Best Time to Travel

The dry season in Myanmar is considered to be the best time to travel to the country as the weather will be most cooperative and the temperatures tend to be a bit cooler than they are during the rainy season.  Dry (high) season generally lasts from December through February.  Though the period moving into the high season (October-November) and the period moving out of the high season (March-April) can also prove to be good times to visit the country.

Electricity

230V/50hz plugs.

Many places in Myanmar have generators that only allow for the electricity to turn on during the evening hours.

Exchange rate and currency

The currency in Myanmar is Kyat.

1 Kyat = .00078USD

.00064GBP

.0010AUSD

.00071Euro

.027THB

Daily budget

Budget travelers: Up to $50/day

Mid-range travelers: Up to $100/day

Top-end travelers: $150+/day

Visas

Everyone traveling to Myanmar will need to acquire a 28 day tourist visa (or a 70 day business visa) upon arrival or by using the eVisa option before arrival.  The tourist visa should cost $70, while the business visa should cost $90.

Traveling around Myanmar

Most places in Myanmar are accessible by overland transportation, though there are a few more remote locations that can only be reached by air or water. Here is some general information about the different modes of transportation that can be found in Myanmar:

Flights are fast and the schedules are relatively reliable.  However, most domestic airlines are usally either run by the government or local tourism companies and people should be wary of who they book with.

Buses travel frequently between major tourist attractions and big cities.  The prices tend to be more affordable and overnight buses are very common.

Car travel can be a bit expensive but gives travelers the luxury of choosing what time of day they would like to leave.  Bear in mind that for some regions of Myanmar, you will need a government-approved guide and driver when traveling by car.

Boats are obviously only available in certain parts of the country and can be quite slow for anyone that is on a tight schedule.  That being said, traveling by boat does provide a unique and beautiful experience as well as offering travelers the opportunity to interact with locals.

Trains are another slow form of travel and the schedules tend to be unreliable.  That being said, some of the most beautiful views of Myanmar can be seen by train.

Dangers and Annoyances

When hiking, bring appropriate footwear, bring a guide, and stick to trails that suit your physical abilities.  Bear in mind that rescue services and administration may not be up to the standard that you would expect in your own country.

Come equipped with mosquito repellent.

Myanmar has one of the highest incidences of death by snakebite in the world.  Keep this in mind when walking on any trails or through the countryside.

It is not uncommon to see a few rodents in your guesthouse or homestay.

There are a few places where you will find monkeys congregate hoping for snacks from tourists.  Tread with caution as they have been known to bite people.

Police are very willing to help and the government feels a strong obligation to protect foreigners and tourists.

Theft is punished severely in Myanmar (especially when foreigners are involved), making stealing and pickpocketing unlikely.

If you are arrested in Myanmar, you will have little to no opportunity for legal recourse.  Remember that you are traveling in a foreign country, respect their laws and their culture and do any necessary research in order to make sure you don’t end up in the hands of law enforcement.

Whilst touts in Myanmar are not as aggressive as in other countries in Southeast Asia, this is subject to change as Myanmar become more popular among tourists and travelers.  The most common “scam” is due to the commission that one may have to pay a taxi or a trishaw driver for taking them to a hotel, restaurant or touristic site.  One should also be wary of touts steering them towards particular hotels and restaurants as this is usually a ploy for a commission that they’ll be paid for this recommendation.

Do not change your money on the street.

Required/Recommended Vaccinations

Anyone traveling from Africa or South America within six days of entering Myanmar will be asked to provide proof of a yellow-fever vaccination.  The World Health Organization also recommends the following vaccines:

• Adult diptheria
• Tetanus
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Measles, mumps, and Rubella
• Polio
• Typhoid
• Varicella