Myanmar travel guide

It is now a good time to visit the country surrounded by Thailand, China and India. Good preparation before traveling will help you avoid unexpected issues. Here is some useful information which you should know beforehand.

What to buy:

Plenty of bronze, wooden and Jade Chinthes, Sand paintings, puppets, Burmese textiles, lacquer ware especially a longyi (women’s wrap/ skirt) which easily found in the local markets in Yagonm Inle lake, Bagan…

Drinks:

Bottled water is complimentarily provided in some hotels. However, when you are outside hotels, remember to drink purified bottle water and carry one with you all day. It is about $0.3 for a bottled water (300ml) and $1 for a beer of 500ml depending on each hotel.

Credit cards:

Most hotels and international shops accept credit cards. Mastercard and Maestro/Cirrus, Visa are accepted in Myanmar now. There are ATMs in all the tourist destinations and they will charge you about $5 per transaction and you can withdraw a maximum of $250.

Currency:

Currency of Myanmar is Kyat and It is often abbreviated as "K". Frequently used banknotes are: K1, K5, K10, K20, K50, K100, K200, K500, K1000, K5000, and K10000. However, US Dollars are accepted at most places and small denomination notes are preferable.

US Dollars can be exchangeable at authorized money changers in all over the country such as jewelry stores... Other foreign currencies such as, Euros, Pound sterling… can only be exchanged at the Currency Exchange Counter insides Immigration at Yangon International Airport on arrival.

Customs:

You should fill-in the customs declaration form upon arrival for your valuables (jewelry, cameras, electronic equipment…)

Electricity

The standard households (hotels) electrical supply in Vietnam is 220-240 volt, 50 Hertz. The standard socket accepts a two round/flat pins plug.

If your electric devices do not accept the same electrical supply, you need to have an adapter with you or buy it at the market of Myanmar.

Time

Time zone of Myanmar is +6.5 It is +6.5 hours and +5.5 hours difference with London in winter and summer time respectively.

Climate and weather

Like most all tropical countries, Myanmar has 3 distinct seasons: the cool season from November to February with average temperatures 19-25^oC; the monsoon or rainy season from May to October with average temperatures 24-29^oC and the hot season from March to May with average temperatures 30-35^oC.  The average daily temperatures in Yangon are from 16-30^oC in January in the cool season, and from 25-35^oC in April during the hot season. The climate in the upper Myanmar is the mildest all year round, while lower Myanmar, particularly in the delta and coastal areas, is the most humid. In general, the best time to visit Myanmar is during the cool season when the temperatures are cooler and there is no rain or little rain.