Cox’s Bazar—known locally as কক্সবাজার—unfurls for more than 120 kilometers along the Bay of Bengal, claiming fame as the world’s longest natural sea beach. The town rose from a British-era outpost to Bangladesh’s signature seaside escape, where fishermen’s boats still line the shore at dawn and crimson sunsets draw crowds each evening. Travelers come for surfable waves, soft sands, and easy access to nearby forests, islands, and hilltop temples.

History threads through every day here: Rakhine and Bengali communities trade in the buzzing Burmese Market, salt pans shimmer near Maheshkhali Island, and ancient monasteries dot Ramu to the north. Nature is close at hand—Himchari’s wind-carved cliffs and seasonal waterfall, quieter Inani Beach along Marine Drive, and, in the dry season, the coral-fringed calm of St. Martin’s Island. Seafood is the star: grilled lobster, pomfret, and crab pair with coconut and tamarind-bright pickles sold from market stalls.

Practical notes: Peak season runs November–March with clear skies and gentler seas; June–September brings monsoon rains and stronger surf. Swim within lifeguarded areas and heed flags; rip currents occur. Dress modestly away from resort zones, carry cash for markets and boats, and arrange day-trip vehicles the evening prior. Domestic flights connect via Dhaka, and a direct railway now links Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar.

Cox’s Bazar

From Laboni and Sugandha beaches near town to the honeyed sands of Inani down Marine Drive, Cox’s Bazar delivers a classic beach holiday with a Bangladeshi twist. Mornings are for tide-line walks among fishing skiffs; afternoons drift between surf lessons, tea stalls, and cliff views; evenings glow with sunset and smoky beachside barbecues.

Getting there: Fly from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar (approx. 1–1.25 hours; typical one-way fares $45–110). Search options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Trains from Dhaka take ~8.5–10 hours on the new line; expect roughly $8–20 depending on class; check schedules via Trip.com Trains or buy at the station. Private cars with driver for day trips run about $30–50 per day; auto-rickshaws in town are $1–3 per ride.

Where to stay (beach zones: Kolatoli/Sugandha for convenience; Inani for quiet):

• Browse beachfront hotels and resorts on Hotels.com – Cox’s Bazar (filter for pools, sea view, or Inani Beach).
• Prefer apartments or villas for groups? See coastal stays on VRBO – Cox’s Bazar.

Eat & drink (local favorites):

• Poushee Restaurant (near Kolatoli): homestyle Bangladeshi spreads—try the seafood thali with prawn malai curry, mustard hilsa, and seasonal greens.
• Jhawban Restaurant: classic deshi set meals, fresh fish fry, and lentil-rich khichuri on rainy days.
• Mermaid Café (Sugandha/Marine Drive area): coastal-chic coffee and smoothies, wood-fired pizzas, and grilled snapper—great at sunset.
• Salt Bistro & Café: espresso, shakshuka and parathas for breakfast; later, crab masala and lemon-butter lobster.
• Beach BBQ shacks (Sugandha & Kolatoli): pick your catch—pomfret, squid, or tiger prawns—priced per kilo, then grilled over coconut husk charcoal.
• Handi (branch in town): biryani and kebabs when you want a spice-forward mainland meal.

Day 1: Arrival, First Sunset, and Burmese Market Bites

Afternoon: Land at CXB and transfer to your hotel near Laboni/Sugandha. Shake off travel with a shoreline walk—watch fishing boats and beach horseback riders. Coffee and a light snack at Mermaid Café before check-in.

Evening: Claim a beach chair at Sugandha for golden-hour views. Dinner at Poushee: order the seafood platter (prawn, reef fish, veg sides) and a green mango chutney. Stroll the Burmese Market afterward for tamarind candies, pickles (achar), handmade bags, and sandalwood soaps—good souvenirs, cash preferred.

Day 2: Surf Lesson, Himchari Cliffs, and Rooftop Dinner

Morning: Sunrise beach walk from Laboni to Kolatoli (45–60 minutes roundtrip). Grab breakfast at Salt Bistro & Café—paratha with egg bhurji or banana pancakes with local honey. Join a beginner surf lesson near Laboni/Kolatoli; board + instructor typically $15–25 for 60–90 minutes, with gentle sand-bottom waves.

Afternoon: Auto-rickshaw or car to Himchari National Park (20–30 minutes; entry ~$0.30–$0.50). Climb the stairs to cliff-top lookouts for sweeping bays and wind-bent casuarinas; in late monsoon/early winter, the small waterfall is flowing. Pack fruit and water; there are basic stalls at the gate.

Evening: Return to town for a rinse and a rooftop dinner—many hotels offer barbecues with sea views; ask for the day’s catch and a lime-chili rub. For a hearty alternative, Handi’s chicken tikka with naan hits the spot. End with a starry beach walk; mind the tide line.

Day 3: Marine Drive and Slow Time on Inani Beach

Morning: Hire a car for Marine Drive (one of the most scenic coastal roads in South Asia). Stop at roadside viewpoints and casuarina groves on the way to Inani Beach (35 km; about 60–90 minutes). The honey-colored stones and quieter surf make Inani ideal for unfussy, feet-in-sand hours.

Afternoon: Lunch at a reputable resort restaurant along Inani—expect grilled fish, coconut rice, and fresh juices. Laze away with a book; if you wander, watch for coral stones underfoot. Optional: short nature walk behind the dunes where butterflies and kingfishers flit.

Evening: Drive back toward Cox’s Bazar for sunset lookouts along Marine Drive. Dinner at Jhawban—go for fried pomfret, daal, and seasonal bhorta (mashed spiced veg). Dessert can be a beachside falooda or tender coconut.

Day 4: Maheshkhali Island—Hilltop Temple, Salt Pans, and Weaving

Morning: Head to Fishery Ghat and board a local engine boat to Maheshkhali Island (20–30 minutes; a few dollars per person; lifejackets recommended). Climb to Adinath Temple for breezy bay views; on the slopes, browse small stalls selling prayer beads and snacks.

Afternoon: Visit a Rakhine Buddhist village to see traditional weaving and, season permitting, watch salt workers at the pans—photograph respectfully. Return to town for lunch at Poushee; try crab curry or mustard-coated reef fish with rice.

Evening: Sunset from Sugandha Point. For dinner, choose a beach BBQ stall: point to tiger prawns or squid, confirm price per kilo, and ask for “light spice, lemon, and butter.” Pair with a fresh lime soda; linger until the stars emerge.

Day 5: Ramu Monasteries, 100-Feet Buddha, and Radiant Fish World

Morning: Drive 30–45 minutes to Ramu, visiting a cluster of Buddhist monasteries and the 100-feet long reclining Buddha. Dress modestly, remove shoes before entering, and keep voices low. The quiet courtyards offer a meditative contrast to the surf.

Afternoon: Return toward Cox’s Bazar and stop at Radiant Fish World, an engaging aquarium for families with local species and kid-friendly exhibits (plan 60–90 minutes). Late lunch at Salt Bistro & Café—shakshuka or a fish burger with fries.

Evening: Claim a shaded cabana along Kolatoli for sundowners (ginger tea or green coconut). Dine at a hotel restaurant known for consistent hygiene—ask for a mixed seafood grill and a simple salad. Nightcap espresso at Mermaid Café.

Day 6: St. Martin’s Island (Seasonal, Nov–Mar) or Naf River Nature Day

Morning: If seas are calm in season, depart 5:30–6:00 a.m. by car to Teknaf (2–2.5 hours). Board a tourist ship/ferry to St. Martin’s Island (about 2 hours; round-trip typically $15–25). On arrival, rent a bicycle or hire a small boat (weather-dependent) toward Chhera Dwip for clear shallows.

Afternoon: Lunch at simple beach shacks—grilled lobster or coral fish, dal, and rice; coconuts for dessert. Swim and beachcomb; pack out all trash. Catch the mid-afternoon return boat and drive back, arriving around 8–9 p.m. If out of season or seas are rough, substitute with a guided Naf River mangrove and village drive (birding, river views, and roadside seafood lunch).

Evening: Light late dinner near your hotel—khichuri with prawn fry or a warm soup. Early night after a long day.

Day 7: Lazy Morning, Last Tastes, and Departure

Morning: Unhurried breakfast: paratha-sabzi and tea at Salt Bistro & Café, or smoothie bowls at Mermaid Café. Pick up gifts at the Burmese Market—tamarind candy, bamboo crafts, and coastal spices. Final stroll along Laboni Beach.

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to CXB for your flight. Search options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If continuing in Bangladesh, consider the train north—browse Trip.com Trains.

Trip Logistics at a Glance:

• Local transport: auto-rickshaw in town ($1–3/ride); private car for day trips ($30–50/day); boats to Maheshkhali (a few dollars pp).
• Entry costs: Himchari ~$0.30–$0.50; Radiant Fish World a few USD; monasteries typically free (donations welcome).
• Seasonal notes: St. Martin’s Island ferries usually operate Nov–Mar and may be weather- or conservation-restricted—confirm the day prior.

In seven days you’ll trace Cox’s Bazar from surf-washed sunrise to starry night, with cliff views, island breezes, and plates of just-caught seafood in between. Whether you’re hunting photo-perfect sunsets or slow coastal rhythms, this itinerary lets you savor Bangladesh’s beach capital at an easy, salt-air pace.