TRAVEL TIPS

Points of entry for foreign visitors

The main entry point for international visitors is Yangon.
Border crossings at Muse on the Chinese border, and Tachileik and Kawthaung on the Thai border are possible for travellers with pre-arranged border crossing permission and a valid visa but it is advised to check first.

Visas

Visas can be obtained at any Myanmar Embassy/Consulate offices. You need to give three passport size photos plus a fee of US$ 20. There are two type of tourist visa available. For customers from countries where Myanmar Embassy/ Consulate office does not exist our company can obtain prior permission for Visa on Arrival but please inform us and send the necessary photos etc one month in advance.
Visas are valid for 28 days starting with the arrival date but a few days’ overstay can be reimbursed at USD 3 per day on departure. However, the number of days over the validity should not be more than 14 days.

Customs

All foreign currency exceeding the equivalent of USD 2000 and all jewellery must be declared. On departure, receipts for any gems or jewellery bought in the country must be shown with the items. You cannot take back antiques. Better to avoid buying old-looking Buddha images even if they were newly-made, as the customs at the airport may not allow its export. If necessary ask the shop to obtain a certificate for you from the Archaeological Department to ensure the object is less than 80 years old and therefore exportable.

Shipping:

You cannot post parcels home, although some bigger shops will do the shipping for you. Ask first before you buy anything bulky.

Airport Tax:

US$10 for departures

Currency:

Kyat, in notes of 5000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5.
The realistic e4xchange rate is approximately USD 1 to K 1000, at authorised money changers.
Most shops do not accept dollars so you can change to Kyat or Foreign Exchange Certificates (FEC) of 20, 10, 5 and 1 notes equivalent to US dollars 20, 10, 5 and 1.

Please note that money changers and hotels do not accept old or worn notes.

Travellers’ checks cannot be used. You can use only a few credit cards and then only in hotels of the big cities. It is wiser to bring adequate cash and US dollars can readily be exchanged into Kyat or FEC. There may be delays or problems with changing other foreign currencies.

There are authorised dealers if you need to change FECs or dollars into Kyat.

Climate:

The overall temperature is cool during the months of November to February, very hot and dry from March to May, and wet and humid from June to October. However in the north and in hilly regions, the cool season can be very chilly.

Clothing:

Recommended clothing is light and casual cotton, jeans or slacks, slip-on shoes or sandals, a sun hat, and a light or heavy jacket, according to the month, for hilly regions. Unless as beach wear, shorts or skimpy tops / dresses for women are not recommended especially as many pagodas forbid such clothing.

Comfort and Safety:

Mosquito repellent and sunscreen are necessary.
Street crime is non existent, so you are safer than in most countries. However, normal care regarding pickpockets should be taken.

Health

Don’t forget to bring medication you would normally use in emergencies, such as antibiotics etc. Most medicines are available but they may not be the brand you are used to. American brands such as Advil or Tylenol are not available here.

Drink only boiled water such as green tea or bottled water of reputable brands. Better to avoid ice cubes in the street stalls although restaurants use ice made from purified water.
Avoid eating shellfish such as prawns and lobsters in hot weather, if you are not actually on the beach.

As is usual when travelling to tropical countries, consult your personal physician befire departure from home for necessary vaccinations etc..

Emergency Health Care

Privately owned Pan Hlaing Hospital situated in the suburbs of Yangon can offer good heal care as can the SOS Clinic situated at the Inya Lake Hotel, Yangon. If necessary, SOS can handle immediate evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore but before leaving home check out www.sos.com for details about the insurance needed.

Communication

Hotels have IDD lines for overseas calls and Business Centres where internet access is available. In cities and bigger towns there are many internet cafes with very low rates.
GSM mobile system is used in Myanmar but global roaming is not available.

Food

Myanmar offers different types of cuisine that varies from one region to the other, all planned around the staple dish of steamed rice. The Bamar (Burmese), Shan, Kachin, Rakhine, Mon and Kayin races have their own cuisines.
Burmese food is neither too hot nor overwhelmed with spices. The gravy is simply onions, garlic, ginger and tomatoes for fish, fowl, and meat curries. The salads are a favourite of both locals and visitors while the noodle dishes are simply delicious.

There are also Indian and Chinese dishes of the immigrant communities that have lived here for generations. Some of their food have evolved into unique dishes, with some even invented here such as the ‘Copper Pot’ noodles of Chinatown.

Authentic Burmese food is served at restaurants such as Padonmar, Green Elephant, Monsoon, and Feel Myanmar of Yangon, with Kachin cuisine at Happy Noodles. The very popular Shan food is available in Yangon, Mandalay and other places, too many to mention by name. There are numerous fine restaurants of Thai, Korean, Indian and Chinese.
Western cuisine is available in most cities, some of the best being Le Planteur French Restaurant, L’Opera Italian Restaurant, and Sharkey’s Delicatessen and Cheeses (Sharkey I, II and II), all in Yangon. The excellent European style cheeses, plus hams, sausages, bacons, antipasto etc are made in Myanmar by a Burmese man known as Sharkey, and many hotels serve his products.

Business hours

Airlines open from 9: AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday and from 9 AM to 12 noon on Saturdays and Sundays but only for reservations.
Government offices open from 9 AM to 4.30 PM, Monday through Friday.
Most private offices open from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday and from ( AM to 12 noon Saturdays and Sundays. Markets selling general goods open from around 10 AM until 4.30 PM while malls close later.

The famous Bo Gyoke Aung San Market (also known by its colonial name Scott Market) is closed on Mondays.

Time

Electricity: