Travel to Asia

20. Religion

The majority of the people of Myanmar are Buddhist although Christianity, Islam and Hinduism are also practiced.

21. Telecommunications

Telephones & fax facilities are available in most hotels in Yangon and Mandalay but charges are quite expensive. E mail facilities are now available at many hotels and local businesses in Yangon and Mandalay.

22. Travellers Cheques

Travellers Cheques may be very time consuming to transact. You must bring the original purchase agreement for the traveller’s cheques with you as proof when cashing your cheques.

23. Visa Requirements

All visitors (above 7 years age) require visa to enter Myanmar at Yangon or Mandalay airport. Visa can be obtained at a Myanmar embassy. FIT visa (entry tourist visa as officially called) holders, except children younger than 12 years, need to exchange 200 US$ into 200 FEC money on arrival. Package tour visa (entry visa as officially called) holders do not need to exchange money. Package tour visas required confirmed tour booking with a local tour operator (local tour operator need to send the letter).

For the tourists who enter and exist at a land border checkpoint the entry visa (border pass) is issued at the checkpoint. Tourists need to exchange US$ 100 (or more) into FEC money. The amount depends on number of days stay, the places of visit.

Entry at an airport and exist at a land border checkpoint (or vice visa) need special permit (plus, maybe, package tour visa). Entry at a land border checkpoint and exist at another land border checkpoint also need such permit. There are some areas in the country going to where need compulsory use of local guide.

24. Travel Inside The Country

There are improvements in the roads and bridges, as well as the domestic flights over the past 10 years. However they are far from perfect. It is hard to predict how many hours it will take between two cities at any time. Road damage and repair works taking place that hinder the speed of driving are not uncommon. Bridges may be officially finished, but they may not be ready to actually open to the traffic. There may be announcement of passenger ships running between Yangon and the southern Thaninthayi ports of Dawei, Myeik, Kaw Thaung, etc.; but in fact they could not actually provide you a tentative schedule.

There are three domestic carriers: Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways and Myanmar Airways. Most foreign travellers would fly only the first two. They are safe and offer good in-flight services. They usually publish flight schedule which they could follow less than 100%. Besides they do not have on-line connected booking system. Booking is almost entirely done by telephone calls to the sales agents who in turn call again to the airlines.

Train and bus time tables should be asked when you physically arrive there. They tend to change without prior notice. Going to many far away places need special permit that makes the travel expensive.

Anyway compared to the past, the present travel situation in Myanmar has been improved allot. The inconveniences and the subsequent low volume of tourist arrival make the country one of the most wanted destinations for ones who wants to see the really traditional Asia.

11. Climate & Weather

Myanmar has three seasons. 1. Cool Season - October through February with average temperatures 20-24 C, 2. Hot Season - March through May with average temperatures 30-35 C, 3. Wet Season - June through September with average temperatures 25-30 C. The ideal time to visit Myanmar is during the cool season. However, even during the wet season, Yangon normally receives morning and afternoon showers while rainfall in Bagan and Mandalay is very low. The weather around Inle Lake and in Shan State is quite pleasant all year round but cold at night from December to February.

12. Drinking Water

Only drink purified bottle water. Bottled water is readily available and some hotels provide complimentary. Carry a bottle with you throughout the day.

13. Domestic Airlines & Flights

Myanmar Airways, Yangon Airways, and Air Mandalay regularly fly from Yangon to Mandalay, Bagan, Heho, Thandwe, Kawthaung, and other tourist destinations. Cruise ships call at Yangon Port with visa on arrival being granted with prior arrangement. There is a 20 Kilo limit for baggage per person and excess baggage fees may be charged. We suggest you leave items not needed upcountry in Yangon and collect them upon your return.

14. How To Get There

Yangon International Airport and Mandalay International Airport are the main gateways and there are regular flights to Yangon from Bangkok and Singapore. Also there are direct flights to Yangon from Abu Dhabi, Bandar Seri, Begawan, Bombay Calcutta, Shiang Mai, Chaka, Hong Kong, Islamabad, Jakarta, Karachi, Kuala Lumpur, Kunming, London, Osaka, Paris and Taipei.

15. Health

No inoculations or vaccinations are required unless coming from or passing through an infected area. Clients should bring sufficient medication with them if required and should check for updated health recommendations before your departure to Myanmar regarding hepatitis, malaria, typhoid, etc. Please contact us if you would like detailed information on emergency health services available.

16. Immigration & Customs Formalities

Your valuables (jewelry, cameras, electronic equipment, etc.) should be declared on your customs declaration form upon arrival. Receipt of purchase and an export permit voucher for locally bought goods such as gems and jewelry may be required upon departure.

17. Insurance

We recommend all clients to obtain the necessary personal baggage, medical and accident insurance before arrival. SOS Worldwide has a local representative office in Yangon with a 24 hour on call service for emergency evacuation and medical assistance.

18. Language

The majority of the people speak Myanmar (Burmese) and English is widely used.

19. Mobile Phones

Hand Phones or Mobile Telephones from other countries currently do not operate in Myanmar. Customs will hold your telephone upon arrival and you can collect on your departure.

1. Airport Tax

Any passengers departing Myanmar on international flights will need to pay a departure tax of US$ 10.00 per person.

2. Duty Free Allowance

Two bottles of liquor; two cartons of cigarettes; 100 cigars; 1.5 lbs. of tobacco; and one pint bottle of perfume or eau de cologne.

3. Currency

The monetary unit in Myanmar is the Kyat (pronounced ‘chat’). Visitors are not allowed to bring in or take out Kyats. Foreign currency must be exchanged only at authorized money changers at the airport, hotels, and banks. International credit cards and traveler’s checks are not widely used, except at major hotels and restaurants.

4. Foreign Exchange Certificate (Fec)

The FEC requirement has been removed. You no longer need to exchange $200 for FEC’s. Traveling to Myanmar gets easier and easier day by day for the foreign tourists.

5. Time Zones
Myanmar is GMT + 6.5 hours

6. Electrical Power

230 Volts AC and also 50 HZ. You can use the 3-prong European style plug or the 2-prong European style plug, and in a few hotels, the standard U.S. 2-prong plug.

7. Clothing

Casual and light clothing is recommended, preferably natural fibers year-round, but bring a sweater or jacket for the higher hill areas, particularly during the winter months (November through February). A windproof jacket is a good idea when touring Inle Lake during the winter months. A light raincoat is ESSENTIAL if you’re visiting during the monsoon months (June through September).

8. Dress Code

Remember this is a Buddhist country and always dress modestly. Shorts and tank tops for men and women should be avoided. When entering religious site and pagodas, it is required to removes shoes and socks. It is also customary to remove your shoes when entering someone’s home, so bring along shoes that are easy to slip on and off. You’ll notice that the Burmese generally wear thong-style sandals as they are very convenient!

9. Tipping

Tipping is widely practiced, so if a service charge is not included, tip for good service. Be sure to ask your guide the appropriate amount. It’s easy to forget the economic differences.

10. Security

Myanmar is not known for crime and it’s quite safe to travel everywhere. The area of the Myanmar/Thai border is one area to exercise some caution, and also any area that is crowded or on trains and buses (like anywhere in the world). Keep your Passport and money in a safe place when in these situations. In the unlikely event of a loss, it must be reported to the nearest police station and embassy immediately.