When to go to Myanmar, all you need to know about visas, flights, local currency, transport and much more. How to best prepare before a trip to Myanmar.
Myanmar, land of golden temples and smiles, will take your breath away. Between enchanted landscapes, nature reserves and chaotic cities, there is something to lose your head. Here are some small useful information to know before setting out to discover a magical country, all to be discovered.
I spent two weeks or so in Myanmar, but I assure you I would have been there much longer. It is a country that has recently opened up to tourism, but that has a lot to offer. As in every trip I try to visit as much as possible, without losing the joy of a chat with the locals or staying still enchanted to watch a sunset. At present many areas towards the border with Bangladesh they are closed to tourists, as they are war zones. Don't worry the rest of the country is safe and you can visit it without any problem.
Flights, plane and visa
As for flights, until a few years ago the norm was at least two stopovers to reach Yangoon. Now, however, there is the possibility of finding companies, especially the Arab ones, that fly with only one stop. Flight hours vary from how long you have to stop, but more or less we are about 12/13 hours.
Once you have placed your ticket, start thinking about the visa. It is mandatory to have it before entering the country and it costs 50 $. There are two ways to obtain it: electronically or through the Embassy. With the first way you certainly save some money and even time, but very often the site does not work; Instead, through the Embassy you are sure to receive it, obviously take it in time because it takes about two weeks.
Currency and exchange
The local currency is the kyat. This was the most troubling part for me before I left. What and how much to take away? Reading the guide it seemed that the euros were not accepted. Which is not true. Once we arrived we were able to change them both in the bank and in some shops around the city. The only thing to keep in mind is that they must not be spoiled in any way, otherwise they are not accepted. This also applies to dollars. They must be brand new and issued as recently as possible. Credit cards are safely accepted. Remember that there is an extra commission to pay.
When to go to Myanmar
We are in the tropics and this means that there are two seasons, the dry one and the rainy one. The first, which is obviously recommended, runs from November to April. The second, from May to October. The preiodi Christmas and New Year is crowded and prices skyrocket, but the days are warm and clear. A good compromise is the period before the holidays, in which you can enjoy a pleasant climate and prices are certainly more affordable.
How to move in Myanmar
In Myanmar you can really use any means. For those who have time, I recommend moving between Bagan and Mandalay with the ship which takes a whole day. Instead, for those who have little, the plane is certainly the most suitable way. Obviously, expect to spend some extra cash. Surely the best means to use for long journeys is the bus, especially the night bus, which will also allow you to save the money of the night in the hotel. When booking I recommend that you book the VIP buses: they certainly offer a better service and are more comfortable. To get around the city, however, there is certainly no shortage of taxis and mototaxis.
