Top Myanmar Travel Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Modify Its Name?
The country formally referred to as Burma gained independence in 1948 from occupying forces, yet it wasn't up 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 country's former British colonial past, and Myanmar as much more inclusive of the numerous ethnic groups in the country. Other names were also changed, 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 as well as on the world stage. This article breaks down the modifications, what you 'should' say and also the concern: does it even matter?
Best Times to See Myanmar
There are normally 3 periods in which you can visit Myanmar:
October to March: Dry, winter
March to May: Hot, summertime period
May to October: Wet, rainy season
The popular, high season is November to February when the climate is warm yet not stifling, as well as attracts the greatest number of visitors. This, consequently, makes the minimal accommodation options difficult to secure as well as will certainly mean attempting to book in advance or deal with paying for the more expensive choices left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature level climbs in Myanmar and also approaching rains are due. There is a limited number of visitors that makes it very easy to book lodging however it is unbelievably hot.
Visas
An e-Visa is offered to visitors from these 100 nations.
To obtain one, go to the main e-Visa internet site. You'll be required to submit a passport photo as well as 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 day of issue as well as enables you a 28 day stay in Myanmar
Getting a visa from your local consular office might be less expensive-- if you want to save some money, requesting a visa via your local Myanmar consular office might be less expensive. For example, the cost is simply ₤ 14 in the UK however $40 in the USA, so do your research and also do not neglect to consider mailing costs.
It is only possible to go into Myanmar on an e-visa at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw international airports; and at three Thai-Myanmar land boundary crossings Tachileik, Myawadi (Myawaddy) as well as Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Read the immigration web site for the most recent at the time you take a trip.
Getting to Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the usual choice for travellers as the very first mode of access, with routine 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 entrance, although not every one of them are advised due to safety.
No matter, you must define a "Port of Entry" in your online application which denotes exactly how you will be reaching Myanmar. You will be provided a list of choices, from which you will certainly require to pick among the following:
Myanmar Designated International Airports:
Mandalay (located right in the center of Myanmar)
Yangon (situated in the south)
Nay Pyi Taw (located in between Mandalay and Yangon)
Crossing at Land Border 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 most southern part of Myanmar, in the Tanintharyi Area on the boundary of the Thai Peninsula and the cluster 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" but it is best to adhere to the one you initially mentioned if possible to prevent any type of hold up in the processing of your visa upon arrival.
You can leave at any one of the International Airports as well as Land Border Checkpoints because your exit point does not need to be stated up-front. Additionally, you may leave at the Htikee Land Border Checkpoint, although entry from here is not possible.
Flying in as well as out of Yangon is cheaper as well as has much more connections than Mandalay.
Navigating Myanmar-- Cross Country
Credit: myanmartours.us
Myanmar's local transportation choices may be aggravating but the cross country propositions are a lot more appealing.
Distances are far, road travel is slow-moving and also flying is economical so it may be your far better choice.
You can still reserve flights the old-school means by wandering into a travel agent.
Flying within Myanmar is a bit like flying in the older days-- check-in entails ticking people off a list of printed names, luggage claim can mean leaving the airport as well as grabbing your bag off a trolley by the airplane and also flight announcements are made by an individual holding up a sign and calling your flight (in incomprehensible English). It truly is an experience. And a lot of fun if you do not let it get you stressed.Buses are cost effective with competing companies and a variety of deluxe levels.
Credits: seawander.asia
The majority of buses travel over night which is great for not losing a day of sightseeing and tour, yet isn't so wonderful for sleep. Also, you'll have a tendency to arrive at strange times in the early morning and will not be able to check into your hostel or hotel until 2 p.m. That's a lot of hours waiting on a 'top-up' snooze. Take into consideration if it will be less expensive to fly if you're going to book accommodation the exact same night to rest immediately.
Buses are extremely chilly, the high-end buses will certainly offer 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 also toilet break-- a bit frustrating if you're trying to rest through the night.
Night buses are not sleeper buses, even though these are the buses which bring you to your location around 3 or 4am. What's even more, some still play their funky local song CD's and tacky music videos up until the very early hours of the early morning. Pack your iPod, invest in some sturdy extreme ear plugs or kindly ask for the sound to be switched off.
Never ever ask a driver regarding he time of arrival. Due to 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 as well as is taken seriously. The result? You will not obtain a response.
You will mostly book buses through your hotel, hostel or guesthouse-- they will typically charge a cost however know that the cost can vary drastically.
Credits: seat61.com
Check whether pick-up is included in your ticket price - this really does differ depending on destination, mode of traveling and company. Search for a firm that does include pickup as taxis are outrageously priced.
Reserving buses online is more difficult-- There isn't one convenient online booking website and the ones that do exist have a restricted number of tickets. If you're told they're sold out, it doesn't necessarily indicate the bus is full. Try reservation in other places.
If the company has a Facebook page, message to book without fees.
Buses are usually faster than the trains, yet bus rides are rough-- you might consider taking tablets for motion sickness. Boats are additionally an option for some routes; the Mandalay-- Bagan service is popular amongst tourists.
There are no international car-rental companies, but most travel agencies in Yangon, Mandalay as well as Bagan-- as well as guesthouses as well as hotels in other places-- can organize cars and drivers.
Myanmar's Local Transport
Credits: asiancorrespondent.com
Myanmar is still developing and also this is most frustratingly obvious in the local transport.
With minimal public transportation, taxis will certainly be your major means of getting around especially for getting to and from airports and within cities like Yangon as well as Mandalay.
Taxi prices are beyond extortionate-- prices are established on the spot (after a fast 'how much can I get away with' estimation) and also you're going to have to negotiate hard. It's not unusual to hear rates of $1-$2 per kilometre. Usually the taxi to and also from the airport/bus will be greater than you spent for your flight or intercity bus.
1,000 Kyat per kilometre is a good approximate amount for taxi prices.
Cabs for the day may be your better bet-- it can be about $35 for a day of sightseeing and tour in Bagan and also $28 for a couple of hours in Mandalay.
Distance is a much bigger aspect than time in dictating the price of hiring a driver: a 12 hr trip around Yangon can cost USD 70 while travelling 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 big contributing factor to the expense.
Every person wishes to take you to a craft shop, a silk factory or a nut producer during your sightseeing trips. Don't be afraid to say no when you're paying for your very own personal transport. Besides, that's the reason you are paying a premium. On the flip side, some of the side trips can be interesting and also drivers may take you to some cool areas that aren’t on your schedule and you may be happy you went with their recommendations!
Hiring bikes and also e-Bikes (electrical motorcycles) outside the cities is much less expensive but beware of the dust-- Myanmar is without a doubt among the dustiest places, as well as mostly all vacationers develop a dust cough. Pack sunglasses as well as something to cover your mouth.
Do not take an e-Bike if you can not handle it-- or else you'll be just one of the numerous travelers walking toting head to foot road rash and also bandages.
The large cities are gridlocked so walking may be quicker-- Yangon has some of the worst traffic. 1.5 hours to cover 15 km ought to give you an idea. The time suggested for reaching the bus terminal (22km far from the centre) is 2.5 hours.
Car quality is hit and miss so do not 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
Prepare for the unexpected. When your night bus to Bagan arrives in the extremely early hours of the morning, your only option to get to my hotel may be through horse and cart. There is still a haggling process to be had, however given that this is the major form of vacationer transportation here it is just natural that they are waiting for new bus arrivals.
Money and ATM Machines in Myanmar
Credits: mmtimes.com
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 must be immaculate. What's pristine/brand new-- unfolded, uncreased as well as newer than 2006. Each individual note is checked thoroughly for problems, discolouration as well as creases at the currency exchange booths. You could additionally have problems changing notes with the AB/CB serial numbers.
Some vendors insist on payments in United States bucks so you can bring some United States dollars to spend.
Making use of kyat is likely to be more affordable because the USD currency exchange rate is informal-- someplace in between 1,300 to 1,400 kyat, the exchange rate is normally applied on the spot, most likely depending on just how rich you look.
There are ATMs and also they mostly work yet ensure you have money prior to turning up at more remote places like the beach. Occasionally 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 charges your financial institution might bill. And you possibly will not be able to take out greater than $150 at a time.
ATMs dispense kyat only. There are lots of exchange places about, but mainly the transactions are to change immaculate dollars into local money.
Wait for the large cities orinternational flight terminal to change money back to dollars.
Some hotels do not have credit card machines and require cash payment. If you have reserved your hotels beforehand online this may save you taking additional cash money for holiday accommodation.
Credit cards are accepted mostly only in top-end resorts. 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 costly than the rest of Southeast Asia-- infrastructure is still being developed. That includes guesthouses as well as 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 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 dingy, no-frills room.
For hotels, deluxe resorts can be priced at over USD 200 a night (the Inle Princess Resort being an example where luxury comes with a cost of $250 per night) with various other excellent choices being available at $100 to $150 (eg Zfreeti hotel in Bagan which costs around $120 a night). A modern hotel can set you back USD 75-80 a night (the Smart Hotel in Mandalay).
Popular 'package vacationer' destinations like Ngapali beach can cost as much as $100 a night for a 2-star hotel (though there are a couple of hostels there as well). On the plus side, you usually obtain a complimentary morning meal with your 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 including something like pizza) will set you back $7-$12.
Drink expenses
Bottled water is affordable, under 50 cents a litre. Beer is likewise economical 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, entering pagodas, storing shoes and also taking pictures. 'Foreigner payments' are preferred in the much more touristy locations.
It's possible to negotiate on prices of products like souvenirs yet if you bargain too hard the locals lose interest and also walk away.
Tipping is not typical practice 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 dawn and also fast asleep by 10pm! The heat is typically excruciating during the peak sunshine hours and the arrival of the vacationer buses make it harder to get remarkable images and also move around 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 exceptionally reduced.
Still, you should take the normal precautions of utilizing hotel storage lockers or safes for your valuables. Women tourists should not experience any harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the money is unclean and there isn't always soap in shower rooms so utilize your sanitiser before you touch anything that will go near your mouth.
Look out for the dust- Myanmar can be website really dusty so do bring something to cover your mouth and nose when biking around. Likewise take care with your a/c-- Myanmar can be as warm. Consequently, lots of tourists use the a/c in their room but sleeping in low temperatures can make you ill.
Fruit is simple to find so top up your body immune system with nutrients in this way. Nonetheless, as it's often 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 caution against travel to parts of Rakhine (Rakhaing) State in western Myanmar, where clashes between local authorities and the minority Muslim (Rohingya) communities has led to the mass displacement of thousands of individuals. A few other parts of the country stay closed to foreigners as a result of problem in between the government as well as various ethnic armies clustered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These locations are mainly in Kachin as well as Shan States, close to the frontiers with China and also Thailand, as well as far from the major traveler destinations.
Precise information on disputes and closed locations can be tough to come by. Check your government's advice before travelling, and inquire about the situation once you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum is an excellent resource of news from tourists on the ground.
What to wear in Myanmar
The majority of the locals dress conservatively| as well as cover their shoulders and legs regardless of the heat, as well as you will make everybody 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 frequently 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 men and women. Several travelers pick one up as they're breezy in the heat as well as tick the 'traditional wear' box. They are convenient 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 flip flops are the most effective footwear selection. Struggling with laces in the blistering heat is an unwanted interruption. Bring some cleaning 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 and also shoulders). You will certainly find individuals in shorts and strappy tops in the cities and at the beach but somewhere else it's less usual.
Culture
Credits: parallelsandmeridians.com
The local people are exceptionally genteel and not used to confrontation so pack your best manners and your patience. Travelling can be irritating, warm and also slow-moving yet bear in mind: you picked to check out Myanmar and that it's not the same as 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 locals that wish to chat. Tourists are no more a novelty in a lot of Southeast Asia however Myanmar is different. Typically the people are lovely and also more than happy to appear in photographs and attempt as well as converse via minimal typical words or sign language.
You mayalso get stared at a whole lot which is normally best dealt with by offering a smile and a mingalabar (hello in Burmese). Burmese English can be difficult to comprehend, be patient, listen hard and also if you're paying for a guide, make certain they have great 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's equivalent to 6 cups of coffee. However, as well as being dangerous when chewed long term, the by-product 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 and also taxi drivers usually 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 shouldn't give to the kids. Why not? Read this great 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 works as a sun block.
It's also common to hear a kissing sound in the coffee shops and dining establishments as citizens make use of the kissing noise as a call for service. Apparently it's simpler for staff to determine the area of the kissing audio so do not be alarmed!
Burmese Phrases
The two most important phrases you need in Myanmar are:
Hi: Ming-gu-la-bah
Thank you: Jay-zu-de-bar-dee
Not only is it respectful, yet it is well received. Be ready for a lot of citizens to giggle in reaction-- they are not mocking you; they are just not expecting it.
Other practical concerns in Myanmar
Laundry is usually done by hand and is charged per item as opposed to kilo so try to show up with your clothing laundered and unless you want to turn over $20 for a load of washing, choose the items you truly need washing and also clean your smaller items yourself as you go.
Toiletries are very easy 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 common in developing nations where the plumbing system can not deal with anything other than bodily fluids.
Myanmar has that unusual 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 also North American 2-pin connects as well as British three-pin.
Wi-fi is bad in Myanmar so you either need to get over it or, far better still, get a local SIM. You can get one at a lot of airports when you land or in among the shops in the road and also the shop personnel will have you set up in about 5 mins. You can read more regarding your network choices right here. Still, with 1 mbps considered to be a 'quick' link, don't anticipate to be downloading videos at any time. Online accessibility has improved, with wi-fi 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. But tightly squeezed bandwidth as well as power blackouts can make using the internet a discouraging exercise.
Do your research in advance 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 better with a backpack than a luggage. Travel suitcases aren't ideal on dusty, sandy, unevenroads. Getting in and out of myriad forms|types|kinds} of transport and hefting it up numerous steep staircases isn't far better.