Top Myanmar Travel Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Change Its Name?
The nation officially referred to as Burma got independence in 1948 from occupying forces, however it had not been up until 1989 that the ruling military junta altered the country'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 Myanmar as a lot more inclusive of the many ethnic groups in the country. Other names were likewise altered, which is why you will see Rangoon now 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 utilized interchangeably, on the ground and on the world stage. This post breaks down the changes, what you 'should' say and also the inquiry: does it even matter?
Best Times to See Myanmar
There are normally 3 seasons 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 season is November to February when the weather is warm however not stifling, and also brings in the greatest number of visitors. This, in turn, makes the limited accommodation options challenging to secure and will indicate trying to book in advance or deal with paying for the much more pricey options left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature level rises in Myanmar and impending rains are due. There is a limited number of vacationers that makes it very easy to book holiday accommodation yet it is incredibly hot.
Visas
An e-Visa is available to travellers from these 100 nations.
To obtain one, go to the official e-Visa internet site. You'll need to submit a passport photo and also pay a charge of $50.
It takes under 10 minutes to apply and 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 is valid for 90- days from the date of issue and allows you a 28 day stay in Myanmar
Getting a visa from your local embassy may be cheaper-- if you want to save some money, getting a visa using your local Myanmar embassy may be less costly. For instance, the expense is just ₤ 14 in the UK yet $40 in the U.S.A., so do your research and also do not 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 also Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Check the immigration website for the most up to date at the time you travel.
Getting to Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the usual choice for travellers as the very first mode of access, with routine scheduled services from Bangkok. Yet, considering where Myanmar lies-- surrounded by China to the North and also northeast, Thailand and Laos to the eastern and India and Bangladesh to its west-- there are numerous for land access, although not all of them are encouraged due to security.
No matter, you must define a "Port of Entry" in your on the internet application which denotes how you will be getting to Myanmar. You will certainly be given a listing of options, where you will certainly need to pick one of the following:
Myanmar Designated International Airports:
Mandalay (located right in the middle of Myanmar)
Yangon (located in the south)
Nay Pyi Taw (situated in between Mandalay and Yangon)
Crossing at Land Border 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 border to western Thailand)
Kawthaung (in the southernmost part of Myanmar, in the Tanintharyi Region on the border of the Thai Peninsula as well as the collection of islands)
Tamu (in the Sagaing Area 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 boundary of Southeastern India).
In reality, you can go into Myanmar at any designated "Port of Entry" yet it is best to adhere to the one you originally mentioned if possible to prevent any hold up in the handling of your visa upon arrival.
You can exit at any one of the International Airports and Land Boundary Checkpoints since your exit point does not require to be stated up-front. Furthermore, you might leave at the Htikee Land Boundary Checkpoint, although entry from here is not possible.
Flying in and out of Yangon is cheaper and has a lot more links than Mandalay.
Getting around Myanmar-- Long Distance
Credit: myanmartours.us
Myanmar's local transportation alternatives might be frustrating but the cross country propositions are much more appealing.
Distances are far, road travel is slow and also flying is budget-friendly so it may be your far better choice.
You can still reserve flights the traditional way by wandering right into a travel agent.
Flying within Myanmar is a 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 terminal and getting your bag off a cart by the aircraft and flight announcements are made by an individual holding up a sign and calling your flight (in incomprehensible English). It actually is an experience. And a great deal of fun if you don't let it get you stressed.Buses are inexpensive with competing firms and a range of high-end levels.
Credits: seawander.asia
The majority of buses travel over night which is wonderful for not losing a day of sightseeing, however isn't so fantastic for sleep. Additionally, you'll tend to reach at weird times in the morning and won't have the ability to check into your hostel or hotel until 2 p.m. That's a great deal of hours waiting on a 'top-up' snooze. Take into consideration if it will be less expensive to fly if you're going to book accommodation the exact same night to rest immediately.
Buses are very cold, the luxury buses will provide you a covering however, wear your warm layers.
Even the VIP bus doesn't have a toilet onboard so expect to stop every couple of hrs for a food and also toilet break-- a little bit discouraging if you're attempting 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 song CD's as well as tacky video up until the early hours of the morning. Pack your iPod, invest in some sturdy extreme ear plugs or kindly request for the sound to be shut off.
Never ever ask a vehicle driver about reaches of the southerly Mon State and also Tenasserim region are typically off-limits to travelers unless you have applied for a government visa in advance. In some locations you'll require 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 struggle to go any other way. Trying to do otherwise may be extremely expensive.
Work your sightseeing around the heat-- Myanmar is popular for its dawns and also sundowns, which additionally corresponds nicely with staying inside (maybe for a snooze or pool dip if you have one) throughout the mid-day .
Anticipate to go barefoot a whole lot in temples on seriously grubby floors. In temples where birds are nesting or monkeys as well as dogs hangout, you can anticipate to step in a lot of animal faeces while you're discovering Myanmar's temples. Socks aren't allowed either so you just have to get used to it. Have wipes for your feet so you can wipe some after each visit.
Be a considerate temple visitor, the majority of Myanmar's temples are places of worship, not simply sights for tourists. Respect 'do not climb/do not enter' signs and keep your voice down-- individuals will certainly be praying.
Expect to pay an access cost for Bagan and also Inle Lake-- this cost 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 slowly opening, implying you can rest in cheaper accommodation than you could a couple of years earlier. Things are slowly improving for solo visitors, though prices are still much more of what you'll pay somewhere else in Southeast Asia.
Guesthouses are rustic but enchanting. The accommodation provides a feeling for what a local house could be like, basic but perfectly decorated in teak) and also the morning meal was usually remarkable. Plus, it's nice to put cash right into the hands of the locals, not some big brand chain.
A lot of hostels, hotels as well as guesthouses provide a towel but you may need to provide a refundable $10 deposit on check-in. Hotels will additionally provide some form of toiletries. Some hostels as well as guesthouses do also, yet it can not 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 in advance during peak season. The tourist market in Myanmar seems to have actually experienced a boom which the facilities has actually fallen short to maintain speed with. Most hotels are small and boutique like so if there's somewhere specific you want to stay it's essential to book ahead of time. It is especially essential to book in advance during high period (November to March). In some rural areas, monasteries will take visitors in for a small charge if there are no areas readily available. Yet do not count on the local monks being able to help you out.
Food as well as Drink in Myanmar
Order local dishes: it is always the best selection. There are noodles during the night bus stops, fermented tea leaf salads in local dining establishments and also an amazing selection of curries and also salads
Use chopsticks: Lots of pieces of cutlery are cleaned with a not so excellent looking water supply as well as dishcloth. Packaged chopsticks are a perfect option.
Inform the staff if you don't consume something. If you like a little spice in your dishes mention how much spice you like as the chefs often tend to go easy on visitors!
The fish is delicious and also a wonderful, fresh choice in most dining establishments.
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 alternative to skip the sugar (tea, coffee, newly blended juices), make certain you ask for 'no sugar'.
Salads feature heavily on food selections but do not anticipate a fresh crunch-- most salads are marinaded as well as seasoned in oil, salt and lime juice and do not generally feature salad leaves.
Hygiene standards are reduced in Myanmar and also you might get sick once.
Street food isn't as prolific as other areas in Southeast Asia but you can discover it and 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 yet most hotels, hostels and also guesthouses supply totally free water either in bottles in your space or using a big water dispenser at reception. Otherwise, bottled water is extremely affordable.
Alcohol is extensively offered with beer, rum and whiskey being popular options.
Beer stations are simple to discover as well as fun locations to get a beverage with the locals if you don't wish to sit in a restaurant.
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 daybreak is much more prominent than late night drinking.
Large chains can not be located as well as brand names are in short supply. Myanmar isn't a nation of fast-food chains and also beyond beverage brands like Coke and Schwepps Tonic, you're going to be getting local brands as well as consuming from local dining establishments.
Stores are little, family owned affairs-- you won't find a 7-Eleven. There are a couple of comparable 'Grab 'n' Go' stores populated around, but primarily you're going to get snacks and beverages from small, local businesses. They can look a little bit intimidating, like you're intruding more info by strolling in. Don't fret, just step in, they want your business.
There are individuals smoking indoors- this can be a surprise if you come from a country where smoking cigarettes in public locations has actually long been prohibited.
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, criminal activity levels are extremely low.
Still, you need to take the typical precautions of utilizing hotel lockers or safes for your belongings. Women tourists should not experience any type of harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the cash is dirty and also there isn't always soap in bathrooms so use your sanitiser prior to you touch anything that will certainly go near your mouth.
Keep an eye out for the dust- Myanmar can be very dusty so do carry something to cover your mouth and also nose when cycling around. Likewise take care with your a/c-- Myanmar can be as hot. As a result, several tourists use the a/c in their room but sleeping in low temperatures can make you ill.
Fruit is very easy to find so top up your immune system with nutrients that way. Nevertheless, as it's typically 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 warn against travel to parts of Rakhine (Rakhaing) State in western Myanmar, where clashes between local authorities as well as the minority Muslim (Rohingya) communities has caused the mass displacement of countless people. A few other parts of the nation continue to be shut to foreigners as a result of problem in between the government as well as various ethnic armies clustered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These locations are primarily in Kachin as well as Shan States, near to the frontiers with China as well as Thailand, as well as far from the major traveler destinations.
Exact info on disputes as well as closed areas can be challenging to come by. Check your government's advice before taking a trip, and inquire about the situation when you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum is a great 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 high temperatures, and also you will make everybody much more comfortable if you follow suit.
Knee length shorts, long skirts, elephant pants and also t-shirts are the clothing of choice. These are strongly encouraged as well as commonly enforced for getting in the temples as well as pagodas.
Credits: backpackinglikeaboss.com
Everyone wears skirts-- men and women alike-- the longyi, a long skirt, is the popular traditional dress in Myanmar for both men and women. Many visitors pick one up as they're breezy in the warm and also tick the 'conservative wear' box. They are convenient for sightseeing so get a cheap one a the market if you have the chance.
Flip flops are crucial! Going into pagodas indicates going barefoot and flip flops are the very best footwear selection. Struggling with shoelaces in the scorching heat is an unwelcome distraction. Bring some cleansing wipes for your feet after checking out a pagoda.
Myanmar is a conservative nation so you'll blend much better if you clothe conservatively (covering your knees and shoulders). You will find people in shorts as well as strappy tops in the cities as well as at the beach yet in other places it's much less common.
Culture
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The local people are extremely genteel as well as not used to confrontation so pack your good manners and your patience. Travel can be frustrating, hot 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 locals. However, haggle hard with the cab drivers.
You may get stopped a whole lot by citizens that want to talk. Visitors are no more a novelty in a lot of Southeast Asia but Myanmar is different. Normally the people are wonderful and also more than happy to appear in photographs as well as try as well as speak through limited common words or sign language.
You maylikewise get stared at a whole lot which is typically best handled by offering a smile and also a mingalabar (hi in Burmese). Burmese English can be hard to understand, be patient, listen hard and also if you're paying for a guide, make sure they have excellent clear English before you book.
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The red stained pavements are a consequence of spewing red coloured saliva after eating betel quids, tiny parcels that contain tobacco, spices and areca nuts wrapped in a betel leaf. It's probably popular| since it delivers a hit that's equivalent to six 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 residents have the tell tale red stained teeth as well as cab drivers commonly roll down the window in slow traffic to spit after chewing on the betel quids.
There is some begging by children in Myanmar and also as heartbreaking as it is, you shouldn't give to the kids. Why not? Read this great short article by Uncornered Market.
Credits: mekongtourism.org
It's common to see yellow circles pasted on the faces of the Burmese girls. This is Thanaka, an aesthetic paste made from ground bark, which is a beauty product in Myanmar and likewise acts as a sunscreen.
It's also common to hear a kissing noise in the coffee shops and also restaurants as citizens make use of the kissing noise as a call for service. Apparently it's much easier for staff to recognize the location of the kissing sound so don't be surprised!
Burmese Phrases
Both crucial expressions you require in Myanmar are:
Hello: Ming-gu-la-bah
Thanks: Jay-zu-de-bar-dee
Not only is it polite, however it is well received. Be prepared for many residents to giggle in response-- they are not mocking you; they are just not anticipating it.
Various other practical concerns in Myanmar
Laundry is generally done by hand and also is billed per item as opposed to kilo so try to show up with your garments laundered as well as unless you want to hand over $20 for a load of washing, pick the items you actually require washing as well as wash your smaller sized items on your own as you go.
Toiletries are simple to find by however tampons are not so bring what you need with you.
You can't flush toilet tissue or sanitary products-- this is extremely typical in developing countries where the plumbing system can not manage anything other than 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 plugs along with British three-pin.
Wi-fi is bad in Myanmar so you either have to overcome it or, much better still, purchase a local SIM. You can obtain one at many airport terminals when you land or in among the shops in the road and the store staff will certainly have you set up in about 5 minutes. You can find out more regarding your network choices right here. Still, with 1 mbps thought about to be a 'fast' link, do not expect to be downloading video clips whenever. On-line access has actually improved, with wi-fi becoming the norm-- most hotels, guesthouses and also cafes have it totally free-- and also the internet is now spreading tomore remote areas. But tightly squeezed bandwidth as well as power outages can make using the net a frustrating exercise.
Do your research ahead of time or pack a guidebook, and also don't expect to Skype home extremely frequently, it's hardly possible to get a messenger service to work at times!
You'll be better with a knapsack than a travel suitcase. Suitcases aren't suitable on dusty, sandy, unevenroadways. Entering and also out of myriad forms|types|kinds} of transport and hefting it up numerous steep stairs isn't far better.