Travel Tips
Time
Myanmar Standard time is six hours and 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC). Myanmar does not employ daylight saving.
Seasons to visit Myanmar
Generally speaking, Myanmar is well access in all year round. Even though it has the affect of monsoon in July, August & September, it is not rainy the whole country. Only the parts, which are closed to the sea, such as Yangon and coastal regions have sometimes heavy rains but it does not happen in all three months. Since Mandalay & Bagan are dry-zones, even in monsoon period, there is very little rain. Since Inle Lake is hilly region, sometimes it rains and sometimes it does not. Nevertheless, the rains do not disturb our visits and sightseeing.
The best period to come to Myanmar is from October to end of March. April and May are the hottest months in Myanmar but no rain.
Seasonal changes in the monsoon wind directions create summer, rainy and winter seasons. Summer season starts from March to May. Rainy season starts from June to September and Winter starts from October to February. The best time to visit Myanmar is during October to May, however whole Myanmar is good to travel round the year. Generally, Myanmar has three seasons. The monsoon or rainy season is from May to October, the cool dry season from November to February, and the hot season from March to May. As the country is large and diverse with many mountainous regions and forests, temperatures vary from region to region. Weather is generally temperate and cool in the north and northeastern parts. During the rainy season, lower Myanmar and coastal areas enjoy heavy rain-showers but it is dry and pleasant in central regions. Myanmar is a year-round tourist destination.
Climate
Myanmar has a tropical climate with three distinct seasons Cool season from October to February is dry with temperatures ranging from 21’C to 28’C Hot season from March to May is dry with average temperatures of between 30’C and 40’C Rainy (monsoon) season runs from June to September with average temperatures of between 25’Cand30’C During the rainy season, Yangon normally receives early morning and afternoon showers, while rainfall in Bagan and Mandalay is quite low. The weather around Inle Lake and Shan State is generally pleasant all year round but cold at night from December to February. Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake are good to visit anytime of the year.
Currency
The Myanmar currency is the kyat (pronounced “chaat”). It is divided into 100 pyas, although these are no longer used. At present the following bank notes are in general use: Kyats 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 5000. The US dollar is widely accepted at the prevailing market rate. Visitors are strongly advised to bring sufficient cash in US dollars to cover all expenses in country, as credit cards cannot be used in Myanmar. Traveler’s cheques and other foreign currencies are not recommended as they can be difficult and time consuming to change into local currency. Please note that moneychangers, shops, restaurants and hotels only accept US dollar notes that are in good condition. They should look new, with no folds, tears or scuff marks. Notes with torn off corners, rips or scrawls are not likely to accepted.
Money Exchange
There are government official exchange counters from the private banks available at Yangon International Airport , at the Thein Phyu Road(Lower Block) and at downtown. You can change your Notes (preferably USD, EUR and SGD) there without needing to be nervous. There are several black marketers in Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) as well. You may also change at the hotel reception desks. Usually, the best exchange rate you can get is only in Yangon. Normally, $100 Notes can get better rate than smaller Notes. You may need to bring the new, fresh and Clean notes, as you may get the lower rate if the Notes are stained or torn.
Credit Card
Credit Card can be used at hotels (like 4*& 5*) with sur- charge (3-5%) and for shopping (Gems shops can accept credit card with sur-charge) .They can accept only Visa Card & Master Card.
Wire Plug/ Electricity
For Video and Camera Charging, there are the Plug Ports at hotels, mostly they are 2 Pin Plugs and if it is not compactable with your electronic devices, you can contact to Reception and can borrow the adaptor with free of charge. Myanmar has a great potential for producing hydroelectricity; about 50% of its electricity is from hydroelectric plants. The remainder of Myanmar’s electricity is produced by thermal plants using natural gas, diesel fuel, or coal. The voltage is 230 volt, AC 50 HZ. Most of the hotels and places have three-pin plugs. For those who have brought video camera, adapter is highly recommended.
Gratuities & Tipping
Tips for the Hotel bell men and porters are not included in our services. Myanmar in nature are simple thinking and simple living. and always ready to help everyone, and especially willing to help visitors from foreign countries, to show our hospitality as a host country, without expecting anything in return. But if any person is nice to you during your trip, a gratuity would be a generous gesture and greatly appreciated. There are no exactly official rules about tipping system but these are some advice for the Tips as follows:
- For Hotel Tips-USD 2 per luggage
- For Driver Tips-USD 10-15 (not per day) each destination
- For Guide Tips-Depends on clients(normally USD 5 per day per pax)
Documentation
All visitors to Myanmar are required to carry a valid passport and a Myanmar visa. The passports must be valid for six months beyond the intended stay. Visa applications may be made at any Myanmar embassy or consulate. Tourist visas valid for three months are issued to independent or group tour travellers. Single-entry tourist visas are also available. Multiple entry visas valid for up to one year are available to foreigners working for companies with long-established operations in Myanmar. Children aged over seven are required to apply for separate visas even if they are travelling on a parents’ passport. The fee for a single-entry tourist visa is about $20; other visa fees vary according to the nationality of the applicant. Fees for stay extensions range from about $36 for up to three months, and $90 for between three months and a year and visitors must apply before their visa expires.
Visa-on-arrival Developments
At the time of writing, travelers of any nationality taking a Myanmar Airways International flight from either Siem Reap, Cambodia, or Guangzhou, China, to Yangon can obtain a visa-on-arrival. While this has not officially been announced, many travelers have used this relatively simple service. However, you are advised to contact us to check for the status of visa-on-arrival facilities before you do this.
Insurance
It is recommended that you consider short-term health and accident policies from and insurance company in your home country. Local hospital care is basic and any serious injury will require medical evacuation to either Singapore or Bangkok. As medical evacuations can be extremely costly, it is advisable that you take out a comprehensive insurance policy that will cover the cost of a medical evacuation and subsequent medical care.
Myanma Insurance offers cover for those who wish to take out insurance after arriving in the country.
Myanma Insurance is at 627/635 Merchant Street, Yangon. Its email addresses are