MYANMAR ESSENTIALS

GUIDE: MYANMAR ESSENTIALS

An insider and first-hand experience guide to Burma, informing about important aspects of this country: hotels, restaurants, shops, attractions and festivities, including warning about the weather, currency, best ways to move around the country and things you should know before going to Myanmar.

BEFORE YOU GO

Required documentation

The Government of Burma, old name to refer to Myanmar, controls travel to, from, and within Burma. To enter Burma, you must have a valid passport with at least six months remaining validity and a valid visa (3 months caducity). You should apply for your visa on this website: http://www.evisa.moip.gov.mm/NewApplication.aspx#. In Burma, you will be required to show your passport with a valid visa at all airports, train stations, and hotels. Security checkpoints are common outside tourist areas.

VISA PRICES:

· Bussiness visa                               US $ 50           70 days

· Tourist visa                                   US $ 50           28 days

· Transit visa                                   US $ 20           24 hours

How to get in there

To this day, there isn’t any direct flight between Spain and Myanmar, so you have to stop intermediary on way or another. You cannot access either overland. The only option to get into the country is flying.

Yangon and Mandalay are the only cities from where you can enter and exit the country. Years ago, you couldn’t get depart the country from another city different form the one where you arrived. Fortunately, nowadays, if you land in Yangon, you can take off from Mandalay. 

                        

Travelling agencies

Internet is a good resource to find complete programs to Myanmar, reasonably prized and with huge competitive advantages:

www.destinia.com suggests 13-day trips. http://www.myanmarshalom.com/ or http://www.myanmargoldentravel.com/ offers an excellent and varied bid submission that fit every budget. And others such as: www.muchoviaje.com, www.intrepidtravel.com,  www.imaginative-traveller.com, www.suntrek.com and www.explora-accion.com.

After several journeys during my life in countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, New York, Ribiera Maya… I would personally recommend the catalan agency called Taranna Viatges. Is a travelling agency which organizes worldwide journeys, this agency lets you escape from the overcrowding and appreciate all the virgin and unspoiled sites of your destiny.

On the other hand I absolutely recommend visiting the country with a Burmese guide. For me it is indispensable. With the kind guides from the country you can visit the best places, have a first-hand experience with the locals, see the most remote villages and enjoy the most beautiful sunsets thanks to their wealth of experience and knowledge of their country.

CLIMATE & WEATHER

Most of Myanmar has a tropical monsoon climate with three seasons:

Cool – November to February is warm to hot during the day and the air is relatively dry.

Hot – March to May is intensely hot in most of the country.

In the cool and hot seasons, you are unlikely to experience any rain.

Rainy – June to October is the monsoon season, with high rainfall. From June to August, rainfall can be constant for long periods of time, particularly on the Bay of Bengal coast and in Yangon and the Irrawaddy Delta. In September and October, the rain is less intense and you will experience more sunshine.

            When to go?

The best time to visit is during the cool, dry season between November and February. Days remain very warm but it can get chilly at night in the hills. Try to time your visit to include a Full Moon day as this is a popular time for street parades and festivities in monasteries. Avoid the Maya Thingyan Water Festival (April 13-16 in 2015) when a lot of businesses close, sometimes for ten days.

            Clothing

With generally high temperatures in the popular locations around the country, lightweight cotton and linen clothing is recommended for most of the year; warmer clothes may be needed for the evenings, which can sometimes be cool. Even outside the rainy season there can on occasion be downpours, so it is advisable to pack a light raincoat. Travelling to higher altitudes and further north, it is advisable to take warmer clothes, particularly in the cool season, when temperatures can drop significantly.

HEALTH

The quality of health care in Myanmar is generally poor. Routine advice and treatment are available in Yangon and Mandalay but elsewhere the hospitals often lack basic supplies. Avoid surgery and dental work. As always, it is important to travel with insurance covering medical care, including emergency evacuation.

There are no required (mandatory) vaccinations because updating your childhood vaccinations is considered routine before any overseas trip.

Heading the list of recommended vaccinations is Hepatitis A, considered a moderate risk for all travellers, regardless of the length of stay or type of accommodation. Hepatitis B is especially relevant for young singles and frequent flyers. There’s a moderate risk of typhoid in Myanmar and vaccination is recommended for even short stays, especially if planning to visit towns or villages.

Minor injuries and ailments can be dealt with by pharmacists, particularly in major tourist areas where they are more likely to speak English. Pharmacists offer many things over the counter without prescription, although there are serious issues with fake and out-of-date medication.

SETTING YOUR BUDGET

Travelling in Myanmar can be made to fit most budgets, from no-frills independent backpacking, staying in basic guesthouses, to luxurious tours including prestigious colonial-era hotels. However, despite being a poorer country than its neighbours, do not expect travelling in Myanmar to be cheaper.secu

Myanmar’s currency is the kyat (pronounced “chat”), usually abbreviated as K, Ks or MMK. Kyat are used to pay for food, bus tickets, taxi journeys and items in ordinary shops or markets, but US dollars (and possibly euros, although don’t rely on it) must be used for government services including train tickets and entry fees for major tourist attractions.

Although moneychangers sometimes approach travellers with an offer to change dollars into Burmese kyat at the market rate, it is illegal to exchange currency except at authorized locations such as the airport, banks, and government stores.

INSURANCE COMPANY

I would completely suggest insure your trip in an insurance company such as AXA, World Nomads, Alliance… Most of them cover healthy issues, baggage loss, robbery, leave not taken….

BURMESE COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Myanmar is a hugely diverse country with many different ethnic and language groups. Burmese is the main language, but English is spoken by many people in cities and tourist areas (to varying degrees of proficiency); most hotels and bigger restaurants have some staff with a working level of English.

CUSTOMS

ARRIVALS

In the International Yangon Airport’s Immigration counters you must present your valid passport, as well as the visa and the boarding pass. In the case you have foreign currency to a value of more than 2000 US dollars you must declare it upon entry. If you have to do it, a copy of the customs’ declaration should be preserved in order to present it in the departure.

DEPARTURE

It is also important that you don’t forget to pay the airport taxes before checking in you baggage. You will find the airport to pay the 10$ taxes counters in the ground floor. If you have been in the country for more than 28 days, you have to pay an extra fee (3$ per day) in the Immigration Office in the second floor.

GETTING AROUND MYANAMAR

The main point of entry into Myanmar is the newly reformed International Yangon Airport, located 15km away from the city centre.

To his arrival to the passport control, many taxi drivers and hotel employees offer transport to the foreigners. Taxi drivers in the airport terminal can charge from 7 to 10$ to take you to the tourist, a mislead taking into account that if you walk outside the terminal, you will pay only 4-5$. Travelling by taxi within the city can cost around 2$.

For most people, the main ways to get around Myanmar are by air and bus; you can of course mix different modes of transport during your travels according to the individual journey you are taking. Which you choose will very much depend on your budget and itinerary; buses are the cheapest form of transport and some destinations can only be reached by air, for example.

By air

Despite their charms, land routes in Myanmar can often be slow, unreliable, and sometimes uncomfortable. So taking the plane is the best option for many – particularly if time is limited.

Core routes such as Yangon to Mandalay and Yangon to Bagan have frequent, direct services; the number of direct flights between Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw is also increasing. However, some internal flights work on a fluid schedule – many operate on circular routes, stopping off at different airports, so you may find you have to go via one place to get to another.

By bus

Travelling by bus is the simplest way to get around Myanmar if you are on a budget – and it is the only way to get to certain destinations (unless you are prepared to pay for a private car).

Bus routes are run by a variety of different private companies, and they serve most parts of Myanmar– with the exception of some border and mountain areas such as Kyaing Tong and Putao.

By train

Travelling by train can be one of the most alluring ways to explore Myanmar, as railway journeys often afford scenic views and chances to mix with locals that are often not otherwise possible. In upper class and overnight sleeper carriages, a sometimes more comfortable journey is possible than on buses 

By boat

Travelling by boat in Myanmar can be a genuine alternative to the bus or train, connecting some major destinations and allowing visitors to get a real taste of life on the river; taking in sunsets over stupa-lined river banks; and mixing with the locals. The most popular routes follow the mighty Irrawaddy River (also spelt Ayeyarwady or Ayeyarwaddy), the backbone of Myanmar that flows north-south through the country, as well as various tributary rivers and routes in the Irrawaddy Delta, near Yangon.

There are also several sea routes that follow the coast, connecting points that are difficult to reach over land, and the journey from Sittwe to the ancient capital of Mrauk U is usually done by boat.

Taxis and hire cars

Taxis come in a variety of different forms and are inexpensive and plentiful in most towns and cities. Hire cars (with driver) can be the most convenient way to get between certain destinations, although of course they come at a price.

Motorbiking, cycling and walking

Cycling and walking are popular activities in some localities, but covering the country by bike or foot can be difficult. In the absence of self-drive hire car, motorbiking is possible from most major destinations around the country and gives you the freedom of the road.

Trishaws

Trishaws (or Side-car as it is known in Myanmar) are the easiest and most convenient mode of transportation in Myanmar, especially outside of Yangon. These authenticate and traditional way of transport is very useful for short distances. Burmese design of trishaw is different from those of other Asian countries. The Burmese trishaw is essentially a bicycle, with a passenger side car attached to it. Thus the passenger seat is not behind the paddler, but on the side of the paddler, just behind him.

ACOMMODATION IN MYANMAR

Hotels in Myanmar range from simple lodgings to luxury resorts, and most cities, towns and villages also have basic guest houses, which are often family-run. However, the ones in Burma considered five-star or four-star hotels would be regarded as three-star properties in neighbouring Thailand.

Prices are high due to demand especially from October to March. However, international booking agents, notably www.agoda.com and www.booking.com, are now parenting with all grades of hotel to offer online booking and attractive discounts. If booking independently, book via email or through an online booking agent and bring all the paperwork.

Increasingly, more hotels are accepting credit cards (Visa and Mastercard only) but they charge a commission of 3-5%. On high season, booking through a local agency or through a tour operator on arrival in Yangon will give you peace of mind.

Budget accommodation can start from as little as $5 per night, going up to around $40. This may be family-run guest houses or small hotels, providing basic rooms and sometimes shared washing facilities. At this kind of accommodation, you may not always fins air conditioning, hot water or electricity.

Mid-range accommodation occupies the $40 to $120 price range. Here, you will find something more spacious with generally higher standards, and almost always offering 24 hour electricity, air conditioning and your own bathroom.

Luxury accommodation starts at $120 per night, and can go up to $400 for high-end hotels in Yangon or top tourist spots. These provide the standard high-end facilities you would expect, usually including 24-hour concierge and room service, laundry, and free internet. At the top end, you will find true luxury and style, with beautifully appointed hotels that are match for any in neighbouring countries.

BUSSINESS HOURS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Business hours can vary, but in general the following apply:

·         Shops: Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 6pm or later; many shops open Sundays, some markets closed Mondays

·         Restaurants: all week 8am to 9pm

·         Internet cafes: all week 9am to 10pm

·         Banks: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm

·         Post offices and other government offices: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm. For postal services, go to postal services.

·         Business office hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm; some offices open Saturday

TIME DIFFERENCE

Myanmar is 4:30 hours ahead of Spain. That means when it is 9:00 am in Madrid, Spain, it is 1:30 pm in Naypyidaw Myanmar.

During the main touristic period, from November to march, the sun sets unannouncedly at 17:30 h.

ELECTRICITY

In Myanmar you won’t need plug adapter. 220 V.

SECURITY

In all the areas that foreigners are allowed to visit, Myanmar is very safe in terms of personal security: incidents of crime against foreigners are extremely low and Yangon is considered to be one of Asia’s safest large cities, with no areas that need to be avoided.

You may sometimes be approached by ‘money changers’ and people trying to sell things (their statements should not always be taken at face value), but this will usually be done in a good-natured manner. In fact, you will often find that people approaching you simply want to take the opportunity to talk to a foreigner and maybe practise their English.