Top Myanmar Traveling Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Change Its Name?
The nation formally referred to as Burma gained independence in 1948 from occupying forces, yet it wasn't up until 1989 that the ruling military junta altered 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 many ethnic groups in the nation. Other names were likewise altered, which is why you will 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 Myanmar are still made use of interchangeably, on the ground and on the world stage. This post breaks down the modifications, what you 'should' say as well as the inquiry: does it even matter?
Best Times to See Myanmar
There are typically 3 seasons in which you can go to Myanmar:
October to March: Dry, winter
March to May: Hot, summer season
May to October: Wet, rainy period
The popular, high season is November to February when the weather condition is warm yet not stifling, and draws in the greatest number of visitors. This, subsequently, makes the limited holiday accommodation alternatives difficult to secure as well as will indicate trying to book ahead or deal with paying for the a lot more pricey options left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature rises in Myanmar as well as impending rainfalls are due. There is a minimal number of tourists that makes it easy to book lodging yet it is exceptionally hot.
Visas
An e-Visa is offered to visitors from these 100 countries.
To get one, go to the official e-Visa internet site. You'll be required to upload a passport photo and pay a charge 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
Obtaining a visa from your local embassy may be more affordable-- if you wish to save some cash, obtaining a visa through your local Myanmar embassy might be less costly. As an example, the expense is just ₤ 14 in the UK but $40 in the USA, so do your research and also don't forget to factor in mailing costs.
It is only possible to go into 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). Read the immigration internet site for the latest at the time you take a trip.
Reaching Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the normal option for travellers as the first mode of access, with routine scheduled services from Bangkok. Yet, thinking about where Myanmar lies-- bordered by China to the North as well as northeast, Thailand and also Laos to the eastern and India and also Bangladesh to its west-- there are multiple for land entrance, although not every one of them are advised due to safety and security.
No matter, you must define a "Port of Entry" in your on-line application which denotes exactly how you will certainly be reaching Myanmar. You will certainly be provided a listing of options, from which you will certainly need to choose 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 border to northern 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 Region on the border of the Thai Peninsula as well as 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 boundary town of Khawmawi in the northwestern Chin State of Myanmar on the border of Southeastern India).
In reality, you can enter Myanmar at any designated "Port of Entry" but it is best to stay with the one you originally specified ideally to prevent any type of hold up in the processing of your visa upon arrival.
You can exit at any one of the International Airports and also Land Boundary Checkpoints because your exit point does not need to be stated up-front. In addition, you may leave at the Htikee Land Boundary Checkpoint, although access from here is not possible.
Flying in as well as out of Yangon is cheaper as well as has much more links than Mandalay.
Getting around Myanmar-- Long Distance
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Myanmar's local transportation choices may be frustrating but the long distance propositions are much more enticing.
Distances are far, road travel is slow and also flying is affordable so it might be your much better choice.
You can still book flights the traditional method by wandering into a travel agent.
Flying within Myanmar is a little 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 as well as getting your bag off a trolley by the aircraft and flight announcements are made by an individual holding up a sign as well as calling your flight (in incomprehensible English). It really is an experience. As well as a great deal of fun if you don't let it get you stressed.Buses are inexpensive with competing businesses as well as a variety of deluxe levels.
Credits: seawander.asia
Many buses travel over night which is fantastic for not losing a day of sightseeing and tour, yet isn't so fantastic for sleep. Additionally, you'll tend to arrive at strange times in the early morning and also won't be able to check into your hostel or hotel until 2 p.m. That's a great deal of hours waiting on a 'top-up' nap. Consider if it will certainly be less costly to fly if you're going to book accommodation the same night to take a nap straight away.
Buses are very cold, the high-end buses will certainly offer you a covering but, use your warm layers.
Even the VIP bus doesn't have a toilet onboard so anticipate to stop every few hrs for a food and toilet break-- a bit frustrating if you're attempting to rest through the night.
Night buses are not sleeper buses, even though these are the buses which bring you to your location around 3 or 4am. What's even more, some still play their funky local music CD's and tacky music videos up until the early hrs of the morning. Pack your iPod, purchase some sturdy extreme ear plugs or kindly request for the sound to be shut off.
Never ask a driver about reaches of the southern Mon State and Tenasserim region are normally off-limits to vacationers unless you have actually requested a government visa ahead of time. In some locations 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 implies that there are set routes you can travel and you'll struggle to go any other way. Trying to do otherwise may be extremely costly.
Work your sightseeing around the heat-- Myanmar is famous for its sunrises and sundowns, which likewise corresponds well with staying inside (probably for a snooze or pool dip if you have one) during the mid-day heat.
Expect to go barefoot a whole lot in temples on seriously unclean floors. In temples where birds are nesting or monkeys and also 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 need 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 visitors. Respect 'do not climb/do not enter' signs and keep your voice down-- individuals will be praying.
Anticipate to pay an entrance fee for Bagan as well as Inle Lake-- this fee 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 gradually opening up, indicating you can sleep in low-cost accommodation than you could a couple of years earlier. Things are slowly improving for solo travellers, though prices are still a lot more of what you'll pay in other places in Southeast Asia.
Guesthouses are rustic but enchanting. The accommodation offers a feel for what a local house may be like, basic yet magnificently decorated in teak) as well as the morning meal was usually superior. Plus, it's nice to put cash right into the hands of the locals, not some huge brand chain.
The majority of hostels, hotels and also guesthouses offer a towel however you could have to offer up a refundable $10 down payment on check-in. Hotels will certainly additionally supply some form of toiletries. Some hostels and guesthouses do also, but it can not be counted on.
Be careful about the curfew-- some guesthouses might lock the door at night, leaving you unable to access your bed. Check before you go out for the night.
Reserve holiday accommodation as well as transportation beforehand throughout peak period. The tourist sector in Myanmar seems to have experienced a boom which the facilities has actually fallen short to maintain pace with. Many hotels are small and boutique like so if there's somewhere specific you want to stay it's important to book ahead of time. It is particularly important to book ahead during high season (November to March). In some rural areas, monasteries will take tourists in for a small charge if there are no spaces available. Yet do not rely upon the local monks being able to help you out.
Food and also 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: Lots of pieces of cutlery are wiped with a not so excellent looking water supply as well as dishcloth. Packaged chopsticks are an excellent choice.
Inform the staff if you do not eat something. If you like a little spice in your dishes state just how much spice you like as the chefs tend to go easy on visitors!
The fish is tasty and also a wonderful, fresh choice in the majority of restaurants.
There is quite a great deal of sugar in the food and beverages. If you aren't a fan of sugar there's an option to skip the sugar (tea, coffee, fresh blended juices), make sure you request 'no sugar'.
Salads feature greatly on menus but do not anticipate a fresh crunch-- most salads are marinaded and also seasoned in oil, salt and lime juice as well as do not typically include salad leaves.
Hygiene standards are reduced in Myanmar and you may get sick once.
Street food isn't as prolific as other locations in Southeast Asia yet you can locate it as well as it's excellent. 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 guesthouses supply totally free water either in bottles in your space or using a huge water dispenser at reception. Or else, mineral water is very inexpensive.
Alcohol is extensively available with beer, rum as well as scotch being prominent alternatives.
Beer stations are very easy to locate and also enjoyable areas to get a beverage with the locals if you do not want to sit in a dining establishment.
Be aware 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 country where meditation at dawn is more popular than late night drinking.
Large chains can't be discovered and 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 brands as well as consuming 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' shops dotted about, however mainly you're going to get snacks and also drinks from tiny, local businesses. They can look a little bit intimidating, like you're intruding by walking in. Do not worry, just step in, they want your business.
There are people smoking indoors- this can be a shock if you come from a country where smoking cigarettes in public places has actually long been prohibited.
Health and Safety in Myanmar
Health
Myanmar is an extremely safe area-- the majority of the populace is Buddhist as well as with an idea in karma, crime levels are incredibly low.
Still, you ought to take the usual safety measures of making use of hotel lockers or safes for your belongings. Women travellers should not experience any kind of harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the money is unclean and also there isn't always soap in restrooms so utilize your sanitiser prior to you touch anything that will go near your mouth.
Keep an eye out for the dust- Myanmar can be really dusty so do bring something to cover your mouth and also nose when cycling around. Also take care with your air conditioning-- Myanmar can be as warm. Consequently, lots of tourists use the a/c in their room but 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 commonly pre-cut, try to find 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 caution against travel to parts of Rakhine (Rakhaing) State in western Myanmar, where clashes between local authorities and also the minority Muslim (Rohingya) communities has actually brought about the mass displacement of countless individuals. A few other parts of the country remain closed to foreigners due to conflict in between the government as well as various ethnic armies gathered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These locations are mainly in Kachin as well as Shan States, near to the frontiers with China and Thailand, and also far from the significant traveler destinations.
Exact details on disputes and closed locations can be tough get more info to come by. Check your government's advice before travelling, and also inquire about the situation once 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
Most of the locals dress conservatively| and cover their shoulders and also legs in spite of the heat, and you will certainly make everyone a lot more comfortable if you follow suit.
Knee length shorts, long skirts, elephant pants and also tee shirts are the attire of choice. These are strongly encouraged and also typically enforced for entering the temples as well as pagodas.
Credits: backpackinglikeaboss.com
Everyone wears skirts-- males and females alike-- the longyi, a long skirt, is the popular traditional dress in Myanmar for both men and women. Lots of tourists pick one up as they're breezy in the warm and tick the 'conservative wear' box. They are practical for sightseeing so get an inexpensive one a the marketplace if you have the chance.
Flip flops are essential! Going into pagodas indicates going barefoot and flip flops are the very best footwear option. Dealing with laces in the blistering heat is an unwanted interruption. Bring some cleaning wipes for your feet after visiting a pagoda.
Myanmar is a conservative nation so you'll blend better if you dress conservatively (covering your knees and also shoulders). You will certainly find individuals in shorts and strappy tops in the cities and at the beach but somewhere else it's less common.
Culture
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The local people are extremely genteel as well as not used to confrontation so pack your best manners as well as your patience. Travel can be discouraging, hot as well as sluggish but 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 citizens. Nevertheless, haggle hard with the taxi drivers.
You may get stopped a whole lot by residents who want to talk. Visitors are no longer a novelty in most of Southeast Asia but Myanmar is different. Generally individuals are charming as well as are happy to appear in pictures and also attempt as well as speak with limited usual words or sign language.
You maylikewise get stared at a whole lot which is typically best dealt with by providing a smile and a mingalabar (hello there in Burmese). Burmese English can be difficult to comprehend, be patient, listen hard and also if you're spending for a guide, make sure they have great 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 also areca nuts wrapped in a betel leaf. It's possibly popular| because it provides a hit that's equivalent to six cups of coffee. Yet, as well as being dangerous when chewed long term, the by-product is bright-red saliva which is spewed out, many times onto the ground.
Great deals of locals have the tell tale red stained teeth and cab drivers frequently roll down the window in slow-moving traffic to spew after chewing on the betel quids.
There is some begging by children in Myanmar and as heartbreaking as it is, you should not give to the children. Why not? Read this fantastic article by Uncornered Market.
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It's common to see yellow circles pasted on the faces of the Burmese ladies. This is Thanaka, a cosmetic paste made from ground bark, which is a beauty product in Myanmar and likewise acts as a sun block.
It's also common to hear a kissing noise in the cafes as well as dining establishments as citizens use the kissing noise as an ask for service. Apparently it's less complicated 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:
Hey there: Ming-gu-la-bah
Thanks: Jay-zu-de-bar-dee
Not only is it courteous, however it is well received. Be prepared for many locals to giggle in response-- they are not mocking you; they are just not expecting it.
Other practical concerns in Myanmar
Laundry is typically done by hand as well as is charged per item rather than kilo so try to show up with your clothing laundered and unless you want to hand over $20 for a load of washing, select the items you really need washing and clean your smaller items yourself as you go.
Toiletries are very easy to find by however tampons are not so bring what you need with you.
You can not flush toilet tissue or sanitary products-- this is really typical in developing countries where the plumbing system can not manage anything apart from bodily fluids.
Myanmar has that strange 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 and also North American 2-pin plugs along with British three-pin.
Wi-fi is bad in Myanmar so you either need to get over it or, better still, buy a local SIM. You can obtain one at many airports when you land or in among the shops in the road and the store staff will certainly have you set up in about 5 mins. You can learn more concerning your network options here. Still, with 1 mbps thought about to be a 'fast' link, do not expect to be downloading video clips any time. Online accessibility has actually improved, with wi-fi the norm-- most hotels, guesthouses as well as coffee shops have it absolutely free-- and the internet is now spreading tofarther locations. However tightly squeezed bandwidth as well as power outages can make using the web a discouraging exercise.
Do your research beforehand or pack a guidebook, and don't expect to Skype home very often, it's hardly possible to get a messenger service to operate at times!
You'll be better with a knapsack than a travel suitcase. Suitcases aren't optimal on dusty, sandy, unevenroadways. Entering as well as out of myriad forms|types|kinds} of transportation and hefting it up lots of steep staircases isn't far better.