Myanmar Travel Tips
Our Myanmar travel tips focus on the current travel situation of the country. You may find useful information to plan your travel to our destinations including when, how, what and who. If you have any question to make sure your travel to Myanmar smooth, do not hesitate to let us know.
Myanmar Visa
Those who travel by air now can apply for a visa through the government system online for pre-arranged visa on arrival. The whole procedure allows you to get a visa approval letter and with this letter, you can board the plane as well having the visa stamped at the airport.Three international airports accepting visas on arrival are Yangon, Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Daw Airports.
The official Myanmar Visa website is evisa.moip.gov.mm. The site is applied to citizens of more than 100 countries.
Some local companies can help with a 1-day fast visa: www.myanmarvisa.org or www.myanmarvisa.com
Border Crossing travelers and cruise passengers must obtain a visa at the Myanmar Embassy. Make sure to apply at least 10 days before your departure as the visa processing make takes time.
Please note that you are unable to enter the country without a solid visa or visa approval letter.
Flight to Myanmar Update 2023
There are fewer international flights to Myanmar. The most common airport that receives international passengers is Yangon.Nay Pyi Daw is another airport that welcomes tourists at the moment.
The most frequented flight to Myanmar is Bangkok - Yangon.
If you do not have direct flight to our country, please check the connection to a flight hub like Bangkok, Singapore, Hanoi or Siem Reap.
When is the best time to visit Myanmar?
The tourism season kicks off in November and finishes in April. Many people said that the period of December-February is the best time to visit Myanmar. During this time, the temperature is cold and with very few drops of rain ( or not at all).For us, shoulder season which is October and April is very good too. There are 2 things you can benefit from: money and weather. It may rain a little but you will enjoy the discount for services from restaurants to hotels everywhere in Myanmar.
The rainy season from May to early October witnesses the water and changes in the landscape. If you expect good value for your travel in Myanmar then this is the time !
Money and Credit Card
The very first thing that you should acknowledge is Myanmar is not a cheap destination. Preparing sufficient money would make many things easy for you.Currency and cash
The local money is Kyat and Burmese still prefer their money to other currencies though you still can spend US dollars in many tourist spots. If you bring Euro, Pounds, Thai Batt or Chinese Yuan, we advise you to exchange it either in Yangon or Mandalay.Only banks and official exchange bureaus are permitted to do exchange activities.
ATMs are now available in many places including airports, malls or luxury hotels. You will be able to withdraw Kyats only and the fee is about 5usd/ 1 transaction.
Credit Card
Taking a credit card with you is not a bad idea. Luxury hotels and high-end services accept payment by credit card yet please expect a high transfer rate.Travel agencies and air ticketing offices take credit cards too.
ATM and withdrawing fees
There are ATMs in many places including big cities and tourist areas. Some of them may not work very well but you can prepare cash upon arrival by withdrawing in Yangon for example.You should expect a fee to withdraw money from Myanmar which may be higher than other countries in Asia like Vietnam or Thailand.
Myanmar Travel Tips: Communication
Since there is the arrival of many big telecommunication companies, the local infrastructure has been improved giving travelers chances to have better communication than before.International Phone call
Visitors can buy sim cards at any of the big international airports like Yangon or Mandalay. You can receive international phone calls as well as dial oversea with this sim card.Internet
Though the connection is still slow, it is much faster than before. In Bagan, Shwedagon pagoda, and some tourist places, local internet providers also offer free wifi when you visit the site.Sim Cards
Visitors can buy sim cards for their travel. You can buy cards in many shops. All you need to register the card is your passport.Sim Cards are good to have a network of 2G, 3G, and 4G in many places.
Expect a credit of about $15 to make sure you can use internet during your travel
Health Care
In general, Myanmar's Health Care system is improving but still backward. In big cities, there are more and more international medical care centers as a well modern hospitals. However, in villages or small towns, it is hard to find a good place for treatment.Hence, we encourage visitors to bring some basic medicines for traveling such as headaches, flu, stomachache, etc.
If you go on an adventure like trekking, make sure you bring the essential pills to treat your skin as well your body.
Myanmar Foods
In general, Burmese foods are easy to eat, tasty, and diverse. It could be listed as one of the healthiest cuisines in Asia.What is Burmese food like?
In big cities like Yangon or Mandalay, food seems to be a beautiful mix of Indian and Thailand. The further you travel, the more diverse the foods you`ll find. While Inle Lake is famous for Shan noodle, Mandalay has many dishes which has been influenced by Chinese cuisine.Whether you are a vegetarian or a normal-eater, you`ll have something to try in Myanmar.
What are famous Myanmar Dishes
Each regions of Myanmar has its specialty, here are some of the foods you should try:Tea Leaf Salad.
Shan Styled Rice
Burmese Curry
Shan Noodle
Nangyi thoke
Mohinga
Samosa Thoke
Is there Western, Foreign or Imported Food in Myanmar?
Many travel bloggers mentioned that western foods are available. It is true but only in Yangon and Mandalay cities. You may not find restaurants of your own tastes in places like Dawei orPyin Oo Lwin.
Famous brands like Coke, Pepsi or some snacks now appear almost everywhere in Myanmar.
What to wear & Pack
Undoubtedly, exploring Myanmar means you will get involved with many pagoda visits. Accordingly, make sure you bring a type of shoe that is easy to remove as it is the concrete regulation in Myanmar.Besides that, you should think about packing light and bringing summer wear since Myanmar is a tropical country. It is often hot.
To visit the religious sites, you are asked to dress sensibly with your shoulders and knees covered. It is better to not bring short clothes.
For those who travel by other means of transportation not flight, load more books, and movies to entertain yourself.
What to see in Myanmar in 2023 - 2024
There is a fact about Visiting Myanmar in 2023: many destinations are less accessible. The current situation may not allow us to visit the remote areas in Shan state or some areas near the Thailand border. However, there are still many striking spots opening for tourism:Yangon
The city offers a reflection of East and West where high buildings co-exist with timeless pagodas. From the Shwedagon pagoda to various British-styled buildings, Yangon shows boasts a very wealth of history.The city top attractions include: Sule Pagoda, Central Market, Circular Train, China town, the country`s biggest reclining Buddha-reclining buddha pagoda
Recommended reading: Yangon day tours
Bagan
There are only a few places like this on earth! Bagan is well-known for its thousands of pagodas and temples jutting out of a beautiful plain. It is a perfect site to enjoy balloons while admiring the pagodas, and the incredible sunset over the Irrawaddy river.Mandalay
Mandalay is the biggest hub in northern Myanmar. People come to Mandalay to delve into the ancient Burma capitals, walk over the world`s longest teakwood bridge, learning about the holy site of Kuthodaw.Mandalay has so many other experiences to attract its visitors such as Irrawaddy River watching or market hopping at the Gems market.
Inle Lake
For those who are after nature, lake, and spectacular scenery, Inle Lake is an ideal destination. Embark on Inle Lake Tours, you`ll have opportunities to encounter the friendly hill tribes from Shan state, watching them making the traditional silk from lotus.If you fancy travel back to the past, the southern bank of Inle with many ruin stupas and fascinating villages will tempt you very much.
Ngapali Beach
With a wide range of beach front hotels and resorts, Ngapali beach is arguably the best spot to enjoy the sea, sand, and sun in Myanmar. It is not lack of water activities such as scuba diving, and sailing.For a glimpse of local life, visitors can take a drive to Thantwe town.
Mergui Archipelago
Known as one of the last paradises in Southeast Asia, the Mergui Archipelago with its 800 islands is just a destination you should not miss. It takes some effort to travel to this postcard-perfect area but it is totally worth doing.To know more about Mergui itineraries as some other options to spend your days, check our: Mergui Archipelago Tours
How long should I spend on a holiday in Myanmar
Understandably, everyone has their own duration for vacation, however, if it is too short then your discovery of Myanmar is less interesting. Basically, travel that covers all the highlights of Myanmar without a beach should take from 7 to 10 days.For a quick journey with many flights, 7 days is good to explore Yangon, Bagan and Inle Lake which we believe will impress you with all the contrasts.
A trip in a slow pace to Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Inle Lake should be around 9 days.
To enjoy Ngapali Beach and the four mentioned big destinations, you should spend 12 days.
If you want to add some extra adventures to some of Myanmar`s national parks or simply want to learn more about local life, make sure you add at least 2 more days into your Myanmar itinerary.
How to plan a Myanmar itinerary
Here is our recommendation to start your travel plan in Myanmar:- Decide your arrival city ( Yangon, Mandalay or Naypyidaw for example)
- Think about the mode of transportation: air, rail or bus.
- Follow the circle:
Yangon => Bagan => Mandalay => Inle Lake => Yangon ( you can add Ngapali beach if you take a flight ) or Yangon => Inle Lake => Mandalay => Bagan => Yangon
Naypidaw => Mandaaly = > Bagan => Inle Lake => Naypyidaw
- Add activities to your itineraries.
For this step, if you are seeking a very remarkable experience, then you can view our Myanmar Package Tours where we have detailed all the things that first-timer visitors should have. If you want to have something extraordinary then you can see our guide for each travel spot like: Top Things to do in Yangon
- Select your accommodation: you really can now book all your accommodation online through booking sites. For some discount or details of good hotels, you can view our hotel section on this website too.
Myanmar Transportation
Myanmar is developing to upgrade its transportation and travel network.Taxi
Taxi is not expensive in Myanmar. It is advisable to take meter-taxi in Yangon and Mandalay unless you know how to negotiate like the old way.In Yangon, car condition is pretty new.
Myanmar Train
The train is probably not the best method of travel in Myanmar. It is not so comfortable either but it is a good way to encounter the local people and view the authentic scenery of Myanmar.The rail network does not reach all parts of the country but many attractive places await your adventure.
Foreigners are asked to purchase upper train classes: soft seat and sleeper.
Cruise
River cruises in Myanmar have gained a reputation for decades so far. Apart from short trip from Mandalay to Bagan, there are many cruises to opt like the long journey from Yangon to Mandalay or even to the further secluded northern sites.For more information, please visit our : Myanmar River Cruises
Motorbike
Travel by motorbike is more popular in northern Myanmar. Please note that Yangon has no motorbikes as the city does not allow this means of transportation.Mandalay is the city where motorbike adventures operate.
Drinking Water in Myanmar
We suggest you not to use tap water for drinking in Myanmar. The water treatment is not as good as Europe or America where you can drink directly from the tap.Instead, you should buy bottled waters and carry them for your travel.
Update for Myanmar Travel 2023
There are things that changed for the travel to our country in 2023. Our Myanmar Tour Packages are very adaptive to the current situation.Transport between big cities is still available but not as smooth as before. River cruises in Irrawaddy or Mergui Islands Ocean cruises are at ease for the moment. There are still some restricted areas that are hard to visit.
Myanmar Travel Guide
Myanmar Visa On ArrivalMyanmar Travel Destinations
Myanmar 1 Week Itineraries
Visit Myanmar in 2 Weeks
Myanmar Road Trips
Insider Travel Tips

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