Travel Tips

Hotel Information

We provides accommodation in hotels all over Myanmar. City hotels, mountain lodges, beach resorts, nature hotels and budget accommodation.

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Types of Entry Visas

For the normal tourist there are 2 types of entry visas. The FIT and the Package Tour visa.

(1) The FIT VISA will be given to individuals or groups who apply directly to an overseas embassy/consulate without a letter from Myanmar travel company (see below).

(*special note - since Aug 2003, visitors no longer need to change any USD to FEC.)

(2) The Package Tour Visa is obtained with the help of a letter from your local tour operator. It is sent to the individual client or tour operator to give to the embassy/consulate along with their passports at the time of application. The letter states that the applicant will be traveling on a group tour.

(3) VISA ON ARRIVAL - Recent changes in policy mean that it now takes longer to process 'visa on arrival' so the following information should be sent to Kyaw San Travels at least 3 weeks before arrival: (Most, but not all, of this will be on the passport page)

1. Copy of client's passport with photo and personal details page
2.  Client's name
3.  Gentle
4.  Nationality
5.  Father’s name
6.  Ethnic origin of client (e.g., Chinese, Spanish etc)
7.  Passport number
8.  Issue date of Passport
9.  Date of passport expiry
10.  Date of Birth
11.  Place of Birth
12.  Client's occupation
13.  Arrival day to Yangon
14.  Arrival flight detail

The clients will need to bring 2 passport photos (b/w or color) with them and two immigration forms that we will provide them with. Kyaw San Travels will inform the airline that the clients are having visa on arrival so that they will be allowed to board the flight to Yangon. There is a fee of USD 20 that the clients pay to Immigration Services after arrival.

Getting to Myanmar

Direct flights to Yangon (Rangoon) are available from: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Dhaka, Kuala Lumpur , Kunming, Singapore and Taipei. Airlines currently operating to and from Yangon are: Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Air Mandalay, Mandarin Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Druk Air, Indian Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Myanmar Airways International, Silk Air, Thai Airways International, and Bangkok Airways.

Arrival Procedures

After your passport is checked at the immigration desk, you will proceed directly to the baggage area. Do not change money at the money changing counter at the airport. They normally give 50% of the normal rate and are not an official bank.After collecting your checked luggage and clearing the customs inspection, you will go out to the arrival area where you will be met by your tour guide (if you are on an escorted tour).

Customs Procedures

As a basic rule-of-thumb, all valuable items brought into the country such as jewelry, cameras, electrical equipment, etc. must be declared upon arrival and subsequently brought out of the country upon departure. All foreign currency in excess of $2,000 is supposed to be declared. After collecting your checked luggage and clearing the customs inspection, you will go out to the arrival area where you will be met by your tour guide (if you are on an escorted tour).

Money Matters

CREDIT CARD & TRAVELERS CHECK ALERT!!

As a result of the US sanctions CREDIT CARDS ANDTRAVELERS CHECKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED IN MYANMAR at most hotels or at any banks. Only a very few deluxe hotels have found a way to accept credit cards and for expenses only. Therefore to be safe, travelers should bring CASH for all expected expenses (USD cash is the easiest).Please also note there are no ATM machines.

Currency

The Myanmar currency is known as the 'kyat' (pronounced 'chaat'). The official rate is about 6 kyat to the dollar but the 'real' rate is much higher. We recommend visitors to bring US Dollars cash (small denomination notes). US Dollars are widely accepted throughout Myanmar and are easily exchangeable for the local Kyat currency. Visitors may change their dollars into kyat at the local market rate. Major hotels and a few restaurants will charge in USD/FEC but most other expenses in Myanmar will be in kyats.

TRAVELLER CHEQUES

Traveller Cheques are not accepted at present.

LANGUAGE

The majority of the people speak Myanmar (Burmese) and English is widely used.

Climate and Weather

Myanmar has three seasons

• Cool Season - October through February
with average temperatures 20-24 C
 
• Hot Season - March through May
with average temperatures 30-35 C

• Wet Season - June through September
with average temperatures 25-30 C

Myanmar can be visited all year round regardless of the seasons. Even during the wet season, Yangon normally receives morning and afternoon showers while rainfall in Bagan and Mandalay is very low. The weather around Inle Lake and Southern Shan State is usually quite pleasant all year round but cold at night from December to February.

What to Wear?

Warm weather clothing is quite adequate for Yangon and most tourist spots although up-country around the Inle Lake area and other higher elevations the temperature may reach near freezing at night during the 'Cold' season. Travelers should bring appropriate cold weather clothing if traveling there.

Additionally, suggestive or revealing clothing is never a good idea in this conservative and largely Buddhist culture. Myanmar is a conservative Buddhist culture and improper dress can be offensive. Please dress with respect for the local culture.When visiting religious shrines and temples, modest dress is required and easily removable footwear is recommended since such sacred grounds must be visited only in bare feet (no socks either). Hats and sunglasses are usually appreciated, as is an umbrella for the rainy season.

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, extra pair of prescription glasses, a small flashlight, extra passport photos, decaffeinated coffee (if you require) and camera film.

DRINKING WATER

Only drink purified bottle water. Bottled water is readily available and some hotels provide complimentary. Carry a bottle with you throughout the day.

Health Issues

While no immunizations are formally required, malaria prophylaxis is often recommended by traveler's personal physicians. Occasionally, typhoid, hepatitis, tetanus and Japanese encephalitis vaccinations are also recommended. Drink only bottled or boiled water and it is suggested that food not be purchased from sidewalk vendors. Insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites is recommended, especially up-country and in wooded areas. Recent news articles have mentioned a general increase in Dengue fever risk in SE. Asian countries.

Voltage

The voltage throughout Myanmar is 220-230 Volts AC. Because the voltage may be inconsistent, valuable or sensitive equipment like stereos and computers should have appropriate electronic protection. Most common sockets are two pronged, able to take round or blade style plugs though you do sometimes need a 3 prong adaptor.

Photography

Cameras, (still, video and digital) are permitted in Myanmar. Some good quality film is available in Yangon and Mandalay at the better hotels. However for professional quality film it is best to bring your own as the selection here is limited. Print film is generally available in all the main tourist areas. Restrictions on photography include military facilities and any structure considered strategic (including bridges and train stations).

Communications

Most mobile phones will not work in Myanmar (unless you have an iridium phone) and charges for overseas calls and faxes at hotels may be expensive. Travelers should always check the rates before using IDD lines. In Yangon and Mandalay overseas communication is fairly easy but in Bagan and especially Inle Lake, can be difficult although deluxe hotels at Bagan and Inle Lake may be able to provide email service. There are some Internet Cafes in Yangon and Mandalay but not elsewhere. Major hotels will have internet.

OPENING BORDERS

If you are also planning to travel through Northern Thailand or Yunnan, China you must receive a visa to Myanmar before arrival at the border. If you book a full package tour with Kyaw San Travel we may be able to arrange special permission for your arrival either from the Thai border at Mae-Sai into Myanmar at Tachilek or from the Chinese border town of Ruili in Yunnan into Myanmar at Mu-se. Departing from Myanmar through these border towns may also be arranged. Please contact our office.and email as well.

Insurance

Hospitals with the standard of care most tourists are used to do not yet exist in Myanmar. There are a few private clinics at which reasonable emergency care can be obtained but if a traveler were to become seriously ill or injured, the only alternative would be to medically evacuate (med-evac) that person to the nearest major medical facility, most likely in Singapore or Bangkok. It is strongly recommended that travelers purchase insurance which will provide medical-evacuation coverage should they require it. SOS Worldwide has a local representative office in Yangon with a 24 hour on call service for emergency evacuation and medical assistance.

RELIGION

The majority of the people of Myanmar are Buddhist although Christianity, Islam and Hinduism are also practised among the minority.

Airport Departure Tax

As of March 2006 the fee is a departure tax of $US 10 payable on international flights. There are no taxes for domestic flights.

Travel in Myanmar

The quickest and most comfortable mode of domestic travel is by flying. Modern ATR aircraft are used by Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways and the new private air carrier Air Bagan (which also uses Folker 100 jets).Trains, ferry boats, cruise ships and coaches may also be utilized for tours. *Passports should always be carried when traveling in Myanmar.

Rules of the Road

In Myanmar cars, trucks, and buses rank first on the roads with pedestrians a distant second. Since Myanmar drivers assume that pedestrians will make way for them, travelers should be alert when crossing streets, especially in busy downtown Yangon.