Top Myanmar Travel Tips

Top Myanmar Traveling Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Change Its Name?
The nation formally called Burma got independence in 1948 from occupying forces, however it had not been up until 1989 that the ruling military junta changed the nation's name from Burma to Myanmar following a military coup.
Politically, the name Burma was viewed as a relic of the nation's former British colonial past, and Myanmar as a lot more inclusive of the many ethnic groups in the nation. Various other names were likewise altered, which is why you will certainly see Rangoon now referred to as Yangon.
For tourism, Burma travel is Myanmar travel. Same same, as they say in Southeast Asia.
Both the names Burma and Myanmar are still made use of interchangeably, on the ground and also on the world stage. This post breaks down the modifications, what you 'should' say and the concern: does it even matter?
Best Times to See Myanmar
There are typically three seasons 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 is warm however not stifling, as well as draws in the greatest number of visitors. This, in turn, makes the limited lodging alternatives challenging to secure as well as will imply trying to book in advance or deal with paying for the much more pricey alternatives left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature level increases in Myanmar as well as approaching rains are due. There is a limited number of vacationers that makes it very easy to book lodging however it is extremely warm.

Visas
An e-Visa is available to tourists from these 100 countries.
To get one, go to the official e-Visa site. You'll need to upload a passport photo and also pay a fee of $50.
It takes under 10 mins to apply and also you should obtain approval within 3 working days.
Print out your e-Visa letter, show it when you get here and you're in.
Your e-Visa letter is valid for 90- days from the date of issue and enables you a 28 day stay in Myanmar
Obtaining a visa from your local embassy might be more affordable-- if you intend to save some cash, making an application for a visa through your local Myanmar consular office might be cheaper. For example, the price is simply ₤ 14 in the UK however $40 in the USA, so do your research and also don't fail to remember to factor in mailing expenses.
It is only possible to go into Myanmar on an e-visa at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw international airports; as well as at three Thai-Myanmar land boundary crossings Tachileik, Myawadi (Myawaddy) and also Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Check the immigration website for the latest at the time you travel.
Reaching Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the common alternative for visitors as the initial mode of entry, with normal scheduled services from Bangkok. But, considering where Myanmar is located-- surrounded by China to the North and also northeast, Thailand and Laos to the east and also India and also Bangladesh to its west-- there are multiple methods for land entry, although not all of them are suggested because of safety.
No matter, you have to specify a "Port of Entry" in your online application which denotes how you will certainly be reaching Myanmar. You will certainly be provided a listing of alternatives, where you will require to choose among the following:
Myanmar Designated International Airports:
Mandalay (located right in the center of Myanmar)
Yangon (situated in the south)
Nay Pyi Taw (located in between Mandalay and Yangon)
Crossing at Land Border Checkpoints:
Tachileik (in the Shan State of eastern Myanmar on the boundary to northern 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 border of the Thai Peninsula and the cluster of islands)
Tamu (in the Sagaing Area of northwestern Myanmar on the border to northeastern India).
Rih Khaw Dar (a six-hour drive from the border town of Khawmawi in the northwestern Chin State of Myanmar on the boundary of Southeastern India).
Actually, you can enter Myanmar at any designated "Port of Entry" yet it is best to adhere to the one you initially mentioned preferably to avoid any kind of hold up in the handling of your visa upon arrival.
You can exit at any of the International Airports and Land Boundary Checkpoints considering that your exit point does not need to be specified up front. Additionally, you might leave at the Htikee Land Boundary Checkpoint, although entrance from here is not possible.
Flying in as well as out of Yangon is more affordable as well as has extra connections than Mandalay.
Getting around Myanmar-- Long Distance

Credit: myanmartours.us
Myanmar's local transportation choices might be discouraging but the cross country propositions are far more attractive.
Distances are far, road travel is slow as well as flying is economical so it might be your better choice.
You can still reserve flights the old-school method by wandering into a travel agent.
Flying within Myanmar is a little bit like flying in the older days-- check-in includes ticking people off a listing of printed names, luggage claim can mean leaving the airport terminal and getting your bag off a cart by the airplane and flight announcements are made by a person holding up a sign and also calling your flight (in incomprehensible English). It actually is an experience. And also a great deal of fun if you do not let it get you stressed.Buses are budget-friendly with competing firms and also a range of deluxe levels.

Credits: seawander.asia
Many buses travel over night which is great for not losing a day of sightseeing, however isn't so wonderful for sleep. Also, you'll tend to reach at weird times in the morning as well as won't have the ability to check into your hostel or hotel till 2 p.m. That's a great deal of hrs waiting for a 'top-up' snooze. Think about if it will certainly be more affordable to fly if you're going to book accommodation the exact same evening to sleep immediately.
Buses are extremely chilly, the luxury buses will certainly offer you a blanket but, use your warm layers.
Even the VIP bus does not have a toilet onboard so expect to stop every couple of hrs for a food and also toilet break-- a bit frustrating if you're attempting to rest 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 as well as cheesy music videos up until the early hrs of the early morning. Pack your iPod, buy some durable extreme ear plugs or kindly request the sound to be turned off.
Never ask a vehicle driver about he time of arrival. Due to superstitions based on a belief system of nats (spirits) that existed before Buddhism came to the fore, asking when you will arrive at a location invokes bad spirits and also is taken seriously. The outcome? You will not obtain an answer.
You will primarily book buses through your hotel, hostel or guesthouse-- they will usually bill a fee however know that the charge can vary dramatically.

Credits: seat61.com

Check whether pickup is included in your ticket price - this really does differ depending upon destination, mode of traveling and company. Look for a company that does include pickup as taxis are expensive.
Booking buses online is more difficult-- There isn't one helpful online reservation website and also the ones that do exist have a restricted number of tickets. If you're informed they're sold out, it doesn't necessarily indicate the bus is full. Attempt booking elsewhere.
If the company has a Facebook web page, message to book without costs.
Buses are often faster than the trains, yet bus rides are bumpy-- you may take into consideration taking tablets for motion sickness. Boats are likewise an option for some paths; the Mandalay-- Bagan service is popular among tourists.
There are no international car-rental firms, yet many travel agencies in Yangon, Mandalay and also Bagan-- in addition to guesthouses and hotels somewhere else-- can organize cars and drivers.
Myanmar's Local Transport

Credits: asiancorrespondent.com
Myanmar is still developing and also this is most frustratingly obvious in the local transport.
With minimal public transportation, taxis will be your primary way of navigating particularly for getting to and from flight terminals as well as within cities like Yangon and also Mandalay.
Taxi prices are beyond extortionate-- rates are established on the spot (after a quick 'just how much can I get away with' computation) as well as you're going to have to negotiate hard. It's not uncommon to hear rates of $1-$2 per kilometre. Commonly the taxi to as well as from the airport/bus will certainly be more than you spent for your flight or intercity bus.
1,000 Kyat per kilometre is a good approximate amount for taxi fares.
Taxis for the day might be your much better bet-- it can be around $35 for a day of taking in the sights in Bagan and $28 for a couple of hrs in Mandalay.
Distance is a much larger element than time in dictating the expense of hiring a driver: a 12 hour trip around Yangon can set you back USD 70 while taking a trip further afield to Golden Rock, a 2.5 hour drive each means, can be estimated at USD 200. Gas is pricey in Myanmar and also is a significant contributing aspect to the cost.
Everybody wishes to take you to a craft store, a silk factory or a nut manufacturer during your sightseeing journeys. Don't be afraid to say no when you're paying for your very own private transportation. After all, that's the reason you are paying a premium. On the flip side, several of the side journeys can be intriguing as well as drivers may take you to some cool areas that aren’t on your travel plan and you may be happy you went with their suggestions!
Hiring bikes and also e-Bikes (electric motorcycles) outside the cities is much more affordable yet beware of the dust-- Myanmar is by far among the dustiest areas, and nearly all visitors create a dust coughing. Pack sunglasses as well as something to cover your mouth.
Don't take an e-Bike if you can't manage it-- otherwise you'll be just one of the numerous visitors walking around toting head to foot road rash as well as bandages.
The huge cities are gridlocked so walking may be quicker-- Yangon has a few of the worst traffic. 1.5 hours to cover 15 km should provide you an idea. The time suggested for reaching the bus terminal (22km far from the centre) is 2.5 hrs.
Car quality is hit and miss so don't count on air-conditioning as well as leather seats-- that 1.5 hr journey 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
Plan for the unexpected. When your night bus to Bagan arrives in the very early hours of the early morning, your only alternative to reach my hotel may be via horse and cart. There is still a haggling process to be had, but considering that this is the primary form of visitor transport here it is just all-natural that they are awaiting new bus arrivals.

Money and also ATMs in Myanmar

Credits: mmtimes.com

You can utilize 2 currencies in Myanmar-- dollars and the local money, kyat (pronounced ‘chat').
If you're going to utilize dollars, they have to be immaculate. What's pristine/brand new-- unfolded, uncreased and more recent than 2006. Each specific note is checked thoroughly for defects, discolouration and creases at the money exchange kiosks. You might also have problems changing notes with the AB/CB identification numbers.
Some vendors insist on payments in US bucks so you can bring some United States dollars to spend.
Utilizing kyat is likely to be less costly due to the fact that the USD currency exchange rate is casual-- somewhere between 1,300 to 1,400 kyat, the currency exchange rate is typically applied on the spot, probably relying on how rich you look.
There are ATMs and also they mostly function however make sure you have cash before showing up at more remote places like the beach. In some cases they may be out of service.
You'll pay an ATM machine fee of about $4 for each withdrawal which is in addition to any charges your bank might charge. And you probably won't have the ability to withdraw more than $150 at a time.
ATMs dispense kyat only. There are lots of exchange places around, yet mostly the transactions are to change immaculate dollars into local money.
Wait for the large cities orinternational airport terminal to change money back to dollars.
Some hotels do not have credit card machines and call for cash payment. If you have booked your hotels beforehand online this might save you taking additional cash for holiday accommodation.

Credit cards are accepted primarily just in top-end hotels. Some travel agents in Yangon as well as Mandalay also take them, generally charging a small fee, for purchasing flights.
Cost of travel in Myanmar
Myanmar is a whole lot more costly than the rest of Southeast Asia-- infrastructure is still being developed. That includes guesthouses and also dining establishments. Companies are recouping their expenses.
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 vacationer hotspots like Bagan, you can pay US$35 to US$40 for a run down, no-frills room.
For hotels, deluxe resorts can be priced at over USD 200 a night (the Inle Princess Resort being a fine example where high-end comes with a price of $250 per night) with other great alternatives coming in at $100 to $150 (eg Zfreeti hotel in Bagan which sets you back around $120 a night). A contemporary hotel can set you back USD 75-80 a night (the Smart Hotel in Mandalay).
Popular 'package vacationer' destinations like Ngapali beach can cost as much as $100 a night for a 2-star hotel (though there are a number of hostels there also). On the bonus side, you usually obtain a cost-free morning meal with your accommodation.
Food expenses
Street food is most inexpensive-- around $1-$2 for a plate of something basic. Local restaurants cost around $2-$4 a dish. Anything remotely western (air-conditioning or including something like pizza) will cost $7-$12.
Drink expenses
Mineral water is affordable, under 50 cents a litre. Beer is also cheap at a number of bucks per bottle.
Sightseeing and tour prices
The tourist dollar is king. Expect to spend for the benefit of being a foreigner as well as making use of squat toilets, entering pagodas, storing footwear as well as taking pictures. 'Foreigner payments' are preferred in the much more touristy locations.
It's possible to negotiate on costs of things like mementos however if you bargain too hard the locals lose interest and also leave.
Tipping is not common method in Myanmar, as well as it's just foreigners who tip.
Sightseeing and tour in Myanmar

Credits: lonelyplanet.com
We were up and out most days for dawn and also fast asleep by 10pm! The heat is commonly unbearable during the peak sunlight hrs and the arrival of the visitor buses make it more difficult to get incredible pictures and walk around easily.
Not anywhere on a map of Myanmar is open for exploration. The far northern, mountainous location of Myanmar, alongside the western Chin State and the far, crime levels are incredibly low.
Still, you need to take the usual preventative measures of utilizing hotel lockers or safes for your belongings. Women travellers should not experience any type of harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the cash is dirty and also there isn't always soap in restrooms so utilize your sanitiser prior to you touch anything that will go near your mouth.
Look out for the dust- Myanmar can be extremely dusty so do bring something to cover your mouth and nose when cycling around. Additionally take care with your air conditioning-- Myanmar can be as warm. Consequently, lots of tourists use the a/c in their room but sleeping in low temperatures can make you ill.
Fruit is simple to find so top up your body immune system with nutrients in this way. However, as it's commonly pre-cut, try to find a seller that has kept the flies away and if it's sluiced with water, make sure it's filtered water.
Safety
Many government advisories alert against travel to parts of Rakhine (Rakhaing) State in western Myanmar, where clashes in between local authorities and the minority Muslim (Rohingya) communities has actually led to the mass displacement of countless individuals. A few other parts of the nation stay shut to foreigners because of conflict between the government and also different ethnic militaries clustered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These areas are mostly in Kachin and Shan States, near the frontiers with China and Thailand, and far from the significant vacationer destinations.
Accurate details on disputes and closed locations can be tough to come by. Check your government's advice prior to taking a trip, and inquire about the situation once you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum is a good resource of news 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 certainly make everyone a lot more comfortable if you follow suit.
Knee length shorts, long skirts, elephant pants and also tee shirts are the clothing of choice. These are strongly encouraged as well as typically enforced for entering the temples and also pagodas.

Credits: backpackinglikeaboss.com
Everyone puts on skirts-- men and women alike-- the longyi, a long skirt, is the popular traditional dress in Myanmar for both men and women. Many visitors pick one up as they're breezy in the heat as well as tick the 'traditional wear' box. They are convenient for sightseeing and tour so get an affordable one a the market if you have the chance.
Flip flops are essential! Going into pagodas implies going barefoot and also flip flops are the very best footwear selection. Struggling with laces in the scorching heat is an undesirable interruption. Bring some cleansing wipes for your feet after checking out a pagoda.
Myanmar is a conservative nation so you'll blend better if you dress conservatively (covering your knees and shoulders). You will find people in shorts as well as strappy tops in the cities and at the beach but somewhere else it's less common.

Culture

Credits: parallelsandmeridians.com
The local people are remarkably genteel as well as not used to confrontation so pack your good manners as well as your patience. Travelling can be irritating, warm as well as sluggish but keep in mind: you selected to go to Myanmar which it's not the same as being at home is no good reason to take it out on the residents. Nevertheless, haggle hard with the taxi drivers.
You may get stopped a lot by locals that intend to chat. Vacationers are no longer a novelty in a lot of Southeast Asia yet Myanmar is different. Typically the people are lovely and also more than happy to appear in photos and attempt as well as speak through minimal typical words or sign language.
You mayalso get stared at a whole lot which is normally best managed by providing a smile as well as a mingalabar (hi in Burmese). Burmese English can be difficult to comprehend, be patient, pay attention and if you're spending for a guide, ensure they have good clear English before you book.

Credits: toddholdenarmstrong.blogspot.com
The red stained sidewalks are a consequence of spitting red coloured saliva after chewing betel quids, tiny parcels that contain tobacco, spices and also areca nuts wrapped in a betel leaf. It's possibly popular| since it supplies 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 spat out, most times onto the ground.
Lots of citizens have the tell tale red stained teeth as well as cab drivers frequently roll down the window in slow-moving traffic to spew after chewing on the betel quids.
There is some begging by kids in Myanmar and also as heartbreaking as it is, you should not give to the children. Why not? Read this brilliant post by Uncornered Market.

Credits: mekongtourism.org
It's common to see yellow circles pasted on the faces of the Burmese ladies. This is Thanaka, a cosmetic paste made from ground bark, which is a beauty item in Myanmar as well as also check here works as a sun block.


It's also common to hear a kissing sound in the coffee shops and restaurants as residents make use of the kissing sound as an ask for service. Apparently it's easier for staff to determine the place of the kissing noise so don't be surprised!
Burmese Phrases
Both essential expressions you require in Myanmar are:
Hello: Ming-gu-la-bah
Thank you: Jay-zu-de-bar-dee
Not only is it respectful, yet it is well received. Be ready for most locals to giggle in response-- they are not mocking you; they are just not anticipating it.

Various other practical concerns in Myanmar
Laundry is usually done by hand and is charged per item rather than kilo so try to turn up with your clothes washed and also unless you wish to hand over $20 for a load of washing, select the items you really require washing and also clean your smaller items on your own as you go.
Toiletries are simple to find by however tampons are not so bring what you require with you.
You can not flush toilet tissue or sanitary products-- this is very usual in developing countries where the plumbing system can't cope with anything apart from bodily fluids.
Myanmar has that unusual half-hour difference| to its time area so it's 6 and a half hours 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 have to get over it or, far better still, purchase a local SIM. You can obtain one at a lot of flight terminals when you land or in among the shops in the road as well as the store staff will certainly have you set up in about 5 minutes. You can find out more about your network selections right here. Still, with 1 mbps taken into consideration to be a 'quick' connection, do not expect to be downloading video clips whenever. On-line access has improved, with wi-fi coming to be the norm-- most hotels, guesthouses and also cafes have it totally free-- and also the internet is now spreading tofarther places. Yet tightly squeezed bandwidth and power blackouts can use the internet a discouraging exercise.
Do your research in advance or pack a guidebook, and don't anticipate to Skype home extremely frequently, it's barely possible to get a messenger service to work at times!
You'll be better with a knapsack than a suitcase. aren't excellent on dusty, sandy, unevenroads. Getting in as well as out of myriad forms|types|kinds} of transportation and hefting it up many high stairs isn't better.

Leave a Reply

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