One Week in Myanmar (Burma)

What You Should Know Before Going On A Myanmar (Burma) Tour

Is Myanmar Safe to Visit?

The short answer is, yes, Myanmar (Burma) is a safe destination for foreign travelers. Not only that, but after nearly 50 years of invisibility from the rest of the world, Myanmar is eager to share its culture, history, cuisine and traditions with guests. 

Here’s what to keep in mind to stay safe during your tour to Myanmar: 

• Stay with your tour and and heed the instructions and guidelines of your Burmese tour guide. This includes off-the-beaten-path areas of the country, where locals and authorities may not be used to seeing foreign travelers. 
• Check with your Myanmar tour operator about which areas of the country you’ll be visiting and which are off-limits for various political or safety reasons, including landmines in restricted areas.  
• If you’re on a hiking tour of Myanmar, be prepared for mosquitos with lots of repellent and mosquito nets. In addition, watch out for snacks in the brush and forest - there is a high incidence of fatal snake bites in Myanmar. 
• In caves and near Mt. Popa, do not feed the monkeys you see. As cute as they may be, bites are possible. 
• Use caution when walking with your tour in a crowded area, especially when crossing the street. Most local drivers are fairly lax about following traffic rules.
• To avoid confrontation with authorities and so as not to offend the Burmese people, do not ever disrespect Buddha. Visitors have been thrown in jail for posting offensive or inappropriate images of Buddha on social media. Be respectful of local religious practices and sensitivities.

When is Monsoon Season in Myanmar?

If you’d like to avoid the monsoon season in Myanmar, travel between November and March. The summer monsoon months are responsible for about 80 percent of the region’s rainfall - and while vitally important to the people and crops of the area, can be less than pleasant for tourists.

Located in a monsoon climate, Myanmar has three seasons - the hot period, the monsoon itself and then the cool, dry winter (when it’s most optimal to visit). 

If you do travel to Burma during the monsoon season, your experience will depend on where in the country you travel. The most rain will fall on the coastal zones and beaches. If the Myanmar monsoon season doesn’t put you off, just be flexible, bring appropriate rain gear and waterproof footwear and be prepared for a lot of rain, though not necessarily every day and not all day.

What Language Is Spoken in Myanmar? 

The official language of Burma (Myanmar) is Burmese, although there are about 100 hundred languages spoken throughout the country. Six language families exist in Myanmar, including Sino-Tibetan, Austro-Asiatic, Tai-Kadai, Indo-European, Austronesian and Hmong-Mien.

What Other Countries Should I Visit When I Go to Myanmar?

While Myanmar itself can make an incredible and insightful tour opportunity, if you have the time and the means, consider an extended Southeast Asia vacation. Look for group tours that combine Myanmar with neighboring India, the southern region of China, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.