The Sundarbans is a protected forest and permission is required from Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD) before entering the forest and spending nights on boats. No permission is required for staying at the Eco-cottages in the adjacent villages of the Sundarbans. Prior permission must be obtained through written application from Divisional Forest Office (DFO) in Khulna. For day trips permission should be taken from relevant forest stations or range offices. Required entrance fees for visitors, vessels, or boats are payable at the relevant forest stations or range offices. Usually, the boat operators manage the permission and fee payment process for the tourists.
Fees and Permits
Fees need to be paid in cash for individuals, water vessels, and video cameras. Entry fees vary depending on the places where you want to be and there are different rates for local and international tourists, students, and researchers inside and outside the sanctuary areas. 15% VAT is applicable with all prices.
- Karamjal- No prior permission is required for visiting Karamjal Eco-tourism Center. However, tourists will have to pay an entry fee at the site which is Tk 40 per person for local tourists and Tk 500 per person for international tourists. The fee is Tk 20 for local students with valid identity cards and minors (under 12 years) and for international students, it is Tk 500.
- Places outside sanctuary areas (e.g., Harbaria, Kalagachia, etc.)- The per-day fee for local tourists is Tk 150. International tourists will have to pay Tk 2,000 per day. Local tourists aged below 12 and students with valid identity cards will pay Tk 30 per day, which would be Tk 300 for international minors and students.
- Inside the sanctuaries- The per-day fee for local tourists in all three sanctuaries is Tk 300, which would be Tk 3,000 for international tourists. Local students need to pay Tk 50 per day. The fee is Tk 20 per day for local minors and Tk 300 per day for international minors.
- Researchers- The per day fee for local researchers is Tk 50 and for international researchers, it is Tk 800.
- Visiting Information Center- The entry fee for visiting an Information Center is Tk 20 for local visitors and Tk 200 for foreigners.
- Video camera- Local tourists will have to pay Tk 300 per day for each video camera, while foreigners will have to pay Tk 500.
- Tour guide- Guide (both registered and non-registered) fee per day per person is Tk 750.
- Forest guards- The fee for forest guards is Tk 500 per day per person. There should be at least 2 (two) forest guards on each boat.
If a water vessel carries more tourists than is permitted, the penalty is Tk 500 per day for each extra person.