Top Myanmar Travelling Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Change Its Name?
The nation formally called Burma got independence in 1948 from occupying forces, however it wasn't 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 previous British colonial past, and Myanmar as more inclusive of the numerous ethnic groups in the nation. Various 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 Myanmar are still utilized interchangeably, on the ground and also on the world stage. This post breaks down the changes, what you 'should' say and also the inquiry: does it even matter?
Best Times to Visit Myanmar
There are typically 3 periods in which you can see Myanmar:
October to March: Dry, winter season
March to May: Hot, summer season
May to October: Damp, rainy period
The popular, high period is November to February when the climate is warm yet not stifling, and brings in the greatest number of visitors. This, subsequently, makes the minimal accommodation choices difficult to secure as well as will mean attempting to book in advance or deal with paying out for the a lot more costly choices left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature rises in Myanmar and also upcoming rains are due. There is a minimal number of tourists that makes it very easy to book holiday accommodation but it is incredibly warm.
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 upload a passport photo and also pay a cost of $50.
It takes under 10 minutes to apply and you should obtain authorization 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
Getting a visa from your local consular office may be less expensive-- if you want to save some money, getting a visa via your local Myanmar embassy might be less costly. For instance, the price is just ₤ 14 in the UK yet $40 in the USA, so do your research and also don't fail to remember to factor in 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 boundary crossings Tachileik, Myawadi (Myawaddy) and also Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Read the immigration site for the most recent at the time you take a trip.
Getting to Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the common choice for tourists as the very first mode of entry, with routine scheduled services from Bangkok. However, taking into consideration where Myanmar is located-- bordered by China to the North as well as northeast, Thailand and also Laos to the eastern and also India and Bangladesh to its west-- there are numerous avenues for land entry, although not all of them are advised due to security.
No matter, you have to define a "Port of Entry" in your on-line application which denotes exactly how you will certainly be reaching Myanmar. You will be provided a list of options, from which you will certainly need to choose one of the following:
Myanmar Designated International Airports:
Mandalay (located right in the middle of Myanmar)
Yangon (located in the south)
Nay Pyi Taw (located in between Mandalay and Yangon)
Going Across at Land Border 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 border to western Thailand)
Kawthaung (in the southernmost part of Myanmar, in the Tanintharyi Region on the border of the Thai Peninsula and also the collection of islands)
Tamu (in the Sagaing Region 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).
Actually, you can enter Myanmar at any designated "Port of Entry" yet it is best to stick to the one you initially stated preferably to prevent any type of hold up in the processing of your visa upon arrival.
You can exit at any one of the International Airports and Land Border Checkpoints since your exit point does not need to be specified up-front. Additionally, you may exit at the Htikee Land Boundary Checkpoint, although entry from here is not possible.
Flying in and also out of Yangon is more affordable as well as has more connections than Mandalay.
Getting around Myanmar-- Cross Country
Credit: myanmartours.us
Myanmar's local transportation choices might be irritating yet the long distance propositions are far more enticing.
Distances are far, road travel is slow and flying is budget-friendly so it might be your much better option.
You can still book flights the old-school means by wandering right into a travel agent.
Flying within Myanmar is a bit like flying in the older days-- check-in entails ticking individuals off a listing of printed names, luggage claim can mean leaving the flight terminal and also getting your bag off a cart by the aircraft and flight announcements are made by a person holding up a sign and also calling your flight (in incomprehensible English). It truly is an experience. And also a great deal of fun if you do not let it get you stressed.Buses are economical with competing companies and a series of deluxe levels.
Credits: seawander.asia
The majority of buses travel over night which is excellent for not losing a day of sightseeing, but isn't so excellent for rest. Additionally, you'll have a tendency to reach at strange times in the morning and also will not be able to check into your hostel or hotel till 2 p.m. That's a great deal of hrs waiting on a 'top-up' nap. Take into consideration if it will certainly be cheaper to fly if you're going to book accommodation the same night to sleep straight away.
Buses are really chilly, the high-end buses will certainly provide you a blanket but, use your warm layers.
Even the VIP bus does not have a toilet onboard so expect to stop every few hrs for a food as well as toilet break-- a little bit irritating if you're attempting 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 even more, some still play their funky local music CD's and tacky music videos till the very early hrs of the early morning. Pack your iPod, invest in some heavy-duty extreme ear plugs or kindly request the sound to be switched off.
Never ever ask a vehicle driver about he time of arrival. Due to superstitious notions based upon a belief system of nats (spirits) that existed before Buddhism came to the fore, asking when you will get to a destination conjures up bad spirits as well as is taken seriously. The outcome? You won't obtain an answer.
You will primarily book buses through your hotel, hostel or guesthouse-- they will usually bill a cost but understand that the fee can vary drastically.
Credits: seat61.com
Check whether pick-up is included in your ticket price - this truly does differ depending on destination, mode of travel as well as company. Look for a firm that does include pickup as taxis are exorbitant.
Booking buses online is harder-- There isn't one handy online booking website and the ones that do exist have a limited number of tickets. If you're told they're sold out, it doesn't always indicate the bus is full. Attempt reservation elsewhere.
If the company has a Facebook page, message to book without charges.
Buses are usually faster than the trains, but bus rides are bumpy-- you could consider taking tablets for motion sickness. Boats are also a choice for some routes; the Mandalay-- Bagan service is popular amongst travellers.
There are no international car-rental agencies, but most travel agencies in Yangon, Mandalay and also Bagan-- as well as guesthouses and also hotels in other places-- can arrange cars and drivers.
Myanmar's Local Transport
Credits: asiancorrespondent.com
Myanmar is still developing and also this is most frustratingly evident in the local transport.
With limited public transportation, taxis will be your major means of navigating especially for getting to and from airport terminals and also within cities like Yangon and Mandalay.
Taxi prices are past extortionate-- rates are established on the spot (after a quick 'how much can I get away with' computation) and also you're going to need to negotiate hard. It's not unusual to hear rates of $1-$2 per kilometre. Frequently the taxi to and 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 quantity for taxi prices.
Taxi cabs for the day may be your better bet-- it can be around $35 for a day of sightseeing in Bagan as well as $28 for a few hours in Mandalay.
Distance is a much bigger variable than time in dictating the expense of hiring a driver: a 12 hour journey about Yangon can cost USD 70 while taking a trip further afield to Golden Rock, a 2.5 hr drive each method, can be quoted at USD 200. Gas is expensive in Myanmar as well as is a substantial contributing aspect to the cost.
Everybody intends to take you to a craft store, a silk factory or a nut manufacturer throughout your sightseeing journeys. Don't be afraid to say no when you're paying for your own private transport. Besides, that's the reason you are paying a premium. On the other hand, several of the side trips can be fascinating as well as drivers may take you to some cool places that aren’t on your plan and you may be happy you went with their suggestions!
Hiring bikes and also e-Bikes (electric motorbikes) outside the cities is much more affordable yet beware of the dust-- Myanmar is by far one of the dustiest locations, and mostly all tourists develop a dust coughing. Pack sunglasses as well as something to cover your mouth.
Don't take an e-Bike if you can't handle it-- otherwise you'll be just one of the several tourists walking toting head to foot road rash as well as bandages.
The large cities are gridlocked so walking may be quicker-- Yangon has a few of the worst traffic. 1.5 hrs to cover 15 kilometres should provide you an idea. The time advised for getting to the bus station (22km far from the centre) is 2.5 hours.
Car quality is hit and miss so don't count on air-conditioning and leather seats-- that 1.5 hour 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
Get ready for the unexpected. When your night bus to Bagan arrives in the very early hrs of the early morning, your only choice to get to my hotel may be using horse and cart. There is still a haggling procedure to be had, however considering that this is the main form of vacationer transportation here it is only natural that they are waiting for new bus arrivals.
Money and ATMs in Myanmar
Credits: mmtimes.com
You can use 2 currencies in Myanmar-- dollars and also 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 and also more recent than 2006. Each individual note is reviewed for problems, discolouration and folds at the currency exchange kiosks. You could likewise have trouble changing notes with the AB/CB identification numbers.
Some vendors insist on payments in United States dollars so you can bring some United States dollars to spend.
Using kyat is likely to be cheaper since the USD currency exchange rate is casual-- somewhere in between 1,300 to 1,400 kyat, the exchange rate is typically applied on the spot, possibly depending on exactly how rich you look.
There are ATM machines and also they mainly function but see to it you have money prior to showing up at more remote spots like the beach. Sometimes they may be out of service.
You'll pay an ATM cost of about $4 for every single withdrawal which is in addition to any kind of charges your financial institution may bill. And also you probably won't have the ability to take out greater than $150 at once.
ATM machines dispense kyat only. There are plenty of exchange places about, yet mainly the transactions are to change immaculate dollars into local money.
Wait for the big 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 actually booked your hotels in advance online this may save you taking added cash money for lodging.
Credit cards are accepted mostly only in top-end resorts. Some travel agents in Yangon as well as Mandalay also take them, typically charging a tiny fee, for purchasing flights.
Cost of travel in Myanmar
Myanmar is a great deal more costly than the rest of Southeast Asia-- infrastructure is still being developed. That includes guesthouses as well as restaurants. Businesses are recovering their costs.
Lodging costs
A dorm bed will set you back around $20-$30 a night. You can get a standard private room with en-suite from around $35 for a single bed. In traveler hotspots like Bagan, you can pay US$35 to US$40 for a dull, no-frills room.
For hotels, luxury resorts can be priced at over USD 200 a night (the  Inle Princess Resort  being a good example where deluxe comes at a price of $250 per night) with other very good alternatives can be found at $100 to $150 (eg Zfreeti hotel in Bagan which costs around $120 a night). A contemporary hotel can set you back USD 75-80 a night (the  Smart Hotel in Mandalay).
Popular 'package traveler' locations like Ngapali coastline can set you back as much as $100 a night for a 2-star hotel (though there are a number of hostels there too). On the plus side, you typically obtain a cost-free breakfast with your holiday accommodation.
Food expenses
Street food is most economical-- 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 set you back $7-$12.
Drink costs
Bottled water is inexpensive, under 50 cents a litre. Beer is likewise affordable at a couple of bucks per bottle.
Sightseeing and tour prices
The tourist dollar is king. Expect to pay for the benefit of being a foreigner and making use of squat toilets, going into pagodas, storing footwear as well as taking photos. 'Foreigner payments' are prominent in the much more touristy areas.
It's possible to negotiate on prices of products like mementos yet if you bargain too hard the locals lose interest as well as leave.
Tipping is not common method in Myanmar, and it's only foreigners who tip.
Sightseeing and tour in Myanmar
Credits: lonelyplanet.com
We were up and out most days for daybreak and also fast asleep by 10pm! The heat is commonly excruciating during the peak sunshine hours and the arrival of the traveler buses make it more difficult to get remarkable pictures and also walk around easily.
Not anywhere on a map of Myanmar is open for exploration. The far north, mountainous area of Myanmar, alongside the western Chin State as well as the far, criminal activity levels are extremely reduced.
Still, you should take the typical preventative measures of using hotel lockers or safes for your valuables. Female visitors should not experience any type of harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the cash is gross and also there isn't always soap in bathrooms so use your sanitiser before you touch anything that will go near your mouth.
Keep an eye out for the dust- Myanmar can be extremely dusty so do carry something to cover your mouth as well as nose when biking around. Likewise take care with your air conditioning-- Myanmar can be as hot. Consequently, numerous travellers use the a/c in their room however sleeping in low temperatures can make you sick.
Fruit is easy to come by so top up your body immune system with nutrients that way. However, as it's frequently pre-cut, search for a vendor that has kept the flies away and if it's sluiced with water, make sure it's filtered water.
Safety and security
The majority of government advisories alert 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 led to the mass displacement of thousands of individuals. A few other parts of the country remain closed to foreigners due to problem in between the government as well as various ethnic militaries clustered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These areas are primarily in Kachin as well as Shan States, close to the frontiers with China and also Thailand, as well as far from the major tourist locations.
Accurate details on disputes and closed locations can be challenging to come by. Check your government's recommendations prior to taking a trip, as well as ask about the situation when you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum is a great resource of news from tourists on the ground.
What to wear in Myanmar
Most of the locals dress conservatively| as well as cover their shoulders and legs regardless of the high temperatures, as well as you will certainly make everybody 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 frequently enforced for getting in the temples and pagodas.
Credits: backpackinglikeaboss.com
Everybody puts on skirts-- men and women alike-- the longyi, a long skirt, is the popular traditional dress in Myanmar for both men and women. Several travelers pick one up as they're breezy in the warm and also tick the 'conservative wear' box. They are convenient for taking in the sights so grab an affordable one a the market if you have the chance.
Flip flops are necessary! Getting in pagodas means going barefoot and flip flops are the best footwear choice. Battling with laces in the blistering heat is an unwanted 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 as well as shoulders). You will find people in shorts as well as strappy tops in the cities and at the beach but elsewhere it's less usual.
Culture
Credits: parallelsandmeridians.com
The local individuals are incredibly genteel and also not used to confrontation so pack your good manners and your patience. Travel can be aggravating, warm and also sluggish but remember: you picked to check out Myanmar and that it's not like being at home is no good reason to take it out on the residents. Nevertheless, haggle hard with the cab drivers.
You may get stopped a great deal by residents who want to talk. Vacationers are no longer a novelty in a lot of Southeast Asia however Myanmar is different. Generally individuals are beautiful and more than happy to appear in photographs and also try and speak via limited usual words or sign language.
You maylikewise get stared at a whole lot which is normally best managed by offering a smile and also a mingalabar (hello in Burmese). Burmese English can be hard to understand, be patient, pay attention and if you're spending for a guide, make sure 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 chewing betel quids, tiny parcels that contain tobacco, spices as well as areca nuts covered in a betel leaf. It's probably popular| since it provides a hit that's equivalent to 6 cups of coffee. However, as well as being dangerous when chewed long term, the byproduct is bright-red saliva which is spat out, a lot of times onto the ground.
Great deals of locals have the tell tale red stained teeth as well as cab drivers frequently roll down the window in sluggish traffic to spit after eating on the betel quids.
There is some begging by youngsters in Myanmar and also as heartbreaking as it is, you should not give to the youngsters. Why not? Read this brilliant short article by Uncornered Market.
Credits: mekongtourism.org
It's common to see yellow circles pasted on the faces of the Burmese women. This is Thanaka, an aesthetic paste made from ground bark, which is a beauty item in Myanmar as well as also functions as a sunscreen.
It's also common to hear a kissing noise in the cafes as well as restaurants as residents utilize the kissing noise as a call for service. Apparently it's simpler for staff to determine the location of the kissing sound so don't be surprised!
Burmese Phrases
Both essential phrases you need in Myanmar are:
Hello: Ming-gu-la-bah
Thanks: Jay-zu-de-bar-dee
Not only is it courteous, however it is well received. Be prepared for many locals to giggle in reaction-- they are not mocking you; they are just not anticipating it.
Other practical concerns in Myanmar
Laundry is generally done by hand as well as is billed per item instead of kilo so try to turn up with your clothes washed as well as unless you want to hand over $20 for a load of washing, pick the items you actually need washing and clean your smaller items on your own as you go.
Toiletries are simple to find by but tampons are not so bring what you require with you.
You can not flush toilet paper or sanitary products-- this is extremely common in developing nations where the plumbing system can't cope with anything apart from bodily fluids.
Myanmar has that odd 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 connects as well as British three-pin.
Wi-fi is bad in Myanmar so you either need to overcome it or, much better still, acquire a local SIM. You can get one at the majority of flight terminals when you land or in among the shops in the street and also the shop staff will certainly have you set up in about 5 mins. You can read more regarding your network choices right here. Still, with 1 mbps taken into consideration to be a 'fast' connection, do not anticipate to be downloading videos any time. Online accessibility has actually improved, with wi-fi coming to be the standard-- most hotels, guesthouses as well as coffee shops have it absolutely free-- and the web is currently spreading tofarther areas. Yet tightly squeezed bandwidth and power failures can use the web an irritating exercise.
Do your research in advance or pack a guidebook, and don't anticipate to Skype home extremely often, it's barely possible to get check here a messenger service to work at times!
You'll be better with a backpack than a suitcase. Luggage aren't optimal on dusty, sandy, unevenroads. Getting in and out of myriad forms of transport and hefting it up many high stairs isn't much better.
Thanks for reading this guide to Top Traveling Tips for Myanmar