Top Myanmar Travelling Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Change Its Name?
The country formally referred to as Burma acquired independence in 1948 from occupying forces, however it had not been up until 1989 that the ruling military junta  altered the nation's name from Burma to Myanmar following a military coup.
Politically, the name Burma was seen as a relic of the country's previous British colonial past, and also Myanmar as more inclusive of the numerous ethnic groups in the nation. Other names were additionally altered, 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 also Myanmar are still made use of interchangeably, on the ground and on the world stage. This post breaks down the changes, what you 'should' say and the question: does it even matter?
Ideal Times to Visit Myanmar
There are typically 3 periods in which you can see Myanmar:
October to March: Dry, winter season
March to May: Hot, summertime season
May to October: Damp, rainy season
The popular, high period is November to February when the weather condition is warm but not stifling, and also attracts the greatest number of visitors. This, in turn, makes the minimal accommodation alternatives tricky to secure as well as will certainly indicate attempting to book in advance or deal with paying for the a lot more pricey alternatives left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature level climbs in Myanmar as well as approaching rainfalls are due. There is a limited number of travelers which makes it easy to book accommodation yet it is exceptionally warm.
Visas
An e-Visa is readily available to tourists from these 100 nations.
To obtain one, go to the main e-Visa web site. You'll need to submit a passport photo as well as pay a charge of $50.
It takes under 10 minutes to apply as well as you should get authorization within 3 working days.
Print out your e-Visa letter, show it when you arrive and you're in.
Your e-Visa letter stands for 90- days from the date of issue and allows you a 28 day stay in Myanmar
Getting a visa from your local embassy might be less costly-- if you want to save some cash, looking for a visa by means of your local Myanmar embassy might be cheaper. For example, the cost is just ₤ 14 in the UK but $40 in the U.S.A., so do your research and don't fail to remember to consider mailing costs.
It is only possible to enter Myanmar on an e-visa at Yangon, Mandalay and also Nay Pyi Taw international airports; as well as at 3 Thai-Myanmar land border crossings Tachileik, Myawadi (Myawaddy) and Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Read the immigration website for the most up to date at the time you travel.
Getting to Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the typical alternative for tourists as the first mode of access, with normal scheduled services from Bangkok. However, considering where Myanmar is located-- surrounded by China to the North and northeast, Thailand as well as Laos to the east and also India as well as Bangladesh to its west-- there are numerous avenues for land entry, although not every one of them are recommended due to safety.
Regardless, you need to specify a "Port of Entry" in your online application which denotes how you will certainly be getting to Myanmar. You will be provided a listing of options, from which you will certainly require to choose one of the following:
Myanmar Designated International Airports:
Mandalay (situated right in the center of Myanmar)
Yangon (situated in the south)
Nay Pyi Taw (situated in between Mandalay and also Yangon)
Going Across at Land Boundary Checkpoints:
Tachileik (in the Shan State of eastern Myanmar on the boundary to northern Thailand)
Myawaddy (in the Kayin State of southeastern Myanmar on the boundary to western Thailand)
Kawthaung (in the southernmost part of Myanmar, in the Tanintharyi Area on the boundary of the Thai Peninsula as well as 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 border village of Khawmawi in the northwestern Chin State of Myanmar on the boundary of Southeastern India).
In reality, you can go into Myanmar at any designated "Port of Entry" however it is best to stay with the one you initially stated preferably to prevent any kind of hold up in the processing of your visa upon arrival.
You can leave at any of the International Airports and Land Boundary Checkpoints because your exit point does not need to be mentioned up front. Additionally, you may leave at the Htikee Land Boundary Checkpoint, although access from here is not possible.
Flying in and also out of Yangon is less costly as well as has much more connections than Mandalay.
Navigating Myanmar-- Cross Country
Credit: myanmartours.us
Myanmar's local transportation alternatives may be frustrating yet the long distance propositions are far more appealing.
Distances are far, road travel is sluggish as well as flying is economical so it might be your far better option.
You can still book flights the traditional means by wandering into a travel agent.
Flying within Myanmar is a bit like flying in the older days-- check-in includes ticking individuals off a listing of printed names, luggage claim can mean leaving the airport as well as grabbing your bag off a cart by the airplane as well as 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 a lot of fun if you don't let it get you stressed.Buses are affordable with competing firms and a variety of high-end levels.
Credits: seawander.asia
Most buses travel over night which is wonderful for not losing a day of sightseeing, yet isn't so terrific for sleep. Likewise, you'll tend to reach at odd times in the early morning and will not have the ability to check into your hostel or hotel up until 2 p.m. That's a lot of hours waiting for a 'top-up' nap. Think about if it will certainly be less costly to fly if you're going to book accommodation the very same night to sleep immediately.
Buses are really chilly, the luxury buses will certainly offer you a covering but, use your warm layers.
Even the VIP bus doesn't have a toilet onboard so anticipate to stop every couple of hrs for a food and toilet break-- a little bit irritating 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 more, some still play their funky local music CD's and tacky music videos till the very early hours of the early morning. Pack your iPod, purchase some durable extreme ear plugs or kindly ask for the sound to be turned off.
Never ask a driver regarding reaches of the southerly Mon State and Tenasserim region are typically off-limits to vacationers unless you have requested a government visa beforehand. In some places you'll need a guide to chaperone you. Check before you make plans.
Getting off the beaten path is hard-- even within the 'open' parts, Myanmar's developing infrastructure implies that there are established routes you can travel and you'll have a hard time to go otherwise. Attempting to do otherwise might be very pricey.
Work your sightseeing around the heat-- Myanmar is well-known for its dawns and sunsets, which additionally matches perfectly with remaining indoors (perhaps for a snooze or pool dip if you have one) during the mid-day warmth.
Anticipate to go barefoot a whole lot in temples on seriously unclean floorings. In temples where birds are nesting or monkeys and also 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 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, most of Myanmar's temples are places of worship, not simply views for tourists. Respect 'do not climb/do not enter' indicators and keep your voice down-- individuals will certainly be praying.
Expect to pay an entry fee for Bagan and also Inle Lake-- this fee is charged to all foreigners and there's no getting around it. The charges are: Bagan-- $20; Inle Lake-- $10.
Accommodation in Myanmar
Credits: tripadvisor.com
Hostels are gradually opening, meaning you can sleep in more inexpensive accommodation than you could a couple of years ago. Things are gradually getting better for solo tourists, though prices are still much more of what you'll pay in other places in Southeast Asia.
Guesthouses are rustic but enchanting. The accommodation provides a feel for what a local house may be like, basic however beautifully decorated in teak) and the breakfast was typically remarkable. And also, it's nice to place cash into the hands of the residents, not some large brand chain.
The majority of hostels, hotels as well as guesthouses give a towel yet you could have to offer up a refundable $10 down payment on check-in. Hotels will certainly additionally provide some form of toiletries. Some hostels and also guesthouses do as well, but it can't be depended on.
Be cautious 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.
Reserve accommodation and also transportation beforehand during peak season. The tourist sector in Myanmar appears to have experienced a boom which the facilities has actually fallen short to keep pace with. The majority of resorts are little as well as boutique like so if there's somewhere specific you intend to stay it's essential to book in advance. It is especially essential to book ahead during high season (November to March). In some rural areas, monasteries will take visitors in for a small charge if there are no rooms readily available. However don't count on the local monks being able to help you out.
Food and also Drink in Myanmar
Order local dishes: it is constantly the best selection. There are noodles at night bus stops, fermented tea leaf salads in local restaurants and an incredible selection of curries as well as salads
Use chopsticks: Numerous items of cutlery are wiped with a not so excellent looking water supply as well as dishcloth. Packaged chopsticks are a perfect choice.
Inform the staff if you don't eat 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 visitors!
The fish is delicious and also a terrific, fresh alternative in many restaurants.
There is quite a great deal of sugar in the food and also drinks. If you aren't a fan of sugar there's an option to skip the sugar (tea, coffee, freshly blended juices), make certain you request for 'no sugar'.
Salads feature greatly on food selections but don't expect a fresh crunch-- most salads are marinaded as well as seasoned in oil, salt as well as lime juice as well as do not typically include salad leaves.
Hygiene standards are reduced in Myanmar and also you may get ill once.
Street food isn't as prolific as various other locations in Southeast Asia however you can discover it as well as it's great. Street food will tend to be about 1,000-1,700 kyat a meal (under $2).
You can't drink the water yet most hotels, hostels and also guesthouses supply cost-free water either in bottles in your area or via a huge water dispenser at reception. Or else, bottled water is extremely affordable.
Alcohol is extensively offered with beer, rum as well as scotch being popular choices.
Beer stations are simple to find and enjoyable locations to get a drink with the locals if you do not intend to sit in a dining establishment.
Realize that there isn't a late night culture in Myanmar-- most dining establishments close by 9 p.m. as well as bars follow suit around 10-- 11 p.m. This is a country where meditation at dawn is more preferred than late night alcohol consumption.
Big chains can not be discovered and brand names are in short supply. Myanmar isn't a nation of fast-food chains as well as beyond drink brand names like Coke and also Schwepps Tonic, you're going to be buying local brands and consuming from local restaurants.
Stores are little, family owned affairs-- you won't locate a 7-Eleven. There are a few equivalent 'Grab 'n' Go' shops populated around, yet mostly you're going to buy snacks and beverages from small, local businesses. They can look a little bit intimidating, like you're intruding by strolling in. Don't fret, simply step in, they want your business.
There are individuals smoking indoors- this can be a shock if you come from a country where smoking cigarettes in public places has long been banned.
Health and Safety in Myanmar
Health
Myanmar is an exceptionally safe area-- the majority of the populace is Buddhist and with a belief in karma, criminal activity levels are incredibly low.
Still, you ought to take the usual safety measures of making use of hotel storage lockers or safes for your belongings. Female travellers should not experience any type of harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the money is unclean and also there isn't always soap in bathrooms so use your sanitiser before you touch anything that will certainly go near your mouth.
Look out for the dust- Myanmar can be really dusty so do carry something to cover your mouth and nose when cycling around. Likewise take care with your a/c-- Myanmar can be as hot. As a result, lots of tourists use the a/c in their room but sleeping in low temperatures can make you ill.
Fruit is easy to come by so top up your immune system with nutrients this way. Nevertheless, as it's usually pre-cut, try to find a vendor that has actually kept the flies away and also if it's sluiced with water, ensure it's filtered water.
Safety and security
Most government advisories alert against travel to parts of Rakhine (Rakhaing) State in western Myanmar, where clashes between local authorities and the minority Muslim (Rohingya) communities has actually brought about the mass displacement of countless people. Some other parts of the nation continue to be closed to foreigners due to problem in between the government as well as different ethnic armies gathered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These locations are mostly in Kachin and also Shan States, near to the frontiers with China as well as Thailand, and also far from the significant traveler locations.
Precise information on problems and closed locations can be hard to find. Check your government's advice before travelling, and inquire about the situation when you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum is a great source of information from travellers on the ground.
What to wear in Myanmar
A lot of the locals dress conservatively| as well as cover their shoulders and also legs despite the high temperatures, and you will make everyone a lot more comfortable if you follow suit.
Knee length shorts, long skirts, elephant pants as well as t-shirts are the outfit of choice. These are highly encouraged and usually enforced for going into the temples and also pagodas.
Credits: backpackinglikeaboss.com
Everyone wears skirts-- males and females alike-- the longyi, a long skirt, is the popular traditional dress in Myanmar for both men and women. Lots of visitors 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 a cheap one a the market if you have the chance.
Flip flops are necessary! Entering pagodas means going barefoot and flip flops are the very best footwear selection. Dealing with shoelaces 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 much better if you dress conservatively (covering your knees as well as shoulders). You will find people in shorts and strappy tops in the cities as well as at the beach however somewhere else it's less typical.
Culture
Credits: parallelsandmeridians.com
The local people are extremely genteel as well as not used to confrontation so pack your best manners as well as your patience. Travelling can be irritating, warm as well as sluggish but remember: you selected to visit Myanmar which it's not like being at home is no good reason to take it out on the residents. However, haggle hard with the cab drivers.
You may get stopped a great deal by locals that intend to talk. Travelers are no longer a novelty in a lot of Southeast Asia however Myanmar is different. Generally individuals are charming as well as more than happy to appear in pictures and attempt as well as converse with minimal typical words or sign language.
You mayadditionally get stared at a lot which is usually best handled by providing a smile as well as a mingalabar (hello in Burmese). Burmese English can be hard to understand, be patient, listen hard and if you're spending for a guide, ensure they have good clear English before you book.
Credits: toddholdenarmstrong.blogspot.com
The red stained pavements are a consequence of spewing red coloured saliva after chewing betel quids, little parcels which contain tobacco, spices as well as areca nuts covered in a betel leaf. It's most likely popular| due to the fact that it delivers a hit that amounts to 6 mugs of coffee. But, as well as being dangerous when chewed long term, the spin-off is bright-red saliva which is spat out, a lot of times onto the ground.
Great deals of locals have the tell tale red stained teeth as well as cab drivers frequently roll down the window in sluggish traffic to spit after eating on the betel quids.
There is some begging by youngsters in Myanmar and as heartbreaking check here 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 likewise works as a sun block.
It's also common to hear a kissing sound in the coffee shops as well as dining establishments as residents utilize the kissing noise as a call for service. Apparently it's much easier for staff to recognize the area of the kissing audio so do not be surprised!
Burmese Phrases
Both crucial 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 prepared for most 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 billed per item rather than kilo so try to show up with your clothing laundered as well as unless you want to hand over $20 for a load of washing, pick the items you actually need washing and clean your smaller items on your own as you go.
Toiletries are easy to find by yet tampons are not so bring what you need with you.
You can not flush toilet tissue or sanitary products-- this is very usual in developing nations where the plumbing system can't cope with anything aside from bodily fluids.
Myanmar has that odd half-hour difference| to its time zone so it's 6 and a half hrs ahead of GMT.
Most of the plug sockets of Myanmar have numerous adaptors for European as well as North American 2-pin plugs as well as British three-pin.
Wi-fi is bad in Myanmar so you either have to get over it or, much better still, get a local SIM. You can get one at most airport terminals when you land or in one of the stores in the street as well as the store staff will certainly have you set up in about 5 minutes. You can read more regarding your network selections right here. Still, with 1 mbps thought about to be a 'fast' connection, do not anticipate to be downloading videos at any time. On-line access has improved, with wi-fi coming to be the standard-- most hotels, guesthouses and cafes have it completely free-- and also the internet is currently spreading tofarther locations. Yet tightly squeezed bandwidth and also power failures can use the net a discouraging exercise.
Do your research in advance or pack a guidebook, and don't anticipate 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 travel suitcase. Suitcases aren't optimal on dusty, sandy, unevenroadways. Getting in and out of myriad forms of transport and hefting it up several high stairs isn't better.
Thanks for reading this guide to Top Traveling Tips for Myanmar