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.
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