56 | Air Mandalay - The Golden Flight

ClimateMyanmar has a tropical climate with three distinct

seasons:

* Cool season from October to February which is

dry and with temperatures ranging from 21ºC to

28ºC.

* Hot (dry) season from March to May with average

temperatures of between 30ºC and 40ºC.

* Rainy (monsoon) season occurs from June

to September with average temperatures of

between 25ºC and 30ºC and frequent short

rainstorms and higher humidity.

During the rainy season, Yangon normally receives

early morning and afternoon showers while rainfall

in Bagan and Mandalay is very low. The weather

around Inle Lake and Shan State is pleasant all year

round but usually cold at night from December to

February. Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake are good

to visit anytime of the year.

Health & ClothingEven though no vaccinations are required for entry

to Myanmar, please consult your family physician

about immunization requirements, particularly for

malaria and hepatitis. You should drink only bottled

water and exercise caution when eating from street

vendors and at small local restaurants.

Cotton clothing and a light wrap for the evenings

during the cool season are recommended. Do

not wear shorts, tank tops or sleeveless blouses,

especially when visiting temples, pagodas and

monasteries. Dress modestly at all times; revealing

clothing is frowned upon in Myanmar. Footwear

must be removed before entering a temple/

pagoda.

Travel Tips

Business & SocialThe following are some tips on business and

social visits that may help you during your stay in

Myanmar:

* Appointments should be made in advance and

punctuality is appreciated.

* Bus iness cards a re exchanged af ter

introduction.

* For business meetings, men should wear a

lightweight suit and tie, while women should

wear modest clothes.

* It is customary to shake hands on meeting

and saying goodbye. When addressing people

always use the appropriate prefix and family

name.

* Many people in Myanmar do not have a first

name and last name as in Western countries

but instead have several names, often of three

or four words. Generally, every name has a

meaning; therefore, it is advisable to address a

person with their complete name, especially if

you are not well-acquainted with them.

* It is useful – but not essential – to have some

business cards in Myanmar script.

* Many executives in Myanmar speak English.

* Visitors should be receptive to local customs

and conventions. When sitting cross-legged on

sofas or cushions, soles of the feet should not

be shown.

* Footwear is strictly prohibited in pagodas and

monasteries.

* Tipping in restaurants and hotels is not required

but appreciated (about 5 to 10 percent of the

total bill). Tips for taxis are not necessary.

* On social occasions such as an invitation to a

restaurant, be punctual and dress as for business

meetings unless otherwise indicated.

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57Air Mandalay - The Golden Flight |

Myanmar VisaA valid passport with a Myanmar Entry Visa is

required for all visitors. We advise all foreign visitors

to have passports with a validity of at least six

months. The entry visa to Myanmar can be obtained

from any Myanmar embassy or consulate general

offices worldwide. The Myanmar government has

two types of visas for foreign visitors:

* EVT VISA (Tourist Visa) – Single-entry visa for

tourist travellers entitling them to a maximum

28-day stay within the country (non-extendable).

The cost of this visa is approximately US$20 per

person.

* BUSINESS VISA – Single or multiple-entry visa

for travellers who are currently working under

contract in Myanmar (extendable).

Visa-On-ArrivalRegarding visa-on-arrival, pre-arrangements have to

be made and is available at Yangon and Mandalay

International Airports only. This visa is granted to

packaged cruise liner and chartered flight tourists

and to foreign independent travellers (FITs) from

places where there are no Myanmar representation;

through any licensed Myanmar Travel and Tour (MTT)

agency or directly by the Ministry of Hotels and

Tourism (MHT).

For more information on Myanmar visas, please

contact the nearest Myanmar embassy or any of

our agents.

CustomsBesides personal effects, visitors are allowed 400

cigarettes (100 cigars or 250grams of unrolled

tobacco), two quarts of liquor and 500ml of cologne

or perfume. Jewellery and electrical goods must be

declared at customs on arrival.

Airport TaxAirport tax is US$10 per person and is paid on

departure.

Airport TransfersTaxis from Yangon International Airport to the

downtown area will cost between US$6-8 depending

on the destination. Taxi travel within Yangon will

cost up to 4,000 to 5,000 kyats, depending on the

distance travelled. Please note that very few taxis

in Myanmar charge meter rates so it is important to

negotiate the fare before entering the taxi.

CurrencyThe local currency in Myanmar is the kyat

(pronounced “chaat”) and is divided into 100 pyas,

although these are no longer used. At present the

following kyat bank notes are in general use: Ks 50,

100, 200, 500, 1000 and 5000.

The US dollar is also widely accepted at the

prevailing market rate. Foreign visitors are strongly

advised to bring sufficient cash funds in US dollars

as credit cards are generally NOT accepted.

Traveller’s cheques and other foreign currencies

are not advisable as they can be difficult and time

consuming to change into local currency. Visitors are

advised to check with their travel agents or with their

hotels directly before arriving in the country.

Travel Tips: Entry Formalities

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58 | Air Mandalay - The Golden Flight

Route Map

THAILAND

LAOS

CHINA

INDIA

BANG-LADESH

BAY OF BENGAL

GULF OF THAILAND

MYEIKARCHIPELAGO

Domestic Route

Myitkyina

Putao

Chiang Mai

58 | Air Mandalay - The Golden Flight

Kalay

Bamaw

MANDALAY

BAGAN

SITTWAYHEHO

NAYPYITAW

THANDWE

KYAING TONG

TACHILEIK

YANGON

DAWEI

MYEIK

KAWTHAUNG

Mrauk Oo

Ngapali

Inle Lake

Taung Taman Lake

59Air Mandalay - The Golden Flight | 59Air Mandalay - The Golden Flight |Map courtesy of Delta Media

60 | Air Mandalay - The Golden Flight

Map of Mandalay

60 | Air Mandalay - The Golden FlightMap courtesy of Delta Media

Air Man Inflight Magazine.pdf