Available flights include Myanmar Airways International, Thai
Airways International, SilkAir, Air China, Biman Airlines, Indian
Airlines, Eva Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Mandarin Airlines, Air
Bagan, Qatar Airways, Thai Air Asia and Malaysian Airlines.
Entry formalities
Visa : Tourist and
business visas are valid for 28 days. Tourist visa are
non-extendable; business visa may be extended for 28 days. Transit
visas are valid for 24 hours. Apply to a Myanmar Embassy or
consulate, with for photos and your passport. The cost of a tourist
visa is approximately US$ 20; the cost of a business visa is
approximately US$40.
Customs : Besides
personal effects visitors are allowed 400 cigarettes (100 cigars or
250 g of unrolled tobacco), two quarts of liquor and 500 ml of
cologne or perfume. Cameras, radios, cassette players, calculators
etc must be declared at Customs on arrival and taken out on
departure. Foreign currency in excess of US$ 2000 must be declared.
Retain a copy of the customs declaration form to be presented when
you leave Myanmar.
Airport Tax :
Airport tax is US$ 10 per head to be paid on departure. But,
domestic flights are not taxed.
Vaccinations : None are
required.
Airport
Transfers : Taxis from the Yangon International Airport to downtown will cost
about US$7 to US$ 10 depending on the destination. Taxi travel
within Yangon will cost about 2000 kyats depending on distance
traveled. Most taxis do not have charge meters. Thus one must
negotiate before boarding a taxi.
Currency :
The US$ is widely used and peered. Generally credit cards are not
accepted. The national currency is kyat and at present the following
kyat bank notes are in general use : K5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500
and 1000.
Exchange Money
:
No more needed to change 200 FEC upon arrival.
Domestic Travel
By Air
: Yangon Airways, Air Mandalay and Air Bagan flies between Yangon
and Bagan (Nyaung U), Mandalay, Heho (Inle), Tachileik, Kyaing Tong,
Thandwe (Ngapali Beach), Sittwe, Meik & Kawthaung.
By
Train
: Many Myanmar Railway destinations are open to foreign tourists.
The Yangon-Mandalay trip is the most popular. For ticket information
consult the tourist counter at the station or consult a travel
agent.
By Bus
:
Buses are operated by the state – owned Road Transport Enterprise.
Air-conditioned express buses link Yangon to Myeikhtila, Pyay,
Mandalay, Taunggyi, Thandwe with more routes planned.
Office Hours
Government and business – 09:30 am to 04:30 pm,
Monday to Friday.
Shop – 10 am to 9 pm, usually Monday to Saturday
Shopping
Note that you are not allowed to export antiques
or religious items.
Health
The same precautions are the same as anywhere
else – drink only bottled water and do not eat raw vegetables, only
eat fruits that you can peel or cut yourself. Be wary of eating food
from street stalls. Use insect repellent when necessary and use
sunscreen liberally when exposed to the intense, tropical sun.
Post & Telecommunications
The Central Post Office, located at the corner of
Bo Aung Kyaw Street and Strand Road, opens from 09:30 am to 04:30
pm, Monday to Friday. You can make international calls, and send
telexes and faxes at the Central Telegraph Office, 125 Pansodan
Street, Yangon. IDD telephones are available at some government
offices, businesses and hotels.
Dress
Light cotton clothing is most appropriate for the
long hot summer months. Do not wear short, mini skirts or sleeveless
shirts when visiting religious sites. While the Myanmar make no
demands, it is a mark of respect to dress modestly and neatly.
Driving
An International Driving Permit is required. This
must be presented to the Police for endorsement, or in the case of a
visitor's license, for insurance.
Climate
Myanmar
has three seasons. The cold season is from October to February with
average temperatures of between 20-24 'C and this is the best time
to visit Myanmar. The hot season is from March to May with average
temperatures of between 30-35 'C. The wet season occurs from June to
September with average temperatures of between 25-30'C – Yangon
normally receives early morning and afternoon showers while rainfall
in Bagan and Mandalay is very low. Thandwe, Ngapali Beach is also
not raining the whole day and get often sunny. The weather around
Inle Lake and Shan State is pleasant year round, but cold at night
from December to February.
Time
Myanmar
standard Time (MST) is six hours and 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich
Mean Time (GMT/UTC).
