Free from the clutches of tomorrow’s technologies, the unassuming nature of Myanmar’s people captures the hearts of travellers, with plenty to also entertain the adventure hungry. Cruises along the Irrawaddy and on Inle Lake add to Myanmar’s unique charm while its graciousness will no doubt leave a lasting impact on all who visit. Discover the diversity of its landscapes from white sand beaches to arid plains and mountainous plateaus.
Burma Travel Best time to travel: Myanmar has a tropical climate with three distinct seasons: the cool season from November to February which is dry; the hot season from March to May with average temperatures in the 30s (Celsius) and occasionally over 40C; the rainy season from May to the beginning of October with frequent short rainstorms and humidity. The rains are rarely long enough to disrupt sight-seeing plans. For those heading to the beaches, the coast has two distinctive seasons: Dry and Rainy. During the rainy season (April-September), most resorts and restaurants close down entirely and the flight schedule is severely limited. The dry season is delightful with sunny skies, warm ocean breezes, and temperatures around 30-340C during the day.
Burma Travel MONEY : The local currency in Myanmar is the kyat (pronounced ‘chat’). US Dollars are accepted in most hotels and some tourist shops and restaurants, although it is recommended to carry kyat for other purchases, local restaurants and tipping. Moneychangers are found in the main tourist cities.
Burma Travel VISAS : All persons wishing to enter Myanmar must have a visa and a passport with at least 6 months validity. Visas must be arranged prior to traveling to Myanmar. Pre-arranged Visa on Arrival is available for all travelers but must be applied for at least 2 weeks in advance through EXO and cannot be 100% guaranteed.
Burma Travel ELECTRICITY : Myanmar uses 220V, and a mixture of flat 2-pin, round 2-pin or 3-pin plugs. It is recommended to bring a universal plug adaptor. Power outages are quite common but most hotels have their own generator.
Burma Travel DIALING CODE : +95
Burma Travel TIME ZONE : GMT/UTC +6.5
Burma Travel GETTING THERE & AWAY : The main point of entry for travelers is Yangon’s Mingaladon Airport and a few flights arrive at Mandalay International Airport. There are no direct flights from America or Australia with most visitors connecting via Singapore and Bangkok.
Burma Travel PUBLIC HOLIDAYS : Over 85% of the Burmese population is Buddhist, so most of the holidays are religious based. The biggest celebration is Thingyan, or the Buddhist New Year, which occurs in mid-April and lasts for several days. Almost all restaurants and businesses are closed during this period, but it does not have a big effect on travel plans.
Burma Travel LANGUAGE : The national language is Burmese, of which there are over 80 different dialects. In the cities the majority of people speak good English with a growing number learning in more rural areas.
