Myanmar, officially known as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and formerly known as Burma, is a beautiful country that was recently opened to the rest of the world. Since then, it’s been considered “Asia’s Final Frontier” for its authenticity and culture. Tourism has been on the rise and has greatly impacted Myanmar’s economy, but information can be difficult to find due to the rapid growth and development. Here you will find some travel tips I learned after traveling in Myanmar in November 2019.

General Tips

Throughout Myanmar you will see women, children, and men wearing wrap-style garments called “longyi”. These are worn by nearly everyone and locals will urge tourists to try them/ buy the garments. They’re ideal for temples and pagodas, as the longyi covers your legs.

You will notice many people with pale-colored paint on their faces. This is called “thanaka” and is used for cosmetic beauty, but also cools the skin, provides sun protection, promotes smooth skin, and is anti-fungal. Learn more about thanaka here.

In all temples and religious areas in Myanmar, foot wear of any kind is not allowed—no socks, shoes, or sandals. That means you will be exploring barefoot. Your feet will get dirty and it’s best to carry wet wipes to clean your feet afterward. 

Getting around the country is fairly easy–bus being a main transportation option for locals and tourists. Purchasing tickets at a bus center can prove to be difficult due to the language barrier, though. Try booking with your hostel or hotel, as they can often coordinate direct pick-up with a bus company. Similarly, numbers are written in Burmese script, which means decoding bus numbers can be challenging.

Things also move a lot slower in Myanmar, so give yourself and your agenda time for getting to and from places.

Starting your day early is better. It is not as hot in the mornings and many locals do their shopping, cooking, and life things in the morning hours. It’s a great opportunity to observe locals, but also gives you the chance to do more with the daylight and beat the crowds. Most cities in Myanmar don’t have much nightlife, as well.

Poverty is an issue in Myanmar and as a tourist you may witness some of it as you travel. According to the World Bank, more than 32% of people in Myanmar live below the poverty even though poverty has decreased from 44.5% in 2004 to 26.1% in 2015.

Eating in Myanmar

Unfortunately, clean drinking water is an issue around the globe and Myanmar is not an exception. Tap water is not safe to drink throughout the country. It is best to drink bottled water or filtered water. Most restaurants cook with filtered water and many street vendors also use filtered water.

Ice is safe only if it is made with filtered water. Avoid iced beverages or smoothies if you’re unsure about where the ice came from or how the ice was made.

Tea is customarily served at most eateries in Myanmar and the tea on your table is free. It’s usually a fairly bland Chinese tea. I would say it’s a safe to drink because it’s served hot and typically sealed inside tea canisters or poured fresh. Many people clean/ sanitize the cups with the tea, too. If you don’t do this, be sure your cup is dry before you serve yourself or others.

Breakfast and lunch are big meals of the day in Burmese culture. It’s best to eat food earlier in the day, as this is when the food tends to be the freshest at restaurants, street shops, and tea shops.

You have an equal chance of getting food poisoning from street food as you do at a restaurant in Myanmar. Food hygiene is different than what many tourists are accustomed to and poor food hygiene during preparation is what causes majority of food poisoning cases.

Street food is generally safe to eat, but use logic and observe where the locals are eating. Places with longer lines and more people are a better choice. For tips on choosing and eating street food to avoid getting sick, check-out this helpful guide.

Money in Myanmar

Most items can be paid for using the local currency, Myanmar Kyat (MMK). Most hotels will accept credit card for payment, as well as USD. Using USD will probably cause you to pay a bit more than compared to MMK.

USD is accepted for larger purchases (the Bagan Archeological Zone fee, accommodation, bus tickets, etc.), but the bills MUST be in pristine condition. Burmese people, even those at money exchange centers, will not accept old, tattered, ripped notes. USD needs to be clean, crisp, and as new as possible to be usable in Myanmar. I suggest having between $100-$120 USD on you for a week-long trip.

When exchanging money, USD typically gets the best exchange rate. However, higher denominations receive better exchange rates. If possible bring $100 notes to have on hand if you need to exchange money, as you will get a better rate.

ATMs are located in major cities, but many have a limit on how much cash you can withdraw at once. I recommend withdrawing enough cash for several days and keeping it in a safe place.

Myanmar is a bit more expensive than other Southeast Asian countries, especially when it comes to accommodation prices. Food, drink, and transportation are relatively inexpensive. Including accommodation and transportation, I spent about $280 USD for one week in Myanmar.

Tipping is not customary and is not required. However, tips are appreciated by locals, especially by personally hired tour guides or drivers. Tipping in MMK is fine, USD is also an option. Ask the person which they would prefer.

There is usually a local price and a separate tourist price for transportation tickets, entrance fees, and small services. The tourist price is always more expensive, but that’s part of traveling in Myanmar.

For specific recommended places, food to eat, as well as transportation and accommodation information, my Myanmar Travel Guides can be found here!