Essential information for your holiday to Myanmar

To ensure a smooth, worry-free holiday to Myanmar, it's essential to be well-prepared with reliable, up-to-date information tailored for travelers. Let’s explore the top considerations—packing, health, money, connectivity, and practical necessities—directly from the perspective of our decades-long expertise guiding journeys in this captivating country.

What to Pack?

Choosing between a suitcase and a backpack depends on your travel style: a suitcase is perfect for car and air travel, while a backpack is handier for those venturing by train or local buses. Regardless of your mode of transport, Myanmar’s climate is largely tropical and hot, so focus on light, breathable clothes made of cotton or linen. However, respect for local customs and temple etiquette is crucial:

• Clothing: Pack modest attire—tops covering the shoulders and loose pants or skirts below the knee. A longyi (local sarong) is exceptionally useful and can be purchased locally for both practicality and cultural integration. Women should avoid tank tops, revealing T-shirts, or short skirts.
• Footwear: Opt for comfortable, slip-on shoes or sturdy sandals. You’ll be removing your shoes frequently for temple visits, so avoid heavy lace-up shoes. Foot wipes or wet wipes are invaluable for cleaning your feet after temple visits.
• Protection from Sun & Insects: Bring a wide-brim hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. Mosquito repellent with DEET is essential, as Myanmar is a tropical country where mosquitoes (and mosquito-borne diseases) are prevalent. Light long-sleeved shirts and trousers further protect you from both insects and intense sun.
• Seasonal Additions: Pack a lightweight rain jacket or waterproof poncho for the rainy season, and a jumper or scarf for cooler evenings in mountainous areas like Kalaw and Inle Lake.
• Temple Kit: A scarf or shawl is useful for covering up during spontaneous temple visits. Consider sandals that dry quickly if you’ll be walking in wet or humid areas.
• Other essentials: A reusable water bottle (fill up in hotels or with bottled water), hand sanitizer, tampons (difficult to find locally), a flashlight or headlamp for power outages or exploring dim temples, and a waterproof bag for electronics are recommended.

Health

While there are no compulsory vaccinations for travelers entering Myanmar, prevention is always better than cure:

• Vaccinations: Make sure your routine vaccines (tetanus, diphtheria, polio, hepatitis B) are current. Vaccines against hepatitis A, typhoid, and Japanese encephalitis are recommended, especially if venturing into rural areas or during monsoon season. Rabies precautions are advisable for extended stays or remote travel.
• Water and Food Safety: Drink only bottled or boiled water—even for teeth-brushing. Avoid ice unless you are certain of its source. Prioritize piping hot, freshly cooked food and refrain from eating raw or unpeeled produce. Street food is a culinary highlight but opt for busy stalls with high turnover for the safest experience.
• Mosquito and Disease Prevention: Wear insect repellent at all times and sleep under a mosquito net in rural areas. Risk of malaria is highest in outlying states (e.g., Chin, Kachin, Kayah), while dengue is present countrywide; there is no vaccine for dengue, so bite prevention is key.
• Healthcare Access: Healthcare facilities in Myanmar are basic, particularly outside Yangon and Mandalay. Bring a small first aid kit and essential prescription medications. Comprehensive travel insurance with emergency evacuation is highly recommended.
• Pharmacies: Medications are available but quality and legitimacy can vary—always buy from reputable pharmacies.

Electrical Outlets

Myanmar uses types C, D, F, and G power outlets (230 V, 50 Hz). Travelers are urged to:

• Bring a universal adapter to accommodate varied socket types.
• If your devices aren’t dual voltage, pack a voltage converter.
• Power outages are common, so charge devices when possible and carry a power bank or portable charger. Surge protectors are a wise precaution against voltage instability.
• A headlamp or handy flashlight is advised for nighttime walks, temple visits after dusk, and navigating during blackouts.

Money

The Myanmar kyat (MMK) is the official currency for everyday transactions. Current financial best practices for travelers include:

• ATMs: Readily available in cities and tourist areas but unreliable in rural zones. Always have extra cash or an alternative way to access funds.
• Cash handling: Exchange money at official banks or exchange counters. Carry new, unmarked banknotes for exchanging foreign currency—damaged, stained, or folded bills are often rejected.
• Mobile Payments: Myanmar’s new national QR payment system (MMQR—MyanmarPay) is gaining traction in cities and with larger merchants; it supports various local e-wallets. However, cash remains essential in many scenarios, especially in rural areas.
• Credit Cards: Acceptance is limited and usually comes with high fees; don’t rely solely on plastic.
• Safety: Leave most of your cash in your hotel safe and travel with only what you need each day. Pre-payment through Shanti Travel for larger expenses such as hotels and transportation is highly recommended to minimize the need to carry large amounts of cash.

Telephone & Internet

• Country code: +95.
• Local SIM Cards and eSIMs: The easiest and most cost-effective way to stay connected is by purchasing a SIM card (Ooredoo, MPT, Telenor, Mytel) at the airport or in city shops. Be prepared to show your passport. eSIMs are increasingly available and convenient for travelers whose phones support them.
• Coverage: Cities have good coverage (4G/5G in places), but expect weaker connectivity in rural or mountainous regions.
• Internet Access: Wi-Fi is increasingly common in hotels and cafes in urban areas, but speed and reliability vary. For long calls or when Wi-Fi is patchy, use communication apps like Viber or Skype.
• International Calls: It’s far cheaper to use VOIP or messaging apps for international communication than direct hotel or shop calls.

Visa

• E-Visa: Most travelers need a visa to enter Myanmar. Apply for an e-visa via the official Myanmar government portal before departure. Tourist e-visas allow a 28-day stay and are valid for entry at major airports and select land borders.
• ASEAN nationals: Citizens of several neighboring countries have short-term (14–30-day) visa-free entry for tourism by air. All others require a visa.
• Application: Have a passport valid for at least six months, a color photo, and proof of hotel booking. Print the e-visa approval letter for arrival.
• Extensions: Tourist visa extensions are generally not permitted; business visa extensions require specific documentation.
• Always check the latest requirements prior to travel on the official e-visa website. Entry rules and available ports can evolve according to government advisories.

Have other questions before planning your trip? Contact your Shanti Travel Expert, who is always updated on the latest local requirements and ready to help you customize a worry-free, memorable holiday to Myanmar!