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Local Currency & Cost

08/11/16 11:41 3276

MONEY

The currency of Myanmar (Burma) is the Burmese Kyat  The currency code for Kyats is MMK

You should expect to rely on cash for most of your stay;(preferably US dollars. Visitors bringing in excess of $10,000 (or equivalent) in foreign currency should declare this to Customs on arrival or risk facing imprisonment

Once in country it’s easy to exchange US dollars into Kyats and exchange rates are generally fair

An increasing number of hotels, restaurants and shops now accept credit and debit cards, but there’s widespread distrust of electronic payment and banking. If you intend to pay for hotels or restaurants with a credit or debit card, you should phone ahead and confirm that this will be possible. Many vendors will charge a high service fee for paying by card.

ATMs are now widely available but aren’t always reliable and you should monitor your transactions regularly. Western Union operates for inward transfer of funds via Burmese banks.

You can daily see the exchange rate on: www.xe.comThe current rate of 2016: 1 USD = around 1,270 MMK

Tipping

Tipping is not customary in Myanmar, though little extra gifts are sometimes expected (even if they're not asked for) in exchange for a service (such as unlocking a locked temple at Bagan, helping move the luggage at hotels or showing you around the sights of a village). Given the low level of wages, too, it's a good idea to leave change for waiters in restaurants.

Have some small notes (K50, K100, K200) ready when visiting a religious temple or monastery, as donations may be requested and you may wish to leave one even if it's not.

Related

Many shops, banks and other services close during public holidays, so it's best find out when the Myanmar public holidays are planned for your 2017.
Under Burmese law, insulting religion is a prosecutable offence. Insulting religion is a broad term, and can include any disrespectful depiction or image (including tattoos) of Buddha or other religious representation, or wearing any tattoo of Buddha anywhere below the waist.
Myanmar has a tropical monsoon climate. It is characterized by strong monsoon influences, has a considerable amount of sun, a high rate of rainfall, and high humidity that makes it sometimes feel quite uncomfortable. There are three distinct seasons in Myanmar: The cold , dry season, and wet season
The vast majority of people in Myanmar are friendly and helpful, In all the areas that foreigners are allowed to visit, Myanmar is very safe in terms of personal security: incidents of crime against foreigners are extremely low and Yangon is considered to be one of Asia’s safest large cities, with no areas that need to be avoided.
Most medical facilities in Burma are inadequate for even routine medical care. In an emergency, you would likely need to be medically evacuated to a hospital outside Burma. Medical evacuation from Burma is expensive and is most often transacted in cash
Most foreign nationals require a visa to enter Myanmar, You should apply for your visa at a Burmese embassy or consulate abroad before you arrive in Burma, Tourist visas are valid for 28 days
The government has encouraged tourism in the country Since 1992, Although the the infrastruture are still very poor, the foreigner find very difficult to travel in country by train or by bus, the airlines are too expensive for even a short distance. The most popular destinations for visitors are Mandalay and Yangon, Ancient Bagan, the nature of Inle Lake, Hpa An and other sites in the Southern Myanmar, also the beauty of the South Coast.