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Voykit pocket guide · Bangladesh
Cumilla
Spend a half‑day in Cumilla as a stop between Dhaka and Chattogram; one night only if you want to see the archaeological sites.
Cumilla sits on the Dhaka‑Chattogram highway, about 100 km from Dhaka. Its main draws are the Buddhist ruins of Shalban Vihara, Mainamati Museum and the war cemetery. A short visit (½ day) covers the key sights; an overnight stay lets you explore the sites at a relaxed pace.
- Country
- Bangladesh
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (dry, cool)
- Avoid
- Jun–Oct (monsoon, heavy rain)
- Stay
- 0–½ nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- BDT
- Money
- BDT in small notes (50s and 100s) for rickshaws, tea and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ৳800–১,২০০ excl. bed · Mid ৳১,২০০–২,০০০ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Grameenphone, Robi and Banglalink sell SIMs at Dhaka airport with passport and biometric fingerprint registration.
- Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance 999
- Plugs
- Types C, D, G · 220 V · 50 Hz · Mixed sockets; universal adapter recommended.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge.; Guide / driver: ৳500–1,000 a day.; Rickshaw: Round up.; Hotel porter: ৳50–100.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; buy sealed bottles or use hotel filtered water.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels and malls; squat toilets with a hose or jug elsewhere. Carry tissue.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Shalban Vihara entry | Tk 30 (locals) |
| Mainamati Museum entry | Tk 30 (locals) |
| Roshomalai sweet | Tk 20–30 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- DAC · Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (Dhaka)
- About 100 km (62 mi) north, 2–2.5 h by bus or carAbout 62 mi (100 km) north, 2–2.5 h by bus or car
- CGP · Shah Amanat International Airport (Chattogram)
- About 150 km (93 mi) southeast, 2–2.5 h by bus or carAbout 93 mi (150 km) southeast, 2–2.5 h by bus or car
Typical fares
- Dhaka → Cumilla bus
- about Tk 300, 2.5–3 h (check)
- Auto‑rickshaw (short ride)
- ≈ Tk 30–50 per km
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Auto‑rickshaws (autos) for short trips in town; hire a car with driver for sites outside the city such as Shalban Vihara.
See and do
Known for
- Shalban Vihara (Buddhist ruins)
- Mainamati Museum
- Mainamati War Cemetery
- Roshomalai sweet
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Shalban Vihara | Hire car 15 min west of Cumilla | ≈30 min total |
| Mainamati Museum | Car 15 min west, next to Shalban Vihara | ≈30 min total |
Sleep
- Hotel Victory Abashik
- Downtown, air‑conditioned rooms, breakfast, Wi‑Fi
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | দুঃখিতdukhito |
| Thank you | ধন্যবাদdhonnobad |
| How much is this? | এটা কত?eta koto? |
| Where is the bathroom? | বাথরুম কোথায়?bathroom kothay? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Assalamu alaikum' with a nod; handshake between men; avoid: Offering a hand to a woman first
- Invitations: Accept tea; bring sweets when visiting a home; avoid: Refusing all food
- Hands: Right hand for eating and giving; avoid: Left hand for food
- Curiosity: Expect crowds and questions; smile and answer briefly; avoid: Taking offence at stares
- Mosques: Shoes off, head covered, visit outside prayer times; avoid: Walking in front of people praying
Scams and watch-outs
- Road traffic on the N1 highway can be congested; allow extra travel time.
- Entry fees for Shalban Vihara and Mainamati Museum are Tk 30 for locals; foreign rates vary – check on arrival.
Cumilla is generally safe for tourists; keep an eye on traffic and store valuables in secure accommodation.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Cumilla yet. Suggested stay: 0–½ nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Shalban Vihara (Buddhist ruins)
- Mainamati Museum
- Mainamati War Cemetery
- Roshomalai sweet
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Cumilla, revision 5297569 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5297569
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Cumilla
এই ঠিকানায় যান
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police, fire, ambulance999
Bangladesh has a US consulate in Dhaka; check for regional assistance.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/cumilla). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.