Travel Essentials › Myanmar
Travel Essentials
Plugs: Types C, D, F and G, 230 V. Emergency: One number for everything 999, Police 199, Ambulance 192, Fire 191. Tipping: Not traditional, but small tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff are appreciated. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water.
Types C, D, F and G, 230 V
| One number for everything | 999 |
| Police | 199 |
| Ambulance | 192 |
| Fire | 191 |
Not traditional, but small tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff are appreciated.
Greetings. "Mingalaba" is the usual hello, often with palms together and a slight bow. A handshake is common among men, sometimes with the left hand on the right forearm. Avoid hugs; between men and women, a nod and a smile is often safer than a handshake.
Pagoda etiquette. Remove shoes and socks before entering pagodas and temple grounds, even outdoor areas; dress modestly covering shoulders and knees.
Head and feet. Avoid touching anyone's head, and don't point your feet at people or Buddha images; it's considered disrespectful.
Photography of monks. Ask permission before photographing monks or novices, especially up close.
Multiple governments currently advise against all travel to Myanmar due to armed conflict, martial law in many townships, and an unpredictable security situation that can change without notice; travel outside the main tourist circuit carries significant risk.
Gem fraud. Fake or overpriced gemstones are sold to tourists as valuable; avoid informal gem deals and buy only from licensed, reputable dealers if at all.
Currency exchange scams. Unauthorized money changers offer inflated rates then swap in counterfeit or short-changed notes; exchange only at banks, hotels, or licensed dealers.
Online job/scam-center trafficking. Fake job offers (often via dating apps or job ads) have lured and trafficked foreigners into forced labor at online scam centers in conflict areas; never travel based on an unverified online job offer.
Women travelers. Beyond the general security risk, harassment of foreign women is relatively uncommon on the main tourist circuit, but conservative dress and traveling with a trusted guide or group is recommended given the unstable environment.
Criminalized
Same-sex sexual activity between men is illegal (up to 10 years in prison) under a colonial-era law; enforcement is inconsistent but has increased against transgender people, and the law is sometimes used to extort bribes, so LGBTQ+ travelers should be discreet.
| Coffee (café) | MMK 3,000 | $1.40 |
| Local bus or metro ride | MMK 500 | $0.25 |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | MMK 12,000 | $6 |
| Hostel bed / budget room (night) | MMK 12,000 | $6 |
| Mid-range hotel (night) | MMK 85,000 | $40 |
| Daily budget, mid-range traveler | MMK 130,000 | $60 |
2026-09
November to February is the classic dry, cool season and the most comfortable time to visit sites like Bagan and Inle Lake; March-May is very hot, and the May-October monsoon brings heavy rain. Note: multiple governments currently advise against all travel to Myanmar due to conflict.