Travel Tips

Climate

The climate of Myanmar is tropical with three main seasons hot season (summer), rainy season and cold season (winter). The summer season start from February to the mid of May, average temperature is 30-35 C. Although it’s a bit hot, our programs are designed to make traveling enjoyable as we avoid the heat by touring about in the mornings and evenings. The rainy season start from the mid of May to mid of October, average temperature is 25-30 C. Although it rains heavily in Yangon and Inle Lake, traveling in Myanmar during this season is still enjoyable because Mandalay and Bagan lie in dry zones where it barely rains. For Inle lake, rainy season is the best. The lake, the mountains, the stream, the paddy fields, everywhere is green and clean. This is the most beautiful time for Inle lake.  The cool season start from the mid of October to February, average temperature is 20-24C. Somewhere of the upper Myanmar, Shan State as popular destination Taunggyi, Kalaw (southern Shan State) has a temperature between 5 – 10 C and travelers may need to bring some warm clothes to tour around this area. This cool season is the best travelling to Myanmar.

Myanmar Standard Time

GMT + 6 ½ hours

Business Hours

Government offices open from 09:30 to 16:30 on weekdays. Banking hours are from 10:00 to 15:00. Private companies work daily except Sunday and gazette holidays from 09:00 to 17:30. Shopping centers and super markets open daily, but Bogyoke (Scott) Market closes on Monday and gazette holidays. Busy hours at this place are from 10:00 am to 17:00 pm.

What To Wear

Light clothing is required all year-round, but a sweater or jacket may be needed when traveling in hilly areas, especially during winter months. If visiting during the rainy season (May – September), an umbrella or raincoat will be required for the days in Inle Lake and Yangon. It is required to dress decently within the areas of religious buildings. Shoes and socks must be removed at pagodas and monasteries so it is advisable to bring a pair of flip-flops.

Electricity In Myanmar

The standard frequency is 50 Hz and the standard voltage is 230V . The power plugs and sockets are of type C, D, F and G and a flashlight is helpful when traveling up country where electricity is poor.

Travel Insurance

It is advisable to purchase travel insurance in your own country. It is very important to choose a reputable insurance company who has agent in Myanmar. Some of Myanmar Insurance Companies like FMI insurance, AIA Insurance, Capital Life Insurance and etc. can provide Travel Insurance services.

Myanmar Customs Declaration

All foreigners must be declared to the Customs at the airport. Foreign are required to declare above USD 2000, jewelries and electrical devices. Travelers may bring in duty free 200 cigarettes, one quart of wine and one print of perfume and export of Myanmar (Burma) antiques is prohibited. If you have plan to purchase Gems, Gold Smith and Jewelries, it is advisable to purchase at the licensed dealers, who can issue export permit are allowed to be taken out of Myanmar.

Myanmar Currency And Exchange

The monetary unit is the Kyat (pronounced ‘chat’), the symbol is ‘K’ for singular and ‘Ks’ for plural. The denomination notes are Kyat 10000, 5000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 & 1. Bank rates and market rates can vary from 3 to 5 Kyats depending on the bank and US Dollar is the most popular foreign currency in Myanmar.

Money Changer Counters

Tourists can easily change any foreign currency into Local Kyat at any exchange counters with market rate. Local currency Kyat can also withdraw three times a day from the ATMs and bank will charge about 5,000 kyat per transaction and daily withdraw limit is Kyat 1,000,000. Limit for one transaction is only Kyat 300,000.

Now a day credit cards; Master Card and Visa Cards are accepted in Myanmar especially in the tourism related businesses like hotels, travel agencies and high-end restaurants.

Internet

Internet access has improved. Free Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, guest houses, restaurants and cafes. You can even find internet access in remote areas. However, Internet access can be slow sometime so you cannot download large files.

Telecommunication

For many years SIM cards in Myanmar were expensive and difficult to obtain. But now four operators (MPT, Ooreedoo, Telenor and My Tel) are operating telecommunication services in Myanmar. SIM cards and top-up card can be bought at all convenience store and numerous retailers in every city.

Tipping

Tipping in Myanmar is depending on how well you think they have been at your service and tipping is not part of Myanmar Culture; tip is not a must and you can pay as you wish and depend o your satisfactory on the services that you get and enjoy. Some common practices are (i) Porter at airport, (ii) Porter at hotels, (iii) Car drivers and (iv) Your tour guides.

Cancellation Policy

In Myanmar, the cancellation policy of most hotels are twenty –one (21) days notice for group travels and seven (7) days notice for individual travels. Strict cancellation and deposit policies apply for bookings of river cruises, beach hotels and some small and beautiful boutique hotels. So the action of cancellation charges will occur according to the hotel cancellation policy.

International Flights To Myanmar

Myanmar has 3 gateways to enter, Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw.

Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai Air Asia, Air China, China Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airline, China Southern airlines, Dragon Air, Jet Star, Korean Air, Malaysia airline, Myanma Airways International, Nok Air, Qatar Airways, Silk Air, Singapore airlines, Tiger Air, Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet airlines fly to Yangon International Airport.

Bangkok Airways, Thai Air Asia, Silk Air, Myanmar Airway International Airlines and China Eastern Airlines landing at Mandalay International Airport.

Bangkok Airways and China Eastern Airlines fly to Nay Pyi Taw.

Entering By Border Crossing

For foreigners who want to come to Myanmar by border cross should already obtain Myanmar visa. Border crossing between Myanmar and Thailand; Thailand - Tachileik – Mae Sai, Myawaddy – Mae Saot, Kawthaung – Ranong and Htee Khee – Nan PhuRau Border crossing between Myanmar and China; Rue Li – Mu Se.

Food

Basically, Myanmar traditional food is curry and rice. So, the curry, salad, soup and cooked vegetables are eat together with rice at once. As we have many international standard restaurant, tourist can available also European, Thai, Chinese Food and Japanese etc..
We also recommend you to taste our Myanmar Food in your trip at least once. That is not so much spicy and sure you’ll be like it.