Travel Tips

Entry Formalities

VISAS
Tourist and visas are valid for 28 days. Tourist visas are non-extendable; business visas may be extended for 28 days. Transit visas are valid for 24 hours. Apply to a Myanmar Embassy or Consulate, with four photos and your passport. The cost of a tourist visa is approximately US $ 20; the cost of a business visa is approximately US $ 40.

Customs: Besides personal effects visitors are allowed 400 cigarettes (100 cigars or 250g of unrolled tobacco), two quarts of liquor and 500ml of cologne or perfume. Cameras, radios, cassette players and calculators etc must be declared at Customs on arrival and taken out on departure .Foreign currency in excess of US $ 2000 must be declared .Retain a copy of the Customs declaration form to be presented when you leave Myanmar.

DUTY FREE ALLOWANCE
Two bottles of liquor , two cartons of cigarettes; 100 cigars; 1.5 lb f tobacco, one pint bottle of perfume.

AIRPORT TAX: Tax for departing on international flights is US$10, domestic flight are not taxed.

Vaccinations: None are required.

CURRENCY
Myanmar currency is known s “kyat”.
Denomination notes are K1000, K 500, K100, K 50, K20, K 10, and K 5and K1.
Foreign Exchange Certificates (FEC)
FECs issued in $20, $10, $ 5, $ 1 denominations are convenient for traveler’s payment for air tickets, hotel bills and entrance fees. There is no compulsory exchange of US Dollars into FEC for type of tourists.

FEET
Remember to take off your shoes and socks before you enter a temple, pagoda or as a guest in a private house. Remember the golden rules; keep your feet on the ground at all times. Keep them off tables and chairs and try not to wave them around. Also try to remember not to point your feet directly at any body and try to walk around a person rather than step over them .As a sign of respect, the Myanmar will also try to avoid stepping on a monk’s shadow.

HANDS
As in most Asian countries try to remember to use your right hand when giving and receiving. Better still; the most gracious way to give and receive is to use both hands.

NAMES
People in Myanmar place an honorific in front of names to show respect for age or position.

EATING
In Myanmar home people generally eat around a low table, sitting on mats on the floor. In restaurants, more conventional Western tables and chairs are used. Myanmar food is generally eaten with the fingers. Western visitors are probably more comfortable with fork and spoon which is perfectly acceptable.

CLOTHING
Light casual wear for all year round except when visiting northern parts during the cold season .Do not wear shorts, mini skirts or sleeveless shirts when visiting religious sites. While the Myanmar made no demand, it is a mark of respect to dress modestly and neatly. Sandals are convenient as it is obligatory to remove shoes and socks when visiting pagodas and temples.

Business/social Tips:

Appointments should be made in advance. Punctuality is appreciated. For business meetings men should wear a light weight suit and tie. Women should wear modest clothes. It is customary to shake hands on meeting and saying goodbye. When addressing people always use the appropriate prefix and family name .Many people do not have a first name. It is useful, but not essential, to have some business cards in Myanmar script. Business cards are exchanged after introduction .Many executives speak English. Visitors should be receptive to local customs and convections. When sitting cross –legged on sofas or cushions, soles of the feet must not be shown. Footwear strictly prohibited in pagodas and monasteries. Tips in restaurants and hotels are around five percent to ten percent. Tips for Taxi are not necessary. On social occasions, for example an invitation to a restaurant is punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated.

WATER
Don’t drink the tap water. Make sure your water is boiled or better yet, buy it bottled. Go easy on the ice cubes.

BANK
Open from 10am to 2pm. Hotels can change money for guests.

CREDIT CARD
Visa, Amex, and Diners at major hotels and shops

ELECTRICITY
220V, 50 Hz, British 3 flat pin plugs

TELEPHONE
International dial code: 001

SHOPPING
Note that you are not allowed exporting antiques or religious items.

TAXI
From Airport to Yangon City will take 45 minutes.

WATCH THE SUN
In the plains around Bagan, the sun is ferocious and can be tiring. Follow the lead of Myanmar and visit temples and parks in the early morning and later in the afternoon, resting in your hotel in the heat of the day. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water, use sunscreen and bring a hat. Or buy traditional Myanmar thanakha. Bring mosquito repellent and use it.

CLIMATE & WEATHER
Generally, there are seasons. The monsoon or rain season starts from mid-May to October, the cool dry season from November to February and the hot season from March to May. As the country is large with diverse topography, temperatures vary from region to region. Weather is generally temperate and cool in mountainous northern parts. With a few inches of rainfall, it is cool and pleasant I central regions where major tourist sites are located. Myanmar is a year round tourist destination.

DOMESTIC TRAVEL
By Air : Air Mandalay flies between Yangon and Bagan (Nyaung U),Mandalay,Heho(inle),Tachileik , Kyaing Tong, Thandwe(Ngapali Beach Resort),Sittway and Monywa.

By Train: Many Myanmar Railways destinations are open to foreign tourists. The Yangon –Mandalay trip is the most popular. For ticket information consult the tourist counter at the station or consult the travel agent.

By Bus: Buses are operated by the state –owned Road Transport Enterprise. Air conditioned express buses link Yangon to Myeiktila , Pyay , Mandalay and Taunggyi , wiyh more routes planned. Express buses also depart Yangon for Mandalay.

GREETING & USEFUL PHRASES
Auspiciousness for you - mingalar bar
Hello/ good morning - Kung thaw nan net khin bar
Thank you - Kye Zu tin brde
Never mind - Ya bar de
Sorry! - Ar nar de
How are you! - Nay kaung tha lar?
Fine, thanks - kaung bar de, kye zu be
I cannot speak Burmese - bamar zagar ma pyaw dat phu
Please speak slowly - phyay phyay pyaw bar
I don’t understand - Nar ma le bu
Do you understand? - Nar le tha lar?
May I take a photograph? - Dat pone yite paya zay?
May I use the telephone? - Telephone thone baya zay?
How much does this cost? - dar be lauk kyat tha le?
What is this? - dar bar le?
Very expensive - theik zay kyee de
Do you have something cheaper? - zay paw dar mashi bu lar?
Goodbye - Thwar me naw
See you again - pyantwe gya ya aung
God luck! - kan kaung bar zay
Does anyone speak English? - English zagar pyaw de lu shi tha lar?
I need a doctor - saya wun khaw pay bar