CREDIT CARD

Credit cards can be used only at few hotels & restaurants in Yangon, Mandalay,Bagan, & Inle. We recommend bringing sufficient amount of cash for personal expenses. The exchange of traveler cheques as well is very difficult and time consuming. Banks are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and all public holidays.

ATMS

Visa and Marster cardholders (Debits and Credits) can withdraw local currency from ATMs (300,000 Kyats per time and 3 times a day) in Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan. Small transactional fee will be charged.
Remark: ATMs are depending on the Internet connection.

CURRENCY

Please be warned that torn, dirty and stained notes are not accepted. It will be difficult to change old, folded or torn USD cash. All banks, hotels, airlines accept NEW USD notes. Local Currency is called KYAT. There are money changers at the airport and Yangon city area. Now you can withdraw local currency KYATS from your Master card & Visa Cards through ATM machines which you can find at airports, supermarkets, and banks.

CUSTOM REGULATIONS

The basic principle of customs policy in Myanmar is that visitors should exit the country with the same goods and personal possessions that they brought in. Exports of antique and archaeologically valuable items are prohibited. Only gems and jewelries purchased at the licensed dealers, or who can issue an export permit are allowed to be taken out of Myanmar.

DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS

Upon confirmation of a reservation, require a deposit to settle to Forever Travel & Tours Co.,Ltd. to secure all travel services. Normally the balance of the tour price should be paid at least 30 days in advance unless other arrangements are agreed when booking is confirmed. For special groups or for services during certain peak periods normal deposit fees may be increased by our suppliers. Please inquire upon booking.

DRIVING

Upon confirmation of a reservation, require a deposit to settle to Forever Travel & Tours Co.,Ltd. to secure all travel services. Normally the balance of the tour price should be paid at least 30 days in advance unless other arrangements are agreed when booking is confirmed. For special groups or for services during certain peak periods normal deposit fees may be increased by our suppliers. Please inquire upon booking.

CHILD POLICY

Child 12 years old and above will falls into adult fare category.

WEATHER

Myanmar has three tropical climates. Rainy: June to September. Cold : October to February. Summer : March to May. Although the effects of the “rainy” season varies across the country. The end of October to the beginning of May is the best time to visit Myanmar.
Time of good travelling

• Low Season (May-Sep) – The southwest monsoon starts mid-May and peaks from July to September. The dry zone between Mandalay and Pyay gets the least rain. Rain can make roads impassable anywhere (especially in the delta region).
• Shoulder (Oct-Nov, Mar-Apr) – March to May Yangon often reaches 104ºF (40ºC). Areas around Bagan and Mandalay are hotter. Cooler in the hill towns of Shan State. During the Myanmar New Year water festival,Thingyan in April, a lot of locals like to travel and all forms of transportations and hotels can be fully booked.
• High Season (Dec-Feb) – Rain is the least (if at all, in some places) and is not so hot. Please book accommodation and transport well ahead for this busy travel season.

FOOD

Myanmar´s cuisine is unique and interesting .There are many good restaurants in Yangon, which serve quality food at reasonable prices. There are restaurants offering Thai, Chinese, European, Italian, Indian and Burmese cuisine. Eating at the street restaurants can be a wonderful Asian experience but is not recommended unless an experienced guide has recommended the restaurant. Throughout upcountry Myanmar, the choice of food is limited to Burmese and Chinese. The country has now wines of its own from a vineyard near Taunggyi at Shan State. Imported wines are also available.

DRINKING WATER

Please only drink purified bottle water. Tap water is not safe for drinking. Bottled waters are readily available and some hotels provide complimentary. Do carry a bottle with you throughout the day.

HEALTH

There are no compulsory vaccinations but it is advisable to take precautions against malaria if you are traveling to some rural areas – we recommend seeking the advice of your doctor. Prescription drugs are not widely available and visitors should bring any required medication with them. If carrying a lot of medicines, it is advisable to have a doctor’s letter stating that medicines are required for personal use. It is advisable to bring plenty of mosquito repellent, particularly for use in the evenings. As Myanmar enjoys a tropical climate, sun block cream is recommended.

INSURANCE

The extent of insurance coverage in Myanmar varies widely from western norms. It is suggested that visitors consider short-term health and accident policies from your own insurance company prior to leaving home. Local hospital care is basic, any seriously injured tourist will require medical evacuation to either Singapore or Bangkok. As medical evacuations can be extremely costly, we recommend that you take out a comprehensive insurance policy that will cover the costs of a medical evacuation and subsequent medical care.

POST AND COMMUNICATION

Postal
Myanmar Postal Service is running throughout the Myanmar country, and also available Local Express Myanmar Postal Parcel Service and Foreign Express Myanmar Postal Parcel Service is also being carried out between Yangon and Singapore, Yangon and Bangkok, Yangon and Korea vice versa. Myanmar DHL Limited, joint venture of Myanmar Communication Service and DHL World-wide.
E-mail and internet
The e-mail services and wifi internet access can be available at airports, major visiting places, hotels in Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake.

MYANMAR STANDARD TIME

Local time is GMT + 6 1/2 hours

TIPPING

Tipping in Myanmar is much appreciated and practiced widely in addition to the service charge shown in the bill of restaurants and hotels and also to the drivers and boat men. There is no exact limit but depends upon the generosity and the satisfaction of their services.

ELECTRICITY

Myanmar has 220-230 Volts AC. Power outages occur everywhere, Yangon and Mandalay included. The following plugs are used.

BUSINESS HOURS

Government Offices are open from 09.30 hours to 16.30 hours, banks from 10.00 hours to 14.00 hours from Monday to Friday. Shops are usually open from 10.00 hours to 17.00 hours, Tuesday to Sunday. Many museums, shops and markets will be closed on Mondays. In addition, most shops will be closed on public holidays.

VISIT PAGODAS & TEMPLES

Ladies should avoid wearing shorts, mini-skirts and other scanty clothes that reveal the legs, mid-riff or chests when visiting religious places. Everyone needs to take off shoes, socks, and slippers before entering the pagodas and monasteries