Myanmar Tips

Myanmar, a country in Southeast Asia, remains a largely unknown and mysterious destination for many tourists. Many people are unaware of what to expect in this exotic land, especially considering it has been isolated from the outside world for many years. However, once there, visitors are captivated by the impressive culture, touching history, and the warmth of the Myanmar people.

To enter Myanmar through one of the three major airports-Yangon, Mandalay, and Naypyidaw-you will need a 28-day tourist visa, which can be easily applied for online. Please note: For land entry, such as from Thailand, a visa from the embassy in Bangkok is required. Additionally, it is best to always have a return or onward flight ticket as well as cash or, if necessary, a bank statement on hand.

Tipping: Tipping is not typical in Myanmar, which is noticeable when people insist you keep the change. They think you simply forgot the money on the table.

Regarding cash: There is generally an ATM available almost everywhere, but Visa and MasterCard are now also widely accepted in tourist areas. You can exchange Euro bills or US dollars at various exchange offices or banks on site, where US dollars are even accepted as payment in many places. However, as a general rule, 50 or 100 dollar or euro bills provide a better exchange rate than smaller bills. Often, it is cheaper to pay in MMK, Myanmar Kyat. According to Daniel's experience, about 40€ a day is sufficient if you enjoy domestic flights. However, if you travel exclusively by bus and train, 25€ to 30€ per day should be enough.

If you want to get around Myanmar, you'll have options ranging from domestic flights-which are relatively expensive-to ferries, speedboats, long-distance buses, or trains and taxis. Domestic flights cost around 100 USD one way, while ferries and speedboats range from about 40 USD (for example, from Mandalay to Bagan). If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, long-distance buses are available for about 10 USD for standard tickets and roughly double that for so-called VIP tickets. The latter are highly recommended for overnight routes since traveling 200 kilometers can take 8 to 10 hours, and the sleeping arrangements with standard tickets are not particularly comfortable. Tip: You can easily search and book tickets for such trips at 12Go.Asia.

Alternatively, you can switch to the train; however, since this is the slowest mode of transport in Myanmar, Daniel recommends against it. Shared taxis, on the other hand, are available for a maximum of 4 USD (for up to 1-hour rides), while private taxis can cost two to three times as much. If you prefer to ride a scooter, you can rent one for just 10 USD a day, and the fuel is quite cheap. Additionally, traffic here is relatively manageable compared to other Asian countries. Once you arrive in a city, it is advisable to rent a bicycle for exploring, which will cost you just 1 US dollar per day.

Regarding accommodations in Myanmar, unfortunately, there are still quite few classic hostels with dorm rooms available, but there are plenty of guesthouses, hotels, or motels where you can get a double room with air conditioning starting at 15 USD per night. If the usually small room isn't sufficient, you can get a decent double room with a shower and toilet for about 25 USD per night. Long-term reservations are usually not necessary, as even in peak season in January, you can still reserve a room two to three days in advance. You should generally be able to use Wi-Fi for free in any accommodation, at least in tourist areas. However, don't expect too much from it, as even simple WhatsApp messages can sometimes take a bit of patience, Daniel reveals. Especially in the south of Myanmar, internet connection is often quite poor. But honestly, during a vacation, you might want to disconnect from your smartphone, Facebook & Co, or what do you think?

Let's start with the people of Myanmar, who Daniel summarizes briefly: 'WOW, I'm thrilled. Friendly, open, constantly smiling.' Even though many locals speak little English, they still try to converse with the tourists present-not because they want to sell something. Daniel's tip: Just sit down with the locals over a coffee and try to engage in a conversation with gestures and expressions. It works!

The people are friendly, open, and constantly smiling.

The locals are particularly delighted when you know a few words or even phrases in their native language, such as 'Mingalaba,' which means hello in Burmese. However, when you are at tourist spots, like a temple in Bagan, you should consider that everything here revolves somewhat around making money, which shouldn't be surprising for typical tourist highlights. In less touristy areas, every white traveler often feels like an attraction. You will be looked at, approached, and photos are often taken. Should you get hungry while on the go, the street vendors and small eateries are highly recommended, where you can get a delicious dish for just 1.50 USD. The friendliness of the Myanmar people is certainly included. Just great! In restaurants, you can even indulge in Myanmar curry for a maximum of 4 USD, which is quite affordable! And if you are already out and about, Daniel recommends three things particularly: a flashlight or headlamp, as it can get very dark after sunset, warm clothing for longer bus rides, and, not to forget, offline maps. And off you go on your trip!

Daniel's plan: 16 days along the classic sightseeing spots of Myanmar in the center of the country and a trip to the recently opened south for tourists. However, this journey is by no means comparable to a typical beach vacation, but rather a trip marked by temples, trekking, and tradition, providing a good insight into this impressive and multifaceted country. The journey begins, after a two-day stay in one of the few hostels in Yangon, with Mandalay, the second-largest city in the heart of Myanmar. Here, Daniel spent a day visiting the city fortress and enjoying breathtaking views from Mandalay Hill. It is best to rent a bicycle here, take a small tour to the U-Bein Bridge, and explore the city on your own. A night at the Rich Queen Guesthouse costs about 25 USD per night.

From Mandalay, you can then continue by boat or alternatively by long-distance or overnight bus to Bagan, a historical royal city with over two thousand preserved brick religious buildings. Upon arrival, you pay about 20 USD per person, but this includes a tourist pass for five days. The highlights include more than 1000 Buddhist pagodas, stupas, and temples, the wonderful green fields, sand dunes, and the small idyllic villages right along the river. One of the definite highlights here is watching the sunrise or sunset among the pagodas. If you are looking for affordable accommodation, the Nyaung U district is your best bet, as the lodgings here are quite reasonably priced.

Next stop: Kalaw. For about 11 USD, you can take the overnight bus from Bagan to Kalaw, where you can embark on an unforgettable hiking tour toward Inle Lake. During the three-day trekking tour, covering approximately 60 kilometers, you will stay overnight with locals and in a monastery. However, it's not the scenery that is the main highlight, but rather the many villages of different ethnic groups. You will be exposed to the culture and various traditions, making you feel as if you've been transported back in time.

Upon reaching the enchanting Inle Lake, you can enjoy a beautiful view, but there isn't much to see or do in the town itself. After one night in the Joy Guesthouse, Daniel returned to Yangon by overnight bus, which took about 12 hours on the VIP bus. A part of this impressive journey is drawing to a close, but now comes the mysterious south of Myanmar, which has only recently become accessible to tourists.

Arriving in Myeik by plane, you first get the feeling that not some monument but rather you yourself are the attraction, as not many tourists dare to venture into southern Myanmar yet. If you are already there, you must definitely take an island tour in the Myeik Archipelago. The boat costs around 500 USD per day, regardless of the number of participants. However, it is challenging to find a tour provider, as the responsible individual is a local who calls himself James Bond and organizes the trips independently. However, if a few tourists do not join, it can sometimes happen that the tour is canceled at short notice.

From Myeik, the overnight bus heads towards Dawei, although this ride is a bit bumpier due to numerous potholes along the way. In Dawei, you will find the beautiful Maungmagan Beach, which is initially the only notable sight. While visiting a fishing village located south of Maungmagan Beach, you will come into direct contact with the local population, which can be quite shocking, as you witness first-hand the conditions and circumstances under which people live outside of the tourist areas. Daniel's personal highlight in Dawei was a beach bonfire under a starry sky.

As you can see, the multifaceted Myanmar is definitely worth the trip-not only to gain insight into the Myanmar culture, history, and way of life. With these great Myanmar tips from Blogger Daniel, you will undoubtedly be well prepared for your journey to this impressive country. Or perhaps you have already been there and can share more useful tips?