The monsoon season in Bangladesh can be magical. The smell of soil after the first rain, lush greenery, mist in the air and clouds make up the mood. But as dreamy as it sounds, not all places get better with rain, especially when it comes to travel. Whether it’s flash floods, landslides or a sea that decides to go wild overnight, there are a few spots better left off your travel list this monsoon. Here’s where not to go:
1. Deep inside the Chittagong Hill Tracts
There’s no doubt, the Chittagong Hill Tracts are stunning. Think of towering green mountains, little streams, fog that hugs the mountains and clouds so low they might as well knock on your window. It’s like a postcard coming to life.
But during monsoon? That beauty turns tricky.
Every year, local authorities issue warnings as entire portions of hill roads collapse or rivers swell up overnight, cutting off access to remote areas. If you’re thinking of going deep into places like Thanchi, Ruma, Keokradong or Debotakhum, it might be worth doing a weather check or postponing until the skies clear.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, heavy rainfall can sometimes cross 300mm in the Chittagong Hill Tracts during peak season, drastically increasing the risk of landslides and flash floods.
2. Saint Martin’s Island
A trip to Saint Martin’s is always tempting. Sandy beaches, colourful coral reefs, exotic marine life and those easy beach days with fresh seafood on the side.
Sounds perfect, right? But the Bay of Bengal during monsoon is unpredictable and unforgiving at times. The route from Teknaf to Saint Martin is known to be tough even in normal weather, but during monsoon, it becomes very dangerous.
In fact, transport is often suspended during rough weather. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) regularly halts boat services when conditions are risky. And as of now, there’s an active ban in place from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, restricting access to Saint Martin’s until November 2025.
If you somehow do make it there and a sudden storm rolls in, you could be stuck for days, possibly without cell signal, medical help or a way back. And if boats are running, brace yourself for big waves, poor visibility, and a nerve-racking ride that’s anything but relaxing.
Unless you’re the kind of person who enjoys a surprise island lockdown, maybe wait till things settle down a bit.
3. Cox’s Bazar
Cox’s Bazar is the ultimate beach getaway for most Bangladeshis and understandably so. It’s got the world’s longest unbroken sea beach, after all.
But during monsoon, the mood shifts. The waves get rough; the wind picks up and some days you’re not even allowed near the water. The local weather office sends out alerts, and they’re not just being cautious.
Tides in July can surge up to 3 or 4 feet beyond normal levels, sometimes more. Then there’s the rain. Not the gentle, dreamy kind but the heavy, relentless kind that floods the streets. You might find yourself wading through water just to reach your hotel. And instead of enjoying surfing, you’re staring out a soggy window, waiting for a break in the downpour.
Check the local news and weather forecast before packing your bags.
So, where can you go?
Don’t worry, not everything is doomed. Some places actually thrive during monsoon. Tanguar Haor, for example, becomes this floating dreamscape. Boat rides guide you through a water world where everything feels peaceful and surreal. Sylhet’s tea gardens or even rural homestays offer a quieter, safer kind of monsoon magic.