Airport tax -
Departure tax for international flights is US$-10 per person, payable in US dollar.


Inoculation & vaccination -
Medical certificates of inoculations are essential especially for visitors coming from an infected area or yellow fever zones. Vaccination certificate is not necessary.


Health -
The same precautions as anywhere else. Drink only bottled water. Do not eat raw vegetables; only eat fruits that you can peel or cut yourself. Be wary of eating food from street stalls. Use insect repellent to keep malaria, dengue fever and the like at bay. Use sunscreen literally when exposed to the intense, tropical sun. A 24-hour, medical clinic, with internationally trained medical staff and health insurance is now available in Yangon. Health risks: cholera, dysentery, hepatitis, malaria, rabies, typhoid.


Clothing -
Light casual wear preferably cotton is suitable for all year round. A cardigan or light sweater for the cool season especially when visiting Northern Myanmar in the cool season. An umbrella will be useful during the rainy season. Cotton clothing and a light warp for the evenings during the cool season are recommended. If possible dress modestly at all times. Sandals or slippers are convenient, as all footwear must be removed before entering temples and pagodas. Visitors are required to dress decently on the precincts of religious buildings. Ladies should not wear shorts, briefs or bra-less T-shirt in such places. Shoes and socks or stockings must be removed at Pagodas and Monasteries.


Communication -
Overseas calls can be made through International direct dile phones available at Telephone offices and hotels. Internet interactive service is currently not available in Myanmar however e-mail can be available at most hotels and internet cafés in Yangon. Once you are in up country excess via email is getting limited however IDD fax service is available at most hotels in up country. At present the local GSM network does not support global network therefore using your global mobile phone is not possible in Myanmar. If you brought your mobile phone into Myanmar then you just have to leave with the custom department upon your arrival and reclaim before departure.


Business hours -
Banks open at 10:30 till 14:00, Monday through Friday. Government offices open at 09:30 till 16:30 Monday through Friday. Most private offices open at 09:30 till 17:00, Monday through Friday and 09:30 till 12:00 on Saturday.


Tipping -
Its common to tip drivers and guides, waiters at local restaurants and also usually hotel porters. The following suggestions on tipping are meant as general guidelines. For exceptional service travelers may wish to give more.

Hotel porter: In general, if a porter carries bags to the room, a tip of about US$ 0.50 - $1.00 (either in US$ or equivalent to kyat) would be appropriate, depending on size, weight etc.

Restaurant: In general a tip of about 5% is appreciated for meal service (in kyat).

Driver: The driver's tip may be about US$ 2 to $5 per day (either in US$ or equivalent in kyat) for individual or couple. For group, a tip of about US$1 (either in US$ or in kyat) per person, per day would be suitable.

Tour guide: Tips for the tour guide can be varied. A fair average for the tour guide would be around US$ 5 to $10 per day, depending on group size and level of satisfaction of the client. For exceptional service clients may wish to tip more.

Tipping at the International Airport: At the International airport the guides are not usually allowed into the departure terminal with you, so a porter will escort you and your luggage through, he will expect a tip of around 1US$ (preferred in Kyat).

NB: when in doubt, the best source for appropriate tipping information for hotels, restaurants, and drivers is to ask your tour guide.


Custom's formalities on arrival -
Regulations are generally relaxed for tourists arriving by air in Yangon. Visitors should complete Immigration and customs declaration forms during the flight and submit these on arrival. All foreign currencies (if bring more then US$ 2000) may be declare at Custom. Traveler's check, jewelry, cameras and electronic goods etc must be recorded on the customs form which may be checked on departure. Bringing in or taking out Myanmar currency is not allowed. Gems and jewelry purchased from authorized dealers are allowed to be taken out however antiques are not allowed to be taken out of the country.