Currently, credit Cards are only accepted at a very few major hotels, airlines and some international shops and restaurants. We advise you to bring enough US Dollars for your travel, accommodation, shopping and dining expenses. The exchange of traveler cheques as well is very difficult and time consuming. Banks are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and all public holidays.

The amount of US Dollars you should bring will depend on your length of stay and which part of country you will be traveling. We advise that you consult with you travel agent with regards to this.

Myanmars are genuinely happy to help foreign visitors and don’t expect anything in 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.

Two options for the rest of your stay add on three days from Kyaiktiyo, by busing to Mwalamyine neat the WWII “Death Railway”, then take Myanmar’s lovelist boat ride to Hpa-an for a mountain climb and lunch, with monkeys. Then, when in Mandalay, add on three day trip to refreshing cooler Pyin U Lwin, a flower scented hill station with waterfalls, and do a DIY trek in Hsipaw. Or scarp those two side trips, and take a six day trip from Pyay firstly to Muruk U, the Rakhaing’s hillock verion of Bagan and then snorkel and eat seafood at Ngapali Beach. From here, take flight or bus ride to Yangon.

Yangon

Starting from Yangon, stretch your plan legs up the steps to the Shwedagon Paya at night when its golden zedi (stuppa) glows under the floodlights. Next day, wander around downtown ending at Boyuke Aung San Market, which has the country’s best selection of handicrafts and souvenirs.

Mandalay

Hire a drive, fly, or take a train or an overnight bus to Mandalay, where you can climb Mandalay Hill, see the famed Mahamuni Paya, and witness the Moustache Brothers one day, and on the next make a rushed day trip to zedi-studded Sagaing Hill U Bein’s Bridge in Amarapura at sunset.

Bagan

The boat rip down the Ayeyarwady River to Bagan takes a day, but is a refreshing way to take in life along one of Asia’s mightiest rivers. In Bagan, take a horse cart ride around 42 sq km of 800 year old temples.

Inle Lake

Next day, cool off in the Shan Hills to the east of the Inle lake – reached by bus, taxi or plane – where dug out canoes can take you to floating markets unders the flight paths of egretsl after a day, consider a day trip to Pindaya Caves to see their 8000 Buddha images. Fly or take a bus back to Yangon.

The Government of Myanmar strictly controls travel to, from, and within Myanmar.

ALL Foreigners are required to obtain a non immigrant visa before entering into Myanmar.

Tourist visa for Myanmar can be obtained from any Myanmar embassy or consulate office in abroad.

Tourist visas are valid to stay 28 days in Myanmar and can be extended in Yangon.

Myanmar authorities rarely issue visas to persons with occupations they deem “sensitive,” including journalists. Many journalists and writers traveling to Myanmar on tourist visas have been denied entry. Journalists — and tourists mistaken for journalists — have been harassed. Some journalists have had film and notes confiscated upon leaving the country.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child’s travel from the absent parent(s) or legal guardian. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.

Types of Visa

There are two kinds of tourist visas. Entry Visa tourist EVT (Package) & EVT (FIT-Foreign Independent Tourist).

EVT (Package) – valid three months from the date of Issue and require a tour confirmation letter from an authorized travel agent of Myanmar.

EVT (FIT) – valid one month from the date of Issue but require no tour confirmation letter. Both visas have same status and procedure on arrival at Yangon airport.
(a) Transit Visa – US$ 18 – 24 Hours
(b) Tourist Visa- EVT (package) and EVT (FIT) – us$ 20 – 28 days

Children over seven years of age require a separate visa even if travelling on their parents’ passports.

Application Forms are obtainable at the visa counter of Myanmar embassy or consulate office in your country free of charge. Forms can also be downloaded from most of their web sites.

Documents Required for Visa Application

Documents Required for Entry/ Business/ Social Visit Visa
• Two copies of duly filled Entry Visa/ Business Visa application forms and a copy of Report of Arrival form. Every set of application form has to be duly signed by the applicant. Complete the business visa forms correctly. Submit an original invitation letter to you from a registered company in Myanmar.

• Submit 2 requested letters of a business visa application attention to Ambassador from the same company in Myanmar and your company in your country.

• Affix 3 recent photos of 1 ½ x 2 inches with white colour back ground (Scanned photos are not allowed). Provide visa fees S$ 65. Valid passport at least 6 months validity.

• For Business Visa(Multiple Journey Entry Visa) a sponsorship letter stating the business profile in brief of the respective company or organization registered in your country as well as business activities with counter part company in Myanmar.

• Those who use any false statements will be refused an entry visa.

• For Social Visit Visa, spouse of a Myanmar National, children of a Myanmar National and a Foreigner, or those who surrendered Myanmar Citizenship are allowed to apply only for a social visit visa.

Safe to go Myanmar?

Basically all the key tourist destinations – Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan & Inle lake is quite far from the hit area of the typhoon and were not affected by it. However if you are planning to do some off beaten track, then I will definitely suggest doing more research on it, before planning you trip.

As for the general safety of tourists to the country, all i can say is that the locals will welcome you with open arms! It will be a bit troublesome if you are a reporter or a news photographer, other than, i can’t imagine anything unsafe about going to Myanmar.

Myanmar is only dangerous for the local people, as the government continues to lock down pro democracy activists and demonstrators.

Minor Safety Concerns

If possible, stick with taking flights, as there have been news that trains derailing is quite common in Myanmar.

1. Destinations opened to International Tourists

Traveling to some of the areas and sites will require prior permission from the authorities concerned as specified below:

(A) Kachin State
(1) Both Package Tours and Foreign Independent Travelers (F.I.T) are allowed to travel to Myitkyina either by plane or train.
(2) Both Package Tours and Foreign Independent Travelers (F.I.T) are allowed to Hopin, Mohnyin, Mogaung and Indawgyi by train. Prior permission is required to travel to these regions by car. The journey can be proceeded only after the permission has been granted by the Ministry.
(3) Both Package Tours and Foreign Independent Travelers are allowed to Jinghkrang, Myitsone, Waingmaw and Washaung in Myitkyina.
(4) Only Package Tours are allowed to Putao by plane. For those F.I.Ts who wish to travel to Putao, they must contact an authorized Travels and Tours Company and travel only as a Package Tour.
(5) Package Tours travelling to the following areas in Putao, viz., Manse (NS-9494)*, Mu Daung (NT-0409), Noi Nan (NT-0994), Machambaw (NT-2079), Hun Nan (NT-0974), Mulashidi (NT-0574), Ho Pa (NT- 0282), Ko Pa (NS-9385) are only allowed to authorized Travels and Tours Companies supervised and guided by either a Staff Officer or an Assistant Manager of the Ministry of Hotels & Tourism.
(6) Detailed itinerary to Putao area is to be submitted to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism in advance.
(7) Package Tours and F.I.Ts are allowed to Bamaw by plane or by ship.

(B)Northern Shan State
Package Tours and F.I.Ts are allowed to Lashio through the inland route either by plane, train or car.

(C) Southern Shan State
(1) Package Tours and F.I.Ts are allowed to Taunggyi, Inlay, Pindaya, Kalaw and Yatsauk through the inland route either by plane, train or car.
(2) Package Tours and F.I.Ts are allowed to Kyaing Tong, Tachilek through the inland route by plane.

(D) Kaya State
Tours for international tourists and foreign visitors are not allowed to any area in the State.

(E) Rakhine State
(1) Package Tours and F.I.Ts are allowed through the inland route to Sittway, Mrauk-U, Ngapali, Thandwe, Gwa and Taungkoke either by plane, car or ship. Tours to Ahm and Kyauktaw are not allowed.
(2) Package Tours and F.I.Ts are allowed by car to Kantharyar via Ngathaing Kyaung Gwa Road; and to Ngapali via Pyay Taungkoke Road.

(F) Kayin State
Package Tours and F.I.Ts are allowed to Tharmin Nya, Pa-an, Hlaingbwe either by train or by car.

(G) Mon State
Package tours and F.I.Ts are allowed to Kyaikhtiyo, Kyaik Hto, Thaton, Kyaikmaraw, Mawlamyaing, Balukyun, Thanbyuzayat and Kyaikkami either by train or by car.

(H) Tanintharyi Division
(1) Package Tours and F.I.Ts are allowed to Myeik, Dawei, Maungmagan, Kawthaung and Lanpi Kyun either by plane and by ship.
(2) Tours to Zadetgyi Kyun are not allowed.

(I) Yangon Division, Mandalay Division, Bago Division, Magway Division and Ayeyarwaddy Division
Package Tours and F.I.Ts are allowed without any restrictions either by ship or car within Yangon Division, Mandalay Division, Bago Division, Magway Division and Ayeyarwaddy Division.

(J) Sagaing Division
(1) Package Tours and F.I.Ts are allowed by car to Alaungdaw Kathapa, Po Win Taung, Monywa, Twin Taung, Butalin, Kyauk ka, Yinmar Pin and Yeshantwin areas.
(2) Package Tours and F.I.Ts are allowed to Khamti either by air or by ship. Tours to the outside areas of Khamti are not allowed.
(3) Package Tours and F.I.Ts are allowed to Homalin by ship. Tours to the outside areas of Homalin are not allowed.
(4) Package Tours and F.I.Ts are allowed to Kale by plane. Tours are permissible only within the four mile range of the Town.

(K) Chin State
Tours for international tourists and foreign visitors are not allowed to any area in the State.

(L) Cruise along the River
Package Tours and F.I.Ts are allowed to cruise along the Ayeyarwaddy River for Mandalay Bamaw – Mandalay / Mandalay Bagan Nyaung U Mandalay / Yangon Mandalay Yangon / Deltaic areas and Mawlamyaing Pa-an Mawlamyaing.

(M) Restricted Areas
(1) Authorized Travels and Tours Companies arranging Package Tours to Mogoke must contact and make arrangements through the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd.
(2) Myanmar Travels and Tours of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism can, however, make its own arrangements for its Package Tours to Mogoke.
(3) The Tours are to be arranged only by car.
(4) Tours to Hpakant are not allowed.

2. Via Border checkpoints with Border Pass

are allowed to travel to the areas mentioned below:-

(A) Northern Shan State
(1) Visitors from China with Border Pass are allowed to enter through Muse, Namkhan, Kyu Koke and Kun Lone checkpoints as package Tours arrange by the authorized Travels and Tours companies and then proceed up to Lashio by car.
(2) Visitors coming in with Border pass through Lwe je checkpoint are allowed to proceed on to Bamaw Township as Package Tours, arranged by the authorized Travels and Tours Companies.

(B) Southern Shan State
(1) Visitors entering from Thailand with Border Pass are allowed to Tachilek.
(2) Visitors entering through Wun Pone with Border Pass are allowed to travel as far as Tachilek.
(3) For the time being visitors entering through Mai Lar with Border Pass are not allowed to Kyaing Tong. Consideration will be given in the future.
(4) Visitors with Border Pass to Tachilek will be given in the future.

3. With valid visa via Border checkpoints

are allowed to the areas mentioned below:-

(a) Package Tours with valid visas, arranged by the authorized Travels and Tours Companies are allowed to enter through Muse, Namkham, Kyu Koke and Kun Lone checkpoints and proceed on to Mandalay and Yangon via Lashio either by plane, car or train.

(b) Package Tours with valid visas, arranged by the authorized Travels and Tours Companies are allowed to enter through Lwe-je checkpoint and proceed on to Mandalay and Yangon via Bamaw either by plane or ship.

4. Myeik Archipelago

Please be informed that the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism has issued the new instruction for Yachting Tour Operation as follows:-

We’ve collected USD 80/pax only for Kawthaung region and USD 120/pax only for Myeik Archipelago per trip as royalty fee from the foreign yachting companies who operate in Myeik Archilelago for the time being.

Up to June, 2005, there are altogether 49 foreign yachting companies who handle these trip to Myeik Archipelago. They have got many relaxation such as 2 years’ validity license, no more commercial tax and income tax and no more extra charges on respective royalty fee.