Travel Information

Credit cards and Travellers’ Cheques:

Most of the hotels accept major credit cards like Visa, Master, American Express or travellers’ cheques. But in some hotels you have to let them know in advance to pay with credit card. In major cities like Yangon and Mandalay, there are ATMs of some banks and visitors can take out local money with equivalent about 1000 $ per day. Most commercial transactions are done in cash, so better bring some cash to avoid any disappointments. Also United States dollars are easier to exchange than other currencies.

Customs :

Visitors should complete Immigration and customs declaration forms during the flight and submit these on arrival. All foreign currencies more than US$ 2000 may be declare at Custom. Traveler’s chaque, jewelry, cameras and electronic gods etc must be recorded on the customs form which may be checked on departure. Bringing in or taking out Myanmar currency is not allowed. Gems and jewelery purchased from authorized dealers are allowed to be taken out however antiques and archaeological objects are not allowed to be taken out of the country.

Shopping :

You are advised to buy gems, jewelleries and silverware at the authorized gem-shops where you will be given a voucher with a permit for Export. Visitors are required to ignore touts who may approach you for offering guide services, for exchanging foreign currency into local currency or for selling gems of a doubtful nature. The offer may appear to be attractive but you could get into trouble and spoil your visit.

Currency

Myanmar currency is the “Kyat”. Currency notes come in the following denominations: K 10000, K 5000, K1000, K500, K 200, K 100, K 50, K 20, K 10, K 5, K, 1. Visitors are not allowed to bring in or take out Kyats. Most of the notes for average uses are 100K, 200K, 500K, 1000K. One bottle of drinking water on the street is 500 Ks. One bottle of beer is 2000 Ks in street shop. One plate of fried rice or fried noodle in small local restaurant is 2000 Ks and can be up to about 6000 Ks in a nice restaurants (not hotel).

Emergency Medical Care

Myanmar International SOS Ltd. offers 24 hour Medical Assistance with emergency evacuations, medically supervised repatriations, dispatch of doctors or specialists. Located at the Renaissance Inya Lake Hotel, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road.
Tel : 95-1-667 879
Fax : 95-1-667 866
24 Hr. Alarm Center 95-1-667877

Local Time in Myanmar :

GMT + 6.5 Yangon 00700 hrs on Monday
GMT + 0 London 0030 hrs on Monday
GMT + 7 Bangkok 0730 hrs “
GMT + 8 Hong Kong 0830 hrs “
GMT + 10 Sydney 1030 hrs “

Airport Tax :

Now most of the airline ticket included airport tax. If not included you have to pay US$ 10.

Currency :

Visitors are advised to change their foreign currencies only at authorized money changers in banks, airports and hotels.

Entrance Fees :

Entrance fees are collected at the famous pagodas, temples, monasteries, museums, old palaces and archaeological zones. Tickets offices are at the sites.

Tour Guide :

Visitors are advised to avoid touts and use the services of licensed guides available at the licensed travel agencies.

Duty Free Allowance :

Duty free allowance is two bottles of liquor, two cartons of cigarettes, 100 cigars and half a litre of perfume.

Health :

No inoculations or vaccinations are required unless coming from or passing through an infected area.

Voltage :

220-230 Volts A.C

Telecommunication :

IDD telephones and fax facilities are available in most hotels. You can buy one-time SIM card at Yangon International arrival lounge. And now you can get new SIM of private company. Cost is about 1 $ per minute to call outside. Local call is cheap.

Religion :

Theravada Buddhism is the predominant, with 80% of the people embracing it. Christianity, Islam and Hinduism are also practiced among the minority.

Language :

Myanmar is mother tongue but English is widely understood.

Domestic Airlines :

Domestic airlines are Yangon Airways, Air Mandalay, Air Bagan, Asia Wings, Yadanapon Airway, Air Kanbawza and Myanmar Airways are operating domestic air route.