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Visitors
to Myanmar must have a valid passport for the visa application. Tourist and business
visa are valid for 28 days; apply to any Myanmar Embassy or Consulate, with 3
passport size photos. Fee is approx. US$ 20 in local currency. INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS Yangon has direct air-links with Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Calcutta, Dacca, Peijing and Kunming. The Myanmar Airways International, Thai Airways International, Silk Air, Biman, Malaysia Airline System, Indian Airlines, China Yunnan Airlines and Air China operate scheduled flights in and out of Yangon. AIRPORT TAX Airport tax is US$ 10 per head to be paid on departure. CUSTOMS All foreign currencies (above US$ 2000), jewelleries, electrical goods and cameras must be declared to the Customs at the Airport. Export of antiques is totally prohibited. Only gems and jewelleries purchased at the licensed dealers. Visitors may bring in duty free 200 cigarettes, one quart of wine and one pint of perfume. COMMUNICATION Overseas calls can be made through IDD phones available at Telephone offices and hotels. Internet interactive service is currently not available in Myanmar however e-mail can be available at most hotels in Yangon. Once you are in up country excess via email is getting limited however IDD fax service is available at most hotels in up country. CURRENCY The currency is Kyat and divided into 100pyas. At present the following kyat bank notes are in use: K1, K5, K10, K15, K20, K45, K50, K90, K100, K200, K500, K1000. HEALTH The same precautions as anywhere else. Drink only bottle water, do not eat raw vegetables'. Be wary of eating food from street stalls, only eat fruits that you can peel or cut yourself. Use insect repellent to keep malaria, dengue fever and like at bay, use sunscreen liberally when exposed to the intense tropical sun. 24 hours medical clinic with internationally trained medical staff and health insurance is now available in Yangon. VACCINATION None are required unless travelers come from Yellow Fever Zones. FOOD Burmese, Chinese, Thai, Indian and European restaurant are easily found in major cities, but European and Chinese food are mostly confined to major hotels at present. Cosmopolitan Travel always carefully selected for hygiene as well as gastronomic considerations in everywhere. SHOPPING Bargaining is an art long-practiced in Asian countries including Myanmar, so feel free to ask for a proper discount when shopping in places where prices are not marked. Myanmar arts and handicrafts, mostly pure handmade, are best souvenirs and prices are very reasonable. Lacquer-ware, wood and ivory carvings, tapestries, silverware, brassware, silk and cotton fabrics and shoulder bags are some of the favorite items. Finest Myanmar ruby, sapphire, jade and pearl are available at Myanmar gems shops. The range of price reductions possible is up to 30 percent. SOUVENIRS Best buys include lacquer-wares, silver, wood and stone carvings, hand-woven silk and cotton garment or fabrics, gems, 'kalaga' embroidered tapestries, traditional puppets and tribal handicrafts. Jewelry is generally up to international standards for design and workmanship. All gem and jewelry purchases should be made through a government-authorized dealer who must issue an official receipt, which is required for taking out of the country for such items. Bargaining is essential when shopping on the street. DRESS Casual and light clothing is recommended for Myanmar all year around. A light sweater of jacket will be useful during the cool season and when traveling in northern areas. Rubber slippers or sandals are recommended as footwear's are strictly prohibited at pagodas, temples and monasteries. A sweater and a raincoat will be useful if tour includes TaungGyi (4,675 feet above sea level), Inle Lake and Kyaikhtiyo(Golden Rock) 3600 feet above sea level. TAXI & BUS Private taxis are easily available in Yangon, but there is no meter, the fare must be negotiated before beginning the trip. While in the upper Myanmar there is no taxi available. Public buses are plentiful and offer a cheap albeit crowed alternative. The only problem is knowing just where the bus is going. ELECTRICITY - 220 VOLT 50HZ TIME - Myanmar Standard Time (MST) is six hours and 30 minutes ahead of GMT.
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