Top Myanmar Travel Tips

Leading Myanmar Traveling Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Change Its Name?
The nation formally known as Burma got independence in 1948 from occupying forces, however it had not been up until 1989 that the ruling military junta changed the country's name from Burma to Myanmar following a military coup.
Politically, the name Burma was viewed as a relic of the country's former British colonial past, and Myanmar as much more inclusive of the many ethnic groups in the country. Other names were likewise altered, which is why you will certainly see Rangoon currently referred to as Yangon.
For tourism, Burma travel is Myanmar travel. Same same, as they say in Southeast Asia.
Both the names Burma and also Myanmar are still used interchangeably, on the ground and also on the world stage. This post breaks down the modifications, what you 'should' say and also the question: does it even matter?
Best Times to See Myanmar
There are commonly 3 periods in which you can see Myanmar:
October to March: Dry, winter season
March to May: Hot, summer period
May to October: Damp, rainy season
The popular, high season is November to February when the weather condition is warm yet not stifling, and draws in the greatest number of visitors. This, in turn, makes the restricted lodging alternatives challenging to secure as well as will indicate trying to book in advance or deal with paying for the a lot more pricey options left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature increases in Myanmar and also upcoming rains are due. There is a limited number of travelers which makes it easy to book accommodation but it is exceptionally hot.

Visas
An e-Visa is available to travellers from these 100 nations.
To get one, go to the official e-Visa website. You'll be required to submit a passport photo and also pay a fee of $50.
It takes under 10 minutes to apply as well as you should get approval within 3 working days.
Print out your e-Visa letter, show it when you arrive and you're in.
Your e-Visa letter stands for 90- days from the day of issue as well as enables you a 28 day stay in Myanmar
Obtaining a visa from your local embassy might be less expensive-- if you want to save some cash, obtaining a visa by means of your local Myanmar embassy might be cheaper. As an example, the price is simply ₤ 14 in the UK however $40 in the USA, so do your research and also do not neglect to consider mailing costs.
It is only possible to get in Myanmar on an e-visa at Yangon, Mandalay as well as Nay Pyi Taw international airports; as well as at 3 Thai-Myanmar land border crossings Tachileik, Myawadi (Myawaddy) and also Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Read the immigration site for the most up to date at the time you travel.
Getting to Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the common choice for tourists as the initial mode of entrance, with regular scheduled services from Bangkok. However, thinking about where Myanmar is located-- bordered by China to the North and northeast, Thailand and also Laos to the eastern as well as India and also Bangladesh to its west-- there are several methods for land entry, although not every one of them are suggested because of safety and security.
Regardless, you need to specify a "Port of Entry" in your on-line application which denotes just how you will certainly be getting to Myanmar. You will be given a listing of options, from which you will need to select among the following:
Myanmar Designated International Airports:
Mandalay (situated right in the center of Myanmar)
Yangon (situated in the south)
Nay Pyi Taw (positioned in between Mandalay and Yangon)
Crossing at Land Boundary Checkpoints:
Tachileik (in the Shan State of eastern Myanmar on the boundary to north Thailand)
Myawaddy (in the Kayin State of southeastern Myanmar on the boundary to western Thailand)
Kawthaung (in the most southern part of Myanmar, in the Tanintharyi Area on the boundary of the Thai Peninsula and also the cluster of islands)
Tamu (in the Sagaing Area of northwestern Myanmar on the boundary to northeastern India).
Rih Khaw Dar (a six-hour drive from the boundary village of Khawmawi in the northwestern Chin State of Myanmar on the border of Southeastern India).
In truth, you can enter Myanmar at any designated "Port of Entry" however it is best to stay with the one you initially specified when possible to prevent any hold up in the processing of your visa upon arrival.
You can exit at any one of the International Airports and Land Border Checkpoints considering that your exit point does not require to be mentioned up front. In addition, you might leave at the Htikee Land Boundary Checkpoint, although entry from here is not possible.
Flying in as well as out of Yangon is more affordable and has more links than Mandalay.
Navigating Myanmar-- Long Distance

Credit: myanmartours.us
Myanmar's local transport alternatives might be frustrating but the cross country propositions are much more appealing.
Distances are far, road travel is slow and also flying is affordable so it may be your better option.
You can still book flights the old-school way by wandering right into a travel agent.
Flying within Myanmar is a bit like flying in the older days-- check-in includes ticking people off a list of printed names, luggage claim can mean leaving the flight terminal as well as grabbing your bag off a trolley by the aircraft and flight announcements are made by an individual holding up a sign and also calling your flight (in incomprehensible English). It really is an experience. And a great deal of fun if you do not let it get you stressed.Buses are inexpensive with competing companies and a series of luxury levels.

Credits: seawander.asia
A lot of buses travel over night which is terrific for not losing a day of sightseeing and tour, yet isn't so great for sleep. Likewise, you'll tend to arrive at strange times in the early morning and won't be able to check into your hostel or hotel up until 2 p.m. That's a lot of hours waiting for a 'top-up' snooze. Take into consideration if it will certainly be cheaper to fly if you're going to book accommodation the very same evening to take a nap straight away.
Buses are very cold, the high-end buses will certainly give you a covering yet, use your warm layers.
Even the VIP bus does not have a toilet onboard so anticipate to stop every couple of hours for a food as well as toilet break-- a little bit aggravating if you're trying to sleep through the night.
Night buses are not sleeper buses, even though these are the buses which bring you to your destination around 3 or 4am. What's more, some still play their funky local song CD's and cheesy video until the early hrs of the early morning. Pack your iPod, invest in some sturdy extreme ear plugs or kindly request for the sound to be shut off.
Never ask a vehicle driver regarding he time of arrival. As a result of superstitious notions based upon a belief system of nats (spirits) that existed before Buddhism came to the fore, asking when you will come to a location invokes bad spirits and is taken seriously. The outcome? You will not obtain an answer.
You will mainly reserve buses via your hotel, hostel or guesthouse-- they will normally bill a fee yet know that the cost can vary dramatically.

Credits: seat61.com

Check whether pick-up is included in your ticket price - this really does differ depending upon destination, mode of travel and company. Search for a company that does include pick-up as taxis are extortionate.
Reserving buses online is more difficult-- There isn't one handy online booking website and also the ones that do exist have a restricted number of tickets. If you're told they're sold out, it does not necessarily imply the bus is full. Attempt reservation elsewhere.
If the company has a Facebook web page, message to book without costs.
Buses are often faster than the trains, however bus rides are rough-- you might consider taking tablets for nausea. Boats are additionally a choice for some paths; the Mandalay-- Bagan service is popular among tourists.
There are no international car-rental agencies, but a lot of travel agencies in Yangon, Mandalay and also Bagan-- along with guesthouses and also hotels somewhere else-- can arrange cars as well as drivers.
Myanmar's Local Transport

Credits: asiancorrespondent.com
Myanmar is still developing as well as this is most frustratingly obvious in the local transport.
With minimal public transportation, taxis will be your main method of getting around particularly for getting to as well as from flight terminals as well as within cities like Yangon as well as Mandalay.
Taxi prices are past extortionate-- rates are set on the spot (after a fast 'how much can I get away with' computation) and also you're going to have to negotiate hard. It's not unusual to hear rates of $1-$2 per kilometre. Typically the taxi to as well as from the airport/bus will certainly be greater than you paid for your flight or intercity bus.
1,000 Kyat per kilometre is a good approximate quantity for taxi fares.
Taxi cabs for the day may be your much better bet-- it can be around $35 for a day of taking in the sights in Bagan as well as $28 for a few hrs in Mandalay.
Distance is a much larger factor than time in dictating the expense of hiring a driver: a 12 hour trip about Yangon can set you back USD 70 while travelling further afield to Golden Rock, a 2.5 hr drive each method, can be quoted at USD 200. Gas is costly in Myanmar as well as is a huge contributing element to the cost.
Every person intends to take you to a craft shop, a silk manufacturing facility or a nut manufacturer during your sightseeing and tour trips. Do not hesitate to say no when you're paying for your very own private transportation. Nevertheless, that's the reason you are paying a premium. On the flip side, some of the side trips can be intriguing and also drivers may take you to some cool locations that aren’t on your plan and you may be happy you chose their suggestions!
Hiring bikes and e-Bikes (electric motorcycles) outside the cities is much more affordable but beware of the dust-- Myanmar is without a doubt among the dustiest areas, and mostly all tourists establish a dust coughing. Pack sunglasses as well as something to cover your mouth.
Do not take an e-Bike if you can't manage it-- otherwise you'll be among the lots of travelers walking toting head to foot road rash and also plasters.
The big cities are gridlocked so walking may be quicker-- Yangon has a few of the worst traffic. 1.5 hrs to cover 15 kilometres ought to provide you an idea. The time advised for getting to the bus terminal (22km far from the centre) is 2.5 hours.
Car quality is hit and miss so do not count on air-conditioning as well as leather seats-- that 1.5 hr trip in Yangon could all be done in 38 degree heat with absolutely nothing more than the heat of the engine fan to 'cool' you down.


Credits: globaltravelmate.com
Prepare for the unforeseen. When your night bus to Bagan arrives in the extremely early hrs of the early morning, your only option to get to my hotel may be by means of horse and cart. There is still a bargaining process to be had, yet since this is the major form of vacationer transportation here it is just all-natural that they are awaiting new bus arrivals.

Money and also ATM Machines in Myanmar

Credits: mmtimes.com

You can use 2 currencies in Myanmar-- dollars and the local money, kyat (pronounced ‘chat').
If you're going to use dollars, they must be pristine. What's pristine/brand new-- unfolded, uncreased and also newer than 2006. Each individual note is checked thoroughly for imperfections, discolouration and creases at the currency exchange booths. You may likewise have trouble changing notes with the AB/CB identification numbers.
Some vendors demand payments in United States dollars so you can bring some US dollars to spend.
Using kyat is likely to be cheaper because the USD currency exchange rate is informal-- somewhere in between 1,300 to 1,400 kyat, the exchange rate is typically applied on the spot, probably depending on exactly how rich you look.
There are ATMs as well as they mostly function but see to it you have cash before showing up at more remote spots like the coastline. Sometimes they may be out of service.
You'll pay an ATM machine cost of about $4 for each withdrawal which is in addition to any type of fees your financial institution might bill. And you most likely won't have the ability to take out more than $150 at a time.
ATM machines dispense kyat only. There are lots of exchange places about, but primarily the transactions are to change pristine dollars into local money.
Wait for the big cities orinternational airport terminal to change cash back to dollars.
Some hotels do not have credit card machines as well as call for cash payment. If you have booked your hotels beforehand online this might save you taking additional cash for lodging.

Credit cards are accepted mostly only in top-end resorts. Some travel agents in Yangon and Mandalay also take them, normally charging a little fee, for purchasing flights.
Cost of travel in Myanmar
Myanmar is a great deal more pricey than the rest of Southeast Asia-- facilities is still being built. That includes guesthouses and restaurants. Companies are recouping their expenses.
Holiday accommodation prices
A dorm bed will certainly set you back around $20-$30 a night. You can get a standard personal room with en-suite from around $35 for a single bed. In tourist hotspots like Bagan, you can pay US$35 to US$40 for a drab, no-frills room.
For hotels, luxury hotels can be priced at over USD 200 a night (the Inle Princess Resort being a good example where deluxe comes with a rate of $250 per night) with various other great alternatives can be found at $100 to $150 (eg Zfreeti hotel in Bagan which sets you back around $120 a night). A modern hotel can set you back USD 75-80 a night (the Smart Hotel in Mandalay).
Popular 'package vacationer' locations like Ngapali coastline can cost as much as $100 a night for a 2-star hotel (though there are a number of hostels there as well). On the plus side, you typically get a totally free breakfast with your holiday accommodation.
Food prices
Street food is most inexpensive-- around $1-$2 for a plate of something basic. Local restaurants cost around $2-$4 a meal. Anything remotely western (air-conditioning or including something like pizza) will cost $7-$12.
Drink costs
Mineral water is low-cost, under 50 cents a litre. Beer is also affordable at a couple of dollars per bottle.
Sightseeing and tour expenses
The tourist dollar is king. Expect to spend for the benefit of being a foreigner and making use of squat toilets, going into pagodas, storing click here footwear and taking photos. 'Foreigner payments' are popular in the much more touristy areas.
It's possible to negotiate on prices of products like souvenirs yet if you bargain too hard the locals lose interest as well as leave.
Tipping is not common method in Myanmar, and also it's only foreigners who tip.
Sightseeing in Myanmar

Credits: lonelyplanet.com
We were up and out most days for dawn and out cold by 10pm! The heat is typically excruciating during the peak sunshine hours and the arrival of the visitor buses make it more difficult to get incredible pictures and also walk around easily.
Not anywhere on a map of Myanmar is open for exploration. The far north, mountainous area of Myanmar, along with the western Chin State and the far, crime levels are exceptionally reduced.
Still, you ought to take the usual safety measures of using hotel storage lockers or safes for your belongings. Female visitors should not experience any kind of harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the money is dirty and also there isn't always soap in shower rooms so use your sanitiser prior to you touch anything that will certainly go near your mouth.
Watch out for the dust- Myanmar can be extremely dusty so do bring something to cover your mouth and nose when biking around. Likewise take care with your a/c-- Myanmar can be as hot. As a result, several travellers use the a/c in their room however sleeping in low temperature levels can make you sick.
Fruit is easy to come by so top up your body immune system with nutrients in this way. However, as it's commonly pre-cut, try to find a vendor that has actually kept the flies away and if it's sluiced with water, make certain it's filtered water.
Safety and security
Most government advisories caution against travel to parts of Rakhine (Rakhaing) State in western Myanmar, where clashes between local authorities as well as the minority Muslim (Rohingya) communities has caused the mass displacement of countless individuals. Some other parts of the country remain shut to foreigners as a result of problem in between the government as well as various ethnic armies gathered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These locations are mainly in Kachin as well as Shan States, near to the frontiers with China and Thailand, and far from the major traveler destinations.
Precise information on conflicts and also closed areas can be challenging to come by. Check your government's recommendations before travelling, and inquire about the situation once you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum is an excellent source of information from tourists on the ground.

What to wear in Myanmar
The majority of the locals dress conservatively| and cover their shoulders and also legs in spite of the high temperatures, and also you will make everybody much more comfortable if you follow suit.
Knee length shorts, long skirts, elephant pants as well as t-shirts are the attire of choice. These are highly encouraged as well as typically enforced for getting in the temples and pagodas.

Credits: backpackinglikeaboss.com
Every person uses skirts-- men and women alike-- the longyi, a long skirt, is the popular traditional dress in Myanmar for both males and females. Lots of visitors pick one up as they're breezy in the heat as well as tick the 'traditional wear' box. They are practical for sightseeing so get an inexpensive one a the market if you have the opportunity.
Flip flops are essential! Getting in pagodas implies going barefoot and also flip flops are the very best footwear option. Battling with shoelaces in the blistering heat is an unwelcome distraction. Bring some cleansing wipes for your feet after going to a pagoda.
Myanmar is a conservative nation so you'll blend far better if you dress conservatively (covering your knees and shoulders). You will certainly find people in shorts and also strappy tops in the cities and at the beach yet elsewhere it's less common.

Culture

Credits: parallelsandmeridians.com
The local people are remarkably genteel and also not used to confrontation so pack your good manners and your patience. Travel can be discouraging, warm and also slow-moving yet keep in mind: you selected to visit Myanmar and that it's not like being at home is no good reason to take it out on the citizens. Nonetheless, bargain hard with the taxi drivers.
You may get stopped a great deal by residents who want to chat. Tourists are no more a novelty in a lot of Southeast Asia however Myanmar is different. Usually the people are beautiful as well as are happy to appear in pictures and also attempt and converse via minimal common words or sign language.
You mayalso get stared at a whole lot which is typically best dealt with by offering a smile and also a mingalabar (hello there in Burmese). Burmese English can be difficult to comprehend, be patient, listen hard and also if you're paying for a guide, make certain they have great clear English before you book.

Credits: toddholdenarmstrong.blogspot.com
The red stained sidewalks are a consequence of spitting red coloured saliva after eating betel quids, little parcels which contain tobacco, spices as well as areca nuts covered in a betel leaf. It's most likely popular| because it provides a hit that's equivalent to 6 cups of coffee. However, as well as being dangerous when chewed long term, the by-product is bright-red saliva which is spewed out, most times onto the ground.
Lots of citizens have the tell tale red stained teeth and also taxi drivers often roll down the window in sluggish traffic to spew after eating on the betel quids.
There is some begging by children in Myanmar and as heartbreaking as it is, you should not give to the children. Why not? Read this fantastic write-up by Uncornered Market.

Credits: mekongtourism.org
It's common to see yellow circles pasted on the faces of the Burmese ladies. This is Thanaka, an aesthetic paste made from ground bark, which is a beauty product in Myanmar and likewise works as a sun block.


It's also common to hear a kissing noise in the cafes and dining establishments as citizens use the kissing noise as a call for service. Apparently it's much easier for staff to recognize the location of the kissing sound so do not be upset!
Burmese Phrases
The two essential phrases you need in Myanmar are:
Hello there: Ming-gu-la-bah
Thanks: Jay-zu-de-bar-dee
Not only is it polite, but it is well received. Be prepared for many residents to giggle in response-- they are not mocking you; they are just not expecting it.

Other practical concerns in Myanmar
Laundry is typically done by hand as well as is charged per item rather than kilo so try to turn up with your garments washed and unless you wish to hand over $20 for a load of washing, select the items you really need washing and also clean your smaller items yourself as you go.
Toiletries are easy to find by however tampons are not so bring what you need with you.
You can't flush toilet tissue or sanitary products-- this is really typical in developing nations where the plumbing system can not handle anything aside from bodily fluids.
Myanmar has that odd half-hour difference| to its time zone so it's 6 and a half hrs in advance of GMT.
Most of the plug sockets of Myanmar have multiple adaptors for European and also North American 2-pin plugs along with British three-pin.
Wi-fi is bad in Myanmar so you either need to get over it or, far better still, buy a local SIM. You can get one at the majority of airport terminals when you land or in one of the stores in the street and also the shop personnel will have you set up in about 5 mins. You can find out more regarding your network selections right here. Still, with 1 mbps considered to be a 'fast' link, don't expect to be downloading video clips any time. On-line access has improved, with wi-fi coming to be the norm-- most hotels, guesthouses and also cafes have it free of cost-- and the net is currently spreading tofarther areas. But tightly squeezed bandwidth as well as power outages can make using the net an aggravating exercise.
Do your research ahead of time or pack a guidebook, and also don't expect to Skype home extremely frequently, it's hardly possible to get a messenger service to operate at times!
You'll be better with a backpack than a travel suitcase. Suitcases aren't suitable on dusty, sandy, unevenroadways. Entering and also out of myriad forms|types|kinds} of transportation and hefting it up numerous steep staircases isn't far better.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *