Joanna James
As one of the most affordable destinations in Southeast Asia, Myanmar offers budget tourists the chance to explore and enjoy a holiday like no other. Here are some tips on how to spend less and experience the best of what the country has to offer.
Similar to planning other budget trips overseas, advanced bookings are a great way to cut costs on airline tickets to the country and even hotel deals for PARKROYAL Nay Pyi Taw or any other hotels in Nay Pyi Taw Myanmar. In addition to keeping tabs on promotional offers on flights and accommodations, visitors should also consider flying to Myanmar via a domestic flight from Vietnam, Thailand, or another neighbouring nation. This is not only a fantastic way to pay less for your flight but also a way to enjoy holidaying in two destinations for the price of one. For those based in the USA, for example, a direct flight to Myanmar will cost more than flying to Bangkok and then hopping on a domestic flight to the country.
Once you arrive in Myanmar, it is cost-effective to avoid domestic flights and even ferry travel to other locations around the country. This is due to the fact that Myanmar offers bus services to nearly every corner of the country, especially major cities; so, spending more to reach the destination quickly makes no sense when you can see more of the country on a long-distance bus that will charge a fraction of what a flight would cost.
While it may be tempting to include every major temple or religious landmark in your Myanmar travel itinerary, budget travellers will find that once you've seen one, you have seen them all. The thrill and awe one feels upon entering a local temple will soon disappear as most temples in the country resemble one another. Temple entrance fees may be nominal but they can add up, so make a list of the largest and most significant temples and avoid the lesser-known highlights.
One of the most expensive aspects of a holiday in Myanmar is dining out and tourists should be careful about which establishments that they wish to visit as the prices will differ wildly. Every tourist hub in the country is home to a cluster of restaurants that cater specifically to tourists and boast menus with continental dishes for premium price points. Avoid these haunts at all costs and dine like a local. Find out which restaurants in a town are popular with residents and stick to these venues as the food is just as delicious although the prices are significantly lower.
Dealing in dollars can be challenging for first-time visitors as paying for goods and services during your time in the country will require checking the exchange rates. Use a local bank or the airport currency exchange to change your dollars into Myanmar Kyat so you can pay vendors without worrying about getting swindled.
When shopping or even hopping on a three-wheeler, it is necessary to negotiate the price down to an affordable rate. Don't be shy and feel ashamed as locals are quite used to haggling with tourists as long as they are polite.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
