Comments on: A Backpacker’s Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

By: Ah Kar Ohn Kyaw

Ah Kar Ohn Kyaw — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 06:09:55 +0000

In reply to Marek. Not problem. Baht is accepted in exchange counters in Myanmar.

By: Marek

Marek — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 14:54:40 +0000

In reply to Blandine. There is no open border crossing from Myanmar to Laos, so unfortunately you'll have to go via Thailand. Coincidentally, I just came to Laos a few hours ago from Thailand at Huay Xai... they have a new bridge and immigration here which makes it all very easy. :)

By: Blandine

Blandine — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 08:00:08 +0000

Thank you so much for this article. Just one question – how easy is to acess Laos from Myanmar by land? Will I have to go by Thailand? Thanks

By: Marek

Marek — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 22:17:00 +0000

In reply to Karen. Have not specifically met a mother with child travelling in Myanmar but have in other nearby countries (Malaysia etc.). Yes I think Myanmar is safe (speaking for all of the touristed areas).

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 18:35:53 +0000

Hi Mark, have you seen mom and a child (6 years old) travleing there? Do you think is it safe? Thanks in advance

By: David from travelscams.org

David from travelscams.org — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 15:48:05 +0000

Great article, thanks for the tips! With the spectacular temples of Bagan, stunning Mandalay with lakes, pagodas, and palaces, lively markets and a delicious street food scene, Myanmar is a joy to visit. However, with the rise of tourism, cases of tourist targeted scams have risen as well.

Do be wary of the shoe guardians, friendship tour scam, restaurants without set prices, coin collectors, fake entrance tickets, pickpocketing, snatch thefts and many more!

By: Marek

Marek — Wed, 10 May 2017 10:05:03 +0000

In reply to Natsu.

Hey Natsu. I believe Baht is not widely accepted for exchange in Myanmar, though this was some time ago now and to be honest I don’t know if this is still the case. If you exchange to USD in Thailand, you’ll be able to exchange this to Kyat for sure though. You’ll be hit with two exchange fees in that case, but it’s probably worth it just to remove the uncertainty.

Kyat typically can’t be exchanged anywhere outside of Myanmar btw, so be sure to spend it all or exchange what you’ve got left back to USD or Baht.

By: Natsu

Natsu — Wed, 10 May 2017 09:35:53 +0000

Hi Marek,
Thanks for the very helpful and informative post for travelling to Myanmar. I am now in Bangkok and planning to visit Myanmar for about 7-10 days. I have about 9000-10000 baht with me now, and I hope not to withdraw cash again in Myanmar (cause don’t want to pay oversea ATM fee etc again )
I read that I can’t get Kyat outside Myanmar, and it’s not common to change Baht to Kyat when I get into the country. Should I just change the amount that I think I will spend for the whole trip from baht to US dollar now ? Or it is possible to change Baht to Kyat when I am there?
Thank you for your advice!!

By: Marek

Marek — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 23:02:16 +0000

In reply to Catherine.

Hey Catherine. As far as solo female travel goes, yes – it’s a safe country and even petty theft is very rare. As far as race goes, as a white guy I might not be the best authority on this. That said, I’m not aware of issues within Myanmar apart from occasional awkward staring at international visitors (mostly in rural places where this is still a novelty).

By: Catherine

Catherine — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:45:19 +0000

Great post – so informative.

Can I ask advice? I’m a black female and intend to go to Myanmar – will it be safe for me to do so on my own?

Thank you!