MYANMAR FAQ’s

Myanmar has three main seasons: hot season, rainy season, and cold season. The best time to visit Myanmar is from October to March when temperatures are relatively low (average 15 – 30 degrees centigrade) and when there is practically no rain. Note that in December and January the temperature can drop to near freezing at night in the highlands of the Kalaw, Pindaya, Taunggyi and Inle Lake area. In April and May which is the hottest season the temperature often tops 40 degrees centigrade in Yangon, and in Mandalay and Bagan it can get even hotter. The monsoon starts between mid-May and mid-June bringing frequent rains, particularly in the southern as well as western region of Myanmar which last until September. During these months higher altitude destinations Pyin Oo Lwin, Kalaw, Pindaya, Ywangan and Inle Lake have pleasant European summer like weather with few showers.

Use only bottled water. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should be boiled or filtered. Milk is unpasteurized and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish unless in hygienic restaurants. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit should be peeled. Some travellers avoid Burmese food for their evening meal, as the curries are cooked in the morning and then left in pots throughout the day. Chinese, Thai and other dishes, on the other hand, are usually cooked to order.

Myanmar is very conservative and old fashioned country in many ways and is slowly modernising its own way. The country has been sliding back to authoritarian style rule and travelers should understand that discussions of certain topics may not be safe.

Dress discreetly, be polite and friendly. Be an observer. Avoid sharing your personal opinions of governance, religion or other topics that could offend people.

The regional cuisine balances spicy, sour, bitter and salty flavours; it can be quite hot but rarely as much so as Thai food. Common local ingredients include fish, seafood, chicken and vegetables spiced with onions, ginger, garlic and chillies, served with rice or noodles. When going out to eat, most locals will pick Chinese restaurants since they make Burmese meals at home. Indian cuisine is also well represented, particularly in Yangon, while major tourist areas usually have a selection of places doing passable Western food.

Myanmar has a monsoon climate with three main seasons. The hottest period is between February and May, when there is little or no rain and temperatures can rise above 40°C (104°F). The rainy season is generally from May to October, giving way to dry, cooler weather from October to February. The coast and the mountains see significantly more rainfall than the arid central plains, which include Mandalay and Bagan, and roads can become impassable during the rainy season in those areas. Overall, the best months to visit are from October to April.

For the most part, electrical sockets (outlets) in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) are one of the two European standard electrical socket types: The “Type C” Europlug and the “Type E” and Type F” Schuko. Also reported to be in use is the “Type D” Indian socket. If your appliance’s plug doesn’t match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance’s plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it’s crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all three types.

Electrical sockets (outlets) in Myanmar usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you’re plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need.

But travel plug adapters do not change the voltage, so the electricity coming through the adapter will still be the same 220-240 volts the socket is supplying. If your appliance is not compatible with 220-240 volt electric output, a voltage converter will be necessary.

Kyat (MMK; symbol K) = 100 pyas. Notes are in denominations of K10,000, 5,000, K1,000, 500, 200, 100.

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. However, amounts of foreign currency exceeding $10,000 or equivalent must be declared on arrival and must be converted within one month of arrival and the declaration certificate kept for departure.

The local currency is used by tourists to pay for everyday expenses such as restaurant meals, bus travel, taxis and shopping. Other expenses, such train tickets and museum entry fees, must be paid for in US dollars (although, in some cases, euro are also acceptable). In some situations prices are quoted in dollars although kyat are accepted at a poor exchange rate.

It is essential to ensure that any US dollars brought for use in the country – whether to be exchanged or spent – are recent issues (2006 or later) and absolutely pristine: any tears, folds or marks may lead to a note being rejected. High-value dollar notes usually receive the best exchange rate, but it’s also useful to have lower denominations to spend as hotels etc. may not have change. Euros are also exchanged at banks, and may be accepted at government-run museums, but are less useful when paying for hotel rooms or other expenses.

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1400, and sometimes Saturday mornings.

Visa and Master credit cards are accepted in international standard hotels. Don’t rely on cards and ATMs when travelling in Myanmar.

Myanmar has several local banks with branches in almost all towns across the country. The ATMs frequently run out of cash, or only dispense small amounts, or don’t work with international cards. So it’s a good idea to bring some cash to change just in case.

Shopping is plentiful in most areas of Myanmar with colorful markets and stalls adorning most streets. Most popular buys include antiques, embroidery, gems, lacquer ware, mother-of-pearl, hand-woven silk Longyi, traditional woodcarvings, customary puppets and tribal crafts. Jewelry should be purchased through an authorized dealer who will issue a receipt so that the items can be exported. Bargaining is an elemental part of Myanmar life in small shops and markets.

Tipping is common in Myanmar and much appreciated. Tipping is entirely voluntary and should encourage good and satisfactory service. Major hotels and restaurants usually add 10 % Service Charge to bills. Where it is not included a tip of 5-10 % of the bill would be appropriate if the service is satisfactory. Porters should be tipped at 1000 kyat per bag. Recommended tip for local guides is 5USD per person per day and 2USD pp per day for drivers.