Is it safe to withdraw cash in Bangladesh or not?
Used a Prime Bank ATM in Dhaka after a late dinner - worked perfectly, and there were two other people using it. Bangladesh isn’t unsafe per se, but nighttime ATM access really depends on the neighborhood.
I was in Chittagong and used an EBL (Eastern Bank Ltd) ATM close to my hotel. The street was busy even late, and the ATM had cameras and lighting. My card worked fine, though I kept my withdrawal modest due to some warnings about pickpocketing.
While visiting Sylhet, I tried to withdraw from a Sonali Bank ATM around 8:30 PM. The machine worked but was next to a closed shop, and I felt slightly uneasy. No incidents, but I’d suggest sticking to ATMs near malls or hotels after dark.
In Dhaka’s Gulshan area, I used a Dutch-Bangla Bank ATM after 9 PM. It was inside a glass booth with security just outside. The area had good lighting, and traffic hadn’t died down yet. Withdrawing cash after dark in Bangladesh is safest in upper-end neighborhoods with heavy expat presence.