Tourist Attractions in Burma

Unfortunately, you cannot get away with paying this wherever you visit. Not sure if they would have accepted kyats. We tried to spend all our kyats beforehand in the airport lounge (see shopping tips) so we used US dollars.

Cost US$10

This is something I discovered was necessary while travelling in Myanmar but also felt was needed in Vietnam as well. Some might argue that you need to do this where- ever you go. If you have read my tip about porters you will understand that eventually I realised one way to avoid too much drama when arriving at a destination was to organise for a taxi pick up before-hand. This I was able to do by organising with the next hotel for a taxi pick up.I know that we ended up paying a little more but at least we knew that we would not be left by ourselves at an airport (this nearly happened at Mandalay airport) or that we would have to haggle prices when we were least capable (early morning!). Mandalay and Heho airport is a long way out and therefore you cannot guarantee there will be a taxi waiting for you.

Unique Suggestions: Ok if you have not booked a hotel beforehand then at least do a check for how much you can expect to pay for a taxi. Understand that in Myanmar not all taxis are licensed to carry foreigners. Only the blue taxis!

When you arrive at each airport or destination you will be met by various men wanting to carry your cases and luggage for you to your taxi or look after your luggage until you get on the plane.It can be worrying especially if you arrive at the domestic airport and there is a huge crush of people and it seems a struggle among the "porters" as to who is going to carry your luggage.
It seems as if your luggage is perfectly safe but I would make sure that all parts of your cases are secure from any miscellaneous "tampering". Do make sure that you have some small change to give them and especially make sure you remember who is your porter so that you give the right person the tip!

Unique Suggestions: As above plan to have some small change handy (we usually gave 500 kyats to each porter) and make a mental note of the porter who has your luggage.

Fun Alternatives: Unfortunately, you will have to put up with porters vying for your luggage-just grin and go with it!!! It only costs 50c.

there seems to be a mushrooming of travel agents in yangon. everyone thinks that if they have an access to a taxi, a couple of computers, and then set up themselves as a travel agent or a tour guide. in front of the Myanmar Tourist agency near sule pagoda you would see a bunch of them. by the way mtt is moving to pyimina. ther are major players like myanmartourex, diethelm and many many others and most of these you can access from outside the country.

Unique Suggestions: you can listen to the recommendations from other travellers. burmese are extremely polite and friendly and the chances of you having a bad time would be small.
i have used the same travel agent on my travels and you can read about having a burmese person travel with you. i always travel with a burmese travel assistant and it makes everything simple and comfortable..
if you need the name of my travel agent you can send an email to me and i will send her email address to you

dunno if it is politically correct to say this, but try not to change your usd to kyat at the airport.. the exchange rates are crazy!! they only give k450 for usd1.. when we were there, we got k1000 for usd1 in town!! in asia global travels & tours company in yangon chinatown to be exact.. ;)

Fun Alternatives: try to carry some small us dollar notes.. they are widely accepted at a decent rate.. and u can buy some time until you find a place with good exchange rates..

Well, Kyat is the currency in Myanmar and every traveller will probably need some kyatts during their
stay in Myanmar. Most of us will be approached by some locals on the street especially near AugSa
Bogyoke Market and they said they could offer you a good exchange rate of kyat.
Don't believe them as they're just a middle men who try to earn some commision from the shop
(jewellery shops mostly), they will bring you to somewhere(shop) where you actually get the kyat
from the shop owner and NOT the guy who bring you there.

Unique Suggestions: But, this TOP Point Shell Jewellery shop owner gave me a good deal during my visit to Myanmar.
Mr .Chan is a nice guy who can provide you some travel infos beside exchanging your us dollars
into kyatts. This jewellery shop located at the Bogyoke market.

When walking trough the temples in Bagan sometimes guys will come up to You asking You to change money (count carefully) or to buy gems. Do not anything, they only have to sell glas. It not worth one Dollar. If You wanna buy gems do it in Rangoon in a official shop.

Unique Suggestions: Just leave them alone.

Fun Alternatives: About one hour from Lake Inle there is the town Tangooi (spelling). Here You can find a real ruby market on some days. Ask You hotel stuff.

When doing a boat tour on the Lake Inle You will have to eat something. One of the restaurants You will be brought to is the "Nice". It is terrible expensive, rude stuff, meals are the worsest we had in 17 days.

Unique Suggestions: Tell You boat driver You won't go there.

Fun Alternatives: There are other restaurants on the lake, also on the markets You can get great food for less.