ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
U.S. citizens need a valid passport and visa to travel to Myanmar. Passports should be signed and valid for at least six months beyond the completion of your trip. You should apply for your visa at a Myanmar embassy or consulate abroad before you arrive in Myanmar. In Myanmar, you must present your passport with a valid visa at all airports, train stations, and hotels. Tourist visas are valid for three months from the date of issue and cannot be renewed or refunded. If traveling as a tourist, the duration of your stay in Myanmar is 28 days and is not extendable. Make sure that your passport has enough empty pages available for entry and exit stamps to ensure your entry and exit. Travelers should be careful not to stay beyond the date permitted to avoid difficulties when departing the country.
Tourist Visa:
eVisa Program: The Government of Burma’s eVisa program allows tourists and business travelers to apply for a visa online. You are generally notified within a few days whether you have been pre-approved for a visa. You must present the approval letter at Immigration when you enter Burma. Once approved for the visa, the visa needs to be used within three months. You may apply for Myanmar eVisa at http://evisa.moip.gov.mm/.
Pre-Arrival: A visa to Myanmar can be applied for by mail and takes approximately ten business days to process. Applicants must submit an original passport and two photographs, fill out the necessary application forms, provide evidence of the trip (copy of air ticket/itinerary, hotel reservations, etc.), pay the visa fee (US$40), and include a prepaid self-addressed return envelope. To download forms or for more updated information, visit the Embassy of Burma’s website: http://mewashingtondc.com.
For more updates and other information, please visit http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/singapore.html.
Please note: Each traveler is fully responsible for bringing and acquiring travel documents (e-tickets, hotel and travel vouchers, etc.) necessary for their itinerary. If you are not a citizen of the United States, your entry requirements may vary. Please get in touch with the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited and obtain the specific requirements for entry.
ARRIVAL INFORMATION
Please refer to the instructions given in your itinerary confirmation.
Country Information
Capital: Naypyidaw
Population: 57,526,449 (2022 est.)
Location: South East Asia
Largest Cities: Yangon (Rangoon), Mandalay, Naypyidaw
Religion: Buddhist 89%, Christian 4%, Muslim 4%, Animist 1%, other 2%
System of Government: Parliamentary; Constitutional republic
Map of Myanmar
Time Zone
Myanmar operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), plus 6.5 hours.
At 9:00 am, anywhere in Myanmar, it is:
- 10:30 pm the previous day in New York- Eastern Standard Time (EST).
- 9:30 pm the previous day in Chicago- Central Standard Time (CST).
- 7:30 pm the previous day in San Francisco- Pacific Standard Time (PST).
- 4:30 pm the previous day in Hawaii- Hawaii Aleutian Standard Time (HAST).
*Note: Add one hour to local time during Daylight Savings Time.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website is a good source of health information for travelers.
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Sightseeing may require, at minimum, the ability to walk at a moderate pace for a mile or two and the balance and agility necessary to climb stairs, enter and exit buses and boats, and navigate uneven or cobble-stoned streets. Some sightseeing stops do not have elevators or wheelchair access. Bring medications in their original, clearly labeled containers. A signed and dated letter from your physician describing your medical conditions and medications, including generic names, is also a good idea. If carrying syringes or needles, have a physician’s letter documenting their medical necessity. When on vacation, it is always wise to watch what you eat and drink and avoid drinking tap water while traveling. Most hotels will provide complimentary bottled water. You can purchase additional bottled water throughout your trip.
Myanmar’s currency unit is the Myanmar Kyat (K), subdivided into 100 pyas. It is available in the following denominations: Banknotes: K1, K5, K10, K20, K50, K100, K200, K500, K1000, K5000, K10000, 50 pyas; Coins: K1, K5, K10, K50, K100, 1 pya, 5 pyas, 25 pyas, 50 pyas. You can exchange foreign currency at authorized agencies such as banks, exchange offices, and hotels. ATMs are now available in Myanmar in Yangon and major tourist hubs. Credit cards are essentially useless here except in some high-end hotels. It is recommended that travelers bring enough US dollars to cover their entire trip before they enter Myanmar. The exchange rate is constantly changing. The current exchange rate is approximately 1 USD = 960 MMK. For the most updated exchange rate, please check www.xe.com.
The standard electrical voltage in Myanmar is 230 volts and 50 hertz. Bringing an adaptor is a good idea if you plan to use electronics (i.e., cell phones, laptops, cameras, etc.) during your trip.
Rice is an essential staple in Myanmar dishes, making up about 80% of the local diet. It is consumed in practically every meal, from breakfast to dinner. Its Chinese, Indian, and Thai neighbors mostly influence Myanmar’s cuisine. Mohinga, a rice noodle dish served with fish soup, is a favorite among Myanmar people that is mostly enjoyed at breakfast or as a snack at mobile vendors. Rice is also usually eaten with the main meal, served with a variety of meat or fish, soup, relishes, and vegetables. Also, most traditional snacks, rich in taste and diversity, are commonly made with rice or glutinous rice. One snack worth trying is one of Myanmar’s most famous lephet—a salad made of pickled tea leaves.
Tea is a popular drink in Myanmar. Most people drink either Burmese or Chinese tea, which is usually provided for free at restaurants. To fully experience the culture, try venturing to one of the many teahouses the country is known for. Socializing and hanging out with friends at a teahouse is a tradition where locals converse over cups of tea and affordable snacks, such as Burmese noodles, Indian samosas, or Chinese steamed buns.
In Myanmar, the official language is the Myanmar language or Burmese, which is related to the Chinese and Tibetan languages. Since Burma was a former British colony, the official language was once English. Nowadays, people’s ability to speak English in Myanmar depends on their education level.
WEATHER
Myanmar has a tropical monsoon climate which means it is hot and humid and can experience heavy amounts of rain throughout the year. The cold and dry season lasts from November to February. It rains the least out of the year during this time, and the heat reaches a tolerable 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. The hottest and driest months are March and April when the humidity is the highest, and temperatures can reach up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. May through October is when the wet season or monsoon season occurs. During this period, strong winds, heavy rains, and loud thunderstorms occur every day.
Average Temperatures
All temperatures in Fahrenheit (°F)
| Month/City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bagan | 58 - 86 | 62 - 92 | 69 - 99 | 75 - 102 | 81 - 101 | 80 - 95 | 80 - 95 | 79 - 94 | 78 - 93 | 76 - 91 | 69 - 90 | 61 - 86 |
| Heho | 59 - 86 | 59 - 92 | 65 - 98 | 74 - 101 | 75 - 97 | 75 - 93 | 75 - 90 | 74 - 90 | 74 - 92 | 72 - 91 | 67 - 88 | 61 - 84 |
| Kyaiktiyo | 62 - 85 | 64 - 90 | 69 - 93 | 74 - 94 | 74 - 87 | 73 - 82 | 72 - 81 | 72 - 81 | 72 - 83 | 72 - 85 | 69 - 86 | 64 - 85 |
| Mandalay | 58 - 85 | 62 - 91 | 69 - 98 | 76 - 102 | 78 - 99 | 79 - 95 | 79 - 96 | 78 - 94 | 78 - 93 | 75 - 93 | 69 - 89 | 60 - 85 |
| Ngapali Beach | 57 - 88 | 61 - 91 | 67 - 94 | 75 - 96 | 78 - 95 | 76 - 87 | 75 - 86 | 75 - 86 | 75 - 89 | 75 - 92 | 71 - 92 | 64 - 90 |
| Rangoon (Yangon) | 63 - 91 | 65 - 95 | 70 - 98 | 75 - 100 | 75 - 95 | 74 - 89 | 73 - 87 | 73 - 87 | 73 - 88 | 73 - 91 | 69 - 92 | 64 - 91 |
OTHER INFORMATION
This will be contingent on your preference and the time of year you travel. Generally, we suggest that travelers pack lightly and bring comfortable, casual clothes in natural, “breathable” fabrics because of the humidity. Choose versatile styles that can be layered. A lightweight (preferably non-plastic) raincoat or poncho is a good idea, as well as a sweater or lightweight jacket for early morning/evenings and air-conditioned buildings. A sturdy pair of walking shoes is a must, as sandals may not be comfortable for some sightseeing activities. Some hotels have pools, so you may want to pack your swimming suit. Do not forget to bring sunblock, sunglasses, insect repellent, pocket packs of tissues, a sunhat, an umbrella (for both the sun and rain), and any medications you may need. Most hotels offer reliable laundry and dry cleaning services.
Myanmar is a Buddhist country, so it is important to keep that in mind when deciding what to wear in public. Always wear what you are most comfortable traveling in, but a reasonable amount of modesty ought to be exercised. In most areas, comfortable, casual clothes such as short-sleeved shirts, polo shorts, long skirts, etc., are great for sightseeing. Remember that temperatures will likely be hot and humid, so wearing light, loose-fitting fabrics is a good idea.
When visiting temples and pagodas in Myanmar, remember that they are places of worship, so one should dress politely in modest and conservative clothing as they would at any other religious place. Clothing such as short-sleeved shirts, polo shirts, and bottoms or skirts that cover the knees are acceptable. Refrain from wearing shorts or revealing clothing, especially on days you know you will visit a temple or pagoda, as it could be seen as offensive. You may need to cover one’s shoulders, and women will need to wear long-sleeved tops to cover their arms. Frequently, those that are not appropriately dressed will be turned away. Shoes and socks will need to be removed before entering a place of worship, so it is a good idea to have easily removable footwear (such as sandals) to facilitate this custom.
Hotels may impose a hefty charge on international calls. Check your hotel’s policy before placing any calls. You can use a calling card from your local, long-distance carrier to avoid hotel markups. Several United States cell phones manufactured today can operate overseas on the GSM (Global System for Mobile) standard. We recommend contacting your cell phone service provider to determine if your phone runs on the GSM and what activation may be required. In Indonesia, reception on any cell phone can be unreliable and unpredictable. In some locations, transmission is not possible at all. If access to e-mail is critical during your trip, please check availability in advance. Most hotels have business centers or in-room WI-FI service, and surcharges may apply.
The nationwide emergency phone numbers are:
Ambulance: 192
Fire: 191
Police: 199
- Myanmar: An Illustrated History and Guide to Burma by Caroling Courtauld
- Myanmar (Burma) Insight Guides by David Abram and Andrew Forbes
- Burma/Myanmar: Where Now? by Mikael Gravers and Flemming Ytzen
- Burmese Days by George Orwell
- Finding George Orwell in Burma by Emma Larkin
- The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh