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Are you getting ready for your holiday to Myanmar? Wondering what are the essentials you should pack, what currency to bring and if there are any essential vaccinations required beforehand? This guide will give you the most important information you need to know before travelling to Myanmar.
Suitcase or backpack for your holiday to Myanmar? It's completely up to you, depending on your preferred travel style. If you plan to travel by car with driver and by plane in Myanmar, opt for the suitcase. On the other hand, if you plan to take the train and buses, a backpack will be more practical. Whatever season you go to Myanmar, **it will be hot!**Pack light, but covering clothes, opt for long pants rather than shorts. They will protect you from the sun and mosquitoes and allow you to be properly dressed to visit the temples. Women should avoid tank tops, excessively low-cut T-shirts and short skirts. Pack a rain jacket if you are going to Myanmar during the monsoon season and bring a light jumper and a cotton scarf for the cooler nights in the mountainous regions and on Inle Lake.
Even if there are no compulsory vaccinations required to enter Myanmar, you should have all the “standard” vaccines up to date: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, and hepatitis B. It is also recommended to be vaccinated against hepatitis A and typhoid fever. For stays in more remote areas, the preventive rabies vaccine is recommended. Similarly, if you are hiking during the monsoon, it is useful to get the vaccine against Japanese encephalitis (serious mosquito-borne disease). Keep in mind that malaria is also present in Myanmar, especially from May to December. Depending on the season during which you plan to travel, contact your Travel Expert for more information on recommended preventive actions. In all cases, protect yourself with mosquito repellent, even during the day (the mosquito that transmits dengue bites during the day). To stay healthy and make the most of your holiday to Myanmar, do not drink tap water and opt for cooked dishes rather than raw foods.
In Myanmar, the standard voltage is 230 V. Most hotels have two-pin electrical outlets that allow you to plug in your chargers and other devices. For peace of mind, you can also pack your own travel adapter or easily buy one at the airport or borrow one from your hotel. It is also helpful to bring a flashlight in the event of a power outage, to visit dimly lit temples, or to simply return to your hotel in the evening. Public lighting is sometimes very limited or even non-existent.
The currency of Myanmar is the kyat, but dollars are also used. You can change euros when you arrive at the airport and keep dollars for expenses in Myanmar. Please note, only new banknotes (euros and dollars) are accepted at exchange offices and hotels. Bills must have no stains, tears or folds marked otherwise they will not be accepted or if so, at a cheaper rate. We advise you to pay as much as possible in advance, in particular your hotels and internal transport via Shanti Travel as this will save you from having to carry too much cash with you during your holiday to Myanmar, knowing that payment by credit card is subject to a commission, as are withdrawals. Nevertheless, ATMs are easy to find in all tourist locations. It is also possible to receive money in Myanmar via Western Union.
The country code for Myanmar is +95, followed by the number of your correspondent. To make international calls from Myanmar, just enter the country code of your correspondent followed by the number. Keep in mind that the cost of international communications from hotels or small street shops remains high. The simplest and cheapest way to call abroad while you are on holiday to Myanmar is via software like Skype, provided of course that you have a strong Wi-Fi connection, which is more and more the case in tourist places.
A visa is required to enter Myanmar. You must complete the Myanmar visa application form prior to departing from your home city. We recommend you to contact the Myanmar embassy in your country at least 3 months before your planned holiday to Myanmar for the latest and most up-to-date information based on the passport you hold.
Any other questions before you start planning your holiday to Myanmar? Just contact your Shanti Travel Expert, who will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
