Top Myanmar Travelling Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Change Its Name?
The country officially referred to as Burma gained independence in 1948 from occupying forces, but it had not been 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 viewed as a relic of the country's previous British colonial past, and also Myanmar as more inclusive of the many ethnic groups in the nation. Other names were additionally 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 and Myanmar are still made use of interchangeably, on the ground as well as on the world stage. This post breaks down the changes, what you 'should' say and also the question: does it even matter?
Ideal Times to See Myanmar
There are usually three seasons 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, as well as brings in the greatest number of visitors. This, consequently, makes the limited lodging choices tricky to secure as well as will certainly indicate attempting to book ahead or deal with paying out for the more expensive choices left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature level rises in Myanmar and also upcoming rains are due. There is a limited number of tourists which makes it very easy to book accommodation however it is exceptionally warm.
Visas
An e-Visa is readily available to travellers from these 100 countries.
To obtain one, go to the main e-Visa web site. You'll be required to submit a passport photo and also pay a cost of $50.
It takes under 10 mins to apply and also you should obtain authorization 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 expensive-- if you want to save some money, making an application for a visa using your local Myanmar embassy may be less expensive. For example, the cost is just ₤ 14 in the UK however $40 in the USA, so do your research and don't neglect to factor in mailing costs.
It is only possible to get in 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 also Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Check the immigration site for the current at the time you take a trip.
Reaching Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the usual choice for tourists as the initial mode of entry, with routine scheduled services from Bangkok. Yet, considering where Myanmar lies-- 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 entry, although not every one of them are suggested because of safety.
No matter, you have to specify a "Port of Entry" in your on the internet application which denotes just how you will be getting to Myanmar. You will certainly be given a listing of options, where you will certainly require to choose one of the following:
Myanmar Designated International Airports:
Mandalay (situated right in the middle 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 boundary to western Thailand)
Kawthaung (in the most southern part of Myanmar, in the Tanintharyi Area on the border of the Thai Peninsula and the cluster of islands)
Tamu (in the Sagaing Area of northwestern Myanmar on the border 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).
Actually, you can enter Myanmar at any designated "Port of Entry" however it is best to stay with the one you initially specified preferably to avoid any type of hold up in the handling of your visa upon arrival.
You can leave at any one of the International Airports and also Land Boundary Checkpoints considering that your exit point does not need to be mentioned up front. In addition, you may leave at the Htikee Land Boundary Checkpoint, although access from here is not possible.
Flying in and out of Yangon is less costly and has much more links than Mandalay.
Getting around Myanmar-- Long Distance
Credit: myanmartours.us
Myanmar's local transportation choices might be aggravating however the long distance propositions are a lot more appealing.
Distances are far, road travel is slow and flying is budget-friendly so it may be your much better choice.
You can still book flights the traditional means by wandering right into a travel agent.
Flying within Myanmar is a bit like flying in the older days-- check-in entails ticking individuals off a listing of printed names, baggage claim can mean leaving the airport terminal and grabbing your bag off a cart by the airplane and flight announcements are made by an individual holding up a sign as well as calling your flight (in incomprehensible English). It truly is an experience. And also a great deal of fun if you do not let it get you stressed.Buses are cost effective with competing firms as well as a variety of luxury levels.
Credits: seawander.asia
Many buses travel over night which is wonderful for not losing a day of sightseeing and tour, however isn't so excellent for sleep. Likewise, you'll have a tendency to reach at strange times in the early morning and will not be able to check into your hostel or hotel till 2 p.m. That's a great deal of hours waiting on a 'top-up' snooze. Think about if it will be less costly to fly if you're going to book accommodation the very same evening to rest straight away.
Buses are extremely cold, the luxury buses will certainly offer you a covering however, wear your warm layers.
Even the VIP bus doesn't have a toilet onboard so anticipate to stop every couple of hours for a food and also toilet break-- a little bit frustrating 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 cheesy music videos until the early hrs of the early morning. Pack your iPod, purchase some heavy-duty extreme ear plugs or kindly request for the sound to be turned off.
Never ever ask a vehicle driver regarding he time of arrival. Because of superstitions based on a belief system of nats (spirits) that existed before Buddhism came to the fore, asking when you will arrive at a location conjures up bad spirits as well as is taken seriously. The result? You won't obtain a response.
You will mainly book buses through your hotel, hostel or guesthouse-- they will usually bill a cost however be aware that the charge can vary dramatically.
Credits: seat61.com
Check whether pick-up is included in your ticket price - this truly does differ depending upon destination, mode of traveling and company. Look for a company that does include pickup as taxis are exorbitant.
Reserving buses online is more difficult-- There isn't one helpful online booking website as well as the ones that do exist have a restricted number of tickets. If you're informed they're sold out, it doesn't always indicate the bus is full. Attempt reservation elsewhere.
If the company has a Facebook page, message to book without charges.
Buses are generally faster than the trains, but bus rides are bumpy-- you may think about taking tablets for nausea. Boats are likewise an alternative for some paths; the Mandalay-- Bagan service is popular among travellers.
There are no international car-rental companies, however the majority of travel agencies in Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan-- as well as guesthouses and hotels in other places-- can organize cars and drivers.
Myanmar's Local Transport
Credits: asiancorrespondent.com
Myanmar is still developing and this is most frustratingly noticeable in the local transport.
With minimal public transportation, taxis will certainly be your major means of navigating especially for getting to as well as from flight terminals as well as within cities like Yangon as well as Mandalay.
Taxi prices are beyond extortionate-- prices are set on the spot (after a quick 'how much can I get away with' computation) and you're going to have to negotiate hard. It's not unusual to hear prices of $1-$2 per kilometre. Commonly the taxi to as well as 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 fares.
Taxi cabs for the day may be your much better bet-- it can be about $35 for a day of taking in the sights in Bagan and $28 for a couple of hours 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 travelling further afield to Golden Rock, a 2.5 hr drive each way, can be estimated at USD 200. Gas is costly in Myanmar and is a huge contributing variable to the price.
Everybody intends to take you to a craft store, a silk factory or a nut manufacturer during your sightseeing journeys. Do not hesitate to say no when you're paying for your own private transportation. Besides, that's the reason you are paying a premium. On the flip side, a few of the side journeys can be intriguing and drivers may take you to some cool locations that aren’t on your itinerary and you may be happy you chose their recommendations!
Hiring bikes and also e-Bikes (electrical motorbikes) outside the cities is much cheaper however beware of the dust-- Myanmar is without a doubt among the dustiest areas, as well as nearly all vacationers create a dust coughing. Pack sunglasses and something to cover your mouth.
Don't take an e-Bike if you can not manage it-- or else you'll be one of the lots of vacationers walking toting head to foot road rash as well as plasters.
The big cities are gridlocked so walking may be quicker-- Yangon has some of the worst traffic. 1.5 hrs to cover 15 kilometres should provide you an idea. The time suggested for getting to the bus station (22km away from the centre) is 2.5 hrs.
Car quality is hit and miss so don't count on air-conditioning as well as leather seats-- that 1.5 hour 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
Plan for the unforeseen. When your night bus to Bagan arrives in the extremely early hours of the morning, your only alternative to get to my hotel may be via horse and cart. There is still a bargaining process to be had, but because this is the major form of traveler transportation here it is just natural that they are waiting on new bus arrivals.
Money as well as ATM Machines in Myanmar
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You can use 2 currencies in Myanmar-- dollars as well as the local money, kyat (pronounced ‘chat').
If you're going to utilize dollars, they have to be immaculate. What's pristine/brand new-- unfolded, uncreased and more recent than 2006. Each individual note is reviewed for defects, discolouration and also creases at the money exchange booths. You may also have difficulty changing notes with the AB/CB identification numbers.
Some vendors insist on payments in US dollars so you can bring some United States dollars to spend.
Using kyat is most likely to be less costly since the USD currency exchange rate is informal-- somewhere in between 1,300 to 1,400 kyat, the exchange rate is typically applied on the spot, possibly relying on exactly how rich you look.
There are ATM machines as well as they mostly function yet make certain you have money before showing up at more remote spots like the coastline. In some cases they may be out of service.
You'll pay an ATM machine cost of about $4 for every withdrawal which is in addition to any kind of fees your bank may bill. And you probably won't have the ability to take out more than $150 at a time.
ATM machines dispense kyat only. There are lots of exchange places about, however mainly the transactions are to change immaculate dollars into local money.
Wait for the large cities orinternational airport terminal to change money 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 added cash money for accommodation.
Credit cards are accepted primarily only in top-end hotels. Some travel agents in Yangon and also Mandalay also take them, usually billing a tiny cost, for purchasing flights.
Cost of travelling in Myanmar
Myanmar is a whole lot more costly than the rest of Southeast Asia-- facilities is still being constructed. That includes guesthouses and also restaurants. Businesses are recouping their expenses.
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 tourist hotspots like Bagan, you can pay US$35 to US$40 for a dull, no-frills room.
For hotels, high-end hotels can be priced at over USD 200 a night (the  Inle Princess Resort  being a good example where luxury comes with a price of $250 per night) with various other excellent choices coming in at $100 to $150 (eg Zfreeti hotel in Bagan which sets you back around $120 a night). A modern hotel can set you back 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 number of hostels there as well). On the bonus side, you typically get a complimentary breakfast with your holiday accommodation.
Food expenses
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 prices
Bottled water is cheap, under 50 cents a litre. Beer is likewise cheap at a couple of dollars per bottle.
Sightseeing and tour prices
The tourist dollar is king. Expect to spend for the benefit of being a foreigner and also using squat toilets, getting in pagodas, storing shoes as well as taking photos. 'Foreigner payments' are preferred in the more touristy locations.
It's possible to bargain on costs of items like mementos yet if you website bargain too hard the locals lose interest and also walk away.
Tipping is not usual method in Myanmar, and also it's just foreigners that tip.
Taking in the sights in Myanmar
Credits: lonelyplanet.com
We were up and out most days for dawn as well as out cold by 10pm! The heat is typically intolerable throughout the peak sunlight hrs and the arrival of the visitor buses make it more difficult to get impressive pictures and also walk around easily.
Not anywhere on a map of Myanmar is open for exploration. The far north, mountainous location of Myanmar, together with the western Chin State and also the far, criminal activity levels are remarkably reduced.
Still, you should take the normal precautions of utilizing 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 dirty as well as there isn't always soap in bathrooms so use 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 bring something to cover your mouth and nose when biking around. Also take care with your air conditioning-- Myanmar can be as hot. As a result, several tourists use the a/c in their room yet sleeping in low temperatures can make you sick.
Fruit is easy to come by so top up your body immune system with nutrients that way. However, as it's often pre-cut, try to find a seller that has kept the flies away and also if it's sluiced with water, make certain it's filtered water.
Safety and security
Many government advisories alert against travel to parts of Rakhine (Rakhaing) State in western Myanmar, where clashes in between local authorities as well as the minority Muslim (Rohingya) communities has resulted in the mass displacement of thousands of people. A few other parts of the nation continue to be shut to foreigners because of conflict between the government as well as various ethnic armies clustered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These areas are primarily in Kachin as well as Shan States, close to the frontiers with China and also Thailand, and far from the significant traveler locations.
Accurate details on conflicts and closed locations can be challenging to find. Check your government's guidance before taking a trip, and ask about the situation when you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum is a good resource of information from visitors on the ground.
What to wear in Myanmar
A lot of the locals dress conservatively| as well as cover their shoulders and also legs in spite of the heat, as well as you will certainly make everyone much more comfortable if you do the same.
Knee length shorts, long skirts, elephant pants and tee shirts are the attire of choice. These are strongly encouraged and also commonly enforced for going into the temples and pagodas.
Credits: backpackinglikeaboss.com
Everybody 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 warm and also tick the 'traditional wear' box. They are practical for taking in the sights so get a cheap one a the market if you have the chance.
Flip flops are necessary! Getting in pagodas indicates going barefoot and also flip flops are the most effective footwear choice. Battling with laces in the blistering heat is an unwelcome distraction. Bring some cleansing wipes for your feet after going to a pagoda.
Myanmar is a conservative country so you'll blend better if you clothe conservatively (covering your knees and also shoulders). You will certainly find individuals in shorts and also strappy tops in the cities and also at the beach yet elsewhere it's much less usual.
Culture
Credits: parallelsandmeridians.com
The local individuals are incredibly genteel and also not used to confrontation so pack your good manners and your patience. Travelling can be irritating, hot and slow yet bear in mind: you selected to go to Myanmar and that it's not like being at home is no good reason to take it out on the locals. However, bargain hard with the taxi drivers.
You may get stopped a lot by citizens that want to talk. Visitors are no longer a novelty in most of Southeast Asia yet Myanmar is different. Normally the people are wonderful as well as are happy to appear in pictures as well as attempt as well as converse via limited common words or sign language.
You mayadditionally get stared at a great deal which is usually best handled by providing a smile as well as a mingalabar (hello in Burmese). Burmese English can be difficult to comprehend, be patient, listen hard as well as if you're spending for a guide, ensure they have great clear English before you book.
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The red stained pavements are a consequence of spitting red coloured saliva after eating betel quids, little parcels which contain tobacco, spices and areca nuts wrapped in a betel leaf. It's possibly popular| because it delivers a hit that amounts to six cups of coffee. However, as well as being dangerous when chewed long term, the byproduct is bright-red saliva which is spewed out, many times onto the ground.
Great deals of citizens have the tell tale red discolored teeth and also taxi drivers typically roll down the window in slow-moving traffic to spew after eating on the betel quids.
There is some begging by children in Myanmar and as heartbreaking as it is, you shouldn't give to the kids. Why not? Read this great 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 and also works as a sun block.
It's also common to hear a kissing noise in the cafes as well as restaurants as locals use the kissing sound as an ask for service. Apparently it's easier for staff to identify the area of the kissing audio so do not be distressed!
Burmese Phrases
Both essential expressions you require 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 ready for a lot of citizens 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 wish to hand over $20 for a load of washing, pick the items you truly need washing and also wash your smaller sized items yourself as you go.
Toiletries are easy 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 really common in developing nations where the plumbing system can't manage anything aside from bodily fluids.
Myanmar has that strange 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 multiple adaptors for European as well as North American 2-pin connects in addition to British three-pin.
Wi-fi is bad in Myanmar so you either have to get over it or, much better still, acquire a local SIM. You can get one at the majority of airport terminals when you land or in one of the shops in the street and the store staff will certainly have you set up in about 5 minutes. You can learn more concerning your network options here. Still, with 1 mbps taken into consideration to be a 'fast' connection, do not anticipate to be downloading videos whenever. On-line accessibility has improved, with wi-fi the norm-- most hotels, guesthouses as well as coffee shops have it free of charge-- and the net is now spreading tofarther areas. But tightly squeezed bandwidth and power interruptions can make using the internet a frustrating exercise.
Do your research in advance or pack a guidebook, as well as don't 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 backpack than a luggage. aren't optimal on dusty, sandy, unevenroadways. Entering as well as out of myriad forms of transport as well as hefting it up numerous steep staircases isn't much better.
Thanks for reading this guide to Top Traveling Tips for Myanmar