A 3-Day Cox's Bazar Trip Plan: The Beach, Marine Drive, Himchari and Inani
First time in Cox's Bazar? A full day-by-day plan for three days: where to go each day, what each beach point is like, where to stay, what to eat, what it costs and the sea-safety rules.
- From Dhaka
- About 400 km; 8–10 hours by bus, 1 hour by air
- Train
- Cox's Bazar Express and Parjatak Express from Kamalapur
- How long
- 3 days, 2 nights
- Cost
- ৳2,500–6,000 per person a day
- Best time
- November–March
Trip ticket
At about 120 km, Cox's Bazar is the world's longest natural sea beach. But if you only sit on the town beach you see less than half of it. The real Cox's Bazar is the Marine Drive between the hills and the sea, the hilltop at Himchari and the coral stones of Inani. Follow this plan and you'll see it all in three unhurried days.
The story behind the name
In the past the area was known as "Palongki" and fell under the Kingdom of Arakan. In 1799 Captain Hiram Cox of the British East India Company came here to resettle refugees from Arakan. After his death a market was set up in his name, and "Cox Saheb's Bazar" became today's Cox's Bazar.
The beach slopes so gently that you can walk a long way out in knee-deep water. Since independence it has gradually become the country's main tourist destination, with more than a hundred hotels and resorts from Kolatoli to Laboni.
Getting there
| Mode | From | Approximate fare |
|---|---|---|
| Bus (non-AC) | Sayedabad, Arambagh, Kalabagan | ৳1,000–1,200 |
| Bus (AC) | Green Line, Hanif, Shyamoli, Saudia | ৳2,000–3,000 |
| Train | Kamalapur (Cox's Bazar Express, Parjatak Express) | ৳700–2,000 |
| Air | Biman, US-Bangla, Novoair, Air Astra | ৳5,000–9,000 |
Train tickets sell out fast, so book online ahead. An overnight bus or train gets you in by morning, so the whole first day is yours.
The town beach points
The town beach is one continuous stretch, but people know it by a few points:
- Laboni point: closest to town, beside the Burmese Market; liveliest in the evening
- Sugandha point: the most popular, with sunsets, beach chairs and seafood stalls
- Kolatoli point: the area of big hotels and resorts, where the Marine Drive begins
Day 1: The town beach and the sunset
- Check in and rest in the morning; a light lunch
- Watch the sunset from Sugandha or Laboni point
- Buy Rakhine handicrafts and pickles at the Burmese Market in the evening
- If there's time, visit Aggameda Khyang, the Rakhine Buddhist monastery in town
- Rupchanda or coral fish fry at a seafood restaurant for dinner
Day 2: Marine Drive, Himchari and Inani
The Marine Drive runs about 80 km from Cox's Bazar to Teknaf, with hills on one side and the sea on the other. The Bangladesh Army's engineering corps started building it in the 1990s; after cyclones and erosion damaged it several times, the whole road opened in 2017. It is known as one of the longest sea-side roads in the world.
Hire a chander gari, CNG or open jeep from Kolatoli and set off in the morning. Before you agree the fare, be clear about which stops you want and for how long.
Himchari (about 12 km from Kolatoli)
Himchari became a national park in 1980. The highlight is the staircase up the hill: climb a few hundred steps and you look down on the Marine Drive, the beach and the sea to the horizon. Its small waterfalls are prettiest in the monsoon. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Inani Beach (about 13 km further)
Inani, in Ukhia upazila, is known for the rows of black and brown coral stones that appear at low tide. The waves are calmer, the water is clear and there are hills behind you. Sunset over the coral stones is a favourite. Time your visit with low tide to see more of them.
- The coral stones are sharp and slippery; wear sandals
- Don't break off coral to take home; it harms the reef
- If there's time, visit the rocky beach at Patuartek too (about 5 km on)
Day 3: The beach at dawn, Maheshkhali or shopping
- Walk the beach at dawn, when it's quiet and the light is at its best
- With half a day spare, take a 20-minute speedboat to Maheshkhali island
- Or try parasailing or a beach bike; agree the price first
- Buy dried fish and pickles at midday and pack up
- Head home by afternoon bus, train or flight
Where to stay
| Area | Best for | Approximate price |
|---|---|---|
| Kolatoli and Sugandha | Budget and mid-range, near the beach | ৳1,500–3,000 |
| Kolatoli's big hotels | Sayeman Beach, Long Beach, Ocean Paradise | Upmarket; varies by season |
| Inani | Quiet resorts (Sea Pearl) | Upmarket; varies by season |
Hotels fill up and prices rise in December, at year's end and during Eid holidays, so book ahead.
What to eat
Cox's Bazar means seafood: rupchanda fry, coral fish, prawns, lobster and crab. Many restaurants let you pick a fish and have it cooked; agree the weight and price before you order. Dried fish and Burmese Market pickles make popular gifts to take home.
A three-day budget
Per person, two people sharing:
| Item | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Dhaka–Cox's Bazar bus (return, non-AC) | ৳2,000–2,400 |
| Hotel (2 nights, shared) | ৳1,500–3,000 |
| Marine Drive vehicle (shared) | ৳1,000–2,000 |
| Food (3 days) | ৳2,500–4,500 |
| Entry fees, beach chairs and extras | ৳500–1,000 |
| Total | ৳7,500–13,000 |
AC buses, AC train cabins, flights or better hotels will push the cost up.
Safety and practical tips
- If you can't swim, don't go deeper than your waist
- Avoid empty stretches of the beach at night
- Agree prices for beach chairs, horses and bikes in advance
- The sun is strong; bring sunscreen, a hat and water
- Don't leave plastic on the beach
Questions and answers
When is the best time to visit Cox's Bazar?
November to March. The sea is rough in the monsoon, so take extra care when swimming then, though hotels are cheaper.
Can I fit Saint Martin's Island into three days?
Visits to Saint Martin's follow government rules and an approved season, usually November–January. Set aside at least one extra day and check the latest notice before you go.
What does the whole trip cost?
Going by bus and staying in a budget hotel, roughly ৳7,500–13,000 per person. Better hotels and transport can raise it a lot.
Is it safe for families with children?
Yes. Swim at points with lifeguards, in daylight and at high tide, and keep children in sight at all times.
How long does the Marine Drive take?
Half a day to see Himchari and Inani and come back. A full day if you go all the way to Teknaf.
See it on the map, plan your trip
Look up the places, routes and costs, then put your own trip together.
