Who loves Asia cannot visit Myanmar. It is not the country perhaps easier to travel, but the authenticity of what you find along the way makes the trip unforgettable. We have prepared a Travel guide to Myanmar for backpackersWith the summary of our trip, we hope it serves you.

VISA

For Spaniards and most citizens of South America, it is necessary to apply for a visa before entering Myanmar. Since 2014 it can be done via Internet, requesting an e-visa. It can be done from this website.

The visa price is 50 dollars that must be paid when processing the application. In a period of maximum 5 days we will receive an email with the Approval Letter that we will have to print and present at the border upon arrival. It has a validity of three months (that is, you have to enter the country before those three months), and for amaximum stay of 28 days. It is non-renewable and only one entry is allowed.

IMPORTANT: With this visa you can only enter the country through the three main airports: Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw. But if you are allowed to exit through any of the following land border posts: Tachileik-Meisai, Myawaddy-Mesauk, Kauthaung-Yannnaung, Hteke-Phunaron.

You can also apply for a visa at any of the Myanmar embassies in other countries, for example the one in Bangkok (132, Sathorn Nua Road) usually issues the visa in 3 days (or paying a supplement for an express visa in one day).

CURRENCY

The official currency is the Kyat (MMK). A few years ago there were no ATMs in the cities, and the banks did not offer a fair exchange rate, so the only option was to bring a good sum of dollars (unpolluted) and exchange them on the black market. At present it is no longer the case, there are ATMs in the main cities and it can also be exchanged at banks and exchange houses. We leave you a table where you can see the current exchange rate:

WHEN TO TRAVEL

The best time to travel to Myanmar is from October or November to February or March, which corresponds to the dry season, although it is also much colder and in places like Kalaw it can be quite scratchy. From April the temperatures are higher and from May the rainy season begins with the monsoon, until October.

VACCINES

In Myanmar there is a risk of dengue, malaria and Japanese encephalitis, especially in rural areas. There are no vaccines against the first two, so it is best to take precautions against mosquito bites. There is also a risk of Schistosomiasis, which contracts with the contact of stagnant fresh water contaminated by this larva.

The recommended vaccines They are: Hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis, typhoid fever and tetanus (you probably already have it).

• More recommendations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• More recommendations from the Ministry of Health

BUDGET

In total we spend675,05€, which divided by the 25 days of stay in the country are € 13.52 per person / day thus broken down:

• Food: 3,34€ (Most of the time we have eaten in cheap restaurants with dishes around 1500 kyats or in street stalls).

• Accommodation: € 4.18 (almost always in a double room with private bathroom ... the budget can go down if you want to share a bathroom).

• Transport: € 2.95 (Here are the long-distance buses that cost about 1000 kyats per hour of travel, such as ferry, taxi, bikes ...).

• Ticket-fees: € 1.02 (mandatory tickets such as Bagan or Lake Inle ...).

• Activities: € 1.66 (trekking and spa).

• Miscellaneous: € 0.37 (internet, donations, flashlight, bracelets ...)

The exchange rate that we met was 1 $ = 805-820 KYATS. The change continues to fall ... in mid-October we changed to 820 kyats but by the end they had already dropped to 805 ... so you have to go to Myanmar as soon as possible!)

Some reference prices

• Coca-Cola 600-800kyats
• Star Cola 300-400kyats
• Water 300kyats
• BBQ skewers 100-200-400kyats
• Beer 1,200-1,500kyats
• 1,000-1,500kyats bikes
• Dish rice-noodles 1,000-1,500kyats
• Western food dish 2,500-5,000kyats
• 1,000kyats gasoline bottle
• Internet 500-1,500kyats

For more information see the article “How much does it cost to travel to Myanmar”

ITINERARY

Our steps through Myanmar led us to discover in the 25 days that we were, first of all its most important city: Yangon. The next Bagan destination, with its impressive temples. From there we headed to Mandalay to later approach Kalaw, where we would start trekking to Inle Lake. Finally we would return to Yangon again to take our departure flight.

OUR ITEMS

These are the posts we have written:

• VISAS FOR SOUTHEAST ASIA (FOR SPANISH CITIZENS)
• THE HAPPY HAPPY MONK
• MYANMAR TRAVEL GUIDE FOR BACKPACKERS
• HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO TRAVEL TO MYANMAR
• WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN INLE LAKE (DO WE STAY ANOTHER NIGHT?)
• DIARY OF A TREKKING: KALAW - INLE LAKE
• WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN MANDALAY AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
• SEATS 7 and 8
• THE CHARM OF BAGAN
• FIRST IMPRESSIONS (and oddities) OF MYANMAR

OUR PICTURES

Here is the Google Photos album with our photos.

And remember that at the end of each post there is useful information about each place!

We leave with the desire that this distant country, too often forgotten, is really coming to the moment of enjoying a democratic and free nation.

We hope our Travel guide to Myanmar for backpackers be useful to you For any doubt, question or curiosity do not hesitate to write to us and we will be happy to help you.

Video: MYANMAR TRAVEL GUIDE - How To Travel in Myanmar (April 2024).