Two weeks is the perfect amount of time to explore Myanmar. If you have less time, you can still have a great experience but it requires careful planning. At a minimum, five days is enough to give you a taste of the country’s history and culture by visiting two of Myanmar’s “Big Four” destinations.
With endless miles of quiet roads and trails, Myanmar is an ideal place for an outdoor adventure. Trekking and cycling bring you to areas less-frequented by travellers and often the trail leads to spectacular villages or viewpoints.
April is low season in Myanmar due to the extreme heat in many parts of the country. The mountains are a bit cooler around Inle Lake and Kalaw but the big tourist cities of Mandalay, Bagan, and Yangon are typically scorching throughout the month. The upside? Skies are clear almost every day, and in the middle of the month, locals celebrate their New Year with fun festivities. This is also a great time to take advantage of the crowdless beaches and cooler mountain towns.
Although not quite as hot as April (the hottest month of the year), May nevertheless sees above-average temperatures in Myanmar, especially during the first half of the month. This is a good time to head to the mountains or hit some of the drier parts of the coast, as much of the central plains (Mandalay, Bagan, and Yangon) will be uncomfortably hot. This can actually be a fantastic time to plan a trip, even to the hotter areas, because the rain is light and crowds are few.
The people of Myanmar are incredibly friendly and welcoming. Meeting and mingling with them is often a highlight of people's trip to Myanmar. Below, we've outlined a few of our favorite places for experiencing local culture that are easy to add to your Myanmar holiday itinerary.
'Sar pi bi, lah?' Meaning 'Have you eaten?', is a common greeting throughout Myanmar. That just goes to show how seriously they take their food! But most travelers do not know what to expect when it comes to Myanmar cuisine. Read on to find out about the exotic flavors and culinary culture of the Golden Land.
It's an understatement to call kimkim traveler Sara Pfrommer an experienced traveler. She recently returned from nearly four years of round-the-world travel, and her itch to explore continues bringing her to new places. Myanmar, still off the well-trodden Southeast Asia tourist circuit, was the location of her most recent adventure. Read on to see what surprised her most about Myanmar, and where she's going next!
The month of November, which marks the kickoff of peak tourist season, is without a doubt one of the best times to visit Myanmar. The temperatures drop to a more comfortable level and the rains dry up. The coasts become sunny and beautiful, and in the mountains the scenery is stunning. It's a time when you can visit virtually any part of the country and find pleasant, travel-friendly weather.
If you like mountains, temples, and historic ruins, September is a great month to visit Myanmar. It's a shoulder month that comes at the end of the wet season, offering decent weather without many crowds. Although the beaches remain closed due to rainfall, other parts of the country beginning seeing less rain and nicer weather. It's still a hot part of the season but it's not sweltering like it is in April or May. Plus, the crowds taper back significantly so you can soak up the scenery without hordes of tourists everywhere.
March is a shoulder season in Myanmar. You don't have to worry about rain, although the increasing temperatures—which range from 81 to 97 degrees Fahrenheit—can be uncomfortable in the central plains and other open valleys. Generally speaking, it's a more pleasant time to be in the mountains where it's cooler, or on the coast where you can spend your time in the ocean or sitting by the pool. Crowds thin out significantly compared to February, so you won't have to contend with as many fellow tourists.