Top Myanmar Travel Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Change Its Name?
The nation formally known as Burma acquired independence in 1948 from occupying forces, however it wasn't till 1989 that the ruling military junta changed the country's name from Burma to Myanmar following a military coup.
Politically, the name Burma was seen 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 changed, 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 Myanmar are still used interchangeably, on the ground and also on the world stage. This short article breaks down the modifications, what you 'should' say and the question: does it even matter?
Ideal Times to See Myanmar
There are usually 3 periods in which you can see Myanmar:
October to March: Dry, winter season
March to May: Hot, summertime season
May to October: Wet, rainy period
The popular, high period is November to February when the climate is warm yet not stifling, and also attracts the greatest number of visitors. This, in turn, makes the minimal holiday accommodation options tricky to secure as well as will mean attempting to book in advance or deal with paying for the a lot more pricey alternatives left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature rises in Myanmar and upcoming rainfalls are due. There is a limited number of visitors that makes it easy to book lodging however it is unbelievably warm.
Visas
An e-Visa is available to tourists from these 100 nations.
To obtain one, go to the main e-Visa website. You'll be required to upload a passport photo and also pay a charge 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 is valid 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 might be cheaper-- if you intend to save some cash, applying for a visa via your local Myanmar consular office may be less costly. As an example, the expense is just ₤ 14 in the UK but $40 in the United States, so do your research as well as don't neglect to consider mailing expenses.
It is only possible to enter Myanmar on an e-visa at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw international airports; and also at three Thai-Myanmar land boundary crossings Tachileik, Myawadi (Myawaddy) and Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Read the immigration site for the most recent at the time you travel.
Reaching Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the typical alternative for visitors as the initial mode of access, with routine scheduled services from Bangkok. Yet, thinking about where Myanmar is located-- surrounded 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 several avenues for land entrance, although not all of them are encouraged due to security.
No matter, you need to define 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 list of choices, from which you will certainly require to select one of the following:
Myanmar Designated International Airports:
Mandalay (situated right in the center of Myanmar)
Yangon (located in the south)
Nay Pyi Taw (situated in between Mandalay and also 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 boundary to western Thailand)
Kawthaung (in the most southern part of Myanmar, in the Tanintharyi Area on the boundary of the Thai Peninsula as well as 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).
Actually, you can enter Myanmar at any designated "Port of Entry" however it is best to adhere to the one you initially mentioned when possible to avoid 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 since your exit point does not need to be stated up-front. In addition, you might leave at the Htikee Land Boundary Checkpoint, although entry from here is not possible.
Flying in and out of Yangon is less expensive and has much more connections than Mandalay.
Navigating Myanmar-- Cross Country
Credit: myanmartours.us
Myanmar's local transport options may be discouraging however the long distance propositions are far more attractive.
Distances are far, road travel is sluggish and also flying is affordable so it might be your better choice.
You can still reserve 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 involves ticking people off a listing of printed names, baggage claim can mean leaving the airport terminal as well as getting 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 also a lot of fun if you do not let it get you stressed.Buses are budget friendly with competing businesses and also a range of high-end levels.
Credits: seawander.asia
Most buses travel overnight which is great for not losing a day of sightseeing, yet isn't so excellent for sleep. Likewise, you'll tend to arrive at strange times in the early morning and also will not 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. Take into consideration if it will be less expensive to fly if you're going to book accommodation the same night to take a nap straight away.
Buses are very cold, the high-end buses will give you a covering but, wear your warm layers.
Even the VIP bus does not have a toilet onboard so expect to stop every few hours for a food as well as toilet break-- a bit discouraging if you're attempting to rest through the night.
Night buses are not sleeper buses, although 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 also tacky music videos up until the very early hrs of the early morning. Pack your iPod, buy some sturdy extreme ear plugs or kindly request the sound to be shut off.
Never ask a vehicle driver regarding he time of arrival. As a result of superstitious notions based on a belief system of nats (spirits) that existed before Buddhism came to the fore, asking when you will reach a location invokes bad spirits and is taken seriously. The outcome? You will not obtain an answer.
You will mostly reserve buses through your hotel, hostel or guesthouse-- they will usually bill a fee yet be aware that the charge can vary dramatically.
Credits: seat61.com
Check whether pickup is included in your ticket price - this actually does differ depending on destination, mode of traveling as well as company. Try to find a business that does include pickup as taxis are expensive.
Booking buses online is more difficult-- There isn't one useful on-line booking portal and the ones that do exist have a limited number of tickets. If you're informed they're sold out, it does not necessarily imply the bus is full. Try booking somewhere else.
If the company has a Facebook web page, message to book without costs.
Buses are usually faster than the trains, but bus rides are rough-- you may consider taking tablets for nausea. Boats are also an alternative for some routes; the Mandalay-- Bagan service is popular among tourists.
There are no international car-rental companies, yet many travel agencies in Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan-- in addition to guesthouses as well as hotels in other places-- can organize cars and also drivers.
Myanmar's Local Transport
Credits: asiancorrespondent.com
Myanmar is still developing as well as this is most frustratingly noticeable in the local transport.
With minimal public transportation, taxis will be your major method of navigating particularly for getting to and also from airports and within cities like Yangon and Mandalay.
Taxi prices are beyond extortionate-- prices are set on the spot (after a fast 'just how much can I get away with' computation) and also you're going to need to negotiate hard. It's not uncommon to hear rates of $1-$2 per kilometre. Typically the taxi to as well as from the airport/bus will be more than you spent for your flight or intercity bus.
1,000 Kyat per kilometre is a good approximate quantity for taxi prices.
Cabs for the day may be your far better bet-- it can be around $35 for a day of taking in the sights in Bagan and $28 for a few hrs in Mandalay.
Distance is a much larger variable than time in determining the cost of hiring a driver: a 12 hour journey around 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 pricey in Myanmar and also is a significant read more contributing aspect to the price.
Everybody wishes to take you to a craft store, a silk manufacturing facility or a nut manufacturer during your sightseeing journeys. Do not be afraid to say no when you're paying for your very own private transportation. Besides, that's the reason you are paying a premium. On the other hand, some of the side journeys can be fascinating and also drivers may take you to some cool areas that aren’t on your travel plan and you may be happy you went with their recommendations!
Hiring bikes and also e-Bikes (electric motorcycles) outside the cities is much more affordable yet beware of the dust-- Myanmar is by far one of the dustiest places, and mostly all travelers create 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 just one of the many vacationers walking toting head to foot road rash and bandages.
The big cities are gridlocked so walking may be quicker-- Yangon has a few of the worst traffic. 1.5 hours to cover 15 km should give you an idea. The time advised for reaching the bus terminal (22km far from the centre) is 2.5 hours.
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
Prepare for the unexpected. When your night bus to Bagan arrives in the extremely early hours of the early morning, your only alternative to reach my hotel may be using horse and cart. There is still a bargaining process to be had, yet because this is the primary form of vacationer transport here it is only natural that they are waiting for new bus arrivals.
Money and ATM Machines in Myanmar
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You can make use of 2 currencies in Myanmar-- dollars as well as the local money, kyat (pronounced ‘chat').
If you're going to use dollars, they have to be pristine. What's pristine/brand new-- unfolded, uncreased and more recent than 2006. Each individual note is reviewed for imperfections, discolouration and also folds at the currency exchange booths. You might also have trouble 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.
Using kyat is likely to be more affordable since the USD exchange rate is informal-- somewhere between 1,300 to 1,400 kyat, the currency exchange rate is generally applied on the spot, most likely relying on exactly how rich you look.
There are ATM machines as well as they mainly function however ensure you have cash before showing up at more remote areas like the beach. Occasionally they may be out of service.
You'll pay an ATM cost of about $4 for each withdrawal which is in addition to any kind of charges your financial institution may bill. And you most likely won't be able to withdraw greater than $150 at a time.
ATMs dispense kyat only. There are lots of exchange places about, but mainly the transactions are to change pristine 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 need cash payment. If you have reserved your hotels ahead of time 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 and Mandalay also take them, normally billing a little charge, for purchasing flights.
Cost of travelling in Myanmar
Myanmar is a whole lot more pricey than the rest of Southeast Asia-- infrastructure is still being developed. That includes guesthouses as well as dining establishments. Companies are recouping their expenses.
Holiday accommodation costs
A dorm bed will set you back around $20-$30 a night. You can get a basic 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, high-end resorts can be priced at over USD 200 a night (the Inle Princess Resort being an example where deluxe comes with a cost of $250 per night) with other excellent choices can be found at $100 to $150 (eg Zfreeti hotel in Bagan which sets you back around $120 a night). A contemporary hotel can cost USD 75-80 a night (the Smart Hotel in Mandalay).
Popular 'package visitor' locations like Ngapali coastline can cost as much as $100 a night for a 2-star resort (though there are a number of hostels there as well). On the bonus side, you generally obtain a cost-free morning meal with your accommodation.
Food prices
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 certainly set you back $7-$12.
Drink costs
Mineral water is economical, under 50 cents a litre. Beer is likewise low-cost at a couple of bucks per bottle.
Sightseeing and tour expenses
The tourist dollar is king. Expect to pay for the benefit of being a foreigner as well as making use of squat toilets, going into pagodas, storing footwear and also taking pictures. 'Foreigner payments' are prominent in the more touristy areas.
It's possible to negotiate on costs of items like mementos but if you negotiate too hard the locals lose interest and also walk away.
Tipping is not typical practice in Myanmar, and it's only foreigners that tip.
Sightseeing in Myanmar
Credits: lonelyplanet.com
We were up and out most days for dawn as well as out cold by 10pm! The heat is frequently excruciating during the peak sunshine hours and the arrival of the vacationer buses make it harder to get outstanding pictures and also move easily.
Not everywhere on a map of Myanmar is open for exploration. The far north, mountainous location of Myanmar, alongside the western Chin State and the far, crime levels are exceptionally reduced.
Still, you ought to take the usual preventative measures of using hotel storage lockers or safes for your valuables. Female tourists should not experience any harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the money is gross and there isn't always soap in bathrooms so utilize 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 air conditioning-- Myanmar can be as warm. Subsequently, numerous visitors use the a/c in their room but sleeping in low temperatures can make you unwell.
Fruit is simple to come by so top up your body immune system with nutrients in this way. However, as it's typically pre-cut, search for a seller that has kept the flies away and also if it's sluiced with water, make sure it's filtered water.
Safety and security
Most government advisories advise 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 resulted in the mass displacement of thousands of people. Some other parts of the country stay shut to foreigners due to conflict between the government and also various ethnic militaries clustered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These locations are mainly in Kachin and Shan States, close to the frontiers with China and Thailand, and also far from the significant vacationer destinations.
Accurate info on disputes and closed areas can be challenging to come by. Check your government's advice before travelling, and also ask about the situation when you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum is a great source of information from visitors on the ground.
What to wear in Myanmar
Most of the locals dress conservatively| and also cover their shoulders and legs despite the heat, and you will certainly make everyone a lot 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 strongly encouraged as well as usually enforced for getting in the temples and pagodas.
Credits: backpackinglikeaboss.com
Every person wears skirts-- males and females alike-- the longyi, a long skirt, is the popular traditional dress in Myanmar for both males and females. 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 pick up an affordable one a the market if you have the chance.
Flip flops are essential! Going into pagodas implies going barefoot and flip flops are the most effective footwear choice. Battling with shoelaces in the scorching heat is an unwelcome distraction. Bring some cleansing wipes for your feet after seeing a pagoda.
Myanmar is a conservative country 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 as well as at the beach however in other places it's much less usual.
Culture
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The local individuals are exceptionally genteel as well as not used to confrontation so pack your good manners and your patience. Travelling can be frustrating, hot and slow but remember: you chose to visit Myanmar which it's not like being at home is no good reason to take it out on the citizens. Nevertheless, haggle hard with the taxi drivers.
You may get stopped a lot by citizens that want to chat. Tourists are no more a novelty in most of Southeast Asia yet Myanmar is different. Typically the people are lovely and also are happy to appear in photographs and also attempt and also talk with limited usual words or sign language.
You maylikewise get stared at a lot which is generally best handled by providing a smile as well as a mingalabar (hi in Burmese). Burmese English can be difficult to comprehend, be patient, listen hard and if you're spending for a guide, make sure they have excellent clear English before you book.
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The red stained pavements are a consequence of spewing red coloured saliva after chewing betel quids, small parcels that contain tobacco, spices as well as areca nuts covered in a betel leaf. It's most likely popular| because it provides a hit that amounts to six mugs of coffee. But, as well as being dangerous when chewed long term, the spin-off is bright-red saliva which is spat out, many times onto the ground.
Great deals of locals have the tell tale red stained teeth and taxi drivers often roll down the window in sluggish traffic to spew after eating 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 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, a cosmetic paste made from ground bark, which is a beauty product in Myanmar as well as additionally serves as a sunscreen.
It's also common to hear a kissing noise in the cafes as well as dining establishments as citizens make use of the kissing sound as an ask for service. Apparently it's simpler for staff to determine the place of the kissing noise so do not be distressed!
Burmese Phrases
Both crucial expressions you require in Myanmar are:
Hey there: Ming-gu-la-bah
Thanks: Jay-zu-de-bar-dee
Not only is it respectful, yet it is well received. Be ready for most locals to giggle in reaction-- they are not mocking you; they are just not anticipating it.
Various other practical concerns in Myanmar
Laundry is normally done by hand as well as is charged per item instead of kilo so try to turn up with your clothes washed and also unless you intend to hand over $20 for a load of washing, select the items you really require washing as well as wash your smaller items on your own as you go.
Toiletries are simple 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 extremely common in developing countries where the plumbing system can't manage anything aside from bodily fluids.
Myanmar has that odd half-hour difference| to its time zone so it's 6 and a half hrs ahead of GMT.
Most of the plug sockets of Myanmar have numerous adaptors for European as well as 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, purchase a local SIM. You can obtain one at a lot of airports when you land or in among the shops in the road and the store staff will certainly have you set up in about 5 minutes. You can learn more about your network selections right here. Still, with 1 mbps considered to be a 'rapid' connection, do not anticipate to be downloading videos whenever. On-line access has improved, with wi-fi coming to be the norm-- most hotels, guesthouses as well as coffee shops have it for free-- as well as the net is currently spreading tomore remote places. Yet tightly squeezed bandwidth and power failures can use the net a frustrating exercise.
Do your research ahead of time or pack a guidebook, and also do not expect to Skype home very often, it's barely possible to get a messenger service to work at times!
You'll be much better with a knapsack than a travel suitcase. Suitcases aren't suitable on dusty, sandy, unevenroadways. Getting in as well as out of myriad forms|types|kinds} of transportation and also hefting it up several high stairs isn't much better.