Travel Tips
How To Get There
Yangon International Airport and Mandalay International Airport
are the main gateways into Myanmar.
There are regular flights to Yangon from Bangkok and Singapore. Also
there are direct flights to Yangon from Abu Dhabi, Bandar Seri,
Begawan, Bombay, Calcutta, Shiang Mai, Chaka, Hong Kong, Islamabad,
Jakarta, Karachi, Kuala Lumpur, Kunminag, London, Osaka, Paris and
Taipei. (International
Flight to Myanmar). Also Cruise Ships call at
Yangon Port with Visa on arrival being granted with prior arrangement.
Passport & Visa
A valid passport with Entry visa is required for all tourists &
businessmen, applicable at Myanmar Embassies and Consulate General
Offices abroad. Both Tourist Visa & Business
Visa are valid for 28 days, extendible to 14 days for
tourists & 3 months for business.
Visa on Arrival is granted on
prior arrangement with the Ministry of Hotels & Tourism to chartered
flights and cruises & to those package groups where Myanmar Foreign
Missions are not stationed. Visa on arrival can also e arranged on
special basis to package group tours applicable three days in advance
to the Ministry of Hotels & Tourism. At present, Myanmar extends visa
free facilities for ASEAN Government Officials holding diplomatic and
official passports.
Overland entry is permitted to
Thai tourists with border pass and for third party tourists with visa
at Tachileik, Three Pagoda Pass, Myawaddy, Mongla and Kawthaung
checkpoints along Myanmar-Thai Border; and similarly for Chinese
tourists with border pass and for third party tourists with visa at
Lwe-je, Nam Kham, Muse, Chin Shew Haw, Kyukoke, Kwanlong, Mong Lar
along Myanmar-China Border.
Customs Formalities
Foreign currency exceeding the equivalent of US$ 2,000,
jewelleries, cameras, video cameras, recording equipments and laptop
computers must be declared at the airport. Failure to do so could end
up in confiscation upon departure. Export of antiques and items of
archaeological value are prohibited.
Health issues:
No immunizations are formally required, although malaria prophylaxis
are often recommended by personal physicians. Occasionally, typhoid,
hepatitis, tetanus and Japanese encephalitis vaccinations are also
recommended. Drink only bottled or boiled water not any tap water. All
hotels supply bottled water, as well as a good selection of Asia and
Western foods. Use sunscreen liberally when exposed to the intense,
tropical sun.
What to wear:
Casual and light clothing is recommended for Myanmar all year
round. A light sweater or jacket will be useful during the cool season
and when travelling in northern areas. Shoes and other footwear must
be removed when entering religious buildings and homes. Mini skirts,
shorts and revealing clothes are prohibited when visiting temples and
pagodas.
Things To Buy
Shopping in Myanmar is better than ever now. Bartering is also quite
acceptable .In larger towns and cities the best bargains are usually
found in the public markets .Each place has its own especially such as
lacquer -ware in Bagan , textiles such as silk , cottons , etc in
Mandalay & Inle Lake ( Shan Bags can be found as well ) , wood carving
, tapestries , marionette in Mandalay are main souvenirs from Myanmar
.The rubies and jades are also famous but be aware before purchasing ,
Simulated antiques, fine ceramics and copies of famous paintings are
also possible to buy .Most of the Souvenirs shops in the main town
accept U$$ OR Euro but they are not favored . The most convenient
currency to pay in Kyats -local currency all over Myanmar .
Foreign Exchange Certificates (FEC )
Foreign Exchange Certificates (FEC.) which is equivalent to the US$,
are accepted by hotels, airlines, travel agencies, taxis, restaurants,
and as payment of admission fees at museums and pagodas. FECs. can be
exchanged for Kyats (Myanmar currency) at market rates at authorized
money changers and can be used in Myanmar only.
FECs. are issued in four denominations:
(20) FEC. equivalent to US Dollar twenty
(10) FEC. equivalent to US Dollar ten
(5) FEC. equivalent to US Dollar five
(1) FEC. equivalent to US Dollar one.
Money
The currency in Myanmar is the Kyat. Present denominations are in
notes:
Kyats.: 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1.
It is advisable to bring for personal expenses like meals, drinks,
buying souvenirs etc. enough US$ or EURO in cash to Myanmar.
It is advisable to bring for personal expenses like meals, drinks,
buying souvenirs etc. enough US$ in cash to Myanmar. You can use old
and new US$ notes here in Myanmar. In case of using 100 US$ notes ,
ONLY new notes after 1996 will be accepted normally. All other
currencies are not widely accepted. We suggest to bring US$ only as it
may be difficult to change EURO; BRITISH POUNDS or other currencies!!!
Credit Cards & Traveler Cheques
Due to recent sanctions of U.S to Myanmar Government, all the credit
cards are not possible to use around the country since 01 Sept'03. So,
the travelers are recommended to carry hard cash for their own using
amount.
Vacuums
No vaccinations are presently required .The Classical routes are not
the malaria zones such as Yangon , Bagan , Mandalay & Inle lake .There
is malaria only in the extreme northern part and some parts of very
high mountains and forest .So, actually it is not really essential to
take any anti malaria pills but malaria prophylaxis is often
recommended by traveler's personal physicians .Not required unless you
are coming from an infected area.
Language and Religion:
There are over one hundred ethnic groups in Myanmar, all with their
own languages and dialects. The majority speak Myanmar (Burmese),
although English is widely spoken. 85% of Myanmar are Theravada
Buddhist. The rest embrace Christianity, Islam, Hinduism or Animism.
Etiquette
It is recommended that you avoid doing from kissing and hugging in
public, pointing at things with your feet, sitting with your back to a
Buddha image, improper use of or behavior toward a sacred thing as a
Buddha image, and touching a monk.
Climate & Weather:
Myanmar has three "seasons": - (1) Hot Season (March to May), (2)
Rainy Season (June to September), (3) Cool Season (October to
February). The ideal time to visit Myanmar is during the cool season.
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Yangon
Average Temp oC |
Mandalay
Average Temp oC |
Bagan
Average Temp oC |
Inle
Average Temp oC |
Kyaing Tong
Average Temp oC |
Sittwe/
Maurk Oo
Average Temp oC |
Beaches
Average Temp oC |
Low |
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
High |
Jan |
18 |
33 |
29 |
14 |
14 |
29 |
04 |
24 |
12 |
30 |
16 |
28 |
16 |
28 |
Feb |
19 |
35 |
16 |
32 |
16 |
32 |
05 |
26 |
05 |
26 |
17 |
30 |
16 |
28 |
Mar |
21 |
37 |
20 |
36 |
20 |
36 |
10 |
29 |
22 |
30 |
22 |
28 |
22 |
28 |
Apr |
25 |
38 |
25 |
38 |
25 |
39 |
15 |
30 |
25 |
34 |
26 |
30 |
26 |
30 |
May |
25 |
35 |
26 |
37 |
27 |
38 |
18 |
30 |
25 |
34 |
26 |
31 |
26 |
31 |
Jun |
25 |
30 |
26 |
35 |
26 |
34 |
20 |
27 |
26 |
35 |
27 |
32 |
27 |
32 |
Jul |
24 |
30 |
26 |
34 |
26 |
34 |
20 |
27 |
28 |
32 |
27 |
30 |
27 |
30 |
Aug |
24 |
30 |
25 |
34 |
26 |
34 |
19 |
27 |
26 |
32 |
27 |
30 |
27 |
30 |
Sep |
24 |
30 |
25 |
33 |
26 |
34 |
20 |
27 |
28 |
32 |
27 |
30 |
27 |
30 |
Oct |
24 |
32 |
24 |
33 |
24 |
33 |
18 |
27 |
24 |
32 |
25 |
28 |
25 |
28 |
Nov |
23 |
32 |
19 |
30 |
20 |
31 |
13 |
25 |
22 |
30 |
22 |
28 |
22 |
28 |
Dec |
19 |
32 |
15 |
28 |
15 |
29 |
7 |
24 |
18 |
30 |
18 |
28 |
18 |
28 |
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included in your tour price. It is the
passenger's responsibility to verify whether his/her local health
insurance carrier provides coverage while traveling inside of the
Myanmar. Please contact your insurance carrier for details. We are
strongly advises that you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance
policy to cover all aspects of your tour; including the loss of
deposits through cancellation, lost of baggage and personal items,
personal injury and death. A waiver must be signed if insurance is
declined.
Mobiles Phone
Your mobile phones could not be used in Myanmar as Myanmar still do
not have network yet. You have to leave your phone at the airport at
custom counter and custom will give you back the slip, which you have
to claim back up on your departure. As your mobile phones are not able
to use in Myanmar, we are providing the telephone and fax number for
you to left with your family and friends to contact you during your
stay in Myanmar. Email service is available at most of the hotels in
Yangon and some international chain hotels in Mandalay.
Local Time
Myanmar is about 6 and a half hour ahead of GMT.
Electricity
The voltage is 220 V throughout the whole country.
Airport Facilities
Yangon International Airport is located 20 km from downtown Yangon.
The Arrival Terminal is located separately from the Departure Terminal
and the Domestic Terminal and simplified procedures ensure that on
arrival and departure, international passengers are processed quickly
through immigration and customs.
Airport Tax
An international airport tax of 10 USD per person is payable cash in
USD or FEC (Foreign Exchange Certificates) when departing Myanmar on
an international flight. There is no airport tax on domestic flights.
Limousine Service
A Limousine Service Counter is located in the Arrival Hall. Major
hotels provide transfer services; and taxis are also available.
Passengers are advised not to use the services of touts for taxi or
other services.
Duty Free Shopping
Duty Free shopping facilities are available in both the Departure and
Arrival Halls of Yangon International Airport.
Camera
Please request before you take the pictures or ask your guide which
you can or not. Never try to take the Military person.
Food
Traditional Myanmar food such as Mohinga, On-no-Khaukswe, assorted
baked and fried delicacies and a variable at reputable Myanmar
restaurants. Chinese cuisine or tasty Indian dishes are available at
popular food outlets in major towns and cities.
Entertainment
There is not much in the way of western style entertainment in Myanmar
but Yangon has some good western restaurants and there are a few bars
and nightclubs, notably in the city's international hotels. In the
rest of the country entertainment is mainly confined to some good
Chinese and Burmese restaurants and the ubiquitous teashops.
Hours Of Business
Offices are usually open from Monday to Friday from 09:30H until
16:00H. Most shops are open every day; an exception is Bogyoke Market
(Scott Market), which is closed on Monday, but more and more shops are
starting to open on Monday as well.
Water
Please don't drink the water and that includes ice as well as tap
water.Take care with fruit juice , particularly if water may have been
added .Milk should be treated with suspicion , as it is often un-
pasterised . Boil milk is boil if it is kept hygienically and yoghurt
is always good. Tea or coffee should be OK since the water is boiled
.In general , the juices , the milk , the water , the tea and coffee
offered at the hotels and the restaurants we recommended , are safe .
But bottled water and mineral water is safe and available everywhere.
Ice in drinks is generally OK in good standard hotels and restaurants
but it is best to avoid it on street stalls or in country areas.
Telecommunications
Central Post Office for your letters and post cards. IDD or local
telephone bookings available at government offices, businesses and
hotels.. Most hotels in Yangon, Bagan, Inle Lake and Mandalay now have
IDD phones in rooms and it is possible to send faxes from hotels and
post offices, although be warned these services are Expensive. Phone
calls can be charged at a minimum rate even if no connection is
established! It is difficult to make a phone call abroad from other
areas in Myanmar. Post cards can be bought at all the main tourist
sites and stamps are available from post offices and some hotel
reception desks.
Mobile phones brought in from abroad will NOT work in Myanmar as there
are no roaming agreements.
Most of the hotels have now internet terminals but free mail servers
like Yahoo or Hotmail can NOT be accessed in Myanmar.
Shopping
Shopping in Myanmar offers many rewards but it also can be a
frustrating experience. Normally a tourist's first foray in search of
souvenirs, antiques and other more substantial items will lead them to
Bogyoke Market. There they will find an amazing collection of
fascinating items; finely crafted mother of pearl; lacquer ware
products of every description; beautiful silk; bizarre knickknack
dating from colonial times; cigars; gold and jewelry; jade bracelets
and many other interesting items. Duty Free shopping facilities are
available in both the Departure and Arrival Halls of Yangon
International Airport.
Ticket Confirmation
Make sure that you check your air ticket confirmation with respective
airlines before you leave.
Airport Tax
The airport tax is US $10 for international passengers, payable in FEC
(Foreign Exchange Certificates). There is no airport tax on domestic
flights.
Customs
Gems and jewelry purchased from authorized dealers (with vouchers) are
allowed to be taken out. But antiques are not allowed to be taken out
of the country.The following items are illegal to take out of the
country: Prehistoric implements and artifacts, fossils, old coins,
inscribed stones, historical documents.
Duty Free Shopping
Duty Free shopping facilities are available in both the Departure and
Arrival Halls of Yangon International Airport.
Some Useful Advices In Breif
-
Visitors are requested to ignore touts who may approach your for
offering guide services, for exchanging foreign currency into local
currency or for selling gems of a doubtful nature. The offers may
appear attractive but could get into trouble and spoil your visit.
-
As there is a strict Foreign Exchange Control Regulation tourists are
advised to change at your travel agent and hotel reception . US
Dollars are accepted for change everywhere and the EURO is getting
more . The exchange rate in Yangon is generally better than upcountry.
Most hotels and better restaurants also accept payments directly in
USD.
-
Always keep your Passport and money in secure places, especially when
traveling by train or bus. Report all losses to the nearest Police
Station as well as to your Embassy.
-
Tourist are requested to dress decently within the precincts of
religious places. Food wear is strictly prohibited in Pagodas and
monasteries.
-
Weather is generally warm and dry and light clothing and comfortable
shoes or sandals are recommended.
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