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Getting Myanmar
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.
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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$40.
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Customs
:
Besides personal effects visitors are allowed 400 cigarettes
(100 cigars or 250 g of unrolled tobacco), two quarts of liquor
and 500 ml of cologne or perfume. Cameras, radios, cassette
players, calculators etc must be declared at Customs on arrival
and taken out on departure. Foreign currency in excess of US$
2000 must be declared. Retain a copy of the customs declaration
form to be presented when you leave Myanmar. |
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Airport Tax :
Airport tax is US$ 10 per head to be paid on departure. But,
domestic flights are not taxed. |
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Vaccinations
:
None are required. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Exchange Money
:
No more needed to change 200 FEC upon arrival. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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Shopping
Note that you are not allowed to export antiques or religious
items. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Time
Myanmar standard Time (MST) is six hours and 30 minutes ahead of
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC). |
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