Top Myanmar Travel Tips

Leading Myanmar Traveling Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Change Its Name?
The country formally known as Burma acquired independence in 1948 from occupying forces, but it had not been up until 1989 that the ruling military junta altered the country'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, as well as Myanmar as much more inclusive of the numerous ethnic groups in the country. Various other names were additionally altered, which is why you will 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 utilized interchangeably, on the ground and on the world stage. This post breaks down the modifications, what you 'should' say as well as the question: does it even matter?
Ideal Times to Visit Myanmar
There are typically 3 periods in which you can go to Myanmar:
October to March: Dry, winter
March to May: Hot, summer period
May to October: Wet, rainy season
The popular, high period is November to February when the climate is warm yet not stifling, and also draws in the greatest number of visitors. This, subsequently, makes the limited lodging choices challenging to secure as well as will mean trying to book ahead or face paying for the more expensive options left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature increases in Myanmar and also upcoming rainfalls are due. There is a limited number of vacationers which makes it very easy to book lodging but it is incredibly hot.

Visas
An e-Visa is available to visitors from these 100 countries.
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 get here and you're in.
Your e-Visa letter stands for 90- days from the day of issue and allows you a 28 day stay in Myanmar
Obtaining a visa from your local embassy may be less expensive-- if you wish to save some money, obtaining a visa through your local Myanmar consular office may be cheaper. As an example, the cost is just ₤ 14 in the UK yet $40 in the United States, so do your research as well as don't neglect to consider mailing expenses.
It is only possible to go into Myanmar on an e-visa at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw international airports; and also at three Thai-Myanmar land border crossings Tachileik, Myawadi (Myawaddy) and Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Check the immigration website for the most up to date at the time you take a trip.
Getting to Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the common alternative for visitors as the first mode of access, with routine scheduled services from Bangkok. Yet, considering where Myanmar lies-- bordered by China to the North as well as northeast, Thailand and also Laos to the eastern and also India and also Bangladesh to its west-- there are numerous avenues for land access, although not all of them are advised due to safety and security.
No matter, you must define a "Port of Entry" in your on-line application which denotes just how you will be reaching Myanmar. You will certainly be given a listing of alternatives, from which you will certainly need to choose among the following:
Myanmar Designated International Airports:
Mandalay (located right in the middle of Myanmar)
Yangon (situated in the south)
Nay Pyi Taw (positioned in between Mandalay and also Yangon)
Going Across at Land Boundary Checkpoints:
Tachileik (in the Shan State of eastern Myanmar on the border 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 Region on the boundary of the Thai Peninsula and the collection 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 border town of Khawmawi in the northwestern Chin State of Myanmar on the boundary of Southeastern India).
In truth, you can go into Myanmar at any designated "Port of Entry" yet it is best to stay with the one you initially stated preferably to prevent any type of hold up in the handling of your visa upon arrival.
You can leave at any of the International Airports as well as Land Boundary Checkpoints given 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 cheaper and also has much more connections than Mandalay.
Getting around Myanmar-- Long Distance

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Myanmar's local transport alternatives may be irritating yet the long distance propositions are far more attractive.
Distances are far, road travel is slow as well as flying is budget-friendly so it might be your far better choice.
You can still reserve flights the traditional means by wandering into a travel agent.
Flying within Myanmar is a bit like flying in the older days-- check-in entails ticking people off a listing of printed names, luggage claim can mean leaving the flight terminal and also getting your bag off a cart by the airplane 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 affordable with competing firms and a series of deluxe levels.

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The majority of buses travel overnight which is wonderful for not losing a day of sightseeing and tour, yet isn't so great for rest. Additionally, you'll tend to arrive at odd times in the early morning and won't be able to check into your hostel or hotel until 2 p.m. That's a great deal of hours waiting for a 'top-up' nap. Consider if it will be less expensive to fly if you're going to book accommodation the exact same night to rest straight away.
Buses are extremely cold, the high-end buses will provide you a blanket but, 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 and also toilet break-- a little bit discouraging if you're attempting to sleep through the night.
Night buses are not sleeper buses, although these are the buses which bring you to your location around 3 or 4am. What's even more, some still play their funky local song CD's as well as cheesy music videos till the very early hrs of the early morning. Pack your iPod, invest in some durable extreme ear plugs or kindly ask for the sound to be turned off.
Never ever ask a driver regarding 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 come to a location summons bad spirits and also is taken seriously. The outcome? You will not get an answer.
You will mainly book buses via your hotel, hostel or guesthouse-- they will normally bill a cost yet be aware that the charge can differ dramatically.

Credits: seat61.com

Check whether pickup is included in your ticket price - this truly does differ depending upon destination, mode of traveling as well as company. Try to find a company that does include pickup as taxis are extortionate.
Booking buses online is more difficult-- There isn't one helpful online reservation site as well as the ones that do exist have a minimal number of tickets. If you're informed they're sold out, it does not necessarily mean the bus is full. Attempt booking somewhere else.
If the company has a Facebook page, message to book without fees.
Buses are almost always faster than the trains, however bus rides are bumpy-- you could think about taking tablets for nausea. Boats are also a choice for some paths; the Mandalay-- Bagan service is popular amongst tourists.
There are no international car-rental companies, however a lot of travel agencies in Yangon, Mandalay and also Bagan-- as well as guesthouses and hotels somewhere else-- can arrange cars as well as drivers.
Myanmar's Local Transport

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Myanmar is still developing and also this is most frustratingly evident in the local transport.
With limited public transport, taxis will certainly be your major means of navigating particularly for getting to and also from airport terminals and also within cities like Yangon as well as Mandalay.
Taxi prices are past extortionate-- rates are set on the spot (after a quick 'how much can I get away with' computation) as well as you're going to have to negotiate hard. It's not unusual to hear rates of $1-$2 per kilometre. Commonly the taxi to and also from the airport/bus will be more than you paid for your flight or intercity bus.
1,000 Kyat per kilometre is a good approximate quantity for taxi fares.
Cabs for the day might be your much better bet-- it can be around $35 for a day of sightseeing in Bagan and $28 for a few hours in Mandalay.
Distance is a much bigger aspect than time in dictating the cost of hiring a driver: a 12 hour trip about Yangon can cost 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 expensive in Myanmar and also is a massive contributing factor to the cost.
Every person wishes to take you to a craft shop, a silk factory or a nut producer throughout your sightseeing and tour trips. Do not hesitate to say no when you're paying for your very own personal transport. After all, that's the reason you are paying a premium. On the flip side, some of the side trips can be fascinating as well as drivers may take you to some cool areas that aren’t on your plan and you may be happy you went with their recommendations!
Hiring bikes and also e-Bikes (electric motorcycles) outside the cities is much cheaper however beware of the dust-- Myanmar is without a doubt one of the dustiest places, and almost all tourists create a dust coughing. Pack sunglasses and something to cover your mouth.
Do not take an e-Bike if you can't manage it-- or else you'll be among the numerous vacationers walking toting head to foot road rash and also bandages.
The huge cities are gridlocked so walking may be quicker-- Yangon has several of the worst traffic. 1.5 hrs to cover 15 km should give you an idea. The time suggested for getting to the bus station (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 hour trip in Yangon could all be done in 38 degree heat with nothing more than the heat of the engine fan to 'cool' you down.


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Get ready for the unforeseen. When your night bus to Bagan arrives in the very early hours of the early morning, your only option to get to my hotel may be by means of horse and cart. There is still a haggling process to be had, however given that this is the main form of visitor transportation here it is just natural that they are waiting on new bus arrivals.

Money as well as ATMs in Myanmar

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You can utilize 2 currencies in Myanmar-- dollars and the local money, kyat (pronounced ‘chat').
If you're going to make use of dollars, they need to be pristine. What's pristine/brand new-- unfolded, uncreased as well as newer than 2006. Each individual note is checked thoroughly for defects, discolouration and folds at the money exchange booths. You may also have trouble changing notes with the AB/CB identification numbers.
Some vendors demand payments in US dollars so you can read more bring some United States dollars to spend.
Using kyat is most likely to be less costly due to the fact that the USD currency exchange rate is casual-- someplace in between 1,300 to 1,400 kyat, the currency exchange rate is generally applied on the spot, most likely depending upon how rich you look.
There are ATM machines as well as they mainly work however make certain you have cash prior to turning up at more remote spots like the coastline. Occasionally they might be out of service.
You'll pay an ATM machine cost of about $4 for every withdrawal which is in addition to any type of fees your bank could bill. And you probably won't have the ability to take out more than $150 each time.
ATMs dispense kyat only. There are plenty of exchange places around, however primarily the transactions are to change immaculate dollars into local money.
Wait for the big cities orinternational flight terminal to change cash back to dollars.
Some hotels do not have credit card machines and require cash payment. If you have actually reserved your hotels in advance online this may save you taking added money for holiday accommodation.

Credit cards are accepted primarily just in top-end hotels. Some travel agents in Yangon and also Mandalay also take them, normally charging a little fee, for purchasing flights.
Cost of travel in Myanmar
Myanmar is a whole lot more costly than the rest of Southeast Asia-- facilities is still being developed. That includes guesthouses and restaurants. Companies are recovering their expenses.
Lodging expenses
A dorm bed will set you back around $20-$30 a night. You can get a basic 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 dingy, 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 other great choices being available at $100 to $150 (eg Zfreeti hotel in Bagan which sets you back around $120 a night). A modern hotel can cost USD 75-80 a night (the Smart Hotel in Mandalay).
Popular 'package traveler' locations like Ngapali beach can set you back as much as $100 a night for a 2-star resort (though there are a couple of hostels there as well). On the plus side, you typically get a free breakfast with your holiday accommodation.
Food prices
Street food is most cost effective-- around $1-$2 for a plate of something basic. Local restaurants cost around $2-$4 a meal. Anything remotely western (air-conditioning or featuring something like pizza) will certainly set you back $7-$12.
Drink expenses
Bottled water is low-cost, under 50 cents a litre. Beer is likewise inexpensive at a number of bucks per bottle.
Sightseeing and tour prices
The tourist dollar is king. Expect to pay for the privilege of being a foreigner and also utilizing squat toilets, going into pagodas, storing footwear and also taking photos. 'Foreigner payments' are prominent in the much more touristy locations.
It's possible to bargain on costs of things like souvenirs but if you haggle too hard the locals lose interest and leave.
Tipping is not usual practice in Myanmar, as well as it's only foreigners that tip.
Taking in the sights in Myanmar

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We were up and out most days for dawn as well as out cold by 10pm! The heat is frequently excruciating throughout the peak sunshine hours and the arrival of the traveler buses make it harder to get remarkable photos and also walk around freely.
Not everywhere on a map of Myanmar is open for exploration. The far north, mountainous area of Myanmar, along with the western Chin State as well as the far, criminal activity levels are extremely reduced.
Still, you need to take the typical safety measures of using hotel storage lockers or safes for your belongings. Women tourists should not experience any kind of harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the money is dirty as well as there isn't always soap in shower rooms so use your sanitiser before you touch anything that will go near your mouth.
Look out for the dust- Myanmar can be really dusty so do carry something to cover your mouth and also nose when cycling around. Likewise take care with your a/c-- Myanmar can be as warm. Consequently, lots of tourists use the a/c in their room yet sleeping in low temperature levels can make you ill.
Fruit is easy to find so top up your immune system with nutrients that way. Nevertheless, as it's often pre-cut, search for a seller that has actually kept the flies away as well as if it's sluiced with water, make sure it's filtered water.
Safety and security
The majority of government advisories advise against travel to parts of Rakhine (Rakhaing) State in western Myanmar, where clashes between local authorities and the minority Muslim (Rohingya) communities has led to the mass displacement of countless people. A few other parts of the nation continue to be closed to foreigners due to conflict between the government and also different ethnic militaries clustered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These areas are mainly in Kachin and Shan States, near the frontiers with China as well as Thailand, and far from the major vacationer destinations.
Exact details on conflicts and closed locations can be tough to find. Check your government's guidance prior to taking a trip, as well as inquire about the situation when you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum is a great source of news from tourists on the ground.

What to wear in Myanmar
Most of the locals dress conservatively| as well as cover their shoulders as well as legs in spite of the high temperatures, and also you will make everybody much more comfortable if you do the same.
Knee length shorts, long skirts, elephant pants as well as t-shirts are the outfit of choice. These are highly encouraged and commonly enforced for going into the temples and also pagodas.

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Everyone puts on skirts-- men and women alike-- the longyi, a long skirt, is the popular traditional dress in Myanmar for both males and females. Several vacationers pick one up as they're breezy in the warmth and tick the 'conservative wear' box. They are convenient for sightseeing and tour so get an affordable one a the market if you have the opportunity.
Flip flops are essential! Going into pagodas means going barefoot as well as flip flops are the best footwear choice. Battling with shoelaces in the scorching heat is an unwelcome distraction. Bring some cleansing wipes for your feet after checking out a pagoda.
Myanmar is a conservative nation so you'll blend far better if you clothe conservatively (covering your knees and shoulders). You will find people in shorts as well as strappy tops in the cities and at the beach however somewhere else it's less typical.

Culture

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The local individuals are extremely genteel and also not used to confrontation so pack your good manners as well as your patience. Travel can be irritating, warm and also slow-moving yet bear in mind: you picked to see Myanmar which it's not the same as being at home is no good reason to take it out on the locals. Nonetheless, bargain hard with the taxi drivers.
You may get stopped a lot by locals who intend to talk. Visitors are no more a novelty in most of Southeast Asia yet Myanmar is different. Usually individuals are charming and more than happy to appear in pictures as well as try and also talk through minimal usual words or sign language.
You maylikewise get stared at a whole lot which is normally best dealt with by offering a smile and also a mingalabar (hi in Burmese). Burmese English can be difficult to comprehend, be patient, listen hard as well as if you're paying for a guide, ensure they have good clear English before you book.

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The red stained sidewalks are a consequence of spitting red coloured saliva after eating betel quids, tiny parcels that contain tobacco, spices and also areca nuts covered in a betel leaf. It's most likely popular| since it delivers 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 and also taxi drivers frequently roll down the window in sluggish traffic to spit after chewing on the betel quids.
There is some begging by kids in Myanmar and also as heartbreaking as it is, you shouldn't give to the children. Why not? Read this fantastic article by Uncornered Market.

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It's common to see yellow circles pasted on the faces of the Burmese women. This is Thanaka, a cosmetic paste made from ground bark, which is a beauty product in Myanmar and likewise serves as a sunscreen.


It's also common to hear a kissing noise in the cafes and restaurants as citizens make use of the kissing sound as an ask for service. Apparently it's easier for staff to identify the place of the kissing noise so don't be startled!
Burmese Phrases
Both essential phrases you need in Myanmar are:
Hey there: Ming-gu-la-bah
Thank you: Jay-zu-de-bar-dee
Not only is it courteous, however it is well received. Be prepared for a lot of residents to giggle in response-- they are not mocking you; they are just not expecting it.

Other practical concerns in Myanmar
Laundry is usually done by hand and is billed per item instead of kilo so try to turn up with your clothing washed and also unless you intend to hand over $20 for a load of washing, choose the items you truly 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 not flush toilet paper or sanitary products-- this is very common in developing nations where the plumbing system can not deal with anything other than bodily fluids.
Myanmar has that weird 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 several adaptors for European and North American 2-pin plugs along with British three-pin.
Wi-fi is bad in Myanmar so you either have to overcome it or, much better still, buy a local SIM. You can obtain one at many airports when you land or in among the stores in the street and also the shop personnel will have you set up in about 5 mins. You can learn more regarding your network options below. Still, with 1 mbps thought about to be a 'fast' connection, do not anticipate to be downloading video clips any time. On-line accessibility has improved, with wi-fi coming to be the norm-- most hotels, guesthouses as well as coffee shops have it for free-- and also the internet is now spreading tofarther areas. But tightly squeezed bandwidth as well as power blackouts can make using the web a discouraging exercise.
Do your research in advance or pack a guidebook, and don't expect to Skype home very often, it's hardly possible to get a messenger service to operate at times!
You'll be much better with a knapsack than a suitcase. Luggage aren't excellent on dusty, sandy, unevenroads. Getting in and out of myriad forms|types|kinds} of transport as well as hefting it up lots of high staircases isn't better.

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