Good to know before you go to Myanmar

Travel tips and travel advices – basically here you can find general information about how to obtain visa to Myanmar, currency usage, transportation in Myanmar and more

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Passport and Visa

Visitors must have a valid passport (at least 6 month from date of entry in to Myanmar)

There are two options to obtain tourist visa into Myanmar

EVT – Entry Visa for Tourists

Can be obtained at any Myanmar Embassy/Consulate offices.

  • Tourist Visa @ US$ 30 with 28 days stay
  • Business Visa @ US$ 40 with 70 days stay
  • Social Visa @ US$ 40 with 28 days stay
  • Transit Visa @ US$ 18 with 24 hours stay

All travelers will get a set of document by the airline which needs to be filled and submit to immigration authority at Yangon and Mandalay Int’l airport respectively.

E – Visa

Another way to get the tourist visa is to apply E-visa. E-visa system has been launched at Yangon International airport starting from 1st September 2014. Please go to this link for application http://evisa.moip.gov.mm/. The process will take 3 days up to one week only and the visa confirmation letter will be sent to designate e-mail address. You have to print out this confirmation letter and show it at the airport immigration with the passport. The visa confirmation letter is valid for 3 months. E-Visa (tourist visa) is just for single entry and 28 days stay in Myanmar. E-Visa application fee is US $ 50 per pax and it has to be paid by credit card. You can find more detailed information on above mentioned website. Please check carefully terms and conditions and the details on the website.

(Note: When you fill up the passport data in on-line form, please be minded all to be correct. After you submitted and if some data are wrong (for eg. date of birth or passport no.), you will have resume the whole application and pay another $50.)

Custom's formalities on arrival

Regulations are generally relaxed for tourists arriving by air in Yangon. Visitors must complete immigration and customs declaration forms during the flight and submit these on arrival. All foreign currencies (if bring more then US$ 10,000) may be declare at Custom. Traveler’s check, jewelry, cameras and electronic goods etc must be recorded on the customs form which may be checked on departure. Bringing in or taking out Myanmar currency is not allowed. Gems and jewellery purchased from authorized dealers are allowed to be taken out however antiques are not allowed to be taken out of the country.

Language and Communication

Language in Myanmar

The national language is Myanmar. English language is not widely spoken except at the tourist areas such as airports, hotels and tourist sites. Our guides are multilingual but we provide only English language guide on most trekking routes.

Communication in Myanmar

Overseas calls can be made through International direct dial phones available at Telephone offices and hotels. Internet and e-mail can be available at most hotels and internet cafés in Yangon. Free Wi-Fi is available at hotels. Once you are in up country excess via email is getting limited however IDD fax service is available at most hotels in up country. The local Sim-card and top-up cards can be purchased easily in Myanmar at reasonable price.

Currency Usage and Exchange

Central Bank of Myanmar announced on the 13th October 2015 that they have revoked foreign exchange licenses held by hotels, airlines, travel agencies and other businesses in order to prevent the depreciation of Myanmar currency (Kyats). It is affected starting from 19th October 2015.

Therefore, only Myanmar currency (Kyats) is possible for own expenses in Myanmar by cash payment although the payment at major hotels and restaurants can be paid with visa/master card.

Visa Card, Credit Card and traveler checks can be used for cash withdrawing (Myanmar Kyat only) as well in 24 hour ATM machines.

Myanmar currency is Kyat(s) and the denominations are K-1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000. There are money exchange counters at the airports and public area. The counters stock Euro, US Dollar, Singapore Dollar, Thai Baht and Malaysia Ringgit with exchange rate updated twice a day. The tourists are allowed to exchange the money up to US $ 10,000 (or other currencies equivalent to US $ 10,000) with their passports.

Banks and Government offices open at 09:00 till 16:00, Monday through Friday. Most private offices open at 09:30 till 17:00, Monday through Friday and 09:30 till 12:00 on Saturday. Offices are closed on Sunday and public holidays.

Transportation

Myanmar is a considerably large country with better road condition. There are several luxury buses plies between Yangon and all major cities in Myanmar. There are ten domestic airlines served all major tourist destinations. Myanmar has a great river system and both express ferries and luxury cruises are plying both schedule and charter basis. Private taxis are available in Yangon and other major cities however, they do not have meter. Be sure to negotiate the fare before getting. Taxis can also be hired for day outings at a fixed price. Hotels can organize taxis or private cars. These two-seater tricycles are a fun way to see the sites but they mostly have limited access with in the cities. Be sure to negotiate the fare before getting on. Bicycles can be rented from bike shops or hotels by the hour or day.

Health

The same precautions as anywhere else. Drink only bottled or boiled water, avoid eating raw vegetables, and eat fruits that you can peel or cut yourself. It’s important to use insect repellent to keep mosquitoes away which could cause malaria and in the worse scenario case dengue fever. Use sunscreen literally when exposed to the intense, tropical sun. A 24-hour, medical clinic, with internationally trained medical staff is available in major cities. However such facility is limited once you leave the cities.

Climate

The average highest temperature in Myanmar would be 36-40 °C and the average coldest temperature would be 20 °C. The best time to travel in Myanmar is from October to March weather-wise.

What to wear

Please dress with respect and have respect for the Culture and Religion. Light clothing, cotton and cool fabrics are suitable the whole year around. For winter, sweater or sport coat and may be socks are needed in places like Kalaw, Inle, in Shan State, as it is quite cold during the night. Wearing shorts skirts, miniskirts or revealing clothing are forbidden in Pagoda and Temples. Foot wears; please bring Sandals as it is convenient. Guest are requested to take-off their foot wears at every religious site and when entering private home for polite sake. Flip- flops or Myanmar slippers can be purchased locally.

What to bring

An antibiotic pills and cream for minor cuts and scratches, prescription medicines prescribed by a doctor, insect repellent, especially for mosquito are recommended to bring. Bring umbrella or rain coat if you travel during rainy Season and for trekking program, bring hiking shoes. And also bring hat, Sun glasses, Sun protection for your face and body.

What to Eat and Drink

Avoid tap water and drink only bottled water and soft drinks that haven’t been opened yet. For hygiene reasons, eat only in decent restaurants. When not available, always eat heated food. Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.

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