general info

Passport and visa -

Visitors must have a valid passport with an EVT <Entry Visa for Tourist> to enter Myanmar. EVT can be obtained at any Myanmar Embassy/Consulate offices with validity for 28 days and extendable for another 14 days. Application forms in duplicate with three-passport size photos are to be submitted with a fee of US $ 20 in their respective currency. There are two type of tourist visa available.

Inclusive Package Visa - valid three months from the date of Issue and require a tour confirmation letter from an authorized travel agencies in Yangon.

FIT Visa- Valid one month from the date of Issue but require no tour confirmation letter.

Visa-on-Arrival - Can be arranged for those countries where Myanmar Embassy/Consulate office does not exist. Some special arrangement also be made upon request for those who have difficult in obtaining Myanmar visa irrespective of the country. In which case please do contact our office for special arrangement.

Myanmar is the first country in South East Asia to offer this service and launched the e-visa service. Now every traveler who wants to visit Myanmar is able to receive their visa directly online. the processing time was less than 24 hours.

Latest development - In a move welcomed by the travel trade, free independent travelers <FIT) visiting Myanmar no longer must exchange Foreign exchange certificates <FEC) as previously required by law. All major credit card service in Myanmar has been suspended due to American Government's sanction over Myanmar.

Currency and exchange -

Myanmar currency is Kyat and the denominations are K-1, 5, 10,15, 20, 45, 50, 90, 100, 200, 500 & 1000. The official exchange rate is around 6 Kyat to US$ 1. FEC generally accepted at the fixed rate of US $ 1= 1 and are payable to all bills and purchases as US$. FECs also are exchanged for local currency with prevailing market rate. Current market exchange rate for US$ 1 is around 900 Kyat <constantly changes from day to day> however exchange rate of FEC will be much lower of that of US$. Therefore visitors should try to use their FECs for expenditure which must be made with FECs or dollars, for example entry fees to the Pagodas and airport departure tax, and try to avoid changing FECs into kyat. 

Airport tax -

Departure tax for international flights is US$-10 per person, payable in US dollar. 

Inoculation & vaccination -

Medical certificates of inoculations are essential especially for visitors coming from an infected area  or yellow fever zones. Vaccination certificate is not necessary.

Shopping -

Bargaining is an art long-practiced in Asian countries including Myanmar. So feel free to ask for a proper discount when shopping in places where prices are not marked. Myanmar arts and crafts, mostly pure handmade, are best souvenirs and prices are very reasonable. Lacquer-ware, wood and ivory carvings, tapestries, silverware, brassware, silk and cotton fabrics and shoulder bags are some of the favorite items. Finest Myanmar ruby, sapphire, jade and pearl are available at Myanmar gems shops. 

Health -

The same precautions as anywhere else. Drink only bottled water. 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 to keep malaria, dengue fever and the like at bay. Use sunscreen literally when exposed to the intense, tropical sun. A 24-hour, medical clinic, with internationally trained medical staff and health insurance is now available in Yangon. Health risks: cholera, dysentery, hepatitis, malaria, rabies, typhoid.

National flag -

The dominating color of the national flag is red. The rectangular space at the upper left corner is blue. In it could be seen the figure of a paddy stalk and a pinion encircled by 14 white stars of uniform size. The paddy represents the peasants while the pinion stands for the workers who form the majority of the people in the country. 14 uniform white stars symbolize the equal status and union spirit of the 7 States and 7 Divisions that constitute the Union of Myanmar. The white in the flag signifies purity; the red indicates bravery and upright nature of the people; and the blue stands as a symbol of peace and stability in the country.

Food -

Myanmar has many excellent and reasonably priced restaurants specializing in Myanmar, Chinese, and Indian food. European cuisine is available some specialized restaurants or at most of the larger hotels. The basic Myanmar food is mainly rice and curry. The Myanmar style of food is served a large assortment of dishes from which you can pick and choose. Myanmar curries may be spicy and salty to non-Myanmar as the condiment "Nga-pi" dried and fermented fish or shrimp paste that can be very much an acquired taste. Popular dishes include Ohn-noh-khauk-swe, noodles served with coconut milk gravy, and Mohingah, rice noodles served with fish gravy. Another Myanmar favorite dessert is Sanwin-ma-kin <Myanmar sweet cakes made with semolina, sugar, egg, butter, and coconut>. Most Myanmar also enjoys tea. Myanmar tea may be in general strong, sweet and over-milked to foreigners. Chinese food both Cantonese and Funkiness are popular among Myanmar and there are Chinese restaurants in almost every town. Indian food like Kebabs, Birani are also popular with Myanmar palate. Myanmar are, like most Asians, great snackers and thus in the evening, there will be many roadside stalls selling various tasty snacks. Moreover, Myanmar has a wide variety of tropical fruits.

Clothing -

Light casual wear preferably cotton is suitable for all year round. A cardigan or light sweater for the cool season especially when visiting Northern Myanmar in the cool season. An umbrella will be useful during the rainy season. Cotton clothing and a light warp for the evenings during the cool season are recommended. If possible dress modestly at all times. Sandals or slippers are convenient, as all footwear must be removed before entering temples and pagodas. Visitors are required to dress decently on the precincts of religious buildings. Ladies should not wear shorts, briefs or bra-less T-shirt in such places. Shoes and socks or stockings must be removed at Pagodas and Monasteries.

Communication -

Overseas calls can be made through International direct dile phones available at Telephone offices and hotels. Internet interactive service is currently not available in Myanmar however e-mail can be available at most hotels and internet cafés in Yangon. Once you are in up country excess via email is getting limited however IDD fax service is available at most hotels in up country. At present the local GSM network does not support global network therefore using your global mobile phone is not possible in Myanmar. If you brought your mobile phone into Myanmar then you just have to leave with the custom department upon your arrival and reclaim before departure. 

Business hours -

Banks open at 10:30 till 14:00, Monday through Friday. Government offices open at 09:30 till 16:30 Monday through Friday. Most private offices open at 09:30 till 17:00, Monday through Friday and 09:30 till 12:00 on Saturday. 

Tipping -

Its common to tip drivers and guides, waiters at local restaurants and also usually hotel porters. The following suggestions on tipping are meant as general guidelines. For exceptional service travelers may wish to give more.

Hotel porter: In general, if a porter carries bags to the room, a tip of about US$ 0.50 - $1.00 <either in US$ or equivalent to kyat> would be appropriate, depending on size, weight etc.

Restaurant: In general a tip of about 5% is appreciated for meal service <in kyat>.

Driver: The driver's tip may be about US$ 2 to $5 per day <either in US$ or equivalent in kyat> for individual or couple. For group, a tip of about US$1 <either in US$ or in kyat> per person, per day would be suitable.

Tour guide: Tips for the tour guide can be varied. A fair average for the tour guide would be around US$ 5 to $10 per day, depending on group size and level of satisfaction of the client. For exceptional service clients may wish to tip more.

Tipping at the International Airport: At the International airport the guides are not usually allowed into the departure terminal with you, so a porter will escort you and your luggage through, he will expect a tip of around 1US$ <preferred in Kyat>.

NB: when in doubt, the best source for appropriate tipping information for hotels, restaurants, and drivers is to ask your tour guide.

Custom's formalities on arrival -

Regulations are generally relaxed for tourists arriving by air in Yangon. Visitors should complete Immigration and customs declaration forms during the flight and submit these on arrival. All foreign currencies <if bring more then US$ 2000> may be declare at Custom. Traveler's check, jewelry, cameras and electronic goods etc must be recorded on the customs form which may be checked on departure. Bringing in or taking out Myanmar currency is not allowed. Gems and jewellery purchased from authorized dealers are allowed to be taken out however antiques are not allowed to be taken out of the country.

Souvenir -

Best buys include lacquer-wares, silver, wood and stone carvings, hand-woven silk and cotton garment or fabrics, gems, 'Kalaga' embroidered tapestries, traditional puppets and tribal handicrafts. Jewelry is generally up to international standards for design and workmanship. All gem and jewelry purchases should be made through a government-authorized dealer who must issue an official receipt, which is required for taking out of the country for such items. Bargaining is essential when shopping on the street.

Taxi & bus - Private taxis are easily available in Yangon but there is no meter. The fare must be negotiated before beginning the trip. While in the up country there is no taxi available. Public buses are plentiful and offer a cheap albeit crowed alternative. The only problem knows just where the bus is going. 

Time -

The Myanmar Standard Time is six and half-hours in advance of GMT. 

Electricity -

Domestic power AC 220 - 250V 50Hz.

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AM Adventure Travel
No.23, 40th Street, Kyauktada Township, Yangon, Myanmar
Tel:(+95-1) 245952, 242125, 4412750 Mobile (+95-9) 99 - 24804, (+95-9) 5115156
Email: amunra1@mptmail.net.mm, amunra786@cybertech.net.mm
Website: www.amadventuretravel.com
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