Top Myanmar Travel Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Change Its Name?
The country officially called Burma acquired independence in 1948 from occupying forces, but it had not been 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 viewed as a relic of the country's former British colonial past, and Myanmar as much more inclusive of the numerous ethnic groups in the country. Other names were additionally 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 and 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 as well as the concern: does it even matter?
Ideal Times to Go To Myanmar
There are generally three periods in which you can see Myanmar:
October to March: Dry, winter season
March to May: Hot, summer period
May to October: Damp, rainy season
The popular, high period is November to February when the weather is warm however not stifling, and draws in the greatest number of visitors. This, subsequently, makes the limited holiday accommodation options challenging to secure and will imply attempting to book in advance or deal with paying for the much more costly options left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature level rises in Myanmar and impending rains are due. There is a minimal number of visitors that makes it very easy to book holiday accommodation however it is exceptionally hot.
Visas
An e-Visa is available to travellers from these 100 nations.
To obtain one, go to the main e-Visa web site. You'll need to upload a passport photo and pay a cost of $50.
It takes under 10 mins to apply and also you should obtain approval 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 as well as enables you a 28 day stay in Myanmar
Obtaining a visa from your local consular office might be less costly-- if you intend to save some money, looking for a visa through your local Myanmar embassy might be less costly. As an example, the expense is simply ₤ 14 in the UK however $40 in the USA, so do your research and don't forget to factor in mailing costs.
It is only possible to get in Myanmar on an e-visa at Yangon, Mandalay as well as Nay Pyi Taw international airports; and at 3 Thai-Myanmar land border crossings Tachileik, Myawadi (Myawaddy) and also Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Check the immigration internet site for the most up to date at the time you travel.
Getting to Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the usual alternative for tourists as the initial mode of entry, with normal scheduled services from Bangkok. But, taking into consideration where Myanmar lies-- surrounded by China to the North and northeast, Thailand and also Laos to the east as well as India and Bangladesh to its west-- there are multiple for land access, although not every one of them are advised because of safety and security.
Regardless, you need to define a "Port of Entry" in your on-line application which denotes how you will certainly be reaching Myanmar. You will be given a listing of choices, where you will need to select one of the following:
Myanmar Designated International Airports:
Mandalay (located right in the middle of Myanmar)
Yangon (located in the south)
Nay Pyi Taw (positioned in between Mandalay as well as 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 border to western Thailand)
Kawthaung (in the southernmost part of Myanmar, in the Tanintharyi Region on the boundary of the Thai Peninsula as well as the collection of islands)
Tamu (in the Sagaing Region 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 border of Southeastern India).
In reality, 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 processing of your visa upon arrival.
You can exit at any one of the International Airports and also Land Boundary Checkpoints since your exit point does not require to be specified up front. In addition, you might leave at the Htikee Land Boundary Checkpoint, although entry from here is not possible.
Flying in and out of Yangon is cheaper as well as has more connections than Mandalay.
Getting around Myanmar-- Cross Country
Credit: myanmartours.us
Myanmar's local transportation alternatives may be discouraging but the cross country propositions are a lot more enticing.
Distances are far, road travel is sluggish and flying is budget friendly so it might be your much better choice.
You can still reserve flights the old-school 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, baggage claim can mean leaving the airport terminal and getting your bag off a trolley by the aircraft and flight announcements are made by a person holding up a sign and also calling your flight (in incomprehensible English). It really is an experience. And a great deal of fun if you don't let it get you stressed.Buses are affordable with competing businesses and also a series of luxury levels.
Credits: seawander.asia
Many buses travel overnight which is excellent for not losing a day of sightseeing and tour, but isn't so terrific for rest. Additionally, 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 till 2 p.m. That's a lot of hours waiting for a 'top-up' nap. Take into consideration if it will certainly be more affordable to fly if you're going to book accommodation the same night to rest straight away.
Buses are very cold, the luxury buses will give you a covering however, wear your warm layers.
Even the VIP bus doesn't have a toilet onboard so expect to stop every few hours for a food and toilet break-- a bit aggravating if you're trying to rest through the night.
Night buses are not sleeper buses, despite the fact that these are the buses which bring you to your destination around 3 or 4am. What's more, some still play their funky local music CD's and cheesy music videos up until the very early hours of the early morning. Pack your iPod, buy some durable extreme ear plugs or kindly ask for the sound to be switched off.
Never ever ask a driver regarding reaches of the southern Mon State as well as Tenasserim area are generally off-limits to travelers unless you have applied for a government visa in advance. In some locations you'll need a guide to chaperone you. Check before you make plans.
Getting off the beaten path is tough-- 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. Trying to do otherwise may be really costly.
Work your sightseeing and tour around the heat-- Myanmar is popular for its daybreaks and also sunsets, which likewise matches nicely with remaining indoors (perhaps for a nap or pool dip if you have one) during the mid-day warmth.
Anticipate to go barefoot a whole lot in temples on seriously unclean floors. In temples where birds are nesting or monkeys and dogs hangout, you can anticipate to step in a great deal of animal faeces while you're exploring Myanmar's temples. Socks aren't permitted either so you simply need 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 visitors. Respect 'do not climb/do not enter' signs and keep your voice down-- individuals will be praying.
Expect to pay an entry cost for Bagan as well as 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
Credits: tripadvisor.com
Hostels are slowly opening, implying you can rest in more inexpensive accommodation than you could a few years earlier. Things are slowly getting better for solo travellers, though prices are still a lot more of what you'll pay elsewhere in Southeast Asia.
Guesthouses are rustic however charming. The lodging offers a feeling for what a local house may be like, basic but perfectly decorated in teak) as well as the morning meal was usually exceptional. And also, it's nice to place money right into the hands of the residents, not some large brand chain.
Many hostels, hotels and also guesthouses provide a towel however you could need to offer up a refundable $10 deposit on check-in. Hotels will certainly additionally supply some form of toiletries. Some hostels and guesthouses do as well, however it can not be depended on.
Beware 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.
Book lodging and also transportation beforehand throughout peak season. The tourist market in Myanmar appears to have experienced a boom which the facilities has fallen short to maintain speed with. Most resorts are tiny and also boutique like thus if there's someplace certain you want to stay it's vital to book beforehand. It is especially essential to book ahead during high period (November to March). In some rural areas, monasteries will take travellers in for a small cost if there are no areas available. However don't depend on the local monks being able to help you out.
Food and Drink in Myanmar
Order local dishes: it is constantly the best choice. There are noodles at night bus stops, fermented tea leaf salads in local dining establishments as well as an amazing selection of curries and salads
Use chopsticks: Many items of cutlery are wiped with a not so fantastic looking water supply and dishcloth. Prepackaged chopsticks are an optimal option.
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 chefs have a tendency to go easy on travelers!
The fish is scrumptious and a wonderful, fresh option in the majority of restaurants.
There is rather a lot of sugar in the food as well as drinks. If you aren't a fan of sugar there's a choice to skip the sugar (tea, coffee, fresh blended juices), make certain you ask for 'no sugar'.
Salads feature heavily on menus but do not anticipate a fresh crunch-- most salads are marinaded and also seasoned in oil, salt and lime juice and also don't normally include salad leaves.
Hygiene standards are low in Myanmar and you may get ill once.
Street food isn't as prolific as various other places in Southeast Asia but you can discover it and also it's good. Street food will tend to be about 1,000-1,700 kyat a meal (under $2).
You can not consume the water but most hotels, hostels and also guesthouses supply totally free water either in bottles in your space or using a large water dispenser at reception. Or else, mineral water is very affordable.
Alcohol is extensively offered with beer, rum as well as whiskey being popular choices.
Beer stations are simple to discover as well as fun areas to get a beverage with the locals if you do not intend to being in a dining establishment.
Realize that there isn't a late night culture in Myanmar-- most dining establishments close by 9 p.m. and also bars do the same around 10-- 11 p.m. This is a nation where meditation at dawn is much more popular than late night drinking.
Big chains can not be located as well as brands are in short supply. Myanmar isn't a country of fast-food chains and also beyond drink brands like Coke and Schwepps Tonic, you're going to be getting local brands and consuming from local restaurants.
Stores are tiny, family owned affairs-- you will not find a 7-Eleven. There are a couple of comparable 'Grab 'n' Go' stores populated around, but mainly you're going to purchase snacks as well as drinks from tiny, local businesses. They can look a little bit intimidating, like you're intruding by walking in. Do not fret, just 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 locations has long been outlawed.
Health and Safety in Myanmar
Health
Myanmar is an exceptionally safe country-- a lot of the population is Buddhist and also with a belief in karma, crime levels are remarkably low.
Still, you need to take the usual safety measures of using hotel storage lockers or safes for your valuables. Female tourists should not experience any harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the money is gross and there isn't always soap in restrooms so utilize your sanitiser prior to you touch anything that will go near your mouth.
Watch out for the dust- Myanmar can be extremely dusty so do bring something to cover your mouth and also nose when biking around. Likewise take care with your a/c-- Myanmar can be as warm. Subsequently, lots of 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 body immune system with nutrients that way. However, as it's usually pre-cut, search for a vendor that has actually kept the flies away and also if it's sluiced with water, make certain it's filtered water.
Safety and security
Most government advisories alert against traveling to parts of Rakhine (Rakhaing) State in western Myanmar, where clashes in between local authorities as well as the minority Muslim (Rohingya) communities has actually brought about the mass displacement of countless individuals. Some other parts of the country remain closed to foreigners due to conflict between the government and various ethnic militaries clustered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These areas are mostly in Kachin and Shan States, near the frontiers with China and also Thailand, as well as far from the major traveler locations.
Accurate info on disputes and closed areas can be challenging to come by. Check your government's recommendations prior to travelling, and inquire about the situation once you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum is a good source of information from visitors on the ground.
What to wear in Myanmar
Most of the locals dress conservatively| and cover their shoulders as well as legs in spite of the heat, as well as you will make everybody more comfortable if you do the same.
Knee length shorts, long skirts, elephant pants as well as tees are the outfit of choice. These are strongly encouraged and also often enforced for getting in the temples and pagodas.
Credits: backpackinglikeaboss.com
Every person 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 warmth as well as tick the 'traditional wear' box. They are convenient for sightseeing and tour so grab an affordable one a the marketplace if you have the chance.
Flip flops are vital! Going into pagodas indicates going barefoot and flip flops are the most effective footwear choice. Battling with laces in the blistering heat is an undesirable distraction. Bring some cleaning wipes for your feet after seeing a pagoda.
Myanmar is a conservative country so you'll blend better if you dress conservatively (covering your knees as well as shoulders). You will certainly find individuals in shorts and also strappy tops in the cities and at the beach but somewhere else it's much less usual.
Culture
Credits: parallelsandmeridians.com
The local people are extremely genteel as well as not used to confrontation so pack your best manners and your patience. Travel can be discouraging, warm as well as sluggish however keep in mind: you selected to go to Myanmar and that it's not the same as 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 whole lot by citizens that want to talk. Vacationers are no more a novelty in the majority of Southeast Asia yet Myanmar is different. Usually individuals are charming as well as are happy to appear in pictures and also try and chat via limited common words or sign language.
You mayadditionally get stared at a great deal which is typically best dealt with by providing a smile and a mingalabar (hello in Burmese). Burmese English can be difficult to comprehend, be patient, listen hard and also if you're paying for a guide, make sure they have great 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, tiny parcels that contain tobacco, spices and also areca nuts wrapped in a betel leaf. It's possibly popular| since it supplies a hit that's equivalent to 6 cups of coffee. However, as well as being dangerous when chewed long term, the by-product is bright-red saliva which is spewed out, most times onto the ground.
Lots of citizens have the tell tale website red stained teeth and cab drivers frequently roll down the window in slow-moving 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 shouldn't give to the kids. 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 women. This is Thanaka, an aesthetic paste made from ground bark, which is a beauty item in Myanmar and likewise works as a sun block.
It's also common to hear a kissing sound in the cafes and dining establishments as locals make use of the kissing noise as an ask for service. Apparently it's less complicated for staff to recognize the location of the kissing noise so don't be distressed!
Burmese Phrases
Both most important phrases you require in Myanmar are:
Hey there: Ming-gu-la-bah
Thanks: Jay-zu-de-bar-dee
Not only is it respectful, yet it is well received. Be prepared for many locals 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 instead of kilo so try to turn up with your clothes laundered and unless you intend to turn over $20 for a load of washing, choose 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 need with you.
You can not flush toilet paper or sanitary products-- this is extremely typical in developing countries where the plumbing system can not handle anything aside from bodily fluids.
Myanmar has that strange 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 multiple adaptors for European and also North American 2-pin plugs as well as British three-pin.
Wi-fi is bad in Myanmar so you either have to overcome it or, much better still, buy a local SIM. You can obtain one at a lot of flight terminals when you land or in among the shops in the road as well as the store staff will certainly have you set up in about 5 minutes. You can find out more regarding your network choices below. Still, with 1 mbps thought about to be a 'fast' connection, do not expect to be downloading video clips any time. Online accessibility has actually improved, with wi-fi the norm-- most hotels, guesthouses as well as coffee shops have it for free-- as well as the net is now spreading tomore remote areas. Yet tightly squeezed bandwidth and power interruptions can make using the internet a discouraging exercise.
Do your research beforehand or pack a guidebook, and don't expect to Skype home very frequently, it's hardly possible to get a messenger service to operate at times!
You'll be better with a knapsack than a suitcase. Luggage aren't suitable on dusty, sandy, unevenroadways. Entering and also out of myriad forms|types|kinds} of transportation and hefting it up numerous steep staircases isn't far better.