Travel Tips

Entry points for foreign visitors

Main entry point for international visitors in Yangon (formerly called Rangoon and former capital), the Commercial Hub of Myanmar, is reachable by scheduled and chartered airlines flying to Yangon.
Mandalay, the second largest city of Myanmar, also has an international airport, however, there are only two international airlines - Air Mandalay (from Chiang Mai) and China Eastern Airlines (from Kunming) - are landing there so far, so it is still not widely used as the major international entry point so far.
The border crossings at Muse by the Chinese border, Tachileik and Kawthaung by the Thailand border are also allowed for the visitors with pre-arranged border crossing permission and valid visa.
For the clients who would like to have a short visit in respective border area can apply for a border pass for short visit at the above mentioned border check points easily.

Passport and visa requirement

It is necessary to have a valid passport with an EVT (Entry Visa for Tourist) or visa upon arrival permission to enter Myanmar.
EVT can be obtained at any Myanmar Embassy/Consulate offices. Application forms in duplicate with three passport size photos are to be submitted with a fee of US$ 20. There are two type of tourist visa available.
Package Tour Visa: It is valid three months from the date of issue and requires a tour confirmation letter from an authorized Myanmar tour operator.
FIT Visa: It is valid three months from the date of issue but required no tour confirmation letter.
Visa on Arrival (Pre-arranged permission to get the visa upon arrival): It can be arranged for customers from countries where Myanmar Embassy/ Consulate office does not exist. In order to stamp the visa upon arrival, a prior permission is necessary and the process of getting that permission is taking at least two working weeks. Please contact our company for special arrangement to obtain the visa upon your arrival. The visa fee for visa upon arrival is also US$ 20 per person but Moby Dick Tours would charge for the service fee for getting the prior permission to get the visa on arrival.
With the visa, the stay in Myanmar is permitted for 28 days starting from the day of entering Myanmar.

Customs formalities

The regulations are generally simple for tourists arriving by air in Yangon. Visitors should complete immigration and customs declaration forms during the flight and submit those upon arrival to the immigration and customs officers. All foreign currencies exceeding the equivalent amount of US$ 2,000, all the valuables brought into the country such as jewelry, cameras and electronic goods etc must be declared upon the arrival. Gems and jewelry purchased from authorized dealers are allowed to be taken out with valid buying slip however antiques and archaeological value items are not allowed to be taken out of the country. Bringing in or taking out Myanmar currency is not allowed.

Currency and currency exchange

Myanmar currency is “Kyat” and the denominations are 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 notes. Visitors can exchange Kyat at Authorized Money changers.
FEC (Foreign Exchange Certificate), the printed bank note which can only be usable within Myanmar, is valued to be equivalent to United States Dollar per unit and are payable to all bills and purchases such as hotel bills, restaurant bills and payments for entry fee, etc.,.

Credit cards and traveler checks are temporarily suspended and only acceptable at some few major hotels and shops. United States Dollar cash is the most widely using foreign currency in Myanmar and it is recommended to bring in enough USD cash with you. Euro cash is usable but not still widely accepted as USD cash.

Airport tax

International Airport departure tax is US$ 10 per person, payable in United States dollar or FEC.

International Airlines

The online International airlines are Air China (CA), Air Mandalay (6T), Bangkok Airways (PG), China Eastern Airlines (MU), Indian Airlines (IC), Malaysia Airlines (MH), Mandarin Airlines (AE), Myanmar Airways International (8M), Qatar Airways (QR), Silk Air (MI), Thai Air Asia (FD), Jet Star Asia (3K), Air Bagan (W9), China Southern Airline (CZ) and Thai Airways International (TG).

Health Issues and Insurance

As per the report prepared by WHO for the information purpose, all the travelers to Myanmar are recommended to consult with personal physicians before traveling to Myanmar although the vaccination is not formally recommended. Mosquito and insect repellents should be brought personally and mosquito bites should be avoided whenever possible.
The vaccination for tropical diseases like Hepatitis, Typhoid, Tuberculosis, and Tetanus should be considered for the travelers who would like to travel to remote area of Myanmar.
The food from the street side vendors is not recommended. Fresh vegetables and tropical fruits are abundant. Drink only bottled water and boiled water which is easily available.
We recommend the travelers to purchase the insurance from its own country or reliable company which covers the medical-evacuation in case of serious illness or injury as the standards of medical treatment, laboratory facilities in Myanmar are not generally used by international community. One privately owned hospital, Pan Hlaing hospital, in Yangon is used by Diplomats, UN Personnel and foreign expats residing in Myanmar.

Food

Myanmar cuisine represents an intriguing blend of Mon, Indian, Bhama and Chinese influences. The core of Myanmar meal is ‘Rice’ eaten with curry dishes of fish, prawn, pork, chicken, mutton etc and fried vegetables, vegetable salad and deep fried side dishes. Most of Myanmar curries are oily, salty and mildly hot. The major ingredient is 'Ngapi', the fish paste. Myanmar snacks are famous and some of them are Mohinga, thin rice noodle served with fish gravy, and OhnNohKhaukSwe, noodle served with coconut gravy.

Dress

The recommended wears for year round would be light and casual, preferably cotton. Light sweaters for the cold season and heavy jackets would probably need for traveling northern Myanmar. When entering the precincts of religious monuments, all visitors are requested to take off their foot-wears. Shorts and briefs are defined as disrespectful dress to visit the pagodas and monasteries.

Communication

Oversea calls are available at hotels and telephone offices with IDD connection, the telephone communication is the most widely used communication method in Myanmar. There are internet cafés in Yangon, Mandalay and other cities. Although GSM mobile system is used in Myanmar at most of the cities, the global roaming is not available.

Business hours

Airlines open at 09:00 till 16:00, Monday through Friday and 09:00 to 12:00 at Saturday and Sunday for reservation purpose only. Government offices open at 09:00 till 16:30 Monday through Friday. Most private offices open at 09:00 till 17:00, Monday through Friday and 09:30 till 12:00 on Saturday and Sunday.

Time

The Myanmar Standard Time is 6:30 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

Electricity

AC 220 – 240 Volts, 50Hz.