The best time to visit Myanmar is during the drier winter months between October and March. Throughout this time of year, the whole country is accessible, the temples shine and beaches are open - making travel unique and rewarding. October to March also brings comfortable temperatures with hot days and lowland temperatures remaining pleasant in the evening. Bagan and Mandalay are the hottest, driest regions - where temperatures can peak at over 40°C. However, from June to September much needed rain waters the plains between these two regions.
We closely monitor the latest travel updates to Myanmar and follow the advice of the UK Foreign Office. For the latest travel advice from UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO),
please click here.
Please note that passport holders of some nationalities may need to abide by entry and exit regulations which restrict the cities in which one can enter or exit Myanmar. Please consult your travel agent or national embassy before travelling.
Travellers require a visa to enter and stay in Myanmar, entering without a visa can result in a prison sentence. You can apply for visas at your closest Myanmar Embassy, before travel. If you are travelling as a tourist, it may be possible to apply for an e-Visa.
Please visit your national Government's Official Foreign Travel Advice website for further information on entry requirements to Myanmar.
Click here to find out more about how to apply for an e-visa.
This information is provided as a guidance only. Travel Talk strongly advises to consult your travel agent or national embassy before travelling, as visa information can change at any time with little notice. It is your responsibility to prepare all necessary visa documents before travelling.
Myanmar’s relative isolation has helped to preserve its long, rich culture overtime. Today, visitors can be dazzled by the influence of 135 different ethnicities and their diversity across cuisines, architecture, religious monuments, and Myanmar's people. The country remains more untouched by modernity or Western society than neighbouring destinations, meaning it is still finding its feet as a new destination for tourists. The people of Myanmar are recognised as quiet, polite and extremely modest.
Myanmar’s cuisine is largely influenced by flavours from its neighbouring nations including Thailand, India and China. Unsurprisingly, spices and rice are in the centre of almost every meal. Eating is considered as a social event for the Burmese and beer is unbelievingly cheap - A good reason to extend your happy hour every day while you’re here! Meals you must try when travelling to this compelling country include Tea Leaf Salad, Shan-Style Rice, Noodle Salad and Nangyi thoke (a local noodle dish from Mandalay).
Shopping amongst the local people and markets of Myanmar should be atop any traveller’s bucket-list when visiting this fascinating nation. While in Yangon, check out the Bogyoke Aung San Market for impressive lacquerware, woodcarvings, and woven textiles. Meanwhile, just an hour outside of Bagan by road, you will find the busy Pakokku Markets where basket sellers, umbrella makers, craftsman and farmers sell their goods to the locals. Very few tourists visit, so it still retains an authentic Burmese touch.
Festivals in Myanmar offer travellers a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the nation’s myths, customs and fun-loving spirits.
- Taunggyi Hot Air Balloon Festival: Taunggyi is the famous Balloon Festival that takes place in Myanmar every November to mark the end of the rainy season. Several weeks before the festival begins, locals in the Shan region build hot air balloons from scratch and then decorate them with paintings, candles, and fireworks... yes fireworks! It is a brilliant display of colour, light and sound.
- Thingyan New Year Water Festival: If you are planning to visit Myanmar mid-April, you can join the Burmese New Year Festival! This Buddhist festival is celebrated over a period of four to five days and is an important public holiday in Myanmar. On the second day, people throw water at each other from boats and other vessels to symbolise the cleansing of their sins throughout the year.
- Thadigyut Festival: Whilst in Yangon, enjoy the Festival of Light in celebration of the Buddha's descent from the heavens. Buildings and houses across the region are covered in coloured lights and candles to welcome Buddha to Earth. The streets become busy with markets and food stalls and traditional open-air plays and concerts take place across town.