TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS TO MYANMAR

Language of Myanmar

Myanmar’s official language is Burmese and is spoken by two-thirds of the population. English is widely teaching at the schools and as a second language.

Health care in Myanmar

Following vaccines are advised if you’re a long term traveler in Myanmar, however, you are advised to check with your local hospital indoor home country before traveling to get updated on the last list of health-care and vaccines you may need prior departure to Burma. The following vaccines may be advised for those traveling in Myanmar:

Hepatitis A: A very common disease through water and contaminated food.
Typhoid fever: Also transmissible through water and contaminated food.
Japanese Encephalitis: Recommended for those who plan to travel for more than a month in rural areas of Myanmar, generally, this is recommended if you’re a long term travelers and visiting South-east Asia.
Yellow fever: Consult with your doctor, you may require to vaccine before traveling.

Money, credit cards and traveling costs in Burma

The official currency of Myanmar is the Kyat (MMK). 1 Euro is equal to 1,726 MMK and 1 Dollar equals 1529 MMK.

International code: MMK – Symbol: K

US Dollars are widely used in Myanmar, especially in shopping malls and tourist shops, and travelers are expected to pay in Dollars in hotels, more expensive restaurants, buying flights or accessing historic monuments. You canals change money and pay your bill in Burmese Kyat.

Money can be exchanged at banks and exchange offices in all major cities and major airports, including Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Naypyidaw and Thandwe. In Yangon it is also possible to exchange money at the Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) at the weekends. There are ATMs all over the country but with a more availability and services in Yangon, Mandalay, Naypyidaw, Bagan and Inle Lake, which accept international debit and credit cards. It should be noted that a fee of K5000 is applied to each transaction and that there is a limit of K300,000 per withdrawal. The use of credit cards for payments is currently quite limited. It is possible to use this form of payment only in some hotels, and a fee may be applied on the purchase value.

Tips are not expected, but are particularly appreciated, preferable to be given in kyat. In some more expensive hotels and restaurants you may be charged an additional fee on the final value.

Internet in Myanmar

Myanmar’s international code is +95. The telephone network is still limited but there are several public phones on the streets and shops across the country. Local calls cost K100 per minute while international calls can go up to $ 5 per minute.

There are 3 mobile phone operators in Myanmar: Telenor, Ooredoo and MPT, while the most reliable is the MPT, considering that the first two were only operational since 2014, with some limitations on network coverage. It is possible to purchase a SIM card from various street stalls in central Yangon and Mandalay as well as at Yangon International Airport and most of the major cities and tourist sites in Myanmar. To purchase a SIM card, a photocopy of your passport and visa is required, along with a passport photo.

All hotels, restaurant and cafes offer free Wi-Fi throughout the country, including in the more remote areas, however the internet connection may be slow especially in the rural areas.