Burma Tourist Trap Tips by cochinjew

Travel Agents adding on Fees for Visa on Arrival

Long ride to Mytkyina! man in seat sixty one has all the info..
http://www.seat61.com/Burma.htm#Train%20Times

as of may 1, 2010 there is visa on arrival at Yangon and Mandalay. No need to go through a travel agent. for example when you google visa on arrival all the websites that come up are commercial ones.. the first one is myanmarvisaon arrival so you hope it is an official website.. no it is the website of mogadotravel or something similar... and they charge 30 additional dollars. the visa on arrival is 30 usd.
I was at the Myanmar embassy in Paris today. They informed me that flights out of bangkok singapour and kl would have the appropriate forms and they are supposed to give you the forms and you fill them, two photos and 30 dollars in cash, a name of hotel where you are going to stay and viola.. special booth with VOA .. and your visa is stamped. business visa 40 and renewable. social visit visa 60 and renewable, i think it is 60.. so dont have to go through a travel agent.
I flew to Mytkyina. it is a quiet little town by the river but be aware of the smoke, and if you have any respiratory allergies it would be a problem...
Enjoy...

Unique Suggestions: apply directly as you enter the airport. you dont need any ones help to help you through the customs which is usually very easy anyway. you can tell the name of a hotel and i dont think they will check.

travel agents in yangon

there seems to be a mushrooming of travel agents in yangon. everyone thinks that if they have an access to a taxi, a couple of computers, and then set up themselves as a travel agent or a tour guide. in front of the Myanmar Tourist agency near sule pagoda you would see a bunch of them. by the way mtt is moving to pyimina. ther are major players like myanmartourex, diethelm and many many others and most of these you can access from outside the country.

Unique Suggestions: you can listen to the recommendations from other travellers. burmese are extremely polite and friendly and the chances of you having a bad time would be small.
i have used the same travel agent on my travels and you can read about having a burmese person travel with you. i always travel with a burmese travel assistant and it makes everything simple and comfortable..
if you need the name of my travel agent you can send an email to me and i will send her email address to you