Myanmar Travel Tips & General Information

AIRLINES

International: Major airlines serving Yangon Airport are Myanmar Airways International (8M), Thai International Airways (TG), Silkair (MI), Malaysia Airlines (MH), Air China (CA), Biman Airways BG), Indian Airlines (IC and Air Mandalay (6T) which operates international flights Yangon - Chiang Mai and vice versa. China Eastern Airlines is flying to Mandalay.

Domestic: Myanmar Airways (domestic), Air Mandalay (6T), Yangon Airways (HK) and Air Bagan (AB) serve domestic routes. Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways and Air Bagan use new ATR 72 aircraft. Air Mandalay and Yangon Airways operate with economy class seats only. Air Bagan additionally operates with 1 Fokker 100 jet which offers lotus class (business class). Luggage allowance is 20 kilos per person - excess luggage can be left in Yangon hotels for collection on return from upcountry.

Domestic Flight Schedule

Domestic air services have improved greatly over recent years. The domestic airlines often change their flight schedules at the very last minute. In such cases, we are forced to adjust the sightseeing program around these changes. We do keep you updated of flight changes prior to arrival to Myanmar.

AIRPORT

Yangon Airport is located 15 km (approx. 30 minutes) to the North of the centre of Yangon and serves both international and domestic services. Duty free shopping is available within the international airport.

AIRPORT TAX

Departure tax for international flights is US$ 10 payable in US currency. Currently there is no departure tax levied for domestic flights (subject to change without prior notice).

ARRIVAL

All visitors are required to have a Myanmar Visa and to complete an arrival/departure card, which is usually distributed during their flight into Yangon. The completed card should be submitted with passport to the immigration officials on arrival at Yangon airport. The departure portion will be torn off and returned to the visitor - it should be retained for presentation upon departure.

CLIMATE

Myanmar has a tropical climate with three distinct seasons although the effects of the rainy season vary across the country:
Rainy Season: June to September
Cold Season: October to February
Hot Season: March to May
The best time to visit Myanmar is from the end of October to beginning of May. During this time, a pullover is needed when travelling upcountry as nights can be cold. Yangon is very hot and humid during the hot and rainy season (March to September) and although Yangon and surrounding areas have a lot of rain during summer, upper Myanmar is rather dry the whole year round.

CLOTHING

We recommend bringing light cotton clothes. Myanmar still has very traditional customs and it is not appropriate to wear shorts, bermudas or miniskirts. Since shoes and socks have to be removed for all visits to pagodas and temples, we recommend wearing sandals or other slip-on shoes which are easy to put on and take off. When visiting temples or other religious monuments, visitors should be modestly dressed - it is very important that knees and shoulders are covered and ladies should not wear shorts or bra-less T-shirts in such places. Hats and sunglasses are strongly recommended. Visitors are advised to ignore touts who may approach them to exchange foreign currency, or to sell gems of dubious quality. Such offers, although apparently attractive, are breaking strict laws.

CURRENCY

The Myanmar currency is Kyats (pronounced "chats"). The following notes are in circulation 1000, 500, 200, 100, 90, 50, 45, 20, 15, 10, 5, 1 - also some coins. The official rate of exchange is approximately Kyats 6 to USD 1 and the unofficial rate can go up as far as Kyat 900 to USD 1. It is however possible to exchange US Dollars to Foreign Exchange Certificates (FEC) at the rate of 1 for 1. FECs can then be exchanged at the official rate of approximately Kyats 900 to FEC 1. Please do not change USD into Kyats at the money changer at the airport as the rate is very low.

Please note that US Dollars are widely accepted and can be exchanged to Myanmar Kyat. Other currencies, including Euros, are not accepted or can only be exchanged to Myanmar Kayt or Dollars at unfavourable exchange rates. We therefore advise you to bring US Dollars cash. Please note that money changers/shops/restaurants/hotels only accept USD notes, which are in good condition and "new" looking. Notes with torn off corners, rips or scrawls are not accepted. Travellers cheques are not accepted and there are no ATM machines.

CUSTOMS AND FORMALITIES ON ARRIVAL

Regulations are generally relaxed for tourist travelers arriving by air in Yangon. Visitors should have completed immigration and customs declaration forms during the flight and must submit these on arrival. All foreign currency (in excess of US$ 2,000), traveler cheques, jewelry, cameras and other electronic items must be recorded on the customs form and may be checked on departure. No Myanmar currency may be imported or exported.

Duty free allowance is 200 cigarettes and one liter of wine or spirits. Note that export of antiques, Buddha images and gems without an official dealer's receipt, is strictly prohibited. Baggage may be X-rayed or inspected before departure.

DRIVING

An international driving license is accepted. Penalties for motorists that hit a pedestrian are extremely severe, regardless of who was at fault. We therefore strongly recommend that visitors to Myanmar do not attempt to drive.

ELECTRICITY

The electric current in Myanmar is 220 volts AC, 50 cycles. Adaptors are provided by most of the hotels.

ENTERTAINMENT

For more Western-style entertainment, there are karaoke bars, discotheques, dancing and live music in some of the hotels in Yangon and Mandalay.

FOOD

Myanmar cuisine uses rice or noodles as staple dishes, usually served with a variety of side dishes: curries with meat or fish, vegetables, salads, soup, condiments, etc. Curries tend to be less chili-hot than those served in Thailand. Chinese, Thai and Indian restaurants are also found in major cities, but European cuisine is mostly confined to major hotels at present.

In order to give travelers a true feeling for the country and its diverse regional gastronomic variations, These are carefully selected, for hygiene as well as gastronomic considerations. In some country areas, however, dining opportunities are still very limited. Travelers are advised against eating from street or market stalls, however tempting these may seem.

GENERAL ADVICE

Use an insect repellant against mosquitoes, especially in upcountry and forested areas. Hat and high-factor block cream are advisable as protection against the hot tropical sun when sightseeing.

A spare pair of glasses, if worn, is also advisable. Useful, as well, is a flashlight, for exploring caves or details of temple interiors, which are often not properly illuminated.

Take plenty of film, as locally available supplies are not always reliable. Photography in airports, railway stations and near any military installation is forbidden. Please use discretion when photographing people, especially with tribal people, who may have superstitions against this. For close-up shots, always ask first.

Visitors are requested not to encourage development of begging practice by giving money or sweets to children. If travelers wish to contribute to, say a village community, gifts should be directed to the local schoolteacher or headmaster. Contributions can also be arranged through recognized local charity organizations.

HAND PHONES

Note that foreign mobile phones do not work within Myanmar. You can bring your phone into the country, however it will not work.

HANDICRAFTS / SOUVENIRS

Myanmar is particularly renowned for its lacquerware, precious stones and jewellery. Lacquer ware is available most notably in Bagan but also in Mandalay and Yangon. Precious stones and jewellery can be purchased from any of the approved shops and government shops that populate Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and all other major towns and cities. The silk weavers, tapestry maker, carvers of wood, ivory and stone, silversmiths and bronze-casters are largely based in Mandalay.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

No vaccinations are officially required for a visit to Myanmar. Malaria prophylaxis is no longer recommended, but travelers should check with their doctor or a travel immunization clinic regarding the advisability of inoculation against typhoid, hepatitis, tetanus and Japanese encephalitis. Prescription drugs are not widely available and visitors should bring any required medication with them. If carrying a lot of medicines, it is advisable to have a doctor's letter stating that medicines are required for personal use.

INSURANCE

The extent of insurance coverage in Myanmar varies widely to western norms. It is suggested that visitors consider short-term health and accident policies from your own insurance company prior to leaving home. Local hospital care is basic, any seriously injured tourist will require medical evacuation to either Singapore or Bangkok. As medical evacuations can be extremely costly, we recommend that you take out a comprehensive insurance policy that will cover the costs of a medical evacuation and subsequent medical care.

MARKETS

During your tour through Myanmar you will find many markets of various interest (weekly markets, night markets, fish and vegetable markets, the 5 day rotating market around Lake Inle etc. etc.) Your guide will assure that you will be able to visit as many as possible. Do mention your special interest to your guide.

PASSPORT AND VISA

Visitors to Myanmar must have a valid passport and obtain a 28-Day Tourist Visa from a Myanmar embassy or diplomatic mission abroad. Two application forms and three passport-size photos will be needed. The fee is approximately US$ 28 in local currency.

Actual passport
Full name, nationality, sex and occupation of passport holder
Three passport photos
A fee of US$ 50 per visa (express visa fee)

For visa procurement in Bangkok allow 2-3 working days, longer if national holidays are involved.

The Myanmar government might change visa regulations at short notice

POST AND COMMUNICATION

Postal service in Myanmar to date is unreliable; letters and postcards to overseas sometimes do not reach their destinations. Most hotels have IDD lines, but calls are expensive with average costs of a call to Australia, Europe and USA approximately US$ 9 per minute. Public phones that use pre-paid phone cards or callback systems are not available in Myanmar. Limited internet access is available at a small number of hotels and cafes only.

Please note that mobile phones brought into the country are not connectable to international networks such as GSM.

It is allowed to carry laptops to Myanmar. Internet connection on the laptop however is not possible and one has to use the hotel's business centre or an outside cyber cafe'. Access to private email accounts such as yahoo, hotmail etc. is not possible.

RELIGION

The great majority of Burmese are Theravada Buddhists. Buddhism still has great influence on the daily lives of Myanmar. Close family ties, respect for elders, reverence for Buddhism and simple native dress are common values practised by most. 89% of the population are Buddhists with the remainder being made up of Christians (5%), Muslims (3%), Hindus (1%), Animist and other (2%). Myanmar accepts full freedom of worship for followers of other religion.

RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS

Myanmar abounds with local festivals. Most festivals have religious backgrounds and dates are fixed according to the lunar calendar. Exact dates for some festivals are often determined only a few weeks before the event. From November to March, visitors may often find themselves, unexpectedly, in the midst of a local festival.

SHOPPING

Best buys include lacquer wares, silver, wood and stone carvings, hand-woven silk and cotton, gems, "Kalaga" embroidered tapestries, traditional puppets and tribal handicrafts.
Jewelry is generally not up to international standards for design and workmanship and buyers should check that 'gold' is not, in fact, gilded silver. All gem and jewelry purchases should be made through a government-authorized dealer, who must issue an official receipt, which is required for export of such items.

Bargaining is essential for all souvenir shopping, if travelers are to obtain reasonable prices. Possible price reductions of up to 50% are not uncommon.

TRADING HOURS

Government Offices are open from 09.30 hours to 16.30 hours, banks from 10.00 hours to 14.00 hours from Monday to Friday. Shops are usually open from 10.00 hours to 17.00 hours, Tuesday to Sunday. Many museums, shops and markets will be closed on Mondays. In addition, most shops will be closed on public holidays.