Myanmar Travel Information

Due to serious civil unrest in the areas of Kachin State, Rakhine and nothern Shan States tourists are currently strongly discouraged from traveling in these areas, even if you have the appropriate travel permit. Affected are also the border areas with Thailand, China, Laos, Bangladesh and India.

Required entry documents for Canadian/UK citizens:

• Valid Passport/Temporary Passport
• Travel documents must be valid for at least 6 months
• Visa

To enter Myanmar, Canadian & UK residents require a visa, which can be obtained from the foreign missions of the Republic of Myanmar. The visa is valid for 28 days.
For the most accurate information, please contact the nearest embassy and let them know of your plans in Myanmar. They will then let you know what travel documents you require. There can be a large number of visa applications, thus processing can take several weeks.

There are government restrictions on travel in most border areas and some other parts of the country. You will require special travel permits to travel to these areas or to enter/exit the country by land. More information can be found on the website of the Foreign Ministry.

Police roadblocks, the military, and other authorities are on the highways. Hotels and guesthouses must provide the passport details of their overnight guests to the police. Travelers are therefore obliged to carry their passports with them at all times.

Airport Fees

For domestic flights there is an airport tax of MMK 1000. The airport tax is included in the ticket price. In rare cases, you may have to pay this at check-in. Please note that even domestic flights have passport controls.

The import and export of foreign currencies is generally permitted. Amounts over $10,000 USD must be declared. The import and export of the local currency, the Kyat, is prohibited. Laptops and notebooks may be imported, mobile phones and other telecommunications equipment are subject to approval. Theoretically, if border control officers discover that you have a cell phone they will hold onto it until you leave the country, but this regulation is rarely enforced. Your mobile phone will not work in Myanmar but you can use them to connect to WiFi.

You are also prohibited from importing weapons, playing cards, items that show the flag of Myanmar, an image of the Buddha, or Myanmar pagodas. Furthermore, the export of antiquities is strictly prohibited. Jewelry must be carried out with a purchase certificate. Your baggage will be screened upon entry and exit and border control officers may open your luggage to look inside.

You should not express any criticism of the government or discuss political activities in Myanmar. It is possible that foreign visitors will be monitored. Bridges, military installations, and similar structures may not be photographed. Possession of any kind of drug is an offense punishable by either a long prison sentence or the death penalty (quite likely). Prostitution and homosexual acts are also prohibited.

Politically motivated violence cannot be ruled out. Keep away from protests and demonstrations. In the border areas there can be conflicts between the rebels and the military. Unmarked minefields are an additional risk in the border regions. Travel in these areas is not recommended.

We recommend that travelers going to Myanmar obtain all standard travel vaccinations and a rabies vaccination. There is a risk of malaria year round, but particularly during the rainy season from May to October. There is a moderate risk of malaria in the Southeast, near the border of Thailand, in the West, in the border region of India and Bangladesh, and in the tourist resorts near the Pindaya Caves and on Inle Lake. The risk of malaria is rather low in the larger cities and around Yangon. Depending where you plan on traveling to, you may want to take malaria prophylaxis tablets – please consult with your doctor.

Generally, you should never drink tap water and raw foods should be cooked or peeled. Medical care is not comparable with that in North America and can be problematic in terms of available medical tools and knowledge, as well as sanitation. In case of emergency, help can be obtained from the SOS Hospital in Yangon. This hospital also organizes rescue flights. (Myanmar SOS International Ltd., Inya Lake Hotel, 37 Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Maya Gone Township, Yangon, Tel. + 95-1-667877 (www.internationalsos.com).

Please also read the Foreign Office’s medical notes and seek advice from a doctor knowledgeable about travel and tropical medicine.

In Myanmar there are three seasons. With the exception of the Northernmost parts of the country, the climate in Myanmar is governed by the South-West Monsoon. The impacts of the monsoon vary across different regions. Generally, the rainy season is from May to October, the cooler season/dry winter is from November to February, and hot summer is from March to May. The maximum temperature is around 40°C and the lowest is about 10°C. Myanmar is susceptible to both earthquakes and tidal waves. During the monsoon season (May to October) there are cyclones in the coastal areas. Monsoons may cause flooding and heavy rains may disrupt transport links across the country for many days.

Myanmar is falling into the UTC +6:30 time zone and is not using Dayligh Saving Times.

The official currency in Myanmar is the Kyat. Services such as hotels, entrance fees, tickets, etc., must be paid in US Dollars. Credit cards and travelers checks are usually not accepted. However, you can withdraw cash from many ATM's using your credit or debit card, but only up to a maximum of 900,000 Kyat's . Make sure to check with your bank before departing for your trip. We recommend that you only carry new, smooth, undamaged dollar bills.

Exchange rates:
1 CAD = 1159,61 Kyat (last updated 09.09.2019)
1 £ = 1883,08 Kyat (last updated 09.09.2019)

During your guided group trip you will learn many fascinating things about this unique country and the people who live here. Myanmar (formerly Burma) is Southwest of Southeast Asia and borders the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Neighboring countries include Bangladesh, India, China, Laos, and Thailand. Myanmar has a population of over 55 million people, of which about 4.7 million live in the capital, Yangon (formerly Rangoon). Yangon is both the largest city in Myanmar and the country’s cultural and economic center. The centrally located Mandalay is the second largest city in the country.

Nearly 70 percent of the population are Burmese. The people of Shan, constitute approximately 10 percent of the total population, the largest minority in Myanmar. They live mostly in Shan State in the East of the country and share many cultural practices with Thai people. The Shan State is the largest of 14 administrative units. Other minorities include the Karen, Rakhine, Chin, Kachin, Chinese, and Indian people. The official language in Myanmar is Burmese but there are numerous dialects, including those of the Karen, Chin, Shan, and Kachin. There are actually over 100 languages spoken in Burma. English is the most common secondary language taught in schools.