How to Pack for Bangladesh – It’s Always Best to Be Prepared!

 Bangladesh has what's known as a tropical monsoon climate. What does this mean? It means that for most of the year, the weather is mostly the same – hot and humid – but that there are periods of heavy rainfall to watch out for, especially if you plan to do a lot of outdoor activities. Furthermore, Bangladesh is a Muslim country that values modesty in terms of dress. In light of the above, it's best to give some prior thought to what you're going to pack for your holiday there.

Step One – Breathable and Light Fabrics

Since Bangladesh lies near the equator, it experiences a tropical climate. This means that while the country doesn't have extreme weather fluctuations like some countries do (think spring, summer, autumn, winter and all the changes in weather that each of those seasons brings in just one year), it is going to be relatively hot and humid all year-round. Therefore, it makes sense that you focus on packing items of clothing that are made of fabrics that are sweat-friendly and light, so that they can keep you cool and as dry as possible while you're out and about exploring the cities of Bangladesh.

Step Two – Protection from the Rain

If you're travelling to Bangladesh during one of its monsoon seasons, you can expect to experience a lot of heavy rains during your vacation. Even if you go during a non-monsoon season, there can be occasional rains, which might be a lot heavier than what you're used to back home if you come from a region that only really experiences drizzles and light showers. Therefore, make sure to pack some waterproof jackets or raincoats as well as footwear that can keep your feet relatively dry, even when it's raining outside. If you're comfortable with one, you can also make sure to carry around a compact, foldable umbrella in your bag to use in case it starts raining while you're outside. Another thing to remember is that it's not just yourself that you need to protect from the rain. You'll need to find a way to protect your valuables such as your electronics (smartphones and music players for example) from getting wet. Therefore, it's also advisable to carry a waterproof bag or backpack on you when you're heading out for the day. It's easy to find waterproof bags that are foldable – they don't take up much space, and you can keep them tucked away in your main backpack or handbag unless they are needed.

Step 3 – Extra Copies of Your Travel Documents

                                               Img via Unsplash

Nowadays, more and more travellers are opting to go paperless when it comes to check-in documents and the like. However, in case technology fails you (for example, your phone runs out of charge at the airport or you lose or break it), it is always advisable to carry one or two copies of your plane tickets, boarding passes, passport, hotel address and booking information, tour and itinerary information, and so on with you (kept in separate places, in case you lose one of the bags you keep one set of the copies in). If you forget or don't have time to make copies of these documents before you arrive in Bangladesh, don't worry. You can still get them done after you land. If you happen to be staying at one of the hotels in Dhaka that offer some business and communication facilities, such as Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka, for example, you will be able to take printouts without having to leave your accommodation.

Step 4 – Modest Clothing

Since Bangladesh is a Muslim country, it's best to take some modest clothing with you, especially if you intend to visit places of worship such as mosques. Have full-length pants or skirts as well as mid or long-sleeved shirts/t-shirts and blouses (that do not expose the upper arm or too much of the chest).