Top Myanmar Travel Tips
Myanmar or Burma? Why Did it Modify Its Name?
The nation formally called Burma gained independence in 1948 from occupying forces, yet it had not been till 1989 that the ruling military junta  altered the nation's name from Burma to Myanmar following a military coup.
Politically, the name Burma was viewed as a relic of the country's former British colonial past, and Myanmar as much more inclusive of the numerous ethnic groups in the nation. Other names were likewise changed, which is why you will certainly 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 as well as Myanmar are still used interchangeably, on the ground and on the world stage. This article breaks down the modifications, what you 'should' say as well as the inquiry: does it even matter?
Best Times to Visit Myanmar
There are typically three seasons in which you can visit Myanmar:
October to March: Dry, winter
March to May: Hot, summer season
May to October: Damp, rainy period
The popular, high season is November to February when the weather is warm yet not stifling, as well as attracts the greatest number of visitors. This, consequently, makes the minimal holiday accommodation alternatives tricky to secure as well as will mean trying to book ahead or deal with paying for the much more expensive alternatives left over.
March to May is the time when the temperature level climbs in Myanmar and upcoming rainfalls are due. There is a limited number of visitors that makes it easy to book lodging yet it is extremely warm.
Visas
An e-Visa is available to travellers from these 100 nations.
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 charge of $50.
It takes under 10 minutes to apply and also you should obtain approval within 3 working days.
Print out your e-Visa letter, show it when you get here and you're in.
Your e-Visa letter stands for 90- days from the day of issue as well as enables you a 28 day stay in Myanmar
Obtaining a visa from your local embassy might be less expensive-- if you wish to save some money, getting a visa by means of your local Myanmar embassy might be more affordable. As an example, the expense is just ₤ 14 in the UK but $40 in the USA, so do your research and also do not forget to consider mailing costs.
It is only possible to enter Myanmar on an e-visa at Yangon, Mandalay as well as Nay Pyi Taw international airports; as well as at three Thai-Myanmar land border crossings Tachileik, Myawadi (Myawaddy) and also Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Check the immigration site for the current at the time you take a trip.
Getting to Myanmar
Flights to Myanmar are the usual alternative for visitors as the initial mode of entrance, with routine scheduled services from Bangkok. Yet, taking into consideration where Myanmar lies-- bordered by China to the North and also northeast, Thailand and Laos to the east and India and also Bangladesh to its west-- there are multiple methods for land entrance, although not all of them are suggested due to safety and security.
No matter, you have to define a "Port of Entry" in your online application which denotes how you will certainly be getting to Myanmar. You will certainly be provided a listing of options, from which you will certainly require to choose among the following:
Myanmar Designated International Airports:
Mandalay (located right in the middle of Myanmar)
Yangon (situated in the south)
Nay Pyi Taw (situated in between Mandalay as well as Yangon)
Going Across at Land Border 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 border of the Thai Peninsula and the collection of islands)
Tamu (in the Sagaing Region of northwestern Myanmar on the boundary 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).
Actually, you can go into Myanmar at any designated "Port of Entry" yet it is best to stay with the one you initially mentioned when possible to prevent any kind of hold up in the processing of your visa upon arrival.
You can leave at any of the International Airports and Land Border Checkpoints because your exit point does not require to be mentioned up front. Furthermore, you may exit at the Htikee Land Border Checkpoint, although entry from here is not possible.
Flying in and also out of Yangon is cheaper and also has extra connections than Mandalay.
Navigating Myanmar-- Long Distance
Credit: myanmartours.us
Myanmar's local transport choices may be frustrating however the cross country propositions are much more attractive.
Distances are far, road travel is slow-moving and also flying is economical so it might be your far better option.
You can still reserve flights the traditional means by wandering right into a travel agent.
Flying within Myanmar is a little bit like flying in the older days-- check-in entails ticking individuals off a listing of printed names, luggage claim can mean leaving the flight terminal and also grabbing your bag off a trolley by the plane as well as flight announcements are made by a person holding up a sign and calling your flight (in incomprehensible English). It really is an experience. And also a lot of fun if you do not let it get you stressed.Buses are economical with competing businesses and a range of high-end levels.
Credits: seawander.asia
Most buses travel over night which is excellent for not losing a day of sightseeing and tour, however isn't so fantastic for sleep. Additionally, you'll often tend to reach at strange times in the 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' snooze. Take into consideration if it will be less expensive to fly if you're going to book accommodation the same evening to rest straight away.
Buses are very cold, the high-end buses will offer you a blanket but, use your warm layers.
Even the VIP bus doesn't have a toilet onboard so expect to stop every few hrs for a food as well as toilet break-- a little bit irritating if you're trying to sleep 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 music CD's and also cheesy video up until the early hours of the early morning. Pack your iPod, purchase some sturdy extreme ear plugs or kindly request the sound to be switched off.
Never ever ask a vehicle driver regarding fate, criminal activity levels are remarkably low.
Still, you ought to take the common precautions of using hotel storage lockers or safes for your valuables. Female travellers should not experience any harassment or different treatment.
Do take hand sanitiser-- the money is filthy as well as there isn't always soap in restrooms so use your sanitiser before you touch anything that will certainly go near your mouth.
Look out for the dust- Myanmar can be really dusty so do bring something to cover your mouth and also nose when biking around. Also take care with your air conditioning-- Myanmar can be as warm. Subsequently, several tourists use the a/c in their room however sleeping in low temperatures can make you sick.
Fruit is simple to come by so top up your immune system with nutrients that way. However, as it's often pre-cut, look for a vendor that has kept the flies away as well as if it's sluiced with water, make sure it's filtered water.
Safety
The majority of government advisories warn against traveling to parts of Rakhine (Rakhaing) State in western Myanmar, where clashes between local authorities and the minority Muslim (Rohingya) communities has actually caused the mass displacement of thousands of people. Some other parts of the country remain closed to foreigners because of problem in between the government and also various ethnic armies gathered in eastern and northern Myanmar. These areas are mainly in Kachin as well as Shan States, near famous places of burma the frontiers with China as well as Thailand, and far from the significant traveler locations.
Precise details on conflicts and closed locations can be hard to come by. Check your government's advice prior to travelling, and also ask about the situation when you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum is a good resource of news from tourists on the ground.
What to wear in Myanmar
The majority of the locals dress conservatively| and also cover their shoulders as well as legs regardless of the heat, and you will certainly make everyone more comfortable if you do the same.
Knee length shorts, long skirts, elephant pants as well as t-shirts are the outfit of choice. These are highly encouraged and also usually enforced for entering the temples and pagodas.
Credits: backpackinglikeaboss.com
Every person uses skirts-- men and women 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 warmth and tick the 'conservative wear' box. They are practical for sightseeing so pick up an inexpensive one a the marketplace if you have the opportunity.
Flip flops are vital! Getting in pagodas means going barefoot and also flip flops are the best footwear option. Dealing with shoelaces in the scorching heat is an unwelcome interruption. Bring some cleansing wipes for your feet after visiting a pagoda.
Myanmar is a conservative nation so you'll blend much better if you clothe conservatively (covering your knees as well as shoulders). You will find people in shorts as well as strappy tops in the cities as well as at the beach but in other places it's less typical.
Culture
Credits: parallelsandmeridians.com
The local individuals are incredibly genteel and also not used to confrontation so pack your good manners as well as your patience. Travel can be frustrating, warm and sluggish but remember: you selected to see 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 great deal by locals who want to talk. Tourists are no longer a novelty in the majority of Southeast Asia however Myanmar is different. Typically the people are beautiful and more than happy to appear in pictures and also attempt as well as converse through minimal typical words or sign language.
You mayalso get stared at a lot which is usually best managed by offering a smile and also a mingalabar (hello there in Burmese). Burmese English can be hard to understand, be patient, pay attention as well as if you're spending for a guide, make certain they have great clear English before you book.
Credits: toddholdenarmstrong.blogspot.com
The red stained pavements are a consequence of spitting red coloured saliva after eating betel quids, small parcels which contain tobacco, spices and also areca nuts covered in a betel leaf. It's probably popular| because it supplies a hit that's equivalent to 6 cups of coffee. But, as well as being dangerous when chewed long term, the byproduct is bright-red saliva which is spat out, most times onto the ground.
Great deals of locals have the tell tale red discolored teeth as well as cab drivers often roll down the window in slow traffic to spit after chewing on the betel quids.
There is some begging by youngsters in Myanmar and as heartbreaking as it is, you shouldn't give to the children. Why not? Read this fantastic 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, a cosmetic paste made from ground bark, which is a beauty item in Myanmar as well as likewise serves as a sunscreen.
It's also common to hear a kissing sound in the cafes as well as restaurants as citizens use the kissing sound as an ask for service. Apparently it's less complicated for staff to recognize the area of the kissing audio so don't be alarmed!
Burmese Phrases
The two crucial phrases you need in Myanmar are:
Hey there: Ming-gu-la-bah
Thanks: Jay-zu-de-bar-dee
Not only is it polite, but it is well received. Be prepared for the majority of citizens to giggle in response-- they are not mocking you; they are just not expecting it.
Various other practical concerns in Myanmar
Laundry is generally done by hand as well as is charged per item rather than kilo so try to turn up with your clothing laundered as well as unless you wish to turn over $20 for a load of washing, select the items you really need washing and wash your smaller sized items on your own as you go.
Toiletries are very easy to find by but tampons are not so bring what you need with you.
You can't flush toilet tissue or sanitary products-- this is really usual in developing nations where the plumbing system can't deal with anything apart from bodily fluids.
Myanmar has that odd half-hour difference| to its time zone so it's 6 and a half hrs in advance of GMT.
Most of the plug sockets of Myanmar have multiple adaptors for European and North American 2-pin plugs as well as British three-pin.
Wi-fi is bad in Myanmar so you either need to overcome it or, far better still, buy a local SIM. You can get one at many airport terminals when you land or in among the stores in the road as well as the shop staff will have you set up in about 5 minutes. You can read more about your network choices here. Still, with 1 mbps thought about to be a 'quick' connection, don't anticipate to be downloading video clips at any time. On-line access has improved, with wi-fi coming to be the standard-- most hotels, guesthouses and coffee shops have it absolutely free-- as well as the net is now spreading tomore remote areas. Yet tightly squeezed bandwidth and power outages can use the web a discouraging exercise.
Do your research ahead of time or pack a guidebook, and do not anticipate to Skype home very frequently, it's hardly possible to get a messenger service to operate at times!
You'll be much better with a knapsack than a travel suitcase. Suitcases aren't optimal on dusty, sandy, unevenroadways. Getting in and also out of myriad forms of transport and hefting it up lots of high stairs isn't much better.
Thanks for reading this guide to Top Traveling Tips for Myanmar