General Information

 Airport Departure Tax

           Any passengers departing Myanmar on international flights will need to pay a departure tax of US$ 20 per person.(included in your international ticket.)

Business hours

        Banks open at 09:30 till 14:00, Monday through Friday. Government offices open at 09:30 till 16:30 Monday through Friday. Most private offices open at 09:30 till 17:00, Monday through Friday and 09:30 till 12:00 on Saturday.

Comfort and Care

        Mosquito repellent and sunscreen are a must. Don't forget to bring medication you would normally use in emergencies, such as antibiotics etc. Most medicines are available but may be not the brand you normally use.

Drink only pre-boiled water such as green tea or bottle water of reputable brands. Better to avoid ice cubes in the street.

 Culture

           Myanmar lies between two great civilizations, that of Indian China, but it has developed its own distinctive culture. Buddhism has a great influence on the daily lives of the Myanmar people. The people have preserved the traditions of the close family ties, respect for elders and simple native dress. Myanmar hospitality is legendary.

Currency    

      We recommend visitors to bring US Dollars cash for easily exchangeable at authorized money changers throughout the country. Other foreign currencies such as Deutsche Marks, Japanese Yen, French Francs and Pound Sterling can only be exchanged into local currency at Yangon International Airport on your arrival. Authorized money changers throughout Myanmar will only accept US Dollars, Euros. According to the issue by Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank in 2004, please be warned that torn, dirty and stained notes are not accepted and some goes for notes those serial numbers starts with CB. They will also exchange your US dollars into the local Myanmar currency "kyat" (pronounced "CHAT") US Dollars can be easily used for payment of purchases throughout the country. Credit card is available in Myanmar now in some places, but only few hotels accept Credit cards for their own usage at the hotel.

Credit Card

        It is now available in Myanmar, but a few hotel accept by Credit Card for their own usage at the hotel. 

Dos and Don’ts in Myanmar

        Not always necessary to shake hands. Don't hug or kiss in public. Shoes and socks / stockings must always be removed at pagoda and monasteries. Visitors are advised to ignore touts who may approach them to exchange currency, of to sell gems of dubious quality, such offers, although apparently not to encourage development of this practice by giving money.

Typical Character

Friendly. Helpful. Honest. Smiling most of the times and ready to help others.

Treat everyone with respect and you will be respected.

Speaking

When addressing people. Don’t leave out U (which stands for Mr) or Daw (which stands for Ms/Mrs).

Speak slowly and clearly.

Manners

Not always necessary to shake hands.

Don't hug or kiss in public.

Don't touch any adult on the head.

Don't step over any part of a person. As it is considered rude.

Accept or give things with your right hand.

In Myanmar. Unlike the Indian continent. Nodding means YES. And shaking head means NO.

Eating

For hygiene reasons.

Eat only in decent restaurants. When not available. Always eat heated food.

Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.

Don't drink tap water.

Drink only bottled water and soft drinks that haven't been opened yet.

Let the oldest be served first.

Chinese food is common and suggested.

Myanmar food is often complained as 'oily'.

To try good Myanmar food. Go to decent restaurants in Yangon area. Where they cook Myanmar food according to international standards.

Shopping

When buying gems. Sculptures. Or any expensive souvenir. Make sure it comes with an export permit.

Buy arts from authorized dealers only and get a certified receipt.

Safety

Don't leave expensive items in your room. Use safe deposit box.

Beware of cheats. Swindlers. Imposters.

Health

Stay away from narcotic drugs.

Carry some medicines for diarrhea.

If sick. Don’t worry. All doctors are English literate.

Health insurance is not available.

Traveling

Accept that facilities may not be the best.

On trains. Keep windows shut.

Speed or distance descriptions are in miles. Not kilometers.

Carry toilet paper in your bag.

Visiting

Most Myanmar does not wear shoes in their homes. Take off when visiting.

Moving About

Don’t jays walk! Watch where you walk and what you step on.

If driving. City speed limit is 30 mph. Drive on the right side.

Religion

At religious places. Remove footwear. But to remove head-wear is not necessary.

Avoid shouting or laughing.

Avoid being a nuisance when taking photographs.

Treat Buddha images with respect.

Tuck away your feet. Don't point it towards the pagoda or a monk.

Don't play loud music in these areas. Note that Buddhist monks are not allowed to listen to music.

Do not put Buddha statues or images on the floor or somewhere inappropriate.

Don't touch sacred objects with disrespect. Hold them in your right-hand. Or with both hands.

Leave a donation when possible.

Show respect to monks. Nuns. And novices (even if they are children).

Don't offer your hand to shake hands with a monk.

Sit lower than a monk and elders.

Don't offer food to a monk. Nun. Or a novice after noon time.

      Note :  A woman should not touch a monk.

 Duty Free Allowance

               Customs all foreign currencies above US$ 2000, gems and valuables, electrical goods and cameras must be declared to the Customs at the airport. Exports of antiques and archaeologically valuable items are prohibited. Only gems, and silverware purchased at the authorized shops are allowed to be taken out. For visitors' convenience, there are Duty-Free Shops in the airport arrival and departure lounges. Allowance is 2 Liters of liquor, 400 cigarettes, and 250g of tobacco, 100 cigars and 1/2 liter of perfumes, Electrical and electronic goods not more than US$ 500 in value, portable video camera, HD camera or DV camera and 1 spare set of battery are allowed.

 Electricity

            Myanmar has 220-240 volts A.C. It is advisable to have torchlight in the hand baggage as power cuts frequently occur throughout the country. Bringing your device adapters is the best for challenges.

Festivals

           Myanmar is the land of Festivals; a festival for every month of the year. Majority of the festivals are cultural and religious. Most are celebrations such as Ananda Pagoda festival, Thingyan (water festival)and Phaungdaw Oo pagoda festival, etc offer a perfect chance to join the locals as they celebrate their festivals throughout the year. Contact us for the latest festival calendar.

Gratuities & Tipping

        Myanmar’s are genuinely happy to help foreign visitors don’t expect anything to return. But if your guide or any other person during your trip was especially kind or helpful a gratuity would be a generous gesture and greatly appreciated.

Insurance

        We recommend all clients to obtain the necessary personal baggage, medical and accident insurance before arrival. SOS Worldwide has a local representative office in Yangon with a 24 hour on call service for emergency evacuation and medical assistance.

Language        

           The official language is Myanmar; the spoken language differs slightly from their own languages. English is spoken by many and widely understood. Some Myanmar speaks French, German and Mandarin.

 Population

           Myanmar has a population of over 52 million and the Bamar make about 70%. Yangon, the commercial city and gateway to Myanmar, has a population of nearly 6 million

 Religion

            Over 89.30% of Myanmar embraces Theravada Buddhism and the rest are Christians (5.60%), Muslims (3.80%), Hindus (0.5%) and Animists (0.2%).

Shopping

        Myanmar arts and crafts, mostly pure hand-made, are best souvenirs. Lacquer ware, woodcarvings, tapestries, silverware, brassware, silk and cotton fabrics and shoulder bags are some of the favorite items.

        For jeweler, there is Burma rubies, sapphires, jade and pearls available at Myanmar gems shops. All gems and jeweler purchased should be made through the government licensed dealers, who can give a voucher for export.

        Bargaining is essential for obtaining the reasonable prices. Possible price reductions of up to 50% are not uncommon.

Telecommunications

           There are two types of network CDMA and GSM networks in Myanmar. Only the MEC Sim card (provided by government is for CDMA network. Another Sim cards using GSM network. MPT (provided by the government),Telenor (provided by Norway), Ooredoo(provided  video calls as well by UAE)are available to buy to use the inter and call back to your country. You could find any type of pre paid top-up everywhere very easily. Please ask before you buy them to make sure there would be network coverage in the areas you want to visit. Using internet would be slow and there would be no network coverage in some places sometimes.

The People

           The term Myanmar embraces over 135 ethnic groups living together and speaking their own dialects. The major ethnic races are Kachin, Kayah, Kayin,Chin,Mon,Bamar,Rakhine and Shan live in seven States and seven Regions in Myanmar.

Time

           There entire country is 6:30 hours ahead of GMT; (UTC) 0:30 minutes behind Thailand 1:30 hours behind Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. There entire country is 6:30 hours ahead of GMT; (UTC), 0:30 minutes behind Thailand,1:30 hours behind Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

Travelers Cheque

        It is not possible.

Visa

           A valid passport with entry visa is required of all visitors. Your passport validity must have at least 6 months. A tourist visa allows a stay of 28 days, extendible for an additional 14days.

           A Business visa allows a stay of 28 days and extendible up to 12 months on a case by case basis. Visa on arrival is granted on prior arrangement with the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.

           eVisa service is a non refundable. The validity of eVisa approval letter is 90 days from the issued date. If it’s expired, the entry would be denied. You will receive an email acknowledgement within one an hour after successful payment of 50 US$ by Visa, Master, American express or JCB credit cards. It’s taken 3 working days to complete all the process. If the applicant has Child (ren) less than 7 years old on the same passport, you have to put the name of the child, date of birth in the minor section of the application form.

The applicant should complete individual personal data whether passenger is FIT or package tour. eVisa is valid only for the single entry.A new visa will be require a Re-entry again. Currently, passengers with evisa are only permitted to enter via Yangon International Airport, Mandalay International Airport and Nay Pyi Taw International Airport. If the decision is not allowed to entry, you may return by the same flight. If you are visiting to Myanmar via cruise, please contact to your agent for pre-arrangement visa on arrival. You will not be able to use eVisa to enter Myanmar via seaport.

43 countries are granted eVisa for initial -

No.	Country Name	No.	Country Name
1.	Australia	23.	Laos
2.	Bangladesh	24.	Malaysia
3.	Belgium	25.	Nepal
4.	Brazil	26.	Netherlands
5.	Brunei	27.	New Zeland
6.	Cambodia	28.	Norway
7.	Canada	29.	Pakistan
8.	China	30.	Philippines
9.	CZECH	31.	Poland
10.	Denmark	32.	Russia
11.	Egypt	33.	Saudi Arabia
12.	Finland	34.	Serbia
13.	France	35.	Singapore
14.	Germany	36.	Spain
15.	India	37.	Sri lanka
16.	Indonesia	38.	Switzerland
17.	Israel	39.	Thailand
18.	Italy	40.	Turkey
19.	Japan	41.	United Kingdom
20.	Korea, DPR	42.	United State of America
21.	Korea, Republic	43.	Vietnam
22.	Kuwait

24 countries have been added from 02/October/2014 :

No.	Country Name	No.	Country Name
1.	Argentina	13.	Lithuania
2.	Austria	14.	Luxembourg
3.	Bulgaria	15.	Malta
4.	Chile	16.	Mongolia
5.	Colombia	17.	Panama
6.	Croatia	18.	Peru
7.	Cyprus	19.	Portugal
8.	Estonia	20.	Romania
9.	Greece	21.	Slovakia
10.	Hungary	22.	Slovenia
11.	Ireland	23.	Sweden
12.	Latvia	24.	Venezuela

Weather

           There are three seasons in Myanmar. The hot season is from March to end of May, The raining season is from June to end of October and the cold season is from November to End of February.