FAQs.
The following questions and answers discuss the most important facts
about traveling in Myanmar.
We have taken utmost care in compiling the answers, however can not
accept any liability for the contents. Regulations in Myanmar may
change overnight without prior notice.
Questions
Fascinating Land Travels & Tours
What can your travel agency in Myanmar arrange for guests?
We organize individual, tailor-made tours as our guests wish,
traveling as individuals or in small groups. Please see about us for what we specialize in.
We will of course be glad to arrange hotels or flights etc. if you do
not wish to book a complete tour.
Can
you arrange our international flights to Myanmar?
We unfortunately can not offer you at present flights from overseas to
Myanmar.
Normally we arrange only services once you enter Myanmar, be it
through any of the international airports or border crossings from
Thailand / China. We will be glad to arrange the formalities for you.
We can however arrange flights for you from Bangkok to Yangon with
Myanmar Airways International.
Do we have to
pay for anything additional?
We do mention exactly what is included and excluded in our prices.
There is no hidden cost! We will even absorb unexpected cost without
you noticing to stick to the planned itinerary in case of minor
obstacles.
Meals, aside from breakfast, are only arranged on special request.
Why should we book
our vacation early?
Maybe not every year, but often enough there are capacity
shortages, especially during the peak season. Do you want to have a
good tour guide? Those are not sitting around at Christmas and wait
for clients, they are booked even years ahead. The same of course is
valid for flights and hotels etc.; the good places are usually fully
booked first.
We take time on providing recommendations to you. Please be aware that
we might not be able to do this extensively during the peak season when guests are
in the country and we have to look after them.
What kind of
local tour guides are available?
The following types of tour guides exist:
"Through-out guide": accompanies you from Yangon throughout your
journey by car or plane until your departure from Myanmar. The
Through-out guide only follows you to the beach if specifically
requested. For the Through-out guide, there are discounted airfares.
"Station guide". Meets you at the respective places within the country
(e.g. Inle Lake, Mandalay or Bagan) at the airport and accompanies you
only in this particular area. At the next location, you will meet
another Station guide. Station guides know their area particularly
well. If you travel by car to next destination, the station guide will
accompany you till you arrive to the next destination and then
returns.
If you need a tour guide other than English speaking, it will be
automatically a Through-out guide.
How can we be sure that we will like the booked hotels etc.?
Our emphasis is on individually recommending you what you really will
like. The more information we get from you, the better to recommend
the most suitable option.
Often, there are very different alternatives available in all price
categories. We take great care in choosing partners that provide good
and clean accommodation.
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When do we
have to pay for our booked vacation?
A down payment is required in order to guarantee your bookings.
Especially in the high season, many hotels charge cancellation fees
and require advance payments at the time of booking. For details of
payment please see our “Trading terms and
conditions”
Can you arrange for us travel permits to restricted areas?
Away from the main route; especially in the border regions; there are
areas to which the government will not let you travel on your own for
your own safety.
Yes, we can arrange permits to normally restricted areas. Please be
however aware that such permit; depending on the actual situation;
might be revoked or routes altered by local authorities while you are
traveling. The tour must be completely
arranged by us including a mandatory tour guide. Sometimes the
authorities give permits also for part-trips.
We should book
and apply for the permit ideally 2 months ahead.
Visa for Myanmar
What kind of
visas are available in Myanmar?
Usually you will be granted a tourist visa that is valid for 28 days
from your arrival in Myanmar. You have to arrive in Myanmar within 90
days of visa issue date.
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Can I extend my visa for
Myanmar?
Definitely yes, we can arrange that for you in Yangon. You must however
stay in or around Yangon until the visa is extended.
Where can I apply
for a Myanmar visa?
There are different methods:
• Apply for visa at any Myanmar Embassy
• To apply via Internet at http://www.visa.gov.mm / (at present however service is suspended)
• Have a “visa on arrival” arranged through us against a service
charge IN ADVANCE of your arrival, if the other methods are not
convenient to you and if you book a complete tour with us. As there
however were considerable problems in the past, we only want to
arrange this if no other ways work.
International and domestic airlines in or to Myanmar
How can I fly to Myanmar
(Burma)?
Most flights coming to Myanmar connect from Bangkok or Singapore.
Amongst the airlines flying to Yangon are:
Thai Airways, Myanmar Airways International, Bangkok Airways from Bangkok.
Silk Air (regional arm of Singapore Airlines) and Myanmar Airways
International from Singapore
Malaysian Airlines and Myanmar Airways International from Kuala
Lumpur.
Qatar Airways started 4 flights per week from Europe with stopover in
Doha to Yangon since beginning of 2005.
China Airlines flies from Beijing via Kunming.
There are at present no suitable flight connections to other airports
in Myanmar although there were flights offered to Mandalay previously.
Air Mandalay flies from Yangon to Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand and from Chiang Mai to
Mandalay / Yangon.
PB Air offered in the past return flights from Bangkok to Bagan but
has no plans to continue.
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Which
domestic Airlines are available in Myanmar?
The following domestic Airlines fly within Myanmar:
Air Bagan, Yangon Airways, Air Mandalay and Myanmar Airways
(domestic).
Air Bagan, Air Mandalay and Yangon Airways are private airlines,
serving the major destinations with French built ATR 42 and ATR 72
planes. Air Bagan in addition has a Fokker F100.
Is it safe to fly
Myanmar Airways?
One needs to distinguish between “Myanmar Airways” and “Myanmar
Airways International”, which are different companies although the
names are similar.
Myanmar Airways offers only domestic flights within Myanmar and does
not enjoy a good reputation. Most travel agents will avoid Myanmar
Airways where another airline flies to the same destination.
”Myanmar Airways International” is regarded as a reasonable
alternative to other international airlines. Thai Airways has a
code-sharing agreement with Myanmar Airways International on the route
to Bangkok.
MONEY
Can I use traveler checks and credit cards in Myanmar (Burma)?
Automatic teller machines are not available in Myanmar! Since October
2004 credit cards and traveller checks are not anymore accepted in the
whole country. Any other information you may read is outdated,
although in the meantime a few of the better hotels accept credit
cards again (sometimes against hefty surcharge!). You should definitely not rely on this!
PLEASE BRING SUFFICIENT US DOLLAR CASH WITH YOU!
What is the local
currency in Myanmar?
The local currency is called Kyat. Kyat bank notes are available
between 1 and 1000 Kyat. 1000 Kyat are less than 1 USD but
sometimes rates are heavily fluctuating. Coins are since long not anymore in
use.
Where can I change US Dollar / Euro into Kyat in Myanmar?
There are a number of money changers. The best exchange rate usually
is offered in Yangon.
Large USD denominations are exchanged at a higher rate.
Euro can be reasonably changed only in Yangon. Still, it is favourable
to change your Euros at home into USD.
Is
there a mandatory exchange required in Myanmar?
Since August 2003 there is NO requirement anymore to change on arrival
(previously 200 USD had to be changed into Foreign Exchange
Certificates, FEC)
FEC are still legal tender but tourists will seldom see them these
days.
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Safety
Is Myanmar a safe
country to travel?
Myanmar, in those parts open to travelers, is a very safe country to
visit. Capital crime is virtually unknown and foreigners are treated
especially respectful. The number of any theft or other cases
involving foreigners is negligible.
Carrying larger cash amounts does not pose a big risk, of course don’t
show it openly.
When traveling on cars, seatbelts are
often not available.
Since end of 2004 a number of bomb explosions occurred, causing also
casualties, however not aimed specifically at foreigners. It is not
exactly clear who is behind those bombs. In May 2005 there were 3
simultaneous bomb explosions in Yangon, which caused several
casualties.
There are in times smaller tremors in Myanmar which usually cause no
or small damage only.
Transport and roads in Myanmar
Is it easy to travel in
Myanmar?
 Infrastructure within Myanmar is often much worst than visitors from
foreign countries are used to. Even compared with Thailand, it is
worse. Therefore one needs to put into account considerably more time
and little comfort for travel than at home. Most cars are rather old,
although we do take great care to choose cars in good condition.
Especially in the high season, there are however shortages.
There are no budget domestic airlines, flying reduces travel time
considerably over land transport.
Myanmar people are very friendly and helpful. There will always be
someone to help you. However language barriers might make it difficult
if you are are traveling without an English-speaking companion.
During the rainy season (June to September) there might be disruptions
to travel.
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Which is
the best time to visit Myanmar (Burma)?
Most people visit Myanmar during the “cool” and dry season from
November to February. In this time, night temperatures drop to 17
degrees Celsius in Yangon and just above 0 in the mountains.
Many people have a wrong perception of the rainy season (May to
September). Although in the coastal region, monsoon rainfalls are very
heavy, in the middle parts of the country they are not. It
rains in regular intervals, uninterrupted and day-long rainfall is
rather unusual. Very often sun and rain change in short intervals. The
rainy season is certainly very pleasant to people enjoying the green
nature and all plants growing. It is also possible to visit Bagan and
Mandalay during the rainy season as they lie in the dry belt. High
humidity in connection with very warm weather however can be very
disturbing to some people.
The danger of Malaria is generally greater in the rainy season.
General matters:
Should I visit Myanmar at
all?
There are many pro’s and con’s.
The overall economic situation and American sanctions (since 2003)
have brought hardship to ordinary people in Myanmar. Many people have
income generated from tourism. Be it directly through employment in
hotels, as tour guides or be it as souvenir producers, sidecar
(rickshaw) drivers, food stall operators or fruit and cigarette
vendors.
Myanmar people appreciate contacts to the outside world.
At the end, everybody has to answer the question himself. As a
visitor, you have the choice to spend your money where you think fit.
How is healthcare in
Myanmar?
Substandard health facilities probably pose the biggest risk when
traveling through Myanmar.
Outside of large cities medical facilities are not satisfactory, even
in Yangon hospitals rarely reach European standards.
Do bring with you sufficient stock up on any medicine, you may depend
on, and possibly a first-aid kit.
What food do Myanmar people eat - Is it safe to eat anywhere?
Although there are great regional differences, often food is oily or
spicy. Myanmar people eat a lot of rice, fish, Ngapi (fermented fish
paste) and vegetables. The average meal will consist of rice, a curry
and some vegetables.
Mohingha (fish soup with rice noodles) is a favorite food and well
known amongst foreigners. It is eaten usually in the morning. Dried
fish is also very popular.
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate – locally known as Ajinomoto) is frequently
used in large quantities. When ordering, you may request not to use
MSG, but this does not always work.
The best way to avoid possible stomach problems is to look carefully
at the hygiene of restaurants. A dirty looking restaurant with few
customers is not a good sign. Usually foreigners are warned of eating
at small food stalls, whereas one can see there immediately hygienic
conditions. Be careful with raw food and fruits, you can’t peel.
Please avoid crushed ice, whereas formed ice should be no problem. Do
not drink tab water but bottled water with intact seals only.
Should I take Malaria prophylaxis for a trip to Myanmar?
The first advice on this should always be: Avoid mosquito bites!!
Especially at dawn, wear long clothes and use mosquito repellents.
The answer on prophylaxis is a very difficult one, depends on where
you go at what time of the year. The side effects are sometimes very
strong and there is no guarantee that you prevent getting Malaria with
a prophylaxis.
Doctors with experience in tropical regions or Tropical institute
offer the best advice based on your itinerary.
Do I need
any insurance for travel to Myanmar?
Although there is no mandatory insurance required, we suggest the
following:
Health insurance with emergency evacuation (please ensure to check
with your insurance company that they do cover your trip to Myanmar).
Insurance to cover cost in case of not being able to travel.
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Communication with Myanmar
Can I
access my e-mails and internet in Myanmar?
There are in the meantime a number of Internet cafes in the main
tourist areas and larger towns. However a great number of e-mail
providers are blocked. You may use a local address provided by the
shop to send.
Can I use my mobile
phone in Myanmar?
The answer is short: NO
Mobile phones, if discovered at least in the past in your luggage,
needed to be deposited with customs until your departure. At certain
occasions, foreign mobile phones might be accessible in Myanmar, those
occasions however are only of short duration.
How do I have to behave in Myanmar? What offends Myanmar people?
Myanmar is still a country with very conservative manners. Please act
and dress accordingly.
Wearing very short skirts or shorts is considered impolite especially
while visiting Pagodas.
Pointing out to something with your legs and patting someone on the
head is also regarded as a bad manner.
Sitting etc. on Buddha images e.g. for photo shooting is strictly
unacceptable.
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us
with specific questions .
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