Myanmar

A good source of health information for travelers is the Center for Disease Control (CDC). You can visit the CDC web site at http://www.cdc.gov.

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Please be advised that high-standard medical care is not readily available throughout Myanmar. Please ensure that we are aware of any physical disability or frequent of ongoing medical requirements. Sightseeing may require, at minimum, the ability to walk at a moderate pace for a mile or two, and the balance and agility necessary to climb stairs, enter and exit buses and boats, and navigate uneven or cobble-stoned streets. Some sightseeing stops do not have elevators or wheelchair access. Bring medications in their original, clearly labeled, containers. Travelers should consider Burmese pharmaceuticals generally unsafe to use, as many are counterfeit or adulterated, and should bring adequate supplies of their medications for the duration of their stay in Myanmar.  A signed and dated letter from your physician describing your med­ical conditions and medications, including generic names, is also a good idea. If carrying syringes or needles be sure to have a physician’s letter documenting their medical necessity. When on vacation, it is always wise to watch what you eat and drink, but please do not drink the tap water while traveling in Myanmar. Most hotels will provide complimentary bottled water and additional bottled water can be purchased throughout your trip.

Myanmar’s unit of currency is the Myanmar Kyat (K), which is subdivided into 100 pyas. It is available in the following denominations: Banknotes: K1, K5, K10, K20, K50, K100, K200, K500, K1000, K5000, K10000, 50 pyas; Coins: K1, K5, K10, K50, K100, 1 pya, 5 pyas, 25 pyas, 50 pyas. Foreign currency and traveler’s checks can be exchanged only at authorized agencies such a banks, exchange offices, and hotels. ATMs are only just starting to be introduced in Myanmar, and even then are only found in Yangon and major tourist hubs, making them unreliable. Credit cards are essentially useless here except in some high-end hotels. It is recommended that travelers bring enough US dollars to cover their entire trip before they enter Myanmar. The exchange rate is constantly changing, but it can be found to be approximately 1 USD = 960 MMK. For the most updated exchange rate, please check www.xe.com. 

Electrical service in Myanmar is supplied at 230 volts and 50 hertz. Bringing an adaptor is a good idea if you are planning on using electronics (i.e. cell phones, laptops, cameras, etc.) during your trip.

Myanmar cuisine is mostly influenced by its Chinese, Indian, and Thai neighbors. Rice is an important staple in Myanmar dishes and it makes up about 80% of the local diet. In fact, it is consumed in practically every meal throughout the day from breakfast to dinner. Mohinga, a rice noodle dish served with fish soup, is a favorite among Myanmar people that is mostly enjoyed at breakfast or as a snack at mobile vendors. Rice is also usually eaten with the main meal, served with a variety of meat or fish, soup, relishes, and vegetables. Also, most traditional snacks, which are rich in taste and diversity, are commonly made with rice or glutinous rice. One snack worth trying is one of Myanmar’s most famous, lephet—a salad made of pickled tea leaves.

Tea is a popular drink in Myanmar. Most people drink either Burmese or Chinese tea, which are usually provided for free at restaurants. To fully experience the culture, try venturing to one of the many teahouses that the country is known for.  Socializing and hanging out with friends at a teahouse is an extremely popular tradition where locals converse over cups of tea and affordable snacks, such as Burmese noodles, Indian samosas, or Chinese steamed buns.

In Myanmar, the official language is the Myanmar language, or Burmese, and is related to the Chinese and Tibetan languages. Since Burma was formerly colonized under the British government, the official language was once English. Nowadays, a person’s ability to speak English in Myanmar is dependent on his or her education level.