Myanmar offers all the traditional delights of Asia in one fascinating country. Virgin jungles, snow-capped mountains and pristine beaches, combined with a rich and glorious heritage spanning more than two thousand years. Spectacular monuments and ancient cities attest to a vibrant culture that is still home to 135 different ethnic groups.

Airport Tax

Any passengers departing Myanmar on international flights will need to pay a departure tax of US$ 10.00 per person.

Clothing

Comfortable lightweight clothing in natural fabrics such as cotton is most suitable for travelling in Myanmar. Casual and light clothing is recommended for Myanmar all year round. A light sweater or jacket will be useful during the cool season and when travelling in northern areas. Shoes and other footwear must be removed when entering religious buildings and homes. Mini skirts, shorts and revealing clothes are prohibited when visiting temples and pagodas.

Electricity

Mainly 220--230 Voltage/50 cycles. However, fluctuations can be amazing: Be prepared for anything between 80 and 300 Volts! That’s why no Myanmar household is complete with at least one if not a battery of voltage regulators. Make sure to protect your electrical appliances from over voltage - your laptop might take it rather ill...

There also exists a bewildering multitude of different plugs and sockets in the country; extension sockets for three different types of plugs are the rule. Most electrical wall outlets take British-style plugs with a 3 flat plugs in a triangle; some outlets accept round plugs and combined round/flat holes for either type. You are advised to bring an international adaptor with you and if the need arises you can find what you need in any roadside shop - the problem is all too common in the country. Power cuts are all over the country more the rule than the exception. That’s why many hotels and even shops have their own generators to ensure a permanent power supply. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean 24 hours of power supply as many hotels switch on the generator only after sunset and switch it off at around 11 p.m.!

Food

Traditional Myanmar food such as mohinga, ohno khaukswe, assorted baked and fried delicacies and a variety of Myanmar curries are available at reputable Myanmar restaurants. Chinese and Indian dishes are available at popular food outlets in major towns and cities. Myanmar food has its own special identity, which is beloved by local people. Although it draws on its neighbors, it is neither as hot as Thai, nor as spicy as Indian, nor does it resemble Chinese cooking much except for the stir-fried vegetables. The meal is arranged around rice with accompanying dishes of fish, meat or fowl cooked in an onion and garlicbased gravy. Soup, which can be clear, refreshingly tart or creamy, is sipped during the meal to clear the palate. Salads are a popular side dish and some, such as the pickled tea leaf or ginger salads, are eaten also as after-meal or all-day snacks.

Health

No immunizations are formally required, although malaria prophylaxis are often recommended by personal physicians. Occasionally, typhoid, hepatitis, tetanus and Japanese encephalitis vaccinations are also recommended. Drink only bottled or boiled water. All hotels supply bottled water, as well as a good selection of Asian and Western food. Use sunscreen liberally when exposed to the intense, tropical sun.

Hours of business

Bank Hours

9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday (the Exchange Counter closes at 1pm)
Office Hours
Military: 8am to 3pm Monday to Friday
Government: 9:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday
Business: 9am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, until 1pm on Saturday.
Shop Hours
9:30am to 8pm daily

Language

There are more than 100 ethnic groups in Myanmar, all with their own languages and dialects. The majority speak Myanmar (Burmese), although English is widely spoken. Helpful tour guides who can speak major foreign languages can be booked through your tour operator. About 85 percent of Myanmar people are Theravada Buddhist. The rest embrace Christianity, Islam, Hinduism or animism.

Money

Myanmar currency is known as kyat (pronounced chat). The present usable denominations are: 1000; 500; 200; 100; 50; 20; 10; 5. Licensed money changers can help you exchange US$/FEC into local kyats. Travellers’ cheques are not normally accepted and are difficult to transact. Travellers are advised to bring US dollars in cash (small denomination notes) as other currencies are difficult to change.

Credit Cards are only accepted at a very few major hotels, airlines and some international shops and restaurants. We suggest to bring a sufficient amount of cash for personal expenses. The exchange of traveler cheques as well is very difficult and time consuming. Banks are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and all public holidays.

Public Holidays

JAN 4 Independence Day
FEB 12 Union-Day
MAR 2 Peasant's Day
MAR 19 Full moon day of Tabaung
MAR 27 Armed Forces Day
APR 13-16 Thingyan Festival (Water Festival)
APR 17 Myanmar New year Day
MAY 1 May Day (Workers' Day)
MAY 17 Full moon day of Kason
JUL 15 Beginning of Buddhist Lent
JUL 15 Full moon day of Waso
JUL 19 Martyrs' Day
OCT 12 End of Buddhist Lent (Thadingyut Festival of Lights)
NOV 10 Tazaungdaing Festival of Lights
DEC 01 National Day
DEC 25 Christmas Day
JAN 01 Kayin New Year Day

Shopping

Many different arts, crafts and antiques are available throughout Myanmar. Handcrafted lacquerware, mostly produced in Bagan, comes in all shapes and sizes. Embroidered cottons and wood carvings also make good souvenirs. Myanmar is of course renowned for its precious stones, particularly rubies. You should only buy from government licensed shops, which must issue an official receipt.

Telecommunications

Use the Central Post Office for letters and post cards. IDD telephone and fax facilities are available at most hotels in Myanmar. Email facilities are available at many hotels and local businesses in Yangon and Mandalay. Telephones & fax facilities are available in most hotels in Yangon and Mandalay but charges are quite expensive.

Tipping

Tipping for good service is not expected but is always appreciated in these developing nations. It is customary, though not compulsory, to tip tour guides and drivers at the end of a tour. Hotel and station porters should also be tipped a small amount for their troubles.
    
Visas

A valid Passport with Entry Visa is required of all visitors. A Tourist Visa allows a stay of 28 days.
Overland entry is permitted for Thai tourists with border pass and for third party tourists with visa at Tachileik, Three Pagoda Pass, Myawaddy and Kawthaung check points along Myanmar-Thai Border; and for Chinese tourists with border pass and for third party tourists with visa at Lweje, Nam Kham, Muse , Kyukoke, Kwanlong, Mont Lar along Myanmar-China Border.
Business Visa
A valid passport with Entry visa is required for all businessmen, applicable at Myanmar Embassies and Consulate General Offices abroad.
Visa On Arrival
Arrival Visa Rules and Regulation

On arrival visa will issue to any nationalities who have valid passport or travel document of their country in accordance with prevailing visa rules and regulation.

The applicants who apply for Visa on Arrival must have passport or travel document of which validity is not less than (6) months.

Tourist Visa type will charge USD 30 as visa fees for 28 days stay in Myanmar. This type of visa is NOT extendable.

Business Visa type will charge USD 40 as visa fees for 71 days stay in Myanmar. This type of visa is extendable.

Social Visit Visa type will charge USD 40 as visa fees for 28 days stay in Myanmar. This type of visa is extendable.

Transit Visa type will charge USD 18 as visa fees for 24 hours stay in Myanmar.

All applicants must have return ticket from Myanmar

All applicants must stay at official licensed hotels, motels and guest houses and needed to mention the name precisely in application form.

For social visit and business purposes, all applicants needed to mention precise address of relative, office, factory in application form.

Must bring 2 passport size photos (4x6 cm) taken within last 6 months.

All applicants must agree to follow prevailing laws and orders by authorities as well as to abide by the laws issued by immigrant authority in Myanmar.

For the children (under 7 years old) who travel together with parent entitle to get exemption for visa fee. The children with separate passport (under 7 years old) can get visa fees exemption as well.

For individual visitor or tourist, must have USD 300 to show CASH as evidence of sufficient funds. For the family, must have USD 600 to show CASH as evidence of sufficient funds. OR must have any foreign currency equivalent to above mentioned amount in USD.

All applicants must agree to follow prevailing visa rules and regulation during their visit in Myanmar.

Visitors are not allowed to visit restricted areas and needed to notify in advance to all visitors regarding restricted area.

All visitors needed to inform concerning township immigration and national registration department for overnight stay by mentioning with precise address of hotel, motel, guest house and office.

On arrival visa form is available at all airlines to Myanmar or on line and the applicant can get in advance to apply for on arrival visa.
 
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 The ideal time to visit Myanmar is during the cool season. However, 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 in Shan State is quite pleasant all year round but cold at night from December to February.

Water

It is not advisable to drink tap water in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar but bottled mineral water is safe and available everywhere. Ice in drinks is generally OK in good standard hotels and restaurants but it is best to avoid it on street stalls or in country areas.