Top travel locations to visit in Myanmar
Myanmar is an amazing travel place, there is such an abundance of colour, exotic places and interesting attractions. Few persons know about Myanmar, some only know it as Burma, the old name, and most people have the same reaction when they hear something like this from northern Thailand’s neighbors: “Myanmar, is this even a country?”
It is also amazing, impressive and hits you as a cold shower since you make the first step in the airport. Even though I seriously documented myself before heading out this summer, nothing prepared me for the reality that you will find there. Whether you want to get there in the very near future, or want to enrich your general culture a little, you should know a few things about Myanmar.
Vaccines: And here’s how we get to the favorite topic of all tourists and, precisely why, something more delicate. Is it safe or not to travel to Myanmar (and not only) if you are in good health? Well, what we can tell you is what we chose and what made us make a decision or another. We started at the end of 2017 on a longer trip and didn’t know exactly where we were going. That is why before I left I got typhoid and diphtheria / antitetanus vaccines. It is true, however, that we met during our trip quite a few tourists who did not take any precautionary measures. What we advise you is that, if you are uncertain, talk to a specialist doctor before explaining in detail what to do. Only then will you be able to make the best decision, whether or not to get vaccinated.
Speaking of which, we have been told in Myanmar so many times that we are beautiful that we got a bit up. Not being accustomed to such goodwill, I initially thought that there should be an interest in the middle, that they were far too friendly, but it was not. They seem to like tourists, feel good about them and are very curious and sincere. Only in Bagan did I meet traders who were a little more insistent, but not as far away as the Balinese, the Turks or the Moroccans. At the first refusal, any attempt would end, which, we tell you from experience, does not happen much in other parts. And, as a very valuable tip, remember “Mingalarbar”. It is the greeting of the locals, it means a good day and you will surely impress them, especially if you come through the rural areas. See additional info at Myanmar tour program.
The bottom line is simple: there are two completely different styles of travel, and prices are tailor-made. Returning, however, to our experience, a room at a decent hotel (repeat, not luxurious) starts at $ 30-40 / night, domestic flights are about $ 70-100 / person, compared to the $ 7- you get on the bus, the balloon flight in Bagan starts from $ 300 / person. The food also cost us a lot – about $ 5-7 / person for a dinner – and the trips were not too cheap. Comparing, therefore, with Thailand or Bali (both destinations where we have spent quite a long time), Myanmar ranks among the most expensive destinations, despite much worse tourism infrastructure.
Yangon (formerly Rangoon) is the commercial capital and largest city. The administrative capital is Naypyidaw. Burmese are Buddhists. If you ask them, they are more Buddhist than the Thai. If you don’t ask them, they don’t seem to mind. Women are safe, religion does not allow them to make obscene gestures or be violent. Don’t be afraid to get in a taxi in Yangon at any time of night, no matter how dubious your driver or taxi might look. However, ask the price before you go up. We paid $ 3 for a race of about 3-4 kilometers, without going crazy. Find extra info at Myanmar trekking tours.
