Myanmar Practical Information

This chapter is very vulnerable for changes; over the past years, Myanmar’s borders crossings with Thailand and China have been opened and closed again regularly. The majority of tourists arrive and leave the country by flight at Yangon International airport. It’s best to check the official website for e-visa from the Myanmar immigration for latest updates: https://evisa.moip.gov.mm/

During Covid-19 period special permission is needed to arrive in Yangon. 

Overlanding from India to Thailand with your own vehicle. Pre-arranged permits are needed to travel overland with your own vehicle from India (Tamu border or Zowkhawtar border) to Thailand (Tachileik or Mawlamyine border). Exploration Travel can assist with the paper work and compulsory guide travelling with you through the country.

Visa on arrival (border pass) is only valid for Tachileik and Keng Tung. If you enter the country at Tachileik you can leave from any other border.

• Mae Sot – Myawaddy

Border is open since 1 September 2013 and people with a valid visa can enter the country here and travel onwards throughout the country.

• Phu Nam Ron (1,5 hr from Kanchanaburi) – Htee

It is possible to travel to Dawei (and onwards to Mawlamyine or Yangon) with a pre-arranged visa and travel onwards throughout the country.

• Ranong – Kaw Thaung

Visa on arrival (border pass) is only valid for Kaw Thaung. With a pre-arranged visa it is possible to continue by flight to Myeik, Dawei or Yangon.

• Ruili – Muse

At the moment it is not possible to enter Myanmar via this border crossing.

• No border crossing open / allowed

• Moreh / Tamu

• Rihkhawdar-Zowkhawtar

Just a normal e-visa is enough to enter Myanmar

Please remember that border crossing formalities are subject to change. For the latest update please check with the embassy or consulate of Myanmar or check with our office in Yangon.

There are ATM machines in Myanmar, but it’s important to note that they only accept MasterCard and Visa credit cards (no debit cards). You will have to bring cash as well. US Dollars, Euro and Thai Baht are easily exchanged into local currency around the country at money exchange booths and banks. Make sure the banknotes look brand new without anything handwritten on them and ensure they are not torn or faded, otherwise they won’t be accepted.

The Kyat is the official currency of Myanmar and is available in denominations of 10,000; 5,000; 1,000; 500; and  200. In the last few years the Kyat has fluctuated considerably against the US Dollar. Check online, or ask your hotel or guide about the current rate and where to exchange. There are bank exchange counters all over the country, as well as at major airports.Generally, it’s best to pay everywhere in Kyat. US Dollars are only accepted in hotels. The Kyat is not freely convertible, which means that you can’t buy any Kyat outside of Myanmar, and so any Kyat you leave with can’t be exchanged elsewhere.We advise you to bring cash in US Dollars and/or Euros and to change these into Kyat in any main tourist area while traveling through the country. One last remark on Dollar banknotes: any denomination is accepted (50 and 100 USD notes are most popular) – just make sure they look brand new and check that the serial number does NOT start with ‘CB’ as these are not accepted.

Health risks in Myanmar include: cholera, dengue fever, hepatitis, Japanese encephalitis, malaria, rabies and typhoid. We strongly recommend you visit either your personal physician or a travel health clinic, four to eight weeks before your departure. Up-to-date professional advice should be sought before deciding how to proceed with vaccinations, as medical opinion is divided over the effectiveness. The risk of malaria exists all year round throughout the country, except in bigger towns such as Yangon and Mandalay. Medical facilities comparable with western standards are very limited in Myanmar and can only really be found in Yangon and Mandalay. Many doctors have been educated in Europe (especially in the UK) but have limited access to modern medicines or up to date information. All travellers visiting Myanmar with Exploration Travel must show proof of health insurance upon arrival in the country. This way, if there is an emergency, we can assist and make sure you will receive the necessary medical attention in Myanmar, or in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, where the best medical facilities are available.

As in the whole world there might be special Covid-19 related requirements on arrival in Myanmar, please do follow the latest news on this before travelling to Myanmar.

Myanmar is a country where a big percentage of the population is poor and many people have just enough money to pay for daily food (over 90 percent of GDP is spent on food), education and medical care. Even Burmese people with a slightly higher-than-average income are very generous and giving to poor, elderly and people-in-need, as this is deeply rooted in the culture. Myanmar usually comes first in the annual CAF World Giving Index

It’s always better to give donations (money or gifts bought locally, as this is better for the Myanmar economy) to adults, teachers or a village heads, rather than to children. Supporting somebody’s small business will also contribute positively, so don’t feel swindled if your taxi driver asks a price that is 50 cents higher than your guide book indicated;    

he probably is not a millionaire and can certainly use the money. Also, a rich Burmese would generally also accept paying a higher price than a poor Burmese.

People greatly appreciate if you bring postcards and pictures etc. from your own country to show them. This is always a good ice-breaker to start a conversation.

Gifts for schools, orphanages, local hospitals etc. are always greatly appreciated – the best option is actually to buy gifts locally at the market in Myanmar – it’s cheaper, good fun, better for the local economy, and you can be sure the receiver knows how to use it. An added bonus is that it saves you space in your luggage!

  Every culture has its unique set of unwritten rules, as does Myanmar. When you visit Myanmar, try to adapt to the culture. Here are some examples of rules visitors should try to follow:

• In Myanmar, feet convey messages. Do not point with your feet. Pointing with your feet is disrespectful.

• Also, don’t stretch out your legs when you’re sitting – tuck your feet away or sit cross-legged. Your feet should certainly never face a Buddha image or statue.

• Beckoning someone with your finger is considered an aggressive challenge and not very polite. However, if you beckon someone with all your fingers and your palm faced toward the ground, it is not considered impolite.

• Never pat a monk on the back or touch his robe. Monks are very revered in Myanmar and they observe many rules, study the dharma, practice meditation, and are highly respected in Myanmar society.

• Giving money to children is not advisable, as it helps to create a dependency on tourism. We recommend that you purchase items such as books and writing materials, to give away as gifts or to donate. This will also help support Myanmar’s local economy.

• When in Myanmar, don’t touch or pat anyone on the head. The head is considered to be the most esteemed part of the body. Touching someone on the head is considered an aggressive gesture.

For more good cultural tips about how to behave in Myanmar when traveling and to understand some cultural differences, have a look at: www.dosanddontsfortourists.com

  Some websites that might be of interest to you to follow the news on Myanmar are:

• The website of the private English language newspapers, called Myanmar Times (www.mmtimes.com), Irrawaddy media (www.irrawaddy.com), or Frontier magazine. www.frontiermyanmar.net 

• A database of Burmese-related books and articles can be found on: www.burmalibrary.org 

• For the latest news on Myanmar, the best way to be updated is to Google ‘Myanmar’ in the news section.

Before visiting Myanmar, you may find it helpful or interesting to read about the history, culture and politics of the country. Different authors have different points of view, so always keep this in mind when reading any book about Myanmar, whether it is written by someone in the country, or by opposition groups living outside the country.

• Exploration Travel is mentioned in TTG magazine (The big tourism trade magazine) and read more about how will be tourism in 2022. TTG Magazine 

• We are stay passionate about Tourism - Exploration and many of our friends are mentioned - TTG magazine

River of Lost Footsteps: Thant Myint U – written by the grandson of the former UN secretary general U Thant,

a balanced version of recent Myanmar history.

Lonely Planet Myanmar – this iconic guidebook is almost a must when traveling in Myanmar.

Burmese Design & Architecture, published by Periplus. com – a beautiful coffee table book about Burmese arts and a good introduction to the culture.

My life as a Shan Princess by Inge Sargent – written by an Austrian lady who became a Shan princess living in Hsipaw, an interesting insight into Shan royal history.

Burmese Days by George Orwell is a classic on Myanmar. Written during the colonial times, it provides excellent insight into Myanmar psychology, thinking and the behavior of its people.

The Gentleman in the Parlour by William

Somerset-Maugham, one of Britain’s greatest authors, who made a trip to Southeast Asia in the late twenties. Burma was one of the countries Somerset-Maugham visited.

Burma, Art and Archaeology, edited by Alexandra Green and T. Richard Burton, is a very interesting collection of articles on different subjects from wooden monasteries and bronze sculpture to court dress in Shan State.

Splendour in Wood: The Buddhist Monasteries of Burma by Sylvia Fraser-Lu – a beautiful book with very detailed drawings and pictures.

Nor Iron Bars a Cage by Ma Thanegi, or as she calls it, “my prison book”, about the three years she spent in Insein Jail as a political prisoner.

Myanmar: Burma in Style: An Illustrated History and Guide by Caroline Courtauld. This is a great illustrated account of the history, politics and culture of the people and the country.

Children of the Revolution by Feroze Dada – a true story about a Burmese freedom fighter, a monk and 600 abandoned children.

Miss Burma by Charmaine Craig – a poignant story of a family during the most violent and turbulent years of world history.

A Burmese Heart by YMV Han and Tinsa Maw-Naing, about the history after WWII – mainly set in Yangon and focusing on those people that brought Myanmar into the modern era.