Destination Myanmar
- Location
- When to Travel?
- How to Travel?
- Who Is My Guide?
- Hotels and Restaurants
- Expectations & Preparations
- Health and Safety
- Visas
Expectations & Preparations
Expectations
Expect a culture steeped in tradition and respect; expect to find practices unchanged for hundreds of years in a land of astonishing beauty and rich cultural heritage.
Expect to find people with devout Buddhist followings, expect a conservative and modest race. Expect kindness and friendliness that is unparalleled. Expect to be the focal point of local conversation and the centre of attention.
Expect a developing world that is very much unlike your own…
After all isn’t that why you came in the first place?…
Preparations
Clothing
Lightweight, easy to care clothes of cotton and cool fabrics are ideal all year round. A winter sweater or jacket and socks may be needed in the cool season when visiting up-country, especially around Inle Lake and Kalaw when the weather can be quite cold during the evenings.
Drinking Water
Only drink purified bottle water. Bottled water is readily available and some hotels provide complimentary water each day. It is advisable to carry a bottle with you throughout the day. Destination Asia offers free drinking water for all of our clients, as well as fresh towelettes.
Currency
We recommend visitors to Myanmar bring US Dollars cash (small denomination notes). The US$ is accepted, and in many cases preferred, throughout Myanmar. The local currency in Myanmar is the Kyat (pronounced CHAT). The exchange rate fluctuates between 800–1000 Kyats per US$1. Dollars can be changed into Kyats easily throughout the country.
Credit Cards
Visa, Amex, Diners Club, & MasterCard are banned and rarely accepted in Myanmar at present until further notice (Travelers checks are also not acceptable). Some major Hotels, Restaurants and Souvenirs Stores accept it with supplement service charges 5% to 10%. Visitors must bring cash for their expenses (US dollars in cash are best). Banks are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and all public holidays.
Telecommunications
IDD telephones and fax facilities are available in most hotels in Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake but charges may be expensive. E-mail facilities are now available at many hotels and local businesses in Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake.
Mobile Phones
Mobile telephones from other countries currently do not operate in Myanmar.
Gratuities and Tipping
Myanmar’s people are genuinely happy to help foreign visitors and don’t expect anything in return. However if your guide or any other person during your trip were especially kind or helpful, a gratuity would be a generous gesture and greatly appreciated.
Language
The majority of people speak Myanmar (Burmese) however English is also widely used.
Timezone
Yangon (Rangoon) is six and a half hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+6.5). This places it:
- 11.5 hours ahead of New York (GMT -5)
- 6.5 hours ahead of London (GMT)
- 5.5 hours ahead of Paris (GMT +1)
- 0.5 hours behind Bangkok (GMT +7)
- 1.5 hours behind Hong Kong (GMT +8)
- 3.5 hours behind Sydney (GMT +10)
Time differences will vary by 1 hour in those countries that advance their clocks during the summer months.
Electricity
Our recommended hotels in Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan offer 24-hour power (with a generator if needed). In other more isolated areas like Kyaingtong, the Shan Hills, Kalaw, Pindaya, Taunggyi, Nyaung Shwe and Inle Lake - generated power may not always be available.
Voltage and plugs/sockets
The voltage in Myanmar is 220–230 Volts AC. Most of the international hotels have their own generators. Other places may experience power cuts and voltage fluctuation that can damage equipment such as computers. Please travel with the required protection for your electrical items. Most hotels use 3 ways and 2 ways flat socket in room but they offer adaptor upon client’s request. Adaptor will be for 2 ways flat, 2 ways round, 3 ways flat, 3 ways round socket.
Religion
The majority of Burmese are Buddhist.
What To Bring
Sun hat, sun glasses, sun protection for your face and body, prescription medicines, insect repellent and an umbrella (rain or shine). An antibiotic cream for minor cuts and scratches, a small flashlight, extra passport photos, decaffeinated coffee (if required) and plenty of film!
