- 1). We want to travel to Myanmar in our summer time in Europe, but people say there is a lot of rain there so its not a good time to do so. Is it correct?
- 2). Is there any direct flight from Europe to Myanmar ( Burma )?
- 3). How can I get Myanmar ( Burma ) Visa?
- 4). Can I get visa online?
- 5). What is Myanmar currency ? What does FEC means? Do I need to change 200 FEC at airport ?
- 6). Can I use credit card and travelers check in Myanmar?
- 7). What is the quality of transportation service in Myanmar?
- 8). During our stay in Myanmar, we want to see the nature, culture, history and people and their life style. Can you arrange a very comprehensive program?
- 9). What is the quality of food and restaurants in Myanmar?
- 10). What is the quality of Hotels in Myanmar?
- 11). Is Myanmar a good shopping destination? What are the best buys?
- 12). Are there any compulsory vaccinations for travel to Myanmar?
- 13). Can I use my hand phone in Myanmar ( Burma )?
- 14). Can I bring along my Laptop?
- 15). Can I buy travel insurance in Myanmar?
- 16). Do you have reliable postal and telecommunication services?
- 17). We want to spend some days on a lively beach ( we do not want quite and isolated beach,) please recommend one.
Other important information
- A). Myanmar Airport tax.
- B). Burma Standard Time.
- C). Electricity in Myanmar.
- D). Business hours.
- E). Tipping in Myanmar.
- F). What to wear?
- G). What to avoid?
1). We want to travel to Myanmar in our summer time in Europe, but people say there is a lot of rain there so its not a good time to do so. Is it correct?
The climate of Myanmar is tropical with three main seasons.
( 1 ) The rainy season (monsoon) is from mid-May to mid-October with an average temperature of 25-30 C. Although it rains heavily in Yangon and Inle Lake, traveling in Myanmar during this season is still enjoyable because Mandalay and Bagan lies in dry zones where it barely rains.
( 2 ) The cool season ( winter ) is from mid-October to mid-February, with an average temperature of 20-24 C. This is the best season to visit Burma. Some regions in upper Burma, Kalaw ( South-West of Shan State ) and Kyaing Tong ( Eastern Shan State ), have a temperature ranging between 5 – 10 C, so travelers may need to bring some warm clothes to tour around this area.
( 3 ) The hot season ( summer ) is from mid-February to mid-May, with an average temperature of 30-35 C. Although it’s a bit hot, our programs are designed to make traveling enjoyable as we avoid the heat by touring about in the mornings and evenings.
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2). Is there any direct flight from Europe to Myanmar ( Burma )?
Qatar Airways from Doha operates four non-stop flights a week to Yangon. Yangon, Burma’s capital city has direct air-links with Bangkok, Singapore, Doha, Kuala Lumpur, Calcutta, Dacca, New Dehli, Chiang Mai and Kumming. The Myanmar Airways International, Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Qatar airways, Silk Air, Biman Bangladash airways, Malaysia Airline System, Indian Airlines and Air China operate scheduled flights in and out of Yangon. China Eastern airlines is the only airline that flies to Mandalay from Kumming.
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3). How can I get Myanmar ( Burma ) Visa?
Every nationality need visa to come to Myanmar.
Valid passport with entry visa is required for all travelers to Burma. A visa can be obtained at any Myanmar embassy or consulate abroad. Visa fee is about US $20 in local currency.
Not anymore.
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5). Let me know Myanmar currency? What does FEC mean? Do I need to change 200 FEC if we buy the tour service from you?
The monetary unit is the Kyat ( pronounced chat ), which is divided into 100 pyas. The official exchange rate is about 6 Kyats to US $ 1.
For the convenience of travelers, Foreign Exchange Certificates ( FECs) are issued by the Central Bank of Myanmar to use during their stay. FECs are acceptable like US dollars by any person in the Union of Myanmar. It is printed on the note as 1 FEC = 1 USD.
There is no more compulsory exchange of USD 200 into FEC 200 upon arrival at Yang on airport.
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6). Can I pay with credit card?
No. Credit cards / travelers cheques / ATM cards are no longer valid in Myanmar. We are not sure until when this will be in effect. So, it is advisable that all travelers bring enough money in US cash.
Euro and other currencies are difficult to use in Myanmar.
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7). How do you care for transportation service during the tour in Myanmar?
Domestic air services in Burma have greatly improved over the recent years. However, travel by trains, buses and ships are still not so convenient for traveling. The clients of Columbus Travels will travel by reliable Air Mandalay or Yangon Airways or Air bagan’s ATR-flights and by air-con vehicles. Baggage allowance on Burma’s domestic flights is limited to 20 kg. Excess luggage can be left in Yangon hotels for collection on return after traveling about. In remote areas, air-conditioned cars or buses may not always be available and travelers should be advised that the conditions of roads in Myanmar are not the same. Due to poor road conditions, long distance over land travel generally takes longer than the travelers might expect, averaging only 45 – 50 kilometers per hour.
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8). During our stay in Myanmar, we want to see the nature, culture, history and people and their life style. Can you arrange a very comprehensive program?
Major sightseeing itineraries include a variety of religious and historic monuments, a rich cultural and artistic heritage and beautiful scenery. We also seek out other attractions like interesting local markets, festivals, Myanmar traditional handicrafts and industries and an opportunity to meet the local people in their own environment. A specialty includes the opportunity to try regional cuisines around Myanmar and to experience various typical and traditional forms of Myanmar entertainment. By including such extra dimensions, we make any visit to Myanmar a richer, more rewarding and more memorable experience.
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9). What is the quality of food and restaurants in Myanmar?
Myanmar cuisine is established around rice or noodles, usually served with a variety of curries between meat and fish, along with a dish of vegetables, salads, soup, and condiments. Myanmar curries tend to be less spicy than those served in Thailand. Meals & drinks at International Hotels are considerably expensive. There are many good local restaurants with almost the same quality of food and hygiene as hotels but at reasonable prices. They serve various dishes of Myanmar, Chinese, European (French and Italian), Thai and Indian cuisine. But roadside small restaurants are not recommended, as they can be risky for health.
There are also a wide variety of local snacks and delicacies. Mouk-hin-kha (thin rice noodles served with fish gravy and onion soup) and Ohn-noh-khauk-swe (noodles served with chicken and coconut gravy) are the most popular in Myanmar. Shan food is another delicacy. Shan style of cooking neither belongs to Myanmar nor Chinese nor Thai cuisine but they taste really good in their own way.
Restaurants and food served to travelers are carefully selected for hygiene as well as gastronomic considerations.
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10). What is the quality of hotels in Myanmar?
Hotel standards in Burma now vary widely, especially in quality and availability. New and refurbished hotels meeting international standards are available in most destinations like Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake, Kyaing Tong, Ngapali Beach, Ngwe Saung Beach, and Chaung Thar Beach. Only very basic and simple hotels are available in the remote areas.
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11). Is Myanmar a good shopping place? What are the best buys?
Myanmar arts and crafts, mostly hand-made, are lovely souvenirs. Lacquer ware, woodcarvings, tapestries, silverware, brassware, silk and cotton fabrics, and shoulder bags are some of the popular items. For jewelry, there are Burmese rubies, sapphires, jade and pearls available at Myanmar gem shops. All gems and jewelry purchased should be made through government-licensed dealers, who can give a voucher for export.
Bargaining is essential for obtaining reasonable prices. Possible price reductions of up to 70% are not uncommon.
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12). Are there any compulsory vaccinations for travel to Myanmar?
No, but it is advisable to take precautions against malaria. Prescription drugs are not widely available in the remote areas of Myanmar so travelers should bring any required medication with them.
Insect repellents are highly recommended, especially when traveling to remote areas in addition to other measures to prevent mosquito bites. The sun can be remarkably hot so a hat and sunscreen is advisable.
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13). Can I use my hand phone in Myanmar ( Burma )?
Burma’s GSM system does not allow "international roaming" so mobile phones from other countries do not work in Myanmar. If any traveler brings in a mobile phone, Myanmar customs will keep it and issue a voucher to the traveler, which can be exchanged for the phone upon departure from Myanmar.
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14 ). Can I bring along my Laptop?
Laptops can be brought in freely for the traveler’s own use.
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15). Can I buy travel insurance in Myanmar?
It is advisable to purchase travel insurance in your own country. Please choose a reputable insurance company who has an agent in Myanmar. This is very important.
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16). Do you have reliable postal and telecommunication services?
Postal service in Myanmar is unreliable. Letters and postcards sent overseas sometimes do not reach their destinations. Most hotels have IDD lines, but please be aware that the costs are high, with the average cost of a call to Europe approximately 9 USD per minute and charged one full minute for any extra seconds. If you want to call home from a hotel, we advise calling and asking them to call you back.
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17). We want to spend some days on a lively beach ( we do not want quite and isolated beach ) , please recommend one.
Among the three beaches, Ngapali and Ngwesaung beaches are quiet so your choice should be Chaungtha beach. It's about 5 hours drive from Yangon. Its always very lively and active with its local crowd and different kind of restaurants and beer pubs ( we call beer station in Myanmar ).
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Airport tax for International flight in Burma is US $ ( or ) FEC 10, but there is no airport tax for domestic travel.
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GMT + 6 1/2 hours
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220 VOLT 50 HZ
A flashlight is helpful when traveling up country where electricity is poor.
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Government offices open from 09:30 to 16:30 on weekdays. Banking hours are from 10:00 to 14:00. Private companies work daily except Sunday and gazette holidays. Shopping centers and supermarkets open daily. But the most famous Bogyoke (Scott) market closes on gazette holidays. Busy hours at this place are from 10:00 am to 17:00 pm.
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E). Tipping in Myanmar
Tipping in Myanmar ranges between 100 – 500 Ks depending on how well you think they have been at your service.
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Light clothing is required all year-round, but a sweater or jacket may be needed when traveling in hilly areas, especially during winter months. If visiting during the rainy season (May - September), an umbrella or raincoat will be required for the days in Inle lake and Yangon. It is required to dress decently within the precincts of religious buildings. Shoes and socks must be removed at pagodas and monasteries so it is advisable to bring a pair of slippers.
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Travelers are advised to keep away from touts who may approach them to exchange foreign currency or to sell gems of dubious quality. Travelers are also advised not to drink tap water. Purified bottled water is available everywhere in Myanmar. Taking photograph of military camps and soldiers are to be avoided.
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