BEFORE YOU COME

HOW TO GET THERE

Yangon International Airport and Mandalay International Airport are the main International Airports in Myanmar. Yangon has direct air links with Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Calcutta, Chiang Mai, Guang Zhou, Taipei, Kunming and Hong Kong.

Overland entry with a Border Pass is permitted at the following Border Check Points: Tachileik and Kawthaung on the Myanmar-Thai border and Muse on the Myanmar-Yunnan (China) border.

IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS FORMALITIES

Upon arrival you have to declare all your valuables items such as (Foreign currency exceeding the equivalent of US$ 2,000, Jewelry, Cameras, electronic equipment etc) on your custom declaration form. Receipt or voucher is needed when departing form Myanmar, Yangon Int'l airport, for things that you purchased locally, such as gems and jewelry. But antiques are not allowed to be taken out of the country. The following items are illegal to take out of the country: Prehistoric implements and artifacts, fossils, old coins, inscribed stones, historical documents.

HEALTH

No inoculation or vaccinations are required unless coming from or passing through an infected area. Clients should bring sufficient medication with them if needed and should enquire for updated health recommendation before coming to Myanmar, regarding hepatitis, malaria, typhoid, etc.

CURRENCY

The currency in Myanmar is the Kyat. Present denominations are in notes: Kyats.: 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE CERTIFICATE

We would like to foretell all travelers visiting Myanmar to bring US Dollars Cash (small denomination notes) and it’s easily exchangeable for foreign Exchange Certificates (FEC’S) at authorized money changers through out the country. Other foreign currencies such as Euro, Pound Sterling, French Francs, Deutsche Marks, and Japanese Yen can only be exchanged into FEC’S at the Currency Exchange counter inside Yangon International Airport on arrival or at the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank in Yangon. All authorized money changer through out Myanmar will only accept US Dollars. You can exchange your FEC’s into the local Myanmar currency “KYATS” (pronounced CHAT). For payment of any purchase through out the Country can pay in Dollars or FEC’s.

The notes of the FEC:
A note of 20 FECS that is equivalent to $ 20 US Dollars.
A note of 10 FECS that is equivalent to $ 10 US Dollars.
A note of 5 FECS that is equivalent to $ 5 US Dollars.
A note of 1 FEC that is equivalent to 1 US Dollar.

Once, It is obliged to change $200 US for every foreign individual tourists having FIT visa (Foreign Individual Traveler) with FEC (Foreign Exchange Certificate) on arrival.

"Now, no more changing of US 200 $ on arrival."

CREDIT CARDS & TRAVELER CHEQUES

Due to recent sanctions of U.S to Myanmar Government, all the credit cards are not possible to use around the country since 01 Sept'03. So, the travelers are recommended to carry hard cash for their own using amount. But some of the major hotels accept credit cards such as Visa Cards, Master Cards and Traveler Cheque.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We would like to recommend all clients to obtain the necessary personal baggage, medical and accident insurance before coming to Myanmar. (S.O.S) world wide has a local representative office in Yangon with a (24) hour on Call Service for emergency evacuation and medical assistance.

MOBILE PHONE

Mobile telephones or hand phones from other countries currently do not operate in Myanmar. Customs will ask you to leave your telephone upon arrival and let you collect it when you depart from Myanmar.

WHAT TO WEAR

GOLDEN BROTHERS & SISTERS TRAVELS & TOURS advise all visitors coming to Myanmar to dress properly, as it can be offensive wearing shorts, mini skirts or revealing clothing, which are not appropriate at all, especially when visiting Temple or any holy site in Myanmar.
Please dress with respect and have respect for the Culture and Religion. Light clothing, cotton and cool fabrics are suitable the whole year around. For winter, sweater or sport coat and may be socks are needed in places like Kalaw, Inle, in the Southern Shan State, as it is quite cold during the night. Foot wears; please bring Sandals as it is convenient, when paying a visit to Temples and Monastery. Guest are requested to take-off their foot wears at every religious site and when entering private home for polite sake. Flip- flops or Myanmar slippers can be purchase locally.

WHAT TO BRING

An antibiotic pills and cream for minor cuts and scratches, prescription medicines prescribe by a doctor, insect repellent, especially for mosquito are recommended to bring. Bring umbrella or rain coat if you travel during rainy Season. And also bring hat, Sun glasses, Sun protection for your face and body. Extra passport photos, in case you may need it.

POWER & ELECTRICITY

Most of our hotels in urban cities like Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan offer (24) hours power Supply. Generators are used if needed. Other parts of the Country in rural areas, like Kyaingtung in eastern Shan State, Kalaw, Pindaya, Nyaung Shwe, Taunggyi, Inle, Sittwe and Mrauk U generated power may not always available.

VOLTAGE

Our Voltage in Myanmar is 220-230 volts Ac. Most of the international hotels have their own generators. At some places may experiences power cuts and Voltage fluctuation which can damage computers and other electricity equipments. So please travel with the require protection for your electrical equipments.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Before your arrival in Myanmar, after your tour is confirmed GOLDEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS TRAVELS & TOURS can send you the list of all hotels used in Myanmar with their e-mail address, fax number, phone number, and address in every town. But some hotels like in Kalaw, Pindaya and Inle, as these are remote places. There is only phone to contact. Most of the 3 stars and above hotels in Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Inle, Ngapali and Ngwesaung have internet email access. And there are numbers of internet cafe around in Yangon, Mandalay and Taunggyi. But, Yahoo, Hot Mail, Gmail and most of the free email accounts are banned in Myanmar. But, some of the internet cafes have the way to past the government fire wall.