The floating guava market of Bangladesh is allegedly the world’s largest market of this kind. The market has been established in the border area of three districts of Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, and Barishal. This guava garden is grown on about 31 thousand acres of land in around 30 villages. There are approximately 7000 guava gardens and numerous floating markets in the area. However, the two most widely visited markets are in Bhimruli and Atghar Kuriana.

In this article, we would humbly try to make a check-list with everything you need to know about the floating Guava Market of Jhalokathi/ Pirojpur of Bangladesh.

How Will You Go There

Dhaka to Barishal by Launches: Every evening number of launches departs from Shadarghat Launch Ghat at 8:30 PM. You will find details of launches’ contacts and fare at BD-Info. In my opinion, one of the best launches is MV Manami. The best part of them is, you can get tickets of MV Manami of your choice online. Online tickets can be bought from Shohoz.com as well. All the launches arrive at Barishal Launch Ghat at around 5/6 AM in the morning.

Barishal to Guava Gardens/ Floating Markets: From Barishal you may hire microbus, CNG or any other transport to go to guava gardens as well as floating markets. There are options for hiring Motorcycles as well. Well, in my opinion, if you traveling friends/ young groups hiring motorcycles is the best option.

Dhaka to Jhalakathi by Launches: Every evening two launches e.g. MV Tipu and Shundarban 2 depart from Shadarghat Launch Ghat at 6 PM. Details of launches’ are already given BD-Info. The same launches depart from Jhalokathi at 6 PM every day Dhaka.

Jhalakathi to Guava Gardens/ Floating Markets: Once you will arrive at Jhalakathi, you may hire Motorcycle(s)/ Auto-rickshaw for traveling around the gardens and floating markets. The motorcycle is a good means for traveling from one place to another, but for strolling inside guava gardens and markets you will have to hire boats/ trawlers.

Traveling by Boat/ Trawlers Inside Guava Gardens/ Floating Markets: Well, once you got yourself at Jhalakathi, the best thing to do is getting inside guava gardens and markets. For that, you have to hire boats/ trawlers to move around the guava gardens and floating markets. As we have already said there is a number of markets there, but the biggest and the best is at Bhimruli.

Dhaka to Jhalokathi by Bus: There is no direct bus from Dhaka to Guava Gardens/ Floating Markets. You may take a bus from Gabtoli Bus Stand, Dhaka and come directly to Jhalokathi or Barishal. Whether Barishal or Jhalokathi, in both cases you to make additional journeys to Guava Gardens/ floating markets from Barishal by hired microbus, CNG, auto-rickshaw or motorcycle, etc.

Best time to Go to Guava Garden/ Floating Market

At the beginning of July guava gardens and floating, markets start getting lively. Farmers pick guava in the early morning and start coming to the floating markets by boat around 8 AM. You should try to be in the market around 9/10 AM (except Friday). The market usually continues up to 11 AM/ 12 PM. The season ends at the beginning/ mid of September.

Attractions in and Around Guava Gardens/ Floating Market

Apart from seeing the guava gardens, floating markets you will also enjoy the serene atmosphere of the 200 years old villages. The Boat Market at Atghar Kuriana is also a major attraction here. However, the boat market held only on Monday and Wednesday. You may also pay a visit to Guthia Mosque.

What to Eat in Guava Gardens/ Floating Market

There are many make-shift arrangements for traditional local food in the area. Most of these shops/ stalls are being erected during the season only. However, we would recommend you pay a visit to ‘Boudir Bhashoman Hotel’. Boudi herself cooks, her husband manages the cash and her other family members do the serving. They may not serve world-class foods but they do cook and serve very passionately.

Where to Stay for Traveling to Guava Gardens/ Floating Markets

If you want to stay the night, you will find cheap hotels in Jhalokathi. You may also liaise with Jhalokathi District Administration to stay at Circuit House. If you want to stay at an upscale hotel, you may stay at Hotel Grand Park in Barishal.

Special Tips for Traveling

• It’s better to travel by launch rather than the bus in groups (small group).
• While traveling by boat must wear a lifejacket.
• Seek permission from the owner, if you want to eat Guava in the garden.
• Must-try local foods and sweets.
• Respect locals.
• Do not litter the area or throw any waste in the water or any other place.
• Do not travel around with loud music.
• There are many low bridges. While traveling by boat/ trawlers watch your head.

Special Tips for Photography

• For photographing inside guava gardens we would suggest going inside the garden as early as possible after the daybreak.
• When you would hire your motorcycle or auto-rickshaw in a way so that he takes you to the gardens.
• For photographing at the floating market, hire a small boat hourly basis.
• If u plan for Drone Photography please do take additional charged batteries or car chargers.
• Most importantly, respect people. For your one photograph, do not create a ground so that people hate photographers.

We all love traveling and exploring new places. Considering every other tourist destinations in Bangladesh, Guava Gardens and Floating Markets are relatively new inclusion in the list. We plea to everyone to be a little caring and cautious so that our actions do not make this place another garbage.

In the end, we would like to recommend this place as a ‘Must Go‘ place. We hope, this content provides you every detail you were looking for traveling to ‘backwater’ of Bangladesh.