Leading Myanmar Travel Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Change Its Name?
The nation formally called Burma gained independence in 1948 from occupying forces, yet it wasn't 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 more inclusive of the many ethnic groups in the nation. Various other names were likewise changed, 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 also 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 concern: does it even matter?
Ideal Times to Go To Myanmar
There are usually 3 seasons in which you can visit Myanmar:
October to March: Dry, winter season
March to May: Hot, summertime period
May to October: Wet, rainy season
The popular, high period is November to February when the weather condition is warm however not stifling, and also brings in the greatest number of visitors. This, in turn, makes the restricted holiday accommodation options difficult to secure and also will imply trying to book in advance or deal with paying for the much more expensive choices left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature climbs in Myanmar as well as upcoming rains are due. There is a limited number of vacationers that makes it very easy to book holiday accommodation yet it is extremely hot.
Visas
An e-Visa is readily available to tourists from these 100 nations.
To get one, go to the official e-Visa web site. You'll need to upload a passport photo and pay a fee of $50.
It takes under 10 minutes to apply and 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 date of issue as well as allows you a 28 day stay in Myanmar
Obtaining a visa from your local embassy may be less costly-- if you intend to save some money, requesting a visa via your local Myanmar consular office may be less costly. As an example, the cost is simply ₤ 14 in the UK but $40 in the United States, so do your research and do not fail to remember 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 at 3 Thai-Myanmar land border crossings Tachileik, Myawadi (Myawaddy) and Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Read the immigration internet site for the latest at the time you take a trip.
Getting to Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the usual choice for tourists as the initial mode of entry, with normal scheduled services from Bangkok. But, thinking about where Myanmar is located-- surrounded by China to the North and northeast, Thailand and also Laos to the east and India and Bangladesh to its west-- there are numerous for land entrance, although not every one of them are recommended because of security.
Regardless, you need to define a "Port of Entry" in your on the internet application which denotes exactly how you will certainly be reaching Myanmar. You will certainly be provided a list of choices, where you will need to choose among the following:
Myanmar Designated International Airports:
Mandalay (situated right in the center of Myanmar)
Yangon (situated in the south)
Nay Pyi Taw (located in between Mandalay and also Yangon)
Going Across at Land Boundary 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 border of the Thai Peninsula as well as the cluster 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 town of Khawmawi in the northwestern Chin State of Myanmar on the boundary of Southeastern India).
In reality, you can enter Myanmar at any designated "Port of Entry" but it is best to stick to the one you originally mentioned preferably to prevent any hold up in the processing of your visa upon arrival.
You can exit at any of the International Airports as well as Land Boundary Checkpoints considering that your exit point does not need to be stated up-front. In addition, you might leave at the Htikee Land Border Checkpoint, although entrance from here is not possible.
Flying in and out of Yangon is cheaper and has extra connections than Mandalay.
Getting around Myanmar-- Long Distance
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Myanmar's local transportation options might be frustrating however the long distance propositions are a lot more appealing.
Distances are far, road travel is slow and also flying is economical so it might be your much better choice.
You can still reserve flights the old-school method by wandering into a travel agent.
Flying within Myanmar is a bit like flying in the older days-- check-in includes ticking individuals off a list of printed names, baggage claim can mean leaving the airport terminal and also grabbing your bag off a cart by the airplane as well as flight announcements are made by a person holding up a sign and calling your flight (in incomprehensible English). It really is an experience. And also a great deal of fun if you don't let it get you stressed.Buses are inexpensive with competing firms and a variety of deluxe levels.
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Many buses travel over night which is fantastic for not losing a day of sightseeing and tour, but isn't so wonderful for sleep. Likewise, you'll have a tendency to reach at weird times in the early morning and also will not be able to check into your hostel or hotel up until 2 p.m. That's a lot of hours awaiting a 'top-up' snooze. Take into consideration if it will be more affordable to fly if you're going to book accommodation the very same evening to sleep immediately.
Buses are really chilly, the deluxe buses will certainly offer you a covering yet, wear your warm layers.
Even the VIP bus does not have a toilet onboard so anticipate to stop every couple of hrs for a food and also toilet break-- a bit discouraging if you're trying 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 cheesy music videos up until the early hrs of the early morning. Pack your iPod, invest in some sturdy extreme ear plugs or kindly request for the sound to be turned off.
Never ever ask a driver regarding he time of arrival. As a result of superstitions based upon a belief system of nats (spirits) that existed before Buddhism came to the fore, asking when you will get to a destination summons bad spirits as well as is taken seriously. The result? You will not get an answer.
You will mostly reserve buses through your hotel, hostel or guesthouse-- they will usually bill a fee yet understand that the fee can differ substantially.
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Check whether pick-up is included in your ticket price - this really does vary depending upon destination, mode of travel and company. Look for a company that does include pickup as taxis are outrageously priced.
Booking buses online is harder-- There isn't one handy on-line booking portal and also 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. 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 could consider taking tablets for motion sickness. Boats are additionally an option for some routes; the Mandalay-- Bagan service is popular among tourists.
There are no international car-rental companies, yet 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 this is most frustratingly obvious in the local transport.
With minimal public transportation, taxis will be your main means of navigating particularly for getting to as well as from airport terminals as well as within cities like Yangon as well as Mandalay.
Taxi prices are beyond extortionate-- rates are set on the spot (after a quick 'how much can I get away with' estimation) and you're going to need to negotiate hard. It's not uncommon to hear prices of $1-$2 per kilometre. Often the taxi to and also from the airport/bus will certainly be greater 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 far better bet-- it can be about $35 for a day of taking in the sights in Bagan as well as $28 for a couple of hrs in Mandalay.
Distance is a much bigger variable than time in determining 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 means, can be quoted at USD 200. Gas is expensive in Myanmar and also is a massive contributing element to the cost.
Every person wishes to take you to a craft store, a silk manufacturing facility or a nut manufacturer during your sightseeing and tour trips. Do not be afraid 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 other hand, a few of the side journeys can be interesting and also drivers may take you to some cool places that aren’t on your schedule and you may be happy you opted for their suggestions!
Hiring bikes and e-Bikes (electrical motorbikes) outside the cities is much more inexpensive but beware of the dust-- Myanmar is without a doubt among the dustiest places, as well as nearly all tourists establish a dust coughing. Pack sunglasses as well as something to cover your mouth.
Do not take an e-Bike if you can not handle it-- otherwise you'll be among the several travelers walking around toting head to foot road rash as well as bandages.
The large cities are gridlocked so walking may be quicker-- Yangon has several of the worst traffic. 1.5 hours to cover 15 km should give 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 and leather seats-- that 1.5 hour journey 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 unanticipated. When your night bus to Bagan arrives in the really early hours of the morning, your only option to reach my hotel may be by means of horse and cart. There is still a haggling process to be had, however since this is the primary form of vacationer transportation here it is just all-natural that they are waiting for new bus arrivals.
Money and ATM Machines in Myanmar
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You can utilize 2 currencies in Myanmar-- dollars and also the local money, kyat (pronounced ‘chat').
If you're going to use dollars, they must be pristine. What's pristine/brand new-- unfolded, uncreased and also newer than 2006. Each individual note is reviewed for problems, discolouration as well as creases at the money exchange kiosks. You could additionally have problems changing notes with the AB/CB serial numbers.
Some vendors insist on payments in US bucks so you can bring some US dollars to spend.
Using kyat is most likely to be more affordable because the USD currency exchange rate is informal-- somewhere in between 1,300 to 1,400 kyat, the exchange rate is generally applied on the spot, most likely depending upon just how rich you look.
There are ATMs and also they mainly function but make certain you have money before turning up at more remote places like the beach. In some cases they might be out of service.
You'll pay an ATM machine charge of about $4 for each withdrawal which is in addition to any type of fees your bank could bill. And you probably will not have the ability to withdraw greater than $150 at once.
ATM machines give kyat only. There are plenty of exchange places around, yet mainly the transactions are to change immaculate dollars into local money.
Wait for the large cities orinternational flight terminal to change cash back to dollars.
Some hotels do not have credit card machines as well as call for cash payment. If you have booked your hotels ahead of time online this might save you taking additional money for lodging.
Credit cards are accepted primarily just in top-end hotels. Some travel agents in Yangon and also Mandalay also take them, typically charging a tiny cost, for purchasing flights.
Cost of travel in Myanmar
Myanmar is a great deal more costly than the rest of Southeast Asia-- facilities is still being developed. That includes guesthouses and also dining establishments. Businesses are recovering their costs.
Lodging expenses
A dorm bed will 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 visitor hotspots like Bagan, you can pay US$35 to US$40 for a drab, no-frills room.
For hotels, luxury resorts can be priced at over USD 200 a night (the Inle Princess Resort being an example where luxury comes with a rate of $250 per night) with various other great alternatives can be found 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 tourist' 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 also). On the plus side, you typically obtain a free morning meal with your holiday accommodation.
Food costs
Street food is most budget friendly-- 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
Mineral water is affordable, under 50 cents a litre. Beer is additionally low-cost at a number of dollars per bottle.
Sightseeing prices
The tourist dollar is king. Expect to spend for the benefit of being a foreigner and making use of squat toilets, going into pagodas, storing footwear and also taking photos. 'Foreigner payments' are popular in the much more touristy areas.
It's possible to negotiate on costs of items like souvenirs yet if you here bargain too hard the locals lose interest and also leave.
Tipping is not typical practice in Myanmar, and also it's only foreigners who tip.
Sightseeing in Myanmar
Credits: lonelyplanet.com
We were up and out most days for dawn and also fast asleep by 10pm! The heat is usually intolerable throughout the peak sunshine hours and the arrival of the tourist buses make it harder to get fantastic images and move freely.
Not anywhere on a map of Myanmar is open for exploration. The far north, mountainous location of Myanmar, alongside the western Chin State as well as the far, crime levels are remarkably low.
Still, you need to take the typical preventative measures of utilizing hotel storage lockers or safes for your valuables. Female tourists should not experience any type of harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the cash is filthy as well as there isn't always soap in bathrooms so use your sanitiser before you touch anything that will go near your mouth.
Look out for the dust- Myanmar can be very dusty so do bring something to cover your mouth and also nose when biking around. Also take care with your air conditioning-- Myanmar can be as hot. Subsequently, many visitors use the a/c in their room however sleeping in low temperature levels can make you ill.
Fruit is very easy to come by so top up your immune system with nutrients this way. Nonetheless, as it's frequently pre-cut, search for a vendor that has actually kept the flies away and if it's sluiced with water, ensure it's filtered water.
Safety
A lot of government advisories alert against travel to parts of Rakhine (Rakhaing) State in western Myanmar, where clashes between local authorities and also the minority Muslim (Rohingya) communities has actually led to the mass displacement of countless individuals. A few other parts of the nation stay closed to foreigners due to conflict between the government and different ethnic militaries clustered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These areas are mostly in Kachin and Shan States, near the frontiers with China and also Thailand, as well as far from the major traveler destinations.
Exact info on disputes and closed locations can be hard to find. Check your government's recommendations prior to travelling, and also ask about the situation once you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum is a great source of information 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 make everybody much more comfortable if you do the same.
Knee length shorts, long skirts, elephant pants as well as t-shirts are the clothing of choice. These are highly encouraged as well as frequently enforced for entering the temples as well as pagodas.
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Every person uses skirts-- males and females alike-- the longyi, a long skirt, is the popular traditional dress in Myanmar for both males and females. Numerous visitors pick one up as they're breezy in the heat and also tick the 'traditional wear' box. They are convenient for sightseeing and tour so grab an inexpensive one a the marketplace if you have the chance.
Flip flops are essential! Going into pagodas indicates going barefoot and flip flops are the very best footwear choice. Battling with shoelaces in the blistering 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 as well as shoulders). You will certainly find individuals in shorts and also strappy tops in the cities and also at the beach but somewhere else it's less typical.
Culture
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The local individuals are incredibly genteel as well as not used to confrontation so pack your good manners as well as your patience. Travelling can be irritating, warm and also slow-moving yet bear in mind: you picked to see Myanmar which it's not like 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 citizens that wish to chat. Travelers are no longer a novelty in most of Southeast Asia but Myanmar is different. Generally individuals are charming as well as are happy to appear in photographs and also try and also chat with limited usual words or sign language.
You mayadditionally get stared at a great deal which is typically best dealt with by offering a smile and a mingalabar (hello there in Burmese). Burmese English can be difficult to comprehend, be patient, listen hard and also 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, small parcels which contain tobacco, spices and areca nuts covered in a betel leaf. It's probably popular| since it delivers a hit that amounts to six cups of coffee. Yet, as well as being dangerous when chewed long term, the spin-off is bright-red saliva which is spat out, the majority of times onto the ground.
Lots of residents have the tell tale red stained teeth as well as cab drivers typically roll down the window in slow-moving traffic to spit after chewing on the betel quids.
There is some begging by youngsters in Myanmar and as heartbreaking as it is, you shouldn't give to the kids. Why not? Read this brilliant post 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, an aesthetic paste made from ground bark, which is a beauty item in Myanmar and also works as a sun block.
It's also common to hear a kissing noise in the cafes as well as dining establishments as citizens make use of the kissing noise as a call for service. Apparently it's much easier for staff to recognize the area of the kissing sound so don't be distressed!
Burmese Phrases
Both most important phrases you need in Myanmar are:
Hi: Ming-gu-la-bah
Thank you: Jay-zu-de-bar-dee
Not only is it courteous, yet it is well received. Be ready for most locals to giggle in response-- they are not mocking you; they are just not expecting it.
Other practical concerns in Myanmar
Laundry is normally done by hand as well as is charged per item rather than kilo so try to turn up with your clothes washed and also unless you intend to turn over $20 for a load of washing, choose the items you truly need washing and clean your smaller sized items on your own as you go.
Toiletries are easy 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 very usual in developing nations where the plumbing system can't cope 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 numerous adaptors for European as well as North American 2-pin plugs as well as British three-pin.
Wi-fi is bad in Myanmar so you either have to overcome it or, far better still, purchase a local SIM. You can get one at a lot of flight terminals when you land or in among the shops in the road as well as the shop personnel will have you set up in about 5 mins. You can read more concerning your network selections here. Still, with 1 mbps taken into consideration to be a 'quick' link, don't expect to be downloading video clips any time. Online access has improved, with wi-fi coming to be the standard-- most hotels, guesthouses as well as coffee shops have it absolutely free-- and also the internet is now spreading tofarther locations. However tightly squeezed bandwidth and also power failures can use the net a discouraging exercise.
Do your research in advance or pack a guidebook, as well as do not anticipate 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 suitcase. Luggage aren't suitable on dusty, sandy, unevenroadways. Entering and out of myriad forms|types|kinds} of transport and hefting it up lots of high stairs isn't better.