Leading Myanmar Travel Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Change Its Name?
The country formally called Burma acquired independence in 1948 from occupying forces, yet it wasn't up until 1989 that the ruling military junta altered the nation's name from Burma to Myanmar following a military coup.
Politically, the name Burma was viewed as a relic of the country's previous British colonial past, as well as Myanmar as a lot more inclusive of the many ethnic groups in the country. Various other names were likewise 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 as well as Myanmar are still utilized interchangeably, on the ground and on the world stage. This post breaks down the modifications, what you 'should' say and the inquiry: does it even matter?
Ideal Times to Visit Myanmar
There are usually three periods in which you can visit Myanmar:
October to March: Dry, winter
March to May: Hot, summer season
May to October: Damp, rainy period
The popular, high season is November to February when the weather condition is warm however not stifling, and also draws in the greatest number of visitors. This, consequently, makes the minimal accommodation alternatives challenging to secure as well as will certainly indicate attempting to book in advance or face paying for the much more pricey options left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature level rises in Myanmar and impending rains are due. There is a limited number of visitors which makes it easy to book lodging however it is unbelievably warm.
Visas
An e-Visa is readily available to tourists from these 100 nations.
To get one, go to the official e-Visa website. You'll need to submit a passport photo as well as pay a charge of $50.
It takes under 10 mins to apply as well as you should get approval 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 date of issue and enables you a 28 day stay in Myanmar
Getting a visa from your local embassy may be more affordable-- if you intend to save some cash, obtaining a visa through your local Myanmar embassy might be more affordable. As an example, the cost is simply ₤ 14 in the UK yet $40 in the USA, so do your research and also do not fail to remember to factor in mailing costs.
It is only possible to enter Myanmar on an e-visa at Yangon, Mandalay and also Nay Pyi Taw international airports; and also at 3 Thai-Myanmar land boundary crossings Tachileik, Myawadi (Myawaddy) and also Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Check the immigration site for the most recent at the time you take a trip.
Reaching Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the normal option for tourists as the very first mode of entry, with regular scheduled services from Bangkok. Yet, considering where Myanmar is located-- surrounded by China to the North and also northeast, Thailand and Laos to the eastern as well as India and also Bangladesh to its west-- there are numerous avenues for land access, although not all of them are suggested due to security.
Regardless, 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 provided a listing of choices, where you will certainly require to choose among the following:
Myanmar Designated International Airports:
Mandalay (located right in the center of Myanmar)
Yangon (situated in the south)
Nay Pyi Taw (situated in between Mandalay and Yangon)
Going Across at Land Boundary Checkpoints:
Tachileik (in the Shan State of eastern Myanmar on the border to northern Thailand)
Myawaddy (in the Kayin State of southeastern Myanmar on the boundary to western Thailand)
Kawthaung (in the southernmost part of Myanmar, in the Tanintharyi Region on the boundary of the Thai Peninsula and also 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 boundary town of Khawmawi in the northwestern Chin State of Myanmar on the border of Southeastern India).
Actually, you can go into Myanmar at any designated "Port of Entry" however it is best to adhere to the one you initially mentioned preferably to avoid any kind of hold up in the handling of your visa upon arrival.
You can exit at any of the International Airports as well as Land Boundary Checkpoints given that your exit point does not need to be stated up front. Furthermore, you may leave at the Htikee Land Boundary Checkpoint, although entry from here is not possible.
Flying in and out of Yangon is cheaper and has extra connections than Mandalay.
Navigating Myanmar-- Cross Country
Credit: myanmartours.us
Myanmar's local transportation choices may be irritating however the cross country propositions are a lot more attractive.
Distances are far, road travel is sluggish and also flying is cost effective so it might be your far better choice.
You can still reserve flights the old-school means by wandering right into a travel agent.
Flying within Myanmar is a little 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 grabbing 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 actually is an experience. And a great deal of fun if you do not let it get you stressed.Buses are budget-friendly with competing businesses and a variety of high-end levels.
Credits: seawander.asia
Many buses travel over night which is wonderful for not losing a day of sightseeing, however isn't so great for rest. Also, you'll tend to reach at strange times in the early morning as well as won't have the ability to check into your hostel or hotel until 2 p.m. That's a lot of hours waiting on a 'top-up' nap. Take into consideration if it will certainly be more affordable to fly if you're going to book accommodation the exact same night to take a nap immediately.
Buses are really chilly, the luxury buses will certainly give you a covering however, 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 little bit irritating 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 location around 3 or 4am. What's more, some still play their funky local song CD's and also tacky music videos until the very early hours of the morning. Pack your iPod, buy some sturdy extreme ear plugs or kindly request for 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 come to a destination conjures up bad spirits and also is taken seriously. The result? You won't get a response.
You will generally book buses via your hotel, hostel or guesthouse-- they will generally bill a fee however be aware that the cost can differ substantially.
Credits: seat61.com
Check whether pickup is included in your ticket price - this truly does differ depending upon destination, mode of traveling and company. Try to find a firm that does include pickup as taxis are expensive.
Booking buses online is harder-- There isn't one useful on-line reservation 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 mean the bus is full. Attempt booking somewhere else.
If the company has a Facebook web page, message to book without fees.
Buses are generally faster than the trains, however bus rides are bumpy-- you may take into consideration taking tablets for nausea. Boats are also a choice for some routes; the Mandalay-- Bagan service is popular among travellers.
There are no international car-rental companies, yet many travel agencies in Yangon, Mandalay as well as Bagan-- along with guesthouses and also hotels somewhere else-- can arrange cars and also drivers.
Myanmar's Local Transport
Credits: asiancorrespondent.com
Myanmar is still developing and this is most frustratingly evident in the local transport.
With minimal public transportation, taxis will certainly be your primary method of navigating especially for getting to and also from flight terminals and within cities like Yangon as well as Mandalay.
Taxi prices are past extortionate-- rates are established 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 rates of $1-$2 per kilometre. Frequently 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 might be your far better bet-- it can be about $35 for a day of taking in the sights in Bagan and $28 for a few hours in Mandalay.
Distance is a much bigger factor than time in determining the cost of hiring a driver: a 12 hr trip about Yangon can set you back USD 70 while travelling further afield to Golden Rock, a 2.5 hour drive each means, can be estimated at USD 200. Gas is costly in Myanmar as well as is a significant contributing aspect to the cost.
Everyone intends to take you to a craft shop, a silk manufacturing facility or a nut manufacturer during your sightseeing and tour trips. Don't be afraid to say no when you're paying for your very own private transport. Besides, that's the reason you are paying a premium. On the other hand, a few of the side journeys can be fascinating and also drivers may take you to some cool locations that aren’t on your plan and you may be happy you chose their suggestions!
Hiring bikes as well as e-Bikes (electric motorbikes) outside the cities is much cheaper yet beware of the dust-- Myanmar is by far one of the dustiest locations, and also mostly all vacationers create a dust cough. Pack sunglasses and 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 numerous visitors walking around toting head to foot road rash as well as bandages.
The huge cities are gridlocked so walking may be quicker-- Yangon has a few of the worst traffic. 1.5 hours to cover 15 kilometres ought to give you an idea. The time advised for getting to the bus station (22km away from the centre) is 2.5 hrs.
Car quality is hit and miss so do not count on air-conditioning and also leather seats-- that 1.5 hr 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.
Credits: globaltravelmate.com
Get ready for the unanticipated. When your night bus to Bagan arrives in the very early hours of the morning, your only choice 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 transportation here it is just all-natural that they are awaiting new bus arrivals.
Money and also ATMs in Myanmar
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You can make use of 2 currencies in Myanmar-- dollars and also the local money, kyat (pronounced ‘chat').
If you're going to utilize dollars, they need to be immaculate. What's pristine/brand new-- unfolded, uncreased and also more recent than 2006. Each individual note is checked thoroughly for defects, discolouration and also folds at the money exchange stands. You might also have problems changing notes with the AB/CB identification numbers.
Some vendors demand payments in United States dollars so you can bring some United States dollars to spend.
Utilizing kyat is likely to be more affordable because the USD exchange rate is informal-- somewhere in between 1,300 to 1,400 kyat, the exchange rate is typically applied on the spot, most likely depending upon how rich you look.
There are ATM machines as well as they mostly function yet make certain you have cash before showing up at more remote spots like the beach. In some cases they might be out of service.
You'll pay an ATM charge of about $4 for every withdrawal which is in addition to any kind of fees your financial institution might bill. And you most likely won't be able to withdraw more than $150 at once.
ATM machines dispense kyat only. There are plenty of exchange places around, however mostly 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 beforehand 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 Mandalay also take them, normally billing a tiny fee, for purchasing flights.
Cost of travel in Myanmar
Myanmar is a great deal more expensive than the rest of Southeast Asia-- infrastructure is still being developed. That includes guesthouses as well as dining establishments. Companies are recouping their costs.
Lodging prices
A dorm bed will certainly 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 vacationer 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 a good example where luxury comes at a price of $250 per night) with various other great options being available at $100 to $150 (eg Zfreeti hotel in Bagan which costs around $120 a night). A modern hotel can cost USD 75-80 a night (the Smart Hotel in Mandalay).
Popular 'package tourist' destinations like Ngapali coastline can set you back as much as $100 a night for a 2-star hotel (though there are a couple of hostels there as well). On the bonus side, you typically obtain a free morning meal with your lodging.
Food costs
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 cost $7-$12.
Drink costs
Mineral water is low-cost, under 50 cents a litre. Beer is additionally economical at a couple of bucks per bottle.
Sightseeing costs
The tourist dollar is king. Anticipate to pay for the privilege of being a foreigner and also making use of squat toilets, entering pagodas, storing footwear as well as taking pictures. 'Foreigner payments' are prominent in the more touristy locations.
It's possible to negotiate on prices of products like souvenirs however if you negotiate too hard the locals lose interest as well as walk away.
Tipping is not typical technique in Myanmar, as well as it's just foreigners who tip.
Sightseeing and tour in Myanmar
Credits: lonelyplanet.com
We were up and out most days for dawn and also out cold by 10pm! The heat is commonly unbearable throughout the peak sunlight hours and the arrival of the vacationer buses make it harder to get outstanding images as well as move around easily.
Not anywhere on a map of Myanmar is open for exploration. The far north, mountainous area of Myanmar, together with the western Chin State and the far, crime levels are exceptionally reduced.
Still, you should take the usual preventative measures of using hotel lockers or safes for your belongings. Women visitors should not experience any type of harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the cash is dirty and also there isn't always soap in bathrooms so use your sanitiser prior to you touch anything that will go near your mouth.
Keep an eye out for the dust- Myanmar can be really dusty so do carry something to cover your mouth as well as nose when cycling around. Also take care with your air conditioning-- Myanmar can be as hot. As a result, several travellers use the a/c in their room however sleeping in low temperatures can make you sick.
Fruit is simple to find so top up your body immune system with nutrients that way. Nevertheless, as it's usually pre-cut, look for a seller that has kept the flies away and if it's sluiced with water, make sure it's filtered water.
Safety
Many government advisories advise against traveling to parts of Rakhine (Rakhaing) State in western Myanmar, where clashes in between local authorities and the minority Muslim (Rohingya) communities has brought about the mass displacement of countless individuals. A few other parts of the nation stay closed to foreigners because of dispute between the government and various ethnic armies gathered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These areas are mainly in Kachin and Shan States, near the frontiers with China and also Thailand, and also far from the significant visitor locations.
Precise information on conflicts and closed areas can be difficult 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 good source of information from visitors 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 heat, as well as you will certainly make everyone a lot more comfortable if you follow suit.
Knee length shorts, long skirts, elephant pants and also t-shirts are the clothing of choice. These are strongly encouraged as well as frequently enforced for getting in the temples as well as pagodas.
Credits: backpackinglikeaboss.com
Every person uses skirts-- males and females alike-- the longyi, a long skirt, is the popular traditional dress in Myanmar for both men and women. Many vacationers pick one up as they're breezy in the warmth and tick the 'conservative wear' box. They are practical for taking in the sights so grab an inexpensive one a the marketplace if you have the opportunity.
Flip flops are vital! Getting in pagodas means going barefoot and also flip flops are the best footwear option. Dealing with laces in the blistering heat is an unwanted interruption. Bring some cleaning wipes for your feet after visiting 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 strappy tops in the cities and at the beach but somewhere else it's much less usual.
Culture
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The local individuals are remarkably genteel and also not used to confrontation so pack your good manners as well as your patience. Travelling can be frustrating, hot and slow but 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 citizens. Nevertheless, haggle hard with the taxi drivers.
You may get stopped a lot by locals that wish to chat. Travelers are no longer a novelty website in the majority of Southeast Asia however Myanmar is different. Normally the people are beautiful and more than happy to appear in photos as well as try and chat with limited usual words or sign language.
You maylikewise get stared at a lot which is generally best handled by offering a smile and also a mingalabar (hi in Burmese). Burmese English can be difficult to comprehend, be patient, pay attention as well as if you're spending 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 chewing betel quids, little parcels that contain tobacco, spices and also areca nuts wrapped in a betel leaf. It's possibly popular| due to the fact that it delivers a hit that amounts to six mugs 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 citizens have the tell tale red stained teeth and cab drivers frequently roll down the window in slow-moving traffic to spew after chewing on the betel quids.
There is some begging by children in Myanmar and also as heartbreaking as it is, you should not 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, an aesthetic paste made from ground bark, which is a beauty product in Myanmar and also works as a sun block.
It's also common to hear a kissing noise in the cafes as well as restaurants as citizens make use of the kissing sound as a call for service. Apparently it's simpler for staff to determine the place of the kissing noise so do not be upset!
Burmese Phrases
The two most important phrases you need in Myanmar are:
Hey there: Ming-gu-la-bah
Thank you: Jay-zu-de-bar-dee
Not only is it polite, but it is well received. Be prepared for many 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 also is billed per item instead of kilo so try to turn up with your clothing laundered and also unless you intend to hand over $20 for a load of washing, select the items you really require washing and also 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't flush toilet tissue or sanitary products-- this is really typical in developing countries where the plumbing system can't handle anything other than bodily fluids.
Myanmar has that weird half-hour difference| to its time area so it's 6 and a half hours 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, better still, get a local SIM. You can get one at most airport terminals when you land or in among the stores in the road as well as the shop staff will certainly have you set up in about 5 minutes. You can find out more regarding your network selections right here. Still, with 1 mbps thought about to be a 'quick' connection, do not anticipate to be downloading videos at any time. Online accessibility has actually improved, with wi-fi the norm-- most hotels, guesthouses as well as coffee shops have it totally free-- and also the internet is now spreading tofarther locations. However tightly squeezed bandwidth and also power failures can use the net an aggravating exercise.
Do your research beforehand or pack a guidebook, as well as do not anticipate to Skype home extremely frequently, it's barely possible to get a messenger service to work at times!
You'll be better with a knapsack than a travel suitcase. Suitcases aren't optimal on dusty, sandy, unevenroadways. Entering as well as out of myriad forms|types|kinds} of transportation and also hefting it up numerous steep stairs isn't far better.