Top Myanmar Travel Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Change Its Name?
The nation formally called Burma gained independence in 1948 from occupying forces, however it had not been 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, as well as Myanmar as more inclusive of the numerous ethnic groups in the country. Various other names were also changed, which is why you will certainly see Rangoon now referred to as Yangon.
For tourism, Burma travel is Myanmar travel. Same same, as they say in Southeast Asia.
Both the names Burma and also Myanmar are still used interchangeably, on the ground as well as on the world stage. This write-up breaks down the modifications, what you 'should' say and also the inquiry: does it even matter?
Ideal Times to See Myanmar
There are generally 3 seasons in which you can go to Myanmar:
October to March: Dry, winter season
March to May: Hot, summertime period
May to October: Damp, rainy period
The popular, high season is November to February when the weather is warm but not stifling, and also brings in the greatest number of visitors. This, subsequently, makes the minimal holiday accommodation alternatives tricky to secure and will certainly indicate trying to book ahead or deal with paying for the a lot more pricey choices left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature level increases in Myanmar as well as approaching rainfalls are due. There is a limited number of vacationers that makes it easy to book lodging but it is extremely hot.
Visas
An e-Visa is offered to travellers from these 100 countries.
To obtain one, go to the main e-Visa web site. You'll need to submit a passport photo and also pay a cost of $50.
It takes under 10 minutes to apply and you should obtain 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 allows you a 28 day stay in Myanmar
Obtaining a visa from your local embassy may be cheaper-- if you intend to save some money, getting a visa by means of your local Myanmar consular office might be less costly. For instance, the price is just ₤ 14 in the UK but $40 in the United States, so do your research and also do not forget to factor in mailing expenses.
It is only possible to go into 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 Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Check the immigration site for the most recent at the time you take a trip.
Reaching Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the usual alternative for tourists as the first mode of entry, with normal scheduled services from Bangkok. However, thinking about where Myanmar lies-- surrounded by China to the North and northeast, Thailand and also Laos to the eastern and also India and Bangladesh to its west-- there are multiple methods for land entrance, although not every one of them are suggested because of safety.
No matter, you have to define a "Port of Entry" in your online application which denotes how you will be reaching Myanmar. You will be provided a listing of options, where you will need to choose one of the following:
Myanmar Designated International Airports:
Mandalay (located right in the middle of Myanmar)
Yangon (located in the south)
Nay Pyi Taw (situated in between Mandalay as well as Yangon)
Going Across 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 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 border town 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 stay with the one you originally stated if possible to avoid any kind of hold up in the processing of your visa upon arrival.
You can exit 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 might exit at the Htikee Land Boundary Checkpoint, although entrance from here is not possible.
Flying in as well as out of Yangon is less expensive and has much more links than Mandalay.
Getting around Myanmar-- Cross Country
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Myanmar's local transport alternatives may be frustrating but the long distance propositions are much more enticing.
Distances are far, road travel is sluggish and also flying is budget friendly so it might be your better choice.
You can still book flights the traditional way by wandering into a travel agent.
Flying within Myanmar is a little bit like flying in the older days-- check-in includes ticking people off a list of printed names, baggage claim can mean leaving the airport and grabbing your bag off a trolley by the airplane as well as flight announcements are made by a person holding up a sign and also calling your flight (in incomprehensible English). It actually is an experience. As well as a lot of fun if you don't let it get you stressed.Buses are inexpensive with competing companies and a variety of deluxe levels.
Credits: seawander.asia
Many buses travel overnight which is fantastic for not losing a day of sightseeing, yet isn't so excellent for rest. Additionally, you'll have a tendency to arrive at odd times in the early morning as well as won't have the ability to check into your hostel or hotel till 2 p.m. That's a lot of hours awaiting a 'top-up' nap. Consider if it will be cheaper to fly if you're going to book accommodation the exact same evening to sleep immediately.
Buses are very cold, the luxury buses will offer you a blanket however, use your warm layers.
Even the VIP bus does not have a toilet onboard so expect to stop every couple of hours for a food as well as toilet break-- a bit irritating if you're attempting to sleep 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 as well as cheesy music videos until the 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 ask a vehicle driver about reaches of the southerly Mon State and also Tenasserim area are usually out-of-bounds to tourists unless you have actually applied for a government visa beforehand. In some areas you'll require a guide to chaperone you. Check before you make plans.
Getting off the beaten path is challenging-- even within the 'open' parts, Myanmar's developing infrastructure indicates that there are established routes you can travel and you'll have a hard time to go otherwise. Attempting to do otherwise could be very costly.
Work your sightseeing around the heat-- Myanmar is renowned for its daybreaks as well as sunsets, which likewise corresponds perfectly with staying indoors (perhaps for a snooze or pool dip if you have one) throughout the mid-day .
Anticipate to go barefoot a whole lot in temples on seriously grubby floorings. In temples where birds are nesting or monkeys and also dogs hangout, you can anticipate to step in a lot of animal faeces while you're discovering Myanmar's temples. Socks aren't allowed either so you just need to get used to it. Have wipes for your feet so you can clean off some after each visit.
Be a mindful temple visitor, the majority of Myanmar's temples are places of worship, not just sights for tourists. Respect 'do not climb/do not enter' indicators and keep your voice down-- individuals will be praying.
Anticipate to pay an access fee for Bagan as well as Inle Lake-- this cost is charged to all foreigners and there's no getting around it. The charges are: Bagan-- $20; Inle Lake-- $10.
Holiday accommodation in Myanmar
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Hostels are slowly opening, meaning you can sleep in low-cost accommodation than you could a few years back. Things are slowly getting better for solo visitors, though costs are still a lot more of what you'll pay in other places in Southeast Asia.
Guesthouses are rustic however enchanting. The holiday accommodation gives a feel for what a local house could be like, basic yet wonderfully decorated in teak wood) and also the morning meal was generally remarkable. And also, it's nice to put money into the hands of the residents, not some large brand chain.
Many hostels, hotels and also guesthouses provide a towel but you may have to offer up a refundable $10 deposit on check-in. Hotels will also supply some form of toiletries. Some hostels and 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 access your bed. Check before you go out for the night.
Reserve accommodation and transportation beforehand throughout peak season. The tourist sector in Myanmar appears to have experienced a boom which the infrastructure has actually fallen short to maintain pace with. Most resorts are small and also boutique like so if there's somewhere specific you intend to stay it's important to book beforehand. It is specifically vital to book in advance during high period (November to March). In some rural areas, monasteries will take visitors in for a small cost if there are no spaces readily available. However do not rely on the local monks being able to help you out.
Food and also Drink in Myanmar
Order local dishes: it is always the best option. There are noodles at night bus stops, fermented tea leaf salads in local dining establishments and also an impressive range of curries as well as salads
Use chopsticks: Many pieces of cutlery are cleaned with a not so terrific looking water supply and also dishcloth. Packaged chopsticks are an excellent choice.
Inform the staff if you do not eat something. If you like a little spice in your meals mention just how much spice you like as the chefs have a tendency to go easy on vacationers!
The fish is scrumptious as well as a great, fresh choice in a lot of dining establishments.
There is rather a great deal of sugar in the food and also beverages. If you aren't a fan of sugar there's a choice to skip the sugar (tea, coffee, freshly blended juices), make sure you ask for 'no sugar'.
Salads feature heavily on menus but do not anticipate a fresh crunch-- most salads are marinated and seasoned in oil, salt as well as lime juice as well as don't generally include salad leaves.
Hygiene standards are reduced in Myanmar and you might get sick once.
Street food isn't as prolific as other locations in Southeast Asia however you can locate it and also it's excellent. Street food will tend to be about 1,000-1,700 kyat a dish (under $2).
You can not drink the water however most hotels, hostels as well as guesthouses supply free water either in bottles in your room or through a big water dispenser at reception. Otherwise, mineral water is extremely cheap.
Alcohol is extensively offered with beer, rum as well as scotch being prominent options.
Beer stations are easy to locate as well as fun places to get a beverage with the locals if you don't wish to being in a dining establishment.
Know that there isn't a late night culture in Myanmar-- most restaurants close by 9 p.m. and bars follow suit around 10-- 11 p.m. This is a nation where meditation at daybreak is much more prominent than late night drinking.
Huge chains can't be located and also brands are in short supply. Myanmar isn't a nation of fast-food chains as well as beyond beverage brand names like Coke as well as Schwepps Tonic, you're going to be buying local brand names as well as consuming from local restaurants.
Shops are little, family owned affairs-- you will not find a 7-Eleven. There are a couple of equivalent 'Grab 'n' Go' stores dotted around, yet mainly you're going to buy treats and drinks from small, local businesses. They can look a little bit intimidating, like you're intruding by walking in. Don't fret, just step in, they want your business.
There are people smoking indoors- this can be a shock if you come from a country where smoking cigarettes in public locations has actually long been prohibited.
Health and Safety in Myanmar
Health
Myanmar is an extremely safe area-- the majority of the populace is Buddhist and with an idea in karma, criminal activity levels are remarkably low.
Still, you need to take the typical preventative measures of utilizing hotel lockers or safes for your valuables. Female travellers should not experience any type of harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the money is dirty and 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. Additionally take care with your a/c-- Myanmar can be as warm. Subsequently, numerous travellers use the a/c in their room however sleeping in low temperature levels can make you sick.
Fruit is simple to come by so top up your immune system with nutrients in this way. Nonetheless, as it's often pre-cut, look for a seller that has actually kept the flies away and also if it's sluiced with water, make certain it's filtered water.
Safety
A lot of government advisories alert against travel to parts of Rakhine (Rakhaing) State in western Myanmar, where clashes in between local authorities and also the minority Muslim (Rohingya) communities has resulted in the mass displacement of thousands of individuals. Some other parts of the country stay shut to foreigners because of dispute between the government and also various ethnic militaries gathered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These areas are mostly in Kachin and also Shan States, near to the frontiers with China and also Thailand, and also far from the significant tourist destinations.
Exact info on conflicts and also closed areas can be difficult to find. Check your government's guidance before travelling, and inquire about the situation once you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum is a great resource of news from tourists on the ground.
What to wear in Myanmar
Most of the locals dress conservatively| and also cover their shoulders and legs in spite of the high temperatures, as well as you will certainly make everyone much more comfortable if you do the same.
Knee length shorts, long skirts, elephant pants as well as tees are the attire of choice. These are strongly encouraged and often enforced for entering 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 males and females. Several vacationers pick one up as they're breezy in the warmth and tick the 'conservative wear' box. They are convenient for sightseeing and tour so get one a the market if you have the chance.
Flip flops are vital! Going into pagodas indicates going barefoot as well as flip flops are the most effective footwear selection. Dealing with shoelaces in the scorching heat is an undesirable interruption. Bring some cleaning wipes for your feet after seeing a pagoda.
Myanmar is a conservative nation so you'll blend better if you dress conservatively (covering your knees and shoulders). You will certainly find people in shorts and strappy tops in the cities as well as at the beach but elsewhere it's much less typical.
Culture
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The local individuals are remarkably genteel as well as not used to confrontation so pack your best manners as well as your patience. Travelling can be frustrating, warm and also sluggish however keep in mind: you chose to check out Myanmar which it's not like being at home is no good reason to take it out on the residents. Nonetheless, haggle hard with the taxi drivers.
You may get stopped a lot by citizens who want to talk. Vacationers are no longer a novelty in most of Southeast Asia yet Myanmar is different. Typically the people are wonderful as well as are happy to appear in pictures as well as try and also talk through minimal common words or sign language.
You mayadditionally get stared at a great deal which is usually best handled by offering a smile as well as a mingalabar (hello in Burmese). Burmese English can be difficult to comprehend, be patient, listen hard and if you're paying for a guide, make certain they have good 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 areca nuts covered in a betel leaf. It's most likely popular| because it provides a hit that amounts to six mugs of coffee. But, as well as being dangerous when chewed long term, the byproduct is bright-red saliva which is spewed out, most times onto the ground.
Lots of residents have the tell tale red discolored teeth and also taxi drivers commonly roll down the window in slow traffic to spew after eating on the betel quids.
There is some begging by youngsters in Myanmar and also as heartbreaking as it is, you shouldn't give to the youngsters. Why not? Read this fantastic post by Uncornered Market.
Credits: mekongtourism.org
It's common to see yellow circles pasted on the faces of the Burmese ladies. This is here Thanaka, a cosmetic paste made from ground bark, which is a beauty product in Myanmar and also functions as a sunscreen.
It's also common to hear a kissing noise in the cafes as well as restaurants as residents utilize the kissing noise as a call for service. Apparently it's simpler for staff to determine the place of the kissing sound so do not be alarmed!
Burmese Phrases
The two crucial expressions you need in Myanmar are:
Hello: Ming-gu-la-bah
Thanks: Jay-zu-de-bar-dee
Not only is it respectful, however it is well received. Be ready for a lot of residents to giggle in response-- they are not mocking you; they are just not expecting it.
Other practical concerns in Myanmar
Laundry is typically done by hand and is charged per item instead of kilo so try to show 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 items on your own as you go.
Toiletries are very easy to find by however tampons are not so bring what you require with you.
You can't flush toilet paper or sanitary products-- this is really common in developing nations where the plumbing system can not handle anything besides bodily fluids.
Myanmar has that weird 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 and also 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, much better still, buy a local SIM. You can obtain one at many airport terminals when you land or in one of the stores in the road as well as the store personnel will have you set up in about 5 mins. You can find out more regarding your network choices below. Still, with 1 mbps thought about to be a 'rapid' link, don't expect to be downloading video clips at any time. On-line access has improved, with wi-fi the norm-- most hotels, guesthouses as well as coffee shops have it free of cost-- and also the internet is currently spreading tofarther areas. Yet tightly squeezed bandwidth as well as power interruptions can use the net a frustrating exercise.
Do your research ahead of time or pack a guidebook, as well as don't expect to Skype home extremely frequently, it's hardly possible to get a messenger service to operate at times!
You'll be much better with a knapsack than a luggage. Travel suitcases aren't excellent 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