OVERVIEW
Capital: Naypyidaw
Currency: kyat (MMK); US $ widely accepted
Language: Burmese; English widely spoken in cities and tourist areas
ATM Networks: rare in Myanmar. Best to look for them in large cities and community places.
Electricity: 230V, 50Hz with Type A, Type C, Type D, Type G and Type I plugs
Internet: Wi-
Water: NOT drinkable.
Tipping: Not customary but appreciated. Taxi and rickshaw drivers don’t expect a tip. For guides $2-
Airport: ATMs and Currency Exchange are available. Taxis are plentiful and relatively cheap. With fixed fare which can fluctuate depending on traffic, etc. It takes 30 minutes to the city center and start at around US$6 which can be paid in dollars. Be sure to use authorized taxis and confirm fare.
Climate: May to October: Wet season
November to February: Peak season, best weather, cool and dry, also the busiest time and more expensive.
March – May – Hot hot hot! so hot!
This is a general outlook, the terrain varies so much from river basins to mountains and the weather can change with it. If it’s sweltering in Mandalay, Hsipaw might be at it’s best.
© 2020
MYANMAR Formerly known as Burma
THE NITTY GRITTY
- Take plenty of US dollars without tears or pen marks. ATMs are becoming more common but some don’t accept international cards.
- Wi-
Fi connection can still be scarce outside the main cities. - “Delhi Belly” becomes “Burma Belly”, be prepared for a few pangs of food poisoning and make sure you have appropriate medicine.
- Dress more conservatively.
- axis – which come in a variety of different forms – are inexpensive and plentiful in most towns and cities.
WEATHER
- Dry and wet seasons. Dry season runs from October through to May and the wet season from May/June through to early October.
- The driest regions of the country, avoiding much of the annual rain, are the plains surrounding Bagan and Mandalay which remain relatively dry aside from the odd heavy downpour, all the way through to August.
- Best months to visit Burma are from November to February.
- Many experienced travellers often consider the ‘mid-
season’, either side of this peak period, as the best time to visit and crowds are far more minimal. - Throughout the country in all but the hottest months of the year it is often advisable to have a jumper or fleece for the evenings, when there is a tendency for it to get quite cool.
WHERE TO GO -
PLANNING REFERENCES
