Travel Tips

International Hotels:
Mineral water US$1.50 to US$3; soft drinks US$3; beer US$3 to US$6; glass of wine US$3 to US$5; tea or coffee US$3

Local restaurants:
Mineral water 500 to 800 kyats; soft drinks 300 to 700 kyats; beer 1200 to 1800 kyats; local-style tea or coffee 500 kyats

Tipping – It is common to tip drivers, guides, waiters at local restaurants and hotel porters. The following suggestions on tipping are meant only as a general guide. Tipping should be done out of appreciation and for exceptional service you may wish to give more.

Tip hotel porters 50 cents to US$1 (in US$ or equivalent kyat) and 5 percent for meal service (in kyat). We suggest tipping your driver US$3-5 per person/per day for individuals or couples and about US$1-2 per person/per day for groups, in either US$ or kyat). You may need to tip your driver on a daily basis as there could be different drivers each day. A fair tip for a tour guide would be US$5-10 per person/per day for individuals or couples and about US$3-5 per person/per day for groups of four or more (in US$ or kyat). At the International airport, guides are not allowed into the departure terminal so a porter will escort you and your luggage. He will expect a tip of around US$1, preferably in kyat.

When in doubt about whether it is appropriate to tip ask your guide. Anytime you especially appreciate someone’s assistance a tip will be gratefully accepted.

What to bring – Sun hat, sunglasses, sun protection for your face and body, prescription medicines, insect repellent and an umbrella from April to October (for rain or shine). An antibiotic cream for minor cuts and scratches, extra pair of prescription glasses, small flashlight and extra passport photos are also recommended.

What to wear – Shorts, short skirts or revealing clothing are not appropriate in Myanmar, particularly when visiting temples or other religious sites. Myanmar is a conservative Buddhist culture and improper dress can be offensive so please dress in a way that shows respect for the local culture. Lightweight, easy to care for clothes of cotton and other cool fabrics are ideal all year round. A winter sweater or jacket and socks may be needed in the cool season, particularly if you plan to visit mountainous areas, such as Inle Lake and Kalaw, where the weather can drop to near freezing during the night at this time of year. Wear sensible walking shoes that can be easily removed when required. Shoes and socks must be removed at pagodas and monasteries so it is advisable to bring a pair of slippers (also known as flip flops or thongs).

Business hours & holidays – Government offices open from 10am to 4pm on weekdays. Banking hours are from 10am to 3pm. Private companies work daily except Sunday and gazetted holidays, with a half day on Saturday. Shopping centres and supermarkets open daily. The most famous shopping location in Yangon, Bogyoke (Scott) Market, is open daily from 10am to 5pm except on Mondays and gazetted holidays.

Post & telecommunication – The postal service in Myanmar is definitely cheap. Expect letters and postcards to take quite some time to reach their destinations but usually most of them will arrive. Parcels may be sent and delivered in Myanmar but again it is rather time-consuming, especially if you want to pick up a parcel at the Foreign Post Office – bring along a lot of time and patience! Private services like DHL do a good job but at a much higher price. If you wish to send bulky and heavy items home it can be done either by airfreight or by sea. In this case our guides will be willing to give you the necessary help and assistance.

International calls can be made from major hotels and the central telegraph office in larger cities. Whenever making phone calls from Myanmar it is important to ask for the price first – at some hotels the tariff might be double the official rate. The service is improving but connections are poor and international calls are expensive – expect to pay at least US$5 a minute for calls to Europe or the United States. Internet is available at most locations throughout the country. Almost all websites can be accessed, although the connection speed varies considerably and can be frustratingly slow.

Time – Myanmar’s time zone is six and a half hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+6.5). Myanmar has no daylight savings period.

Electricity – Myanmar’s electricity is 230 volts, 50hz. However, fluctuations can be amazing – be prepared for anything from 80 to 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, particularly laptops and other expensive devices.

Expect to find a bewildering array of different plugs and sockets in Myanmar; extension sockets for three different types of plugs are the rule. You are advised to bring an international adaptor with you and if the need arises you can find what you need at any roadside shop – the problem is all too common here. While the electricity in Yangon is relatively regular, expect regular power cuts elsewhere in the country. Many hotels and even shops have their own generators to ensure a permanent power supply but that doesn’t necessarily mean 24 hours of power, as many hotels switch on the generator only after sunset and switch it off at around 11pm.

Health – Some immunisations are highly recommended, but none are required for entry. Recommended immunisations include polio, tetanus, typhoid, MMR and hepatitis A & B Malaria prevention is also recommended, particularly mosquito repellent. A vaccination certificate for yellow fever is required for entry if arriving from other infected countries. Seek independent medical advice from your physician or a travellers’ health service before visiting Myanmar.

Emergency services – A 24-hour medical clinic with internationally trained medical staff is available in Yangon but emergency services and care for major medical problems may be limited elsewhere. Prevention of injury is always the best policy. Your guide will advise you if a situation arises where urgent medical care is needed during your tour.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) alert – Throughout most Asian countries – and Myanmar is no exception – monosodium glutamate (MSG, known locally as “chote mote”) is still used in food preparation in some restaurants. Travellers who experience swollen feet or hands or headaches will more than likely have consumed a large amount of MSG in their food. It is always best to inform your guide when ordering if you want to make sure it is not added to your food.

People -The people of Myanmar are generally hospitable, friendly, and fun loving. Do not hesitate to ask for help whenever you feel the need for it. Most Myanmar are highly religious, with an estimated 90 percent followers of Buddhism. It is best to ask permission before entering houses or taking portrait photos. If in doubt, ask your guide.

Time – Do not expect everything to happen on time; remember that in some places time is not as important as it is back home, and there is often little concern for punctuality Despite best efforts, departures and arrivals could be a little before or after the time given. This applies particularly to aircrafts. Operating requirements, weather and terrain sometimes present problems, and on these occasions, to ensure your safety, flight times may vary.

Safety – Observe the same precautions that you would take at home. Do not flaunt your wallet or cash, always lock unattended vehicles and do not leave baggage unattended in public. Make use of security facilities provided for valuables at your accommodation. Do not take anything you can’t afford to lose or can’t replace.

Shopping – Popular souvenirs include lacquerware, silver, wood and stone carvings, handwoven silk and cotton garments or fabrics, and gems and jewellery (purchases should be made through a government-authorised dealer as an official receipt is required for taking them out of the country.

Negotiating is the norm at street markets. Ask your guide for tips on this but don’t push too hard – remember that what is only a few dollars to you may mean a great deal to the average vendor or artisan. Don’t negotiate unless you are interested in buying.

Do:
Use both hands when offering something to a monk, nun or elderly person
Show the utmost respect for monks, nuns, and elders.
Bow or bring your palms together when introduced to a monk
Practise saying the word “mingalarbar”, the most common greeting in Myanmar

Don’t:
Wear shoes or socks inside a pagoda or monastery
Walk on carpets, mats or other types of floor covering with your shoes on
Wear unsuitable or revealing clothing
Display affection in public
Sit with feet on a table or sprawl yourself on the floor
Point your feet towards a Buddha image, monk or older person
Lose your temper

Climate

Myanmar’s climate is comparable to other parts of mainland Southeast Asia. The best time to travel is between November and March, although travel is possible to most destinations all year round.
The monsoon begins in May or June, with frequent rains continuing through October. The mildest and driest season is from November to February, with temperatures ranging from 60-75F. In the highlands, such as Kalaw and Inle Lake, temperatures can drop to near freezing at night during December and January. If you plan to travel to these areas please make sure to pack a warm jacket.
The hot seasons runs from March through May, and temperatures in April and May can be extremely hot, often exceeding 100F.