Top Myanmar Travel Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Modify Its Name?
The country formally called Burma got independence in 1948 from occupying forces, however it had not been till 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 nation's previous British colonial past, as well as Myanmar as more inclusive of the many ethnic groups in the nation. Other names were likewise 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 as well as Myanmar are still made use of interchangeably, on the ground as well as on the world stage. This short article breaks down the changes, what you 'should' say and also the inquiry: does it even matter?
Best Times to See Myanmar
There are usually three periods in which you can go to Myanmar:
October to March: Dry, winter
March to May: Hot, summertime period
May to October: Damp, rainy period
The popular, high period is November to February when the weather is warm but not stifling, as well as draws in the greatest number of visitors. This, subsequently, makes the minimal accommodation options tricky to secure and also will mean attempting to book ahead or face paying out for the more pricey alternatives left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature level rises in Myanmar and impending rainfalls are due. There is a minimal number of tourists which makes it very easy to book holiday accommodation yet it is unbelievably warm.
Visas
An e-Visa is offered to travellers from these 100 countries.
To obtain one, go to the official e-Visa web site. You'll be required to upload a passport photo and pay a charge of $50.
It takes under 10 mins 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 also permits you a 28 day stay in Myanmar
Getting a visa from your local consular office might be more affordable-- if you wish to save some cash, getting a visa through your local Myanmar embassy might be less costly. For example, the cost is simply ₤ 14 in the UK however $40 in the U.S.A., so do your research as well as do not fail to remember to consider mailing costs.
It is only possible to enter Myanmar on an e-visa at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw international airports; and at three Thai-Myanmar land border crossings Tachileik, Myawadi (Myawaddy) and also Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Read the immigration web site for the current at the time you travel.
Getting to Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the normal choice for visitors as the initial mode of entry, with routine scheduled services from Bangkok. But, taking into consideration where Myanmar lies-- surrounded by China to the North as well as northeast, Thailand and Laos to the eastern and also India as well as Bangladesh to its west-- there are multiple methods for land access, although not all of them are suggested because of safety and security.
Regardless, you have to specify a "Port of Entry" in your on-line application which denotes how you will be getting to Myanmar. You will certainly be given a listing of choices, from which you will require to select among 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 also Yangon)
Going Across at Land Boundary Checkpoints:
Tachileik (in the Shan State of eastern Myanmar on the border to north 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 and the collection of islands)
Tamu (in the Sagaing Region of northwestern Myanmar on the boundary 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).
Actually, you can enter Myanmar at any designated "Port of Entry" but it is best to stick to the one you initially specified preferably to prevent any kind of hold up in the handling of your visa upon arrival.
You can exit at any of the International Airports as well as Land Boundary Checkpoints since your exit point does not need to be mentioned up front. Furthermore, you may exit at the Htikee Land Border Checkpoint, although entry from here is not possible.
Flying in and out of Yangon is cheaper and also has more links than Mandalay.
Navigating Myanmar-- Long Distance
Credit: myanmartours.us
Myanmar's local transport alternatives may be discouraging however the cross country propositions are far more attractive.
Distances are far, road travel is sluggish as well as flying is budget friendly so it may be your much better option.
You can still book flights the old-school method by wandering into a travel agent.
Flying within Myanmar is a little bit like flying in the older days-- check-in entails ticking individuals off a listing of printed names, luggage claim can mean leaving the airport as well as getting your bag off a cart by the plane as well as flight announcements are made by an individual holding up a sign and also calling your flight (in incomprehensible English). It truly is an experience. And also a lot of fun if you don't let it get you stressed.Buses are inexpensive with competing businesses and also a series of deluxe levels.
Credits: seawander.asia
Most buses travel over night which is great for not losing a day of sightseeing, however isn't so excellent for rest. Additionally, you'll tend to arrive at odd times in the morning and will not have the ability to check into your hostel or hotel till 2 p.m. That's a lot of hrs awaiting a 'top-up' nap. Think about if it will be less expensive to fly if you're going to book accommodation the exact same night to take a nap straight away.
Buses are extremely chilly, the high-end buses will certainly provide you a covering but, use your warm layers.
Even the VIP bus does not have a toilet onboard so expect to stop every few hrs for a food and also toilet break-- a little bit irritating if you're trying to sleep 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 even more, some still play their funky local song CD's as well as cheesy music videos until 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 shut off.
Never ask a vehicle driver about reaches of the southern Mon State and Tenasserim area are normally out-of-bounds to travelers unless you have obtained a government visa ahead of time. In some locations you'll require a guide to chaperone you. Check before you make plans.
Leaving the beaten path is tough-- even within the 'open' parts, Myanmar's developing infrastructure implies that there are set routes you can travel and you'll struggle to go differently. Attempting to do otherwise may be very pricey.
Work your sightseeing around the heat-- Myanmar is famous for its daybreaks and sundowns, which also matches perfectly with remaining inside (maybe for a nap or pool dip if you have one) throughout the mid-day heat.
Anticipate to go barefoot a lot in temples on seriously grubby floorings. In temples where birds are nesting or monkeys and dogs hangout, you can anticipate to step in a lot of animal faeces while you're checking out Myanmar's temples. Socks aren't allowed either so you simply have to get used to it. Have wipes for your feet so you can wipe some after each visit.
Be a thoughtful temple visitor, the majority of Myanmar's temples are places of worship, not just views for vacationers. Respect 'do not climb/do not enter' signs and also keep your voice down-- people will certainly be praying.
Expect to pay an access charge for Bagan and also Inle Lake-- this fee is charged to all foreigners and there's no getting around it. The costs are: Bagan-- $20; Inle Lake-- $10.
Lodging in Myanmar
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Hostels are gradually opening up, implying you can rest in low-cost accommodation than you could a couple of years earlier. Things are slowly getting better for solo tourists, though prices are still much more of what you'll pay somewhere else in Southeast Asia.
Guesthouses are rustic yet lovely. The lodging offers a feeling for what a local house might be like, basic but magnificently decorated in teak wood) and the breakfast was generally superior. Plus, it's nice to put cash right into the hands of the citizens, not some big brand chain.
Most hostels, hotels as well as guesthouses supply a towel however you may need to offer up a refundable $10 down payment on check-in. Hotels will certainly likewise provide some form of toiletries. Some hostels as well as guesthouses do also, however it can't be counted on.
Be careful about the curfew-- some guesthouses might lock the door at night, leaving you unable to get to your bed. Check before you go out for the night.
Reserve holiday accommodation and also transportation beforehand throughout peak period. The tourist market in Myanmar seems to have actually experienced a boom which the facilities has actually fallen short to keep pace with. A lot of resorts are little and boutique like so if there's somewhere certain you wish to stay it's important to book ahead of time. It is especially vital to book ahead during high period (November to March). In some rural areas, monasteries will take tourists in for a small charge if there are no areas offered. However don't rely upon the local monks being able to help you out.
Food and 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 dining establishments and also an amazing selection of curries and salads
Use chopsticks: Lots of items of cutlery are wiped with a not so excellent looking water supply and dishcloth. Prepackaged chopsticks are a perfect choice.
Inform the staff if you don't eat something. If you like a little spice in your dishes specify just how much spice you like as the cooks tend to go easy on vacationers!
The fish is scrumptious and an excellent, fresh alternative in many dining establishments.
There is quite a great deal of sugar in the food and also beverages. If you aren't a fan of sugar there's an option to skip the sugar (tea, coffee, newly blended juices), make certain you request for 'no sugar'.
Salads feature greatly on food selections yet don't anticipate a fresh crunch-- most salads are marinated and also seasoned in oil, salt and also lime juice and don't generally include salad leaves.
Hygiene standards are reduced in Myanmar and also you could get ill once.
Street food isn't as prolific as various other areas in Southeast Asia yet 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 consume the water yet most hotels, hostels and also guesthouses supply cost-free water either in bottles in your area or via a large water dispenser at reception. Or else, mineral water is really inexpensive.
Alcohol is extensively available with beer, rum as well as whiskey being popular options.
Beer stations are easy to locate and also fun locations to get a drink with the locals if you do not wish to being in a restaurant.
Understand that there isn't a late night culture in Myanmar-- most restaurants close by 9 p.m. and bars do the same around 10-- 11 p.m. This is a nation where meditation at sunrise is more preferred than late night drinking.
Large chains can't be located as well as brands remain in short supply. Myanmar isn't a country of fast-food chains and also beyond beverage brand names like Coke as well as Schwepps Tonic, you're going to be buying local brand names and consuming from local restaurants.
Shops are small, family owned affairs-- you will not find a 7-Eleven. There are a couple of equivalent 'Grab 'n' Go' shops populated about, but mostly you're going to get snacks and also drinks from tiny, local businesses. They can look a bit intimidating, like you're intruding by walking in. Do not worry, simply step in, they want your business.
There are people smoking indoors- this can be a surprise if you come from a nation where smoking in public areas has actually long been banned.
Health and Safety in Myanmar
Health
Myanmar is an incredibly safe country-- a lot of the population is Buddhist and with an idea in karma, criminal activity levels are extremely reduced.
Still, you need to take the usual safety measures of making use of hotel lockers or safes for your valuables. Women tourists should not experience any kind of harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the cash is gross and there isn't always soap in restrooms so use your sanitiser before you touch anything that will go near your mouth.
Keep an eye out for the dust- Myanmar can be extremely dusty so do bring something to cover your mouth and also nose when cycling around. Additionally take care with your a/c-- Myanmar can be as warm. Consequently, many visitors use the a/c in their room however sleeping in low temperature levels can make you unwell.
Fruit is simple to find so top up your immune system with nutrients this way. However, as it's commonly pre-cut, search for a seller that has kept the flies away and if it's sluiced with water, make sure it's filtered water.
Safety
The majority of government advisories advise against traveling to parts of Rakhine (Rakhaing) State in western Myanmar, where clashes between local authorities and the minority Muslim (Rohingya) communities has actually led to the mass displacement of countless people. Some other parts of the nation remain shut to foreigners as a result of dispute between the government as well as different ethnic armies clustered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These areas are mainly in Kachin as well as Shan States, near to the frontiers with China and Thailand, and also far from the significant traveler locations.
Exact information on problems as well as closed areas can be hard to come by. Check your government's recommendations prior to taking a trip, as well as inquire about the situation once you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum is an excellent source 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 legs in spite of the heat, and you will certainly make everyone much more comfortable if you do the same.
Knee length shorts, long skirts, elephant pants and tees are the attire of choice. These are strongly encouraged as well as frequently enforced for getting in the temples and also pagodas.
Credits: backpackinglikeaboss.com
Everyone uses skirts-- males and females alike-- the longyi, a long skirt, is the popular traditional dress in Myanmar for both males and females. Numerous vacationers pick one up as they're breezy in the warmth and tick the 'conservative wear' box. They are convenient for taking in the sights so get an affordable one a the market if you have the chance.
Flip flops are important! Entering pagodas means going barefoot and flip flops are the very best footwear option. Dealing with shoelaces in the scorching 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 much better if you dress conservatively (covering your knees and shoulders). You will find individuals in shorts and also strappy tops in the cities as well as at the beach however somewhere else it's less common.
Culture
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The local individuals are incredibly genteel and also not used to confrontation so pack your best manners and your patience. Travelling can be irritating, warm as well as sluggish but keep in mind: you chose to visit Myanmar and that it's not the same as being at home is no good reason to take it out on the locals. Nevertheless, haggle hard with the cab drivers.
You may get stopped a great deal by residents who want to talk. Travelers are no longer a novelty in a lot of Southeast Asia however Myanmar is different. Typically individuals are charming and are happy myanmar airways international to appear in pictures as well as attempt as well as converse with minimal typical words or sign language.
You mayalso get stared at a great deal which is usually best handled by providing a smile and a mingalabar (hello there in Burmese). Burmese English can be difficult to comprehend, be patient, listen hard and also if you're paying for a guide, ensure they have excellent 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 and areca nuts wrapped in a betel leaf. It's most likely popular| since it supplies a hit that amounts to 6 mugs of coffee. Yet, as well as being dangerous when chewed long term, the by-product is bright-red saliva which is spewed out, the majority of times onto the ground.
Lots of locals have the tell tale red stained teeth and also cab drivers often roll down the window in slow traffic to spit after chewing on the betel quids.
There is some begging by kids in Myanmar and also as heartbreaking as it is, you should not give to the youngsters. 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 ladies. This is Thanaka, a cosmetic paste made from ground bark, which is a beauty product in Myanmar and likewise functions as a sunscreen.
It's also common to hear a kissing noise in the cafes and also dining establishments as citizens make use of the kissing sound as an ask for service. Apparently it's much easier for staff to determine the area of the kissing noise so don't be upset!
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 courteous, however it is well received. Be prepared for most residents 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 garments washed as well as unless you intend to turn over $20 for a load of washing, choose the items you really require washing and clean your smaller sized items yourself as you go.
Toiletries are easy to find by but tampons are not so bring what you require with you.
You can't flush toilet tissue or sanitary products-- this is extremely common in developing nations where the plumbing system can't manage anything aside from bodily fluids.
Myanmar has that weird half-hour difference| to its time area so it's 6 and a half hours ahead of GMT.
Most of the plug sockets of Myanmar have numerous 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 overcome it or, better still, get a local SIM. You can obtain one at many airport terminals when you land or in one of the shops in the road and the shop personnel will have you set up in about 5 minutes. You can find out more regarding your network options below. Still, with 1 mbps thought about to be a 'quick' link, don't expect to be downloading videos at any time. On-line accessibility has actually improved, with wi-fi becoming the norm-- most hotels, guesthouses as well as coffee shops have it absolutely free-- and the internet is currently spreading tomore remote places. However tightly squeezed bandwidth as well as power blackouts can use the net an aggravating exercise.
Do your research ahead of time 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 work at times!
You'll be much better with a backpack than a travel suitcase. Suitcases aren't perfect on dusty, sandy, unevenroads. Getting in and out of myriad forms of transportation and also hefting it up several high stairs isn't far better.
Thanks for reading this guide to Top Traveling Tips for Myanmar