Top Myanmar Travel Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Modify Its Name?
The country formally known as Burma acquired independence in 1948 from occupying forces, however it wasn't till 1989 that the ruling military junta changed 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 former British colonial past, and Myanmar as much more inclusive of the numerous ethnic groups in the nation. Other names were likewise altered, 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 also Myanmar are still utilized interchangeably, on the ground and on the world stage. This write-up breaks down the changes, what you 'should' say as well as the inquiry: does it even matter?
Best Times to Go To Myanmar
There are generally 3 periods in which you can go to Myanmar:
October to March: Dry, winter
March to May: Hot, summer period
May to October: Wet, rainy season
The popular, high period is November to February when the weather is warm yet not stifling, and draws in the greatest number of visitors. This, in turn, makes the limited lodging alternatives tricky to secure and also will imply attempting to book in advance or face paying for the more expensive alternatives left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature level increases in Myanmar as well as impending rains are due. There is a limited number of tourists that makes it easy to book lodging however it is incredibly hot.
Visas
An e-Visa is available to travellers from these 100 countries.
To get one, go to the main e-Visa web site. You'll be required to submit a passport photo as well as pay a cost of $50.
It takes under 10 minutes to apply as well as you should get 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 and allows you a 28 day stay in Myanmar
Getting a visa from your local consular office might be less expensive-- if you want to save some cash, getting a visa by means of your local Myanmar embassy may be cheaper. For example, the cost is just ₤ 14 in the UK but $40 in the United States, so do your research as well as don't neglect to factor in mailing costs.
It is only possible to get in Myanmar on an e-visa at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw international airports; and also at 3 Thai-Myanmar land border crossings Tachileik, Myawadi (Myawaddy) and also Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Read the immigration site for the latest at the time you travel.
Reaching Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the typical alternative for visitors as the initial mode of access, with routine scheduled services from Bangkok. But, thinking about where Myanmar lies-- surrounded by China to the North and also northeast, Thailand and also Laos to the east as well as India and also Bangladesh to its west-- there are multiple avenues for land entrance, although not all of them are advised due to safety.
No matter, you must specify a "Port of Entry" in your on the internet application which denotes just how you will certainly be getting to Myanmar. You will be provided a listing of choices, from which you will require to select one of 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 boundary 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 cluster 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 town of Khawmawi in the northwestern Chin State of Myanmar on the border of Southeastern India).
In truth, you can enter Myanmar at any designated "Port of Entry" however it is best to adhere to the one you initially mentioned if possible to prevent any kind of hold up in the handling of your visa upon arrival.
You can exit at any of the International Airports and Land Border Checkpoints because your exit point does not need to be stated up-front. In addition, you may exit at the Htikee Land Boundary Checkpoint, although access from here is not possible.
Flying in and out of Yangon is cheaper as well as has a lot more connections than Mandalay.
Getting around Myanmar-- Cross Country
Credit: myanmartours.us
Myanmar's local transport choices may be aggravating however the long distance propositions are much more enticing.
Distances are far, road travel is sluggish as well as flying is budget friendly so it might be your far better option.
You can still book 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 people off a listing of printed names, baggage claim can mean leaving the airport terminal and getting your bag off a trolley by the airplane and flight announcements are made by a person holding up a sign as well as 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 economical with competing firms and a variety of deluxe levels.
Credits: seawander.asia
Many buses travel overnight which is great for not losing a day of sightseeing, yet isn't so great for rest. Additionally, you'll tend to arrive at weird times in the early morning and also will not be able to check into your hostel or hotel until 2 p.m. That's a great deal of hrs waiting for a 'top-up' nap. Take into consideration if it will certainly be cheaper to fly if you're going to book accommodation the very same evening to take a nap immediately.
Buses are really chilly, the deluxe buses will certainly offer 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 attempting to rest 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 music CD's and cheesy music videos until the early hrs of the early morning. Pack your iPod, invest in some heavy-duty extreme ear plugs or kindly ask for the sound to be turned off.
Never ever ask a vehicle driver about reaches of the southern Mon State and also Tenasserim region are typically off-limits to vacationers unless you have actually applied for a government visa in advance. In some places you'll require a guide to chaperone you. Check before you make plans.
Leaving the beaten path is difficult-- even within the 'open' parts, Myanmar's developing infrastructure means that there are set routes you can travel and you'll struggle to go differently. Trying to do otherwise might be really pricey.
Work your sightseeing and tour around the heat-- Myanmar is famous for its sunrises and also sundowns, which likewise corresponds nicely with staying indoors (probably for a snooze or pool dip if you have one) during the mid-day .
Expect to go barefoot a lot in temples on seriously unclean floorings. In temples where birds are nesting or monkeys as well as dogs hangout, you can expect to step in a great deal 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 thoughtful temple visitor, a lot of Myanmar's temples are places of worship, not just views for travelers. Respect 'do not climb/do not enter' signs and also keep your voice down-- people will be praying.
Expect to pay an access cost for Bagan and also Inle Lake-- this fee is charged to all foreigners and there's no getting around it. The fees are: Bagan-- $20; Inle Lake-- $10.
Holiday accommodation in Myanmar
Credits: tripadvisor.com
Hostels are gradually opening up, meaning you can rest in low-cost accommodation than you could a few years back. Things are slowly improving for solo tourists, though prices are still far more of what you'll pay somewhere else in Southeast Asia.
Guesthouses are rustic but enchanting. The accommodation offers a feel for what a local house may be like, basic but beautifully decorated in teak) and also the breakfast was typically superior. Plus, it's nice to place cash into the hands of the residents, not some large brand chain.
Most hostels, hotels as well as guesthouses offer a towel however you may need to provide a refundable $10 down payment on check-in. Hotels will additionally supply some form of toiletries. Some hostels as well as guesthouses do as well, yet it can not be counted on.
Be careful about 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 as well as transport ahead of time throughout peak season. The tourist market in Myanmar appears to have actually experienced a boom which the facilities has fallen short to maintain speed with. Most hotels are small and boutique like so if there's somewhere particular you want to stay it's essential to book in advance. It is especially necessary to book in advance during high season (November to March). In some rural areas, monasteries will take travellers in for a small cost if there are no areas readily available. Yet do not depend on the local monks being able to help you out.
Food and Drink in Myanmar
Order local dishes: it is always the best option. There are noodles at night bus stops, fermented tea leaf salads in local restaurants and also an incredible array of curries and also salads
Use chopsticks: Several pieces of cutlery are cleaned with a not so excellent looking water supply and dishcloth. Packaged chopsticks are a suitable choice.
Tell the staff if you don't eat something. If you like a little spice in your dishes mention just how much spice you like as the chefs often tend to go easy on travelers!
The fish is scrumptious as well as a great, fresh choice in many restaurants.
There is rather a lot of sugar in the food as well as beverages. If you aren't a fan of sugar there's a choice to skip the sugar (tea, coffee, newly blended juices), see to it you request 'no sugar'.
Salads feature greatly on menus however do not expect a fresh crunch-- most salads are marinaded and seasoned in oil, salt and lime juice and don't normally include salad leaves.
Hygiene standards are reduced in Myanmar and you may get ill once.
Street food isn't as prolific as various other places in Southeast Asia yet you can find it as well as it's great. Street food will tend to be about 1,000-1,700 kyat a dish (under $2).
You can not consume the water but most hotels, hostels as well as guesthouses supply cost-free water either in bottles in your room or through a big water dispenser at reception. Otherwise, bottled water is really cheap.
Alcohol is commonly available with beer, rum and whiskey being popular options.
Beer stations are easy to find and enjoyable areas to get a beverage with the locals if you do not intend to being in a click here restaurant.
Realize that there isn't a late night culture in Myanmar-- most restaurants 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 prominent than late night drinking.
Big chains can't be located as well as brands remain in short supply. Myanmar isn't a nation of fast-food chains and beyond beverage brands like Coke and Schwepps Tonic, you're going to be getting local brand names as well as eating from local dining establishments.
Shops are small, family owned affairs-- you will not discover a 7-Eleven. There are a couple of equal 'Grab 'n' Go' stores populated around, but mainly you're going to purchase treats and beverages from little, local businesses. They can look a little bit intimidating, like you're intruding by walking 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 banned.
Health and Safety in Myanmar
Health
Myanmar is an incredibly safe area-- most of the populace is Buddhist as well as with an idea in karma, crime levels are incredibly low.
Still, you need to take the common safety measures of making use of hotel lockers or safes for your belongings. Female visitors should not experience any type of harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the money is filthy as well as there isn't always soap in washrooms so use your sanitiser before you touch anything that will go near your mouth.
Look out for the dust- Myanmar can be really dusty so do bring something to cover your mouth and nose when biking around. Additionally take care with your air conditioning-- Myanmar can be as hot. Consequently, numerous visitors use the a/c in their room however sleeping in low temperatures can make you ill.
Fruit is simple to find so top up your body immune system with nutrients in this way. However, as it's typically pre-cut, search for a seller that has kept the flies away and if it's sluiced with water, ensure it's filtered water.
Safety
Many government advisories warn against travel to parts of Rakhine (Rakhaing) State in western Myanmar, where clashes in between local authorities and also the minority Muslim (Rohingya) communities has actually brought about the mass displacement of countless individuals. Some other parts of the country remain shut to foreigners as a result of problem in between the government and different ethnic armies clustered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These locations are primarily in Kachin and also Shan States, near to the frontiers with China as well as Thailand, as well as far from the major tourist locations.
Exact information on conflicts and also closed areas can be tough to come by. Check your government's advice prior to taking a trip, and inquire about the situation once you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum is an excellent resource of information from tourists on the ground.
What to wear in Myanmar
The majority of the locals dress conservatively| and cover their shoulders and also legs in spite of the high temperatures, as well as you will make everybody much more comfortable if you do the same.
Knee length shorts, long skirts, elephant pants and tees are the outfit of choice. These are highly encouraged as well as often enforced for getting in the temples and pagodas.
Credits: backpackinglikeaboss.com
Everybody uses skirts-- males and females alike-- the longyi, a long skirt, is the popular traditional dress in Myanmar for both men and women. Lots of vacationers pick one up as they're breezy in the heat and also tick the 'traditional wear' box. They are convenient for sightseeing and tour so pick up an affordable one a the market if you have the chance.
Flip flops are crucial! Entering pagodas implies going barefoot and also flip flops are the best footwear choice. 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 far better if you clothe conservatively (covering your knees and also shoulders). You will certainly find individuals in shorts and also strappy tops in the cities and also at the beach yet somewhere else it's much less common.
Culture
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The local people are extremely genteel and not used to confrontation so pack your best manners and your patience. Travelling can be frustrating, warm and also slow-moving yet remember: you chose to visit Myanmar and that it's not like being at home is no good reason to take it out on the residents. Nevertheless, haggle hard with the taxi 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 however Myanmar is different. Typically the people are lovely and also are happy to appear in photographs and also try and chat with limited usual words or sign language.
You maylikewise get stared at a whole lot which is normally best handled by providing a smile as well as a mingalabar (hi in Burmese). Burmese English can be difficult to comprehend, be patient, listen hard and if you're spending 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 chewing betel quids, little parcels which contain tobacco, spices and areca nuts covered in a betel leaf. It's probably popular| due to the fact that it delivers a hit that amounts to 6 cups of coffee. Yet, as well as being dangerous when chewed long term, the by-product is bright-red saliva which is spat out, the majority of times onto the ground.
Lots of citizens have the tell tale red stained teeth as well as cab drivers frequently roll down the window in slow-moving traffic to spew 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 brilliant post by Uncornered Market.
Credits: mekongtourism.org
It's common to see yellow circles pasted on the faces of the Burmese girls. This is Thanaka, a cosmetic 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 cafes as well as dining establishments as citizens make use of the kissing sound as an ask for service. Apparently it's easier for staff to identify the place of the kissing noise so don't be distressed!
Burmese Phrases
Both crucial expressions 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 ready for a lot of 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 rather than kilo so try to turn up with your garments washed as well as unless you wish to hand over $20 for a load of washing, pick the items you actually require washing and wash your smaller sized items yourself as you go.
Toiletries are very easy to find by yet tampons are not so bring what you require with you.
You can not flush toilet paper or sanitary products-- this is very usual in developing nations where the plumbing system can't manage anything apart from bodily fluids.
Myanmar has that odd 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 as well as North American 2-pin plugs as well as British three-pin.
Wi-fi is bad in Myanmar so you either need to get over it or, far better still, purchase a local SIM. You can obtain one at a lot of airports when you land or in among the shops in the street and the shop personnel will have you set up in about 5 mins. You can learn more concerning your network choices right here. Still, with 1 mbps considered to be a 'rapid' connection, don't anticipate to be downloading videos at any time. Online access has improved, with wi-fi the norm-- most hotels, guesthouses and also coffee shops have it free of charge-- and the internet is now spreading tofarther areas. But tightly squeezed bandwidth as well as power failures can use the net an aggravating exercise.
Do your research beforehand or pack a guidebook, as well as do not anticipate to Skype home extremely frequently, it's hardly possible to get a messenger service to operate at times!
You'll be better with a backpack than a suitcase. Travel suitcases aren't excellent on dusty, sandy, unevenroads. Getting in as well as out of myriad forms|types|kinds} of transport as well as hefting it up numerous steep staircases isn't far better.