Top Myanmar Travel Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Change Its Name?
The nation officially referred to as Burma gained independence in 1948 from occupying forces, but it wasn't till 1989 that the ruling military junta changed the nation's name from Burma to Myanmar following a military coup.
Politically, the name Burma was seen as a relic of the nation's previous British colonial past, as well as Myanmar as a lot more inclusive of the many ethnic groups in the nation. 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 made use of interchangeably, on the ground and on the world stage. This write-up breaks down the modifications, what you 'should' say and the concern: does it even matter?
Ideal Times to Visit Myanmar
There are commonly 3 seasons in which you can visit Myanmar:
October to March: Dry, winter
March to May: Hot, summer period
May to October: Wet, rainy period
The popular, high season is November to February when the weather condition is warm yet not stifling, and draws in the greatest number of visitors. This, in turn, makes the restricted holiday accommodation choices difficult to secure and also will certainly mean trying to book ahead or deal with paying for the much more pricey alternatives left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature rises in Myanmar and also impending rains are due. There is a limited number of travelers which makes it easy to book accommodation but 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 site. You'll need to upload a passport photo and pay a cost 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 get here 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 more affordable-- if you wish to save some money, obtaining a visa through your local Myanmar embassy might be more affordable. For instance, the price is simply ₤ 14 in the UK but $40 in the United States, so do your research as well as don't neglect to consider mailing costs.
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 border crossings Tachileik, Myawadi (Myawaddy) as well as Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Check the immigration internet site for the current at the time you travel.
Getting to Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the common alternative for visitors as the very first mode of access, with routine scheduled services from Bangkok. Yet, considering where Myanmar is located-- bordered by China to the North as well as northeast, Thailand as well as Laos to the east as well as India and also Bangladesh to its west-- there are multiple for land entrance, although not every one of them are advised because of safety and security.
Regardless, you need to define a "Port of Entry" in your on the internet application which denotes just how you will be reaching Myanmar. You will be given a listing of choices, where you will certainly require to choose one of the following:
Myanmar Designated International Airports:
Mandalay (situated right in the middle of Myanmar)
Yangon (located 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 border to northern 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 as well as the collection of islands)
Tamu (in the Sagaing Region of northwestern Myanmar on the border to northeastern India).
Rih Khaw Dar (a six-hour drive from the border village of Khawmawi in the northwestern Chin State of Myanmar on the border of Southeastern India).
In reality, you can enter Myanmar at any designated "Port of Entry" yet it is best to adhere to the one you originally specified preferably to avoid any hold up in the handling of your visa upon arrival.
You can leave at any one 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 exit at the Htikee Land Border Checkpoint, although entry from here is not possible.
Flying in as well as out of Yangon is less costly and also has more connections than Mandalay.
Getting around Myanmar-- Cross Country
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Myanmar's local transportation alternatives may be discouraging but the cross country propositions are far more enticing.
Distances are far, road travel is sluggish and flying is budget-friendly so it might be your much better option.
You can still book flights the old-school method by wandering right into a travel agent.
Flying within Myanmar is a little bit like flying in the older days-- check-in involves ticking individuals off a list of printed names, luggage claim can mean leaving the airport as well as grabbing your bag off a cart by the plane and also flight announcements are made by an individual holding up a sign as well as calling your flight (in incomprehensible English). It really is an experience. As well as a lot of fun if you don't let it get you stressed.Buses are budget friendly with competing firms as well as a variety of deluxe levels.
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Many buses travel overnight which is wonderful for not losing a day of sightseeing, yet isn't so fantastic for rest. Additionally, you'll have a tendency to arrive at odd times in the morning and also won't be able to check into your hostel or hotel up until 2 p.m. That's a great deal of hrs waiting on a 'top-up' nap. Consider if it will be more affordable to fly if you're going to book accommodation the same night to take a nap straight away.
Buses are extremely chilly, the luxury buses will certainly provide you a covering but, wear your warm layers.
Even the VIP bus doesn't have a toilet onboard so expect to stop every few hours for a food and toilet break-- a little bit frustrating if you're trying to sleep through the night.
Night buses are not sleeper buses, despite the fact that 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 also tacky music videos up until the early hrs of the early morning. Pack your iPod, buy some durable extreme ear plugs or kindly request the sound to be shut off.
Never ever ask a driver regarding reaches of the southern Mon State as well as Tenasserim area are usually off-limits to visitors unless you have actually requested a government visa in advance. In some locations you'll need a guide to chaperone you. Check before you make plans.
Leaving the beaten path is challenging-- even within the 'open' parts, Myanmar's developing infrastructure means that there are set routes you can travel and you'll have a hard time to go any other way. Attempting to do otherwise may be very costly.
Work your sightseeing around the heat-- Myanmar is well-known for its daybreaks as well as sunsets, which additionally corresponds nicely with remaining inside (maybe for a snooze or pool dip if you have one) throughout the mid-day .
Expect to go barefoot a great deal in temples on seriously grubby floors. In temples where birds are nesting or monkeys as well as dogs hangout, you can expect to step in a great deal of animal faeces while you're checking out Myanmar's temples. Socks aren't permitted either so you simply have to get used to it. Have wipes for your feet so you can clean off some after each visit.
Be a considerate temple visitor, a lot of Myanmar's temples are places of worship, not simply sights for travelers. Respect 'do not climb/do not enter' signs and keep your voice down-- individuals will certainly be praying.
Anticipate to pay an entry charge for Bagan as well as Inle Lake-- this fee is charged to all foreigners and there's no getting around it. The fees are: Bagan-- $20; Inle Lake-- $10.
Accommodation in Myanmar
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Hostels are slowly opening, indicating you can rest in economical accommodation than you could a couple of years back. Things are slowly getting better for solo tourists, though expenses are still much more of what you'll pay elsewhere in Southeast Asia.
Guesthouses are rustic but captivating. The holiday accommodation provides a feel for what a local house might be like, basic yet perfectly decorated in teak wood) as well as the breakfast was usually remarkable. Plus, it's nice to place money right into the hands of the locals, not some large brand chain.
A lot of hostels, hotels and guesthouses offer a towel however you might need to offer up a refundable $10 down payment on check-in. Hotels will additionally provide some form of toiletries. Some hostels and also guesthouses do too, yet it can't be relied on.
Be careful about the curfew-- some guesthouses may lock the door at night, leaving you unable to get to your bed. Check before you go out for the night.
Book accommodation and transport in advance throughout peak season. The tourist market in Myanmar appears to have experienced a boom which the infrastructure has actually failed to maintain pace with. Many resorts are tiny and boutique like thus if there's someplace specific you wish to stay it's necessary to book in advance. more info It is specifically essential to book ahead during high period (November to March). In some rural areas, monasteries will take tourists in for a small fee if there are no spaces readily available. But don't rely upon the local monks being able to help you out.
Food as well as Drink in Myanmar
Order local dishes: it is always the best option. There are noodles during the night bus stops, fermented tea leaf salads in local dining establishments as well as an amazing range of curries and salads
Use chopsticks: Many items of cutlery are wiped with a not so terrific looking water supply and dishcloth. Packaged chopsticks are a suitable option.
Inform the staff if you don't consume something. If you like a little spice in your meals state just how much spice you like as the cooks tend to go easy on vacationers!
The fish is delicious as well as a great, fresh alternative in many dining establishments.
There is quite a lot of sugar in the food and drinks. If you aren't a fan of sugar there's an alternative to skip the sugar (tea, coffee, newly blended juices), make certain you request 'no sugar'.
Salads feature heavily on menus yet don't anticipate a fresh crunch-- most salads are seasoned as well as seasoned in oil, salt and lime juice and also don't usually feature salad leaves.
Hygiene standards are reduced in Myanmar as well as you may get ill once.
Street food isn't as prolific as other locations in Southeast Asia however you can discover it and it's good. Street food will tend to be about 1,000-1,700 kyat a meal (under $2).
You can't drink the water but most hotels, hostels as well as guesthouses supply totally free water either in bottles in your space or by means of a big water dispenser at reception. Or else, mineral water is very economical.
Alcohol is extensively offered with beer, rum and also whiskey being preferred options.
Beer stations are very easy to locate and fun places to get a beverage with the locals if you do not wish to being in a dining establishment.
Know that there isn't a late night culture in Myanmar-- most dining establishments close by 9 p.m. and bars follow suit around 10-- 11 p.m. This is a nation where meditation at dawn is more preferred than late night drinking.
Large chains can not be found and also brand names remain in short supply. Myanmar isn't a nation of fast-food chains and also beyond beverage brands like Coke and Schwepps Tonic, you're going to be purchasing local brand names and also consuming from local restaurants.
Stores are little, family owned affairs-- you won't find a 7-Eleven. There are a few comparable 'Grab 'n' Go' shops dotted about, but mostly you're going to purchase snacks as well as drinks from little, local businesses. They can look a bit intimidating, like you're intruding by walking in. Do not worry, just step in, they want your business.
There are people smoking indoors- this can be a shock if you come from a nation where smoking in public locations has long been outlawed.
Health and Safety in Myanmar
Health
Myanmar is an extremely safe area-- most of the population is Buddhist as well as with an idea in karma, criminal activity levels are remarkably low.
Still, you ought to take the usual preventative measures of making use of hotel storage lockers or safes for your valuables. Female visitors should not experience any kind of harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the money is unclean and also there isn't always soap in restrooms so utilize your sanitiser prior to you touch anything that will go near your mouth.
Look out for the dust- Myanmar can be very dusty so do carry something to cover your mouth and also nose when cycling around. Also take care with your a/c-- Myanmar can be as warm. Subsequently, many visitors use the a/c in their room yet sleeping in low temperature levels can make you ill.
Fruit is easy to find so top up your immune system with nutrients this way. However, as it's commonly pre-cut, try to find a vendor that has kept the flies away and if it's sluiced with water, make sure it's filtered water.
Safety
A lot of government advisories warn against traveling 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 individuals. A few other parts of the nation continue to be shut to foreigners due to conflict between the government and also different ethnic armies clustered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These locations are mostly in Kachin and Shan States, near the frontiers with China and Thailand, and far from the significant traveler locations.
Exact information on conflicts and also closed locations can be challenging to come by. Check your government's guidance before travelling, as well as inquire about the situation once you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum is an excellent resource of information from tourists on the ground.
What to wear in Myanmar
A lot of the locals dress conservatively| and cover their shoulders as well as legs in spite of the heat, and also you will make everyone a lot more comfortable if you follow suit.
Knee length shorts, long skirts, elephant pants and t-shirts are the attire of choice. These are highly encouraged and also frequently enforced for entering the temples and pagodas.
Credits: backpackinglikeaboss.com
Everyone uses skirts-- males and females alike-- the longyi, a long skirt, is the popular traditional dress in Myanmar for both men and women. Several vacationers pick one up as they're breezy in the warmth and also tick the 'traditional wear' box. They are practical for taking in the sights so get an inexpensive one a the market if you have the opportunity.
Flip flops are important! Entering pagodas implies going barefoot as well as flip flops are the very best footwear choice. Dealing with laces in the scorching heat is an unwanted distraction. Bring some cleaning wipes for your feet after visiting 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 certainly find individuals in shorts and strappy tops in the cities and at the beach however in other places it's much less common.
Culture
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The local individuals are remarkably genteel and not used to confrontation so pack your good manners and your patience. Travelling can be frustrating, warm and slow but keep in mind: 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 citizens. However, bargain hard with the taxi drivers.
You may get stopped a lot by residents who want to talk. Tourists are no longer a novelty in the majority of Southeast Asia yet Myanmar is different. Normally the people are beautiful and also more than happy to appear in pictures as well as attempt and also speak through limited common words or sign language.
You mayadditionally get stared at a lot which is typically best dealt with by providing a smile and a mingalabar (hi in Burmese). Burmese English can be hard to understand, be patient, listen hard and if you're paying for a guide, make certain they have excellent clear English before you book.
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The red stained sidewalks are a consequence of spewing red coloured saliva after chewing betel quids, little parcels which contain tobacco, spices and also areca nuts covered in a betel leaf. It's most likely popular| because it provides a hit that's equivalent to 6 cups of coffee. But, as well as being dangerous when chewed long term, the spin-off is bright-red saliva which is spewed out, a lot of times onto the ground.
Lots of residents have the tell tale red stained teeth and taxi drivers typically roll down the window in sluggish traffic to spit after eating 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 kids. Why not? Read this fantastic post by Uncornered Market.
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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 item in Myanmar as well as likewise works as a sunscreen.
It's also common to hear a kissing sound in the cafes and dining establishments as locals use the kissing noise as an ask for service. Apparently it's less complicated for staff to determine the location of the kissing audio so do not be upset!
Burmese Phrases
Both crucial expressions you need in Myanmar are:
Hello there: Ming-gu-la-bah
Thank you: Jay-zu-de-bar-dee
Not only is it respectful, however it is well received. Be prepared for the majority of citizens 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 billed per item as opposed to kilo so try to turn up with your clothes washed as well as unless you wish to turn over $20 for a load of washing, choose the items you actually need washing and also wash your smaller sized 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 tissue or sanitary products-- this is extremely typical in developing countries where the plumbing system can not handle anything aside from bodily fluids.
Myanmar has that strange half-hour difference| to its time zone so it's 6 and a half hrs in advance of GMT.
Most of the plug sockets of Myanmar have several adaptors for European and North American 2-pin plugs along with British three-pin.
Wi-fi is bad in Myanmar so you either have to get over it or, far better still, get a local SIM. You can get one at the majority of airport terminals when you land or in one of the stores in the street and also the shop personnel will have you set up in about 5 minutes. You can find out more regarding your network choices right here. Still, with 1 mbps thought about to be a 'rapid' connection, don't expect to be downloading video clips whenever. On-line access has actually improved, with wi-fi becoming the norm-- most hotels, guesthouses and also cafes have it completely free-- and the web is currently spreading tomore remote places. Yet tightly squeezed bandwidth and also power failures can use the net an aggravating exercise.
Do your research beforehand or pack a guidebook, and do not expect to Skype home very often, it's barely possible to get a messenger service to operate at times!
You'll be much better with a knapsack than a suitcase. Luggage aren't excellent on dusty, sandy, unevenroads. Getting in and out of myriad forms|types|kinds} of transport as well as hefting it up lots of high stairs isn't better.