Myanmar Travel Guide

Language

Burmese is the official language, yet English is widely spoken and understood. Burmese's alphabet is made up of circular and semi-circular characters. Other languages spoken are Karen, Shan and Kachin.

Currency

The official currency is the Kyat (MMK) pronounced 'Chat'. The best currency to travel on in Myanmar is the US Dollar. The Foreign Exchange Certificate (FEC) is a legal currency for visiting tourists that is usable in government shops and hotels. It is no longer a requirement to convert US$200 into FEC upon arrival in Myanmar. One FEC is equivalent to one US Dollar. It is recommended to use US Dollars. It is difficult to cash American Express travelers checks in certain cities, such as Mandalay, and even when it is possible the commission can be as high as 10 percent. US Dollar notes will not be accepted if they are damaged or torn in any way, or have pen marks on them. There is a big difference between the official and unofficial exchange rates; street moneychangers offer favorable rates at hotels and Scott Market. As a rough guide, the black market rate is in the region of US$1 = MMK 1000 - a dramatic difference when compared to the official government rate. Very few major hotels, airlines, shops and restaurants accept credit cards and ATM cards can rarely, if ever, be used. It is advisable to carry cash. Banks are closed on weekends.

6.6100

Electricity

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. European plugs with two circular metal pins as well as British style plugs with two flat blades and one flat grounding blade are used.

Communications

The international dialing code for Burma (Myanmar) is +95. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code. The area code for Yangon (Rangoon) is (1) and Mandalay is (2). Internet cafes are widely available in Mandalay and Yangon and public telephone booths can be found on nearly every street corner as well as at railway stations and airports, however international calls are expensive. The military regime carefully controls and monitors all Internet use in Burma and restricts Internet access through software-based censorship that limits the materials individuals can access online. A loop-hole has been reported by some travelers: add an "s" to the "http" portion of the URL to bypass the blocked site. Several cyber cafes have been allowed to open, but access to the Internet is very expensive, and access to most international e-mail services such as Hotmail and Yahoo is prohibited, although Gmail can now be accessed.

Duty-Free

Two bottles of liquor, two cartons of cigarettes or 100 cigars and half liter of perfume are allowed per person. Valuables including jewelry, cameras, electronic equipment, etc, should be declared at customs upon arrival. Purchases of locally bought goods may require receipts upon departure.

Tourist Office

Myanmar Tourism Board, Yangon: +95 1 242 828 Ext: 6462 or www.myanmar-tourism.com

Embassies in Myanmar

• United States Embassy, Yangon (Rangoon): +95 1 379 880/1.
• British Embassy, Yangon (Rangoon): +95 1 370 863.
• Canadian Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand (also responsible for Myanmar): +66 (0)2 636 0540.
• Australian Embassy, Yangon (Rangoon): +95 1 251 810.
• South African Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand (also responsible for Myanmar): +66 (0)2 250 9012/14.
• New Zealand Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand (also responsible for Myanmar): +66 (0)2 254 2530.

Myanmar Embassies Abroad

• Embassy of Myanmar, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 3329044.
• Embassy of Myanmar, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0) 20 7499 4340.
• Embassy of Myanmar, Ontario, Canada: +1 613 232 6434.
• Embassy of Myanmar, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6273 3811, 6273 3751.
• Embassy of Myanmar, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 341 2557/2556.

Emergency

Emergencies: 999.

Language

Burmese is the official language, yet English is widely spoken and understood. Burmese's alphabet is made up of circular and semi-circular characters. Other languages spoken are Karen, Shan and Kachin.

Currency

The official currency is the Kyat (MMK) pronounced 'Chat'. The best currency to travel on in Myanmar is the US Dollar. The Foreign Exchange Certificate (FEC) is a legal currency for visiting tourists that is usable in government shops and hotels. It is no longer a requirement to convert US$200 into FEC upon arrival in Myanmar. One FEC is equivalent to one US Dollar. It is recommended to use US Dollars. It is difficult to cash American Express travelers checks in certain cities, such as Mandalay, and even when it is possible the commission can be as high as 10 percent. US Dollar notes will not be accepted if they are damaged or torn in any way, or have pen marks on them. There is a big difference between the official and unofficial exchange rates; street moneychangers offer favorable rates at hotels and Scott Market. As a rough guide, the black market rate is in the region of US$1 = MMK 1000 - a dramatic difference when compared to the official government rate. Very few major hotels, airlines, shops and restaurants accept credit cards and ATM cards can rarely, if ever, be used. It is advisable to carry cash. Banks are closed on weekends.

6.6100

Electricity

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. European plugs with two circular metal pins as well as British style plugs with two flat blades and one flat grounding blade are used.

Communications

The international dialing code for Burma (Myanmar) is +95. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code. The area code for Yangon (Rangoon) is (1) and Mandalay is (2). Internet cafes are widely available in Mandalay and Yangon and public telephone booths can be found on nearly every street corner as well as at railway stations and airports, however international calls are expensive. The military regime carefully controls and monitors all Internet use in Burma and restricts Internet access through software-based censorship that limits the materials individuals can access online. A loop-hole has been reported by some travelers: add an "s" to the "http" portion of the URL to bypass the blocked site. Several cyber cafes have been allowed to open, but access to the Internet is very expensive, and access to most international e-mail services such as Hotmail and Yahoo is prohibited, although Gmail can now be accessed.

Duty-Free

Two bottles of liquor, two cartons of cigarettes or 100 cigars and half liter of perfume are allowed per person. Valuables including jewelry, cameras, electronic equipment, etc, should be declared at customs upon arrival. Purchases of locally bought goods may require receipts upon departure.

Tourist Office

Myanmar Tourism Board, Yangon: +95 1 242 828 Ext: 6462 or www.myanmar-tourism.com

Embassies in Myanmar

• United States Embassy, Yangon (Rangoon): +95 1 379 880/1.
• British Embassy, Yangon (Rangoon): +95 1 370 863.
• Canadian Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand (also responsible for Myanmar): +66 (0)2 636 0540.
• Australian Embassy, Yangon (Rangoon): +95 1 251 810.
• South African Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand (also responsible for Myanmar): +66 (0)2 250 9012/14.
• New Zealand Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand (also responsible for Myanmar): +66 (0)2 254 2530.

Myanmar Embassies Abroad

• Embassy of Myanmar, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 3329044.
• Embassy of Myanmar, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0) 20 7499 4340.
• Embassy of Myanmar, Ontario, Canada: +1 613 232 6434.
• Embassy of Myanmar, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6273 3811, 6273 3751.
• Embassy of Myanmar, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 341 2557/2556.

Emergency

Emergencies: 999.

Language

Burmese is the official language, yet English is widely spoken and understood. Burmese's alphabet is made up of circular and semi-circular characters. Other languages spoken are Karen, Shan and Kachin.

Currency

The official currency is the Kyat (MMK) pronounced 'Chat'. The best currency to travel on in Myanmar is the US Dollar. The Foreign Exchange Certificate (FEC) is a legal currency for visiting tourists that is usable in government shops and hotels. It is no longer a requirement to convert US$200 into FEC upon arrival in Myanmar. One FEC is equivalent to one US Dollar. It is recommended to use US Dollars. It is difficult to cash American Express travelers checks in certain cities, such as Mandalay, and even when it is possible the commission can be as high as 10 percent. US Dollar notes will not be accepted if they are damaged or torn in any way, or have pen marks on them. There is a big difference between the official and unofficial exchange rates; street moneychangers offer favorable rates at hotels and Scott Market. As a rough guide, the black market rate is in the region of US$1 = MMK 1000 - a dramatic difference when compared to the official government rate. Very few major hotels, airlines, shops and restaurants accept credit cards and ATM cards can rarely, if ever, be used. It is advisable to carry cash. Banks are closed on weekends.

6.6100

Electricity

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. European plugs with two circular metal pins as well as British style plugs with two flat blades and one flat grounding blade are used.

Communications

The international dialing code for Burma (Myanmar) is +95. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code. The area code for Yangon (Rangoon) is (1) and Mandalay is (2). Internet cafes are widely available in Mandalay and Yangon and public telephone booths can be found on nearly every street corner as well as at railway stations and airports, however international calls are expensive. The military regime carefully controls and monitors all Internet use in Burma and restricts Internet access through software-based censorship that limits the materials individuals can access online. A loop-hole has been reported by some travelers: add an "s" to the "http" portion of the URL to bypass the blocked site. Several cyber cafes have been allowed to open, but access to the Internet is very expensive, and access to most international e-mail services such as Hotmail and Yahoo is prohibited, although Gmail can now be accessed.

Duty-Free

Two bottles of liquor, two cartons of cigarettes or 100 cigars and half liter of perfume are allowed per person. Valuables including jewelry, cameras, electronic equipment, etc, should be declared at customs upon arrival. Purchases of locally bought goods may require receipts upon departure.

Tourist Office

Myanmar Tourism Board, Yangon: +95 1 242 828 Ext: 6462 or www.myanmar-tourism.com

Embassies in Myanmar

• United States Embassy, Yangon (Rangoon): +95 1 379 880/1.
• British Embassy, Yangon (Rangoon): +95 1 370 863.
• Canadian Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand (also responsible for Myanmar): +66 (0)2 636 0540.
• Australian Embassy, Yangon (Rangoon): +95 1 251 810.
• South African Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand (also responsible for Myanmar): +66 (0)2 250 9012/14.
• New Zealand Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand (also responsible for Myanmar): +66 (0)2 254 2530.

Myanmar Embassies Abroad

• Embassy of Myanmar, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 3329044.
• Embassy of Myanmar, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0) 20 7499 4340.
• Embassy of Myanmar, Ontario, Canada: +1 613 232 6434.
• Embassy of Myanmar, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6273 3811, 6273 3751.
• Embassy of Myanmar, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 341 2557/2556.

Emergency

Emergencies: 999.

Language

Burmese is the official language, yet English is widely spoken and understood. Burmese's alphabet is made up of circular and semi-circular characters. Other languages spoken are Karen, Shan and Kachin.

Currency

The official currency is the Kyat (MMK) pronounced 'Chat'. The best currency to travel on in Myanmar is the US Dollar. The Foreign Exchange Certificate (FEC) is a legal currency for visiting tourists that is usable in government shops and hotels. It is no longer a requirement to convert US$200 into FEC upon arrival in Myanmar. One FEC is equivalent to one US Dollar. It is recommended to use US Dollars. It is difficult to cash American Express travelers checks in certain cities, such as Mandalay, and even when it is possible the commission can be as high as 10 percent. US Dollar notes will not be accepted if they are damaged or torn in any way, or have pen marks on them. There is a big difference between the official and unofficial exchange rates; street moneychangers offer favorable rates at hotels and Scott Market. As a rough guide, the black market rate is in the region of US$1 = MMK 1000 - a dramatic difference when compared to the official government rate. Very few major hotels, airlines, shops and restaurants accept credit cards and ATM cards can rarely, if ever, be used. It is advisable to carry cash. Banks are closed on weekends.

6.6100

Electricity

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. European plugs with two circular metal pins as well as British style plugs with two flat blades and one flat grounding blade are used.

Communications

The international dialing code for Burma (Myanmar) is +95. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code. The area code for Yangon (Rangoon) is (1) and Mandalay is (2). Internet cafes are widely available in Mandalay and Yangon and public telephone booths can be found on nearly every street corner as well as at railway stations and airports, however international calls are expensive. The military regime carefully controls and monitors all Internet use in Burma and restricts Internet access through software-based censorship that limits the materials individuals can access online. A loop-hole has been reported by some travelers: add an "s" to the "http" portion of the URL to bypass the blocked site. Several cyber cafes have been allowed to open, but access to the Internet is very expensive, and access to most international e-mail services such as Hotmail and Yahoo is prohibited, although Gmail can now be accessed.

Duty-Free

Two bottles of liquor, two cartons of cigarettes or 100 cigars and half liter of perfume are allowed per person. Valuables including jewelry, cameras, electronic equipment, etc, should be declared at customs upon arrival. Purchases of locally bought goods may require receipts upon departure.

Tourist Office

Myanmar Tourism Board, Yangon: +95 1 242 828 Ext: 6462 or www.myanmar-tourism.com

Embassies in Myanmar

• United States Embassy, Yangon (Rangoon): +95 1 379 880/1.
• British Embassy, Yangon (Rangoon): +95 1 370 863.
• Canadian Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand (also responsible for Myanmar): +66 (0)2 636 0540.
• Australian Embassy, Yangon (Rangoon): +95 1 251 810.
• South African Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand (also responsible for Myanmar): +66 (0)2 250 9012/14.
• New Zealand Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand (also responsible for Myanmar): +66 (0)2 254 2530.

Myanmar Embassies Abroad

• Embassy of Myanmar, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 3329044.
• Embassy of Myanmar, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0) 20 7499 4340.
• Embassy of Myanmar, Ontario, Canada: +1 613 232 6434.
• Embassy of Myanmar, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6273 3811, 6273 3751.
• Embassy of Myanmar, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 341 2557/2556.

Emergency

Emergencies: 999.