Photo: BSS

CHATTOGRAM, Sept 2, 2026 (BSS) - The Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive is drawing thousands of local and foreign tourists with its distinctive combination of sea, hills and rural landscapes.

Beginning at the Dolphin intersection in Cox's Bazar, the road runs along the coast towards Teknaf, with the Bay of Bengal on one side and green hills on the other. The scenery changes within a short distance, making the drive a major attraction for visitors to the country's leading tourist destination.

The rainy and post-monsoon seasons add to the appeal. Recent rain has washed away dust, leaving the hills greener, while clouds often cover the distant mountains before revealing them again as the weather clears. At several points, the sea comes close to the road, while elsewhere sand, grass and trees separate it from the coastline.

The changing landscape encourages tourists to stop frequently for photographs and to enjoy the surroundings. Vehicles often pull over at visitors' requests, allowing them to get out and explore different spots along the route.

At Dolphin Square, tourists can rent cars and motorcycles for trips along Marine Drive. Abul Kalam, manager of Tourist Car, told BSS that vehicles are available by the hour or for the whole day. A vehicle carrying 10-12 people costs around Tk 3,000-4,000 for a full day, while the minimum six-hour rental costs Tk 2,000.

He said more than 1,000 trips are being rented from the location each day, reflecting the growing popularity of Marine Drive among visitors.

After leaving the busy city behind, travellers encounter a quieter landscape of hills, sea and villages. Families, groups of friends and individual travellers can be seen making the journey, particularly from afternoon to evening.

For many visitors, the opportunity to see the sea and mountains at the same time is the main attraction.

"The most delightful aspect of visiting Marine Drive is the simultaneous view of the sea and the mountains. The car continues its journey, flanked by two distinct types of nature on either side. Such an experience is unparalleled," said Rakib Hasan, a private company employee from Dhaka.

Monirul Islam Munna, who travelled from Chattogram with his family, said his children were initially excited to see the sea but were equally fascinated by the mountains and greenery.

"Despite the light rain, everyone got out of the vehicle to take photographs," he said.

Rain has also become part of the experience for many tourists. Some deliberately travel along Marine Drive during wet weather to see the hills covered in mist and the sea under a cloudy sky.

German tourist Maximilian Jenas Buss, who was visiting Cox's Bazar with his family, was filming the scenery at Inani while his wife and children played in the sea.

"The blend of the sea and rain renders this road exceptionally unique," he said.

Motorcycles have become another popular way of experiencing Marine Drive. Tourist Tanvir Ahmed said choosing where to stop was difficult because the scenery kept changing.

"In some areas, the sea appears stunning, while just a bit further, the view of the mountains captivates the senses," he said.

The attraction, however, extends beyond the sea and hills. Rural settlements along the road add another dimension to the journey, offering visitors glimpses of local life. Small businesses, restaurants, vehicle rentals and other tourism-related services have also grown around Marine Drive as visitor numbers increase.

Local journalist Jassim Uddin said Marine Drive had broadened the way tourists experience Cox's Bazar.

"Cox's Bazar is often perceived merely as a lengthy coastline; however, Marine Drive has introduced a different dimension of this location to visitors," he said, adding that tourists can experience the mountains and rural landscape as well as the sea.

He stressed the need for environmentally responsible tourism to protect the area's natural attractions.

"The primary allure of Marine Drive is not derived from man-made structures; rather, its appeal lies in its inherent diversity-on one side, the rugged Bay of Bengal, on the other, lush hills, and in between, a winding road," he said.

With its changing scenery, easy access to the coast and hills, and growing range of tourism services, Marine Drive has become an important part of the Cox's Bazar experience for both domestic and international visitors.