rules before planning one.