Individual tourists are required on arrival at Yangon international airport to exchange a minimum of US$ 200 into FECs (Foreign Exchange Certificates), which are equivalent of the USD. Any unused foreign exchange certificates out of this amount will not be converted. The denominations are: 1, 5, 10, and 20. FEC are accepted by hotels, tourist restaurants and as admission fees. It is advisable to carry only US dollars, as other currencies might not be accepted.

*Note: As of 20 August 2003, the only currencies accepted in Myanmar at the moment are US dollars in cash and Myanmar kyat. Credit cards, traveller’s cheques and other foreign currencies may not be used. The FEC counter at the airport has been closed, and there is no enforcement of the previously mandatory exchange of USD 200 into FEC by FIT travellers. FEC are, in practice, no longer accepted by hotels and tourism establishments. However, please note that no official policy change has been announced yet.

Health
As always when travelling, it is essential to have good health insurance and consult your doctor about necessary health precautions, such as vaccinations or pills. Below are some general health guidelines for Myanmar, but they are no substitute for a personal consultation with a medical expert.

There are basic medical facilities available in Myanmar. However, for more serious illnesses, evacuation to Singapore, Thailand or Malaysia is recommended.

Vaccinations
Officially, there are no vaccinations required for a visit to Myanmar. But a vaccination for cholera is essential for travel through the country. Please consult with your doctor with recommended vaccinations.

Malaria
The best protection against malaria is to avoid being bitten in the first place: make sure to bring along mosquito repellent. Check with your physician about taking a course of anti-malarial. If it is considered necessary given your itinerary, you might need to begin before your trip and continue for a time after you return. The greatest risk of contracting malaria is between May and December at altitudes below 3,000 feet/ 1,000 meters.

Dengue fever, which is also transmitted by mosquitoes, is often mistaken for malaria. Its symptoms are severe pain in the joints, high fever, and extreme headache. Aside from avoiding being bitten altogether (this mosquito is active in daytime and is often a striped variety), there is no prevention available. Hospital treatment is urgently required.

Food & Water
Standards of hygiene in many parts of Myanmar can be quite low, so the threat of amoebic dysentery is present. Make sure you peel all fruit yourself and avoid eating raw vegetables. However, dehydration can be a problem, so you should drink plenty of bottled liquids along with a mixture of rehydration salts.

Avoid all water that hasn't been thoroughly boiled or sterilized. Drink only bottled water and soft drinks that haven't been opened yet.

Security
Most tourists find that Myanmar is an exceptionally friendly and safe country to explore, within the confines of the tourist areas established by the government. Although some fighting continues along the Thai border, this does not affect any of the main tourist areas. Because of road conditions, overnight travel is not recommended.

Communication

Telephone
International direct dialing is available in major cities. The country code for Myanmar is +95; the city code for Yangon is (0) 1, and the city code for Bagan is (0) 65. When placing international calls from Myanmar, dial 00 before dialing the desired country code and phone number. Only larger cities can be dialed direct from within Myanmar; smaller towns still use manual switchboards.

Mobile Telephone
Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications operate a GSM 900 network. Fees are extremely high and coverage limited.

Fax
Faxes may be sent from the Central Telegraph Office on Mahabandoola Street. Fax services may also be found at the Post and Telecommunications Corporation in Yangon as well as at all major hotels.

Post
Service to Europe takes up to a week, with letterforms arriving more quickly ordinary letters. It is best to go to the post office in person and pay the fee for a certificate of posting in order to ensure that the letter is properly sent.

Electricity
Electricity: 220/230V, 50 Hz
The electricity supply can be erratic, especially outside of major cities.