Myanmar has a tropical climate with three distinct seasons, although the effects of the "rainy" seasons vary 
across the country:

Rainy Season
June - September

Cool Season
October - February

Hot Season
March - May

Overall the best time to visit Myanmar is from the end of October to middle of April. Yangon is very hot and humid during the hot and rainy seasons. Although Yangon and the surrounding areas can have a lot of rain during the summer, upper Myanmar is rather dry the whole year round. The months of July through September can be very pleasant in Bagan and Mandalay as the air is clearer with less dust and only light rainfall. The coastal areas should be avoided from May to the end of September. In the Shan Hill and Mrauk U the temperatures at night during the winter months can be surprisingly chilly ranging from O°C to 8°C.

We recommend bringing light, loose fitting cotton clothes with pale colours as they tend to be cooler. Myanmar still has very traditional customs and it is not appropriate to wear shorts, Bermudas or miniskirts.

Since shoes and socks have to be removed for all visits to pagodas and temples, we recommend wearing sandals or other slip-on shoes which are easy to put on and take off. When visiting temples or other religious monuments, visitors should be modestly dressed - it is very important that knees and shoulders are covered and ladies should not wear shorts or bra-less T-shirts in such places.

Hats and sunglasses are strongly recommended. Formal clothes, i.e. jackets and ties, are not required. A multi-use sarong with is a very handy item to bring. If travelling to Inle Lake, the Shan Hills, Rakhine State and Putao, particularly during the winter season, nights can be chilly due to altitude hence it is advisable to bring a warm layer for the evenings.

There are a number of good restaurants in Yangon offering Thai, Chinese, European, Italian, Indian and Burmese cuisine, which serve quality food at reasonable prices. Eating at the street restaurants can be a wonderful Asian experience but is not suggested unless an experienced guide has recommended the restaurant. Throughout upcountry Myanmar, the choice of food is limited to Burmese and Chinese. In Yangon and Mandalay there are now many noodle and coffee shops and Yangon has a good choice of fine dining experiences as well.

Generally speaking, Burmese food is a meeting point between the spicy Thai and Indian curry-based cuisines. Rice and noodles are staple dishes usually served with a variety of side dishes ranging from meat or fish, salads, vegetables and a lentil soup. Myanmar food often is served at room temperature (never hot).

Accommodation
Accommodation standards in Myanmar still vary widely, especially in quality. During high season, the hotels with character are in huge demand getting booked up many months ahead. New and refurbished hotels meeting international standards are available in Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake, Ngapali Beach and Ngwe Saung Beach. Diethelm Travel cannot guarantee specific hotel requests and upcountry reserves the right to substitute accommodation for the best available alternative standard when a first-choice hotel is not available. Clients are advised that accommodation in remote locations can be very basic and simple.

Noise
Occasionally, according to the Buddhist lunar calendar and traditions, recitation of monks at monasteries or pagodas occur all over the country. Especially, during the 3-month Buddhist lent (June to October), Patthana chanting can be heard non-stop, day and night for a week. These recitations usually are broadcast with loud speakers in order to spread to every direction. People believe that reciting the Patthana, or hearing its recitation will impart certain blessings such as warding off dangers and spirits, curing illness, attaining prosperity or success, or being guarded by angels. The loud noise from monasteries can be a disturbance during the night for the hotels nearby especially in Bagan, Inle Lake and Golden Rock.

Pagoda festivals are also very common in Myanmar. They are usually held during the full moon days and can last from 1 - 3 weeks. Evening entertainments, music, dances and night markets until midnight take place with many people enjoying the festivities. It is advisable to carry ear plugs as some hotels which are nearby these festivities are disturbed by the noise.

Vehicles
Diethelm Travel does its utmost to provide the best available cars and buses. As the import of new vehicles as well as spare parts is very difficult and extremely expensive, most of the tourist cars used are secondhand vehicles, sometimes older than 20 years. Recently regulations have changed and imports of new cars are now permitted to some extent. In the near future, there will be more luxury cars available for tourists.

In remote areas, however, airconditioned vehicles may not always be available and travellers should be advised that the quality of roads throughout Myanmar vary from reasonable to poor.

Traffic
Traffic is getting more and more congested in Yangon and Mandalay and driving in the cities can be slow with delays at traffic lights. We recommend respecting the timing indicated by your tour guide for sightseeing or transfers. High vigilance and attention is needed when crossing streets.

Taxi
No taxis in Myanmar use meters and the fare must be negotiated before the beginning of the trip. Public buses offer a cheap albeit crowded alternative to taxis; the challenge is finding out where the bus is going.

There are no compulsory vaccinations but it is advisable to take precautions against malaria; we recommend seeking the advice of your doctor. Prescription drugs are not widely available and visitors should bring any required medication with them carrying them in their hand luggage. If carrying a lot of medicines, it is advisable to have a doctor's letter stating that medicines are required for personal use. It is also advisable to bring plenty of mosquito repellent, particularly for use in the evenings. As Myanmar enjoys a tropical climate, sun block cream is recommended particularly for boat rides on Inle Lake or while at the beach. A spare pair of glasses, if worn, is also advisable.

Medical assistance of international standard is not yet widely available. The following clinic is considered reliable for medical assistance:

• Samitivej Clinic at Parami Hospital
  60 (G-1), Parami Road, Yangon 11061
  Tel: 95 1 165 7987
  08.00 am – 6:00 pm

During your stay in Myanmar, you will be exposed to heat which can lead to dehydration. We highly recommend to drink electrolyte supplements that can be found at pharmacies.

The extent of insurance coverage in Myanmar varies widely to western norms. It is suggested that visitors consider short-term health and accident policies from your own insurance company prior to leaving home. Local hospital care is basic, any seriously injured tourist will require medical evacuation to either Singapore or Bangkok. As medical evacuations can be extremely costly, we recommend that you take out a comprehensive insurance policy that will cover the costs of a medical evacuation and subsequent medical care.

Limited internet access is available at some hotels and cafes as well as small internet shops however connections are unreliable and slow.

Myanmar has its own cell phone network and cell phones from other countries do not have access yet. The Myanmar SIM cards are different from the 'normal' SIM cards which are used all over the world. Standard size SIM cards can be purchased at Yangon International airport for USD 20 and USD 50 cards and are also available at some shops. Please check with hotel reception or your tour guide for assistance. These SIM cards can be used for both international and domestic calls, one month validity and can be refilled. However you need to check if your hand set will be compatible to the card. You might need to rent a local hand set (available at Yangon International Airport).

We cannot guarantee to be able to purchase a CDMA SIM card and good connection handset due to supply difficulties. Reception throughout the country can be difficult. WiFi is available in certain hotels and restaurants.

Travellers are advised to obtain a visa in their home country prior to entering Myanmar. Specific advice on up-to-date requirements should be obtained from the consulate offices in your country.

For general guidance, please note the following:

• Passport must have at least 6 months remaining validity at time of travel.
• Foreigners must always carry their passport whilst travelling.

Visa processing time is between 5 - 10 working days at most Myanmar Consulates or Embassies. Tourist visas are valid for 28 days. Some embassies require a ‘confirmation letter’, which Diethelm Travel can provide.

When you are travelling overland or by air, please ensure that your passport is in your hand luggage. NEVER pack your passport in your suitcase.

Yangon Airport, Mandalay Airport, Nay Pyi Taw Airport
The Myanmar government now allows that visas can be applied on-line for tourists arriving to Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay. Please visit the following website for on-line registration www.evisa.moip.gov.mm. Tourist visas will be allowed for a stay of 28 days. The current cost is USD 50 and will need to be paid on-line.

Visa on arrival
The Myanmar Government does not issue any longer visa on arrival for tourists.
Passengers arriving or departing on cruise ships: Visa must be applied through a Myanmar embassy or through the local ground handler.

Large parts of Myanmar are open to foreign visitors however access to some remote or border areas (India and China) is still subject to government permission. In such situations, Diethelm Travel will endeavour to obtain the necessary permits. Allow one month for procurement of such permits.

The special permit, which will be arranged by Diethelm Travel where applicable, is only the permission to cross the border but not the actual visa. The Myanmar visa must be stamped into the clients' passports prior to their arrival at the Myanmar border.

The following border checkpoints are currently open for tourists:

• Muse / Ruli (Yunnan, China)
• Tachilek / Mae Sai (north Thailand) Kawthaung / Ranong (southwest Thailand)
• Myawaddy / Mae Sot (west Thailand)
• Kawtaung / Ranong (south Thailand)
• Tamu (east India)

Myanmar is considered a safe country to travel around, however we strongly advise to keep valuables at all times locked up: during the day in your hand bag and during nights in the safety box of your rooms. Do not leave valuables in vehicles unattended.

Begging is not widespread in Myanmar and visitors are requested not to encourage the development of this practice by giving money or sweets to children. If travellers wish to contribute to, say a village community, gifts should be directed to the local schoolteacher or headmaster. Contributions can also be arranged through recognised local charity organizations.

Photographing of airports, railways stations, wharves, police stations, military installations, bridges and government offices are generally not allowed. Please use discretion when photographing people, especially tribal people, who may have superstitions against this. For close-up shots, always ask first.

Myanmar's Magical Shopping Scene

As Myanmar’s tourism industry continues to grow, its shopping options flourish alongside. The country’s three main destinations — Bagan, Mandalay and Yangon — are the best places to go for quality goods. Like many other Southeast Asian countries, precious gemstones and silver jewellery are available in many shops throughout the main cities. Keep your eyes open for fakes.

Beautiful Bagan
Burmese exquisite craftsmanship is on display in its wide selection of lacquer ware. Most abundant in Bagan, this work can also be found in both Mandalay and Yangon to a lesser extent.

Majestic Mandalay
Head to the ancient city of Mandalay to see the best in silver and bronze, in addition to traditional silk weaving. Carvings of wood, stone and ivory are also popular here with the detail, shape and imagery of these carvings unique to Burmese culture.

Bustling Yangon
In Myanmar’s capital you’ll find many art galleries downtown. These feature paintings, sculptures and photographs by local artists. Invest in some of their work to bring a slice of Myanmar life back home. Purchasing antiques however is risky as the provenance cannot be guaranteed.

Mingalaba. This word of welcome is also a wish for good fortune and best signifies the warm, welcoming nature of the people in Myanmar. Myanmar today remains one of the most mystical and magical countries on earth; a land of breathtaking beauty stretching from snow capped peaks (Mt. Kahkaborazi is 5881m) and dense jungles of the Himalayas, to the pristine beaches of the Bay of Bengal and rice fields of the Delta; in between lie the glittering pagoda-filled plains, ancient capitals and - running throughout it all - the mighty 2000-kilometre-long Ayeyawaddy River.

The country's population of 53 million lives mainly in villages and 100 different national groups are found within the country's borders; the Bamar are the majority group inhabiting the central zone whilst the Shan, Kayin, Kachin, Chin, Rakhine and Mon live in the mountainous areas or along the coast. Intrinsic to the country is Buddhism and daily life revolves around the family, worship at pagodas and festivals. Myanmar not only has a rich cultural heritage but also an incredibly varied fauna and flora; all this combined with an enchanting population make it one of the most fascinating, and as yet undiscovered, destinations in the world.

Tipping is quite common in Myanmar today. Only at very simple restaurants do waiters not expect tips. Where a porter or waiter gives special service, a small tip is always welcome.

Regarding drivers and guides, the amount tip is discretionary and should only be given for ‘good service’. As an extremely approximate guideline, which should be adjusted taking various things into consideration, such as the sophistication of the guide, size of the group and duration of drive or tour, the following would be applicable:

• 2 - 3 persons in a car: USD 3 - 5 a day for a driver and USD 8 - 10 a day for a guide
• Group of 10 - 20 persons: USD 0.50 per person for a driver and USD 1 per person a day for a guide