One of the most common questions is how to exchange 1 us dollar to Myanmar kyat we get from our tourists. Maybe you are a foreigner so currency in Myanmar is complicated but eventually, you will recognize the face value.
In Myanmar, both of US dollars and Burmese kyat are used to exchange the goods and services. Actually, almost hotels, domestic train tickets and entrance fees are paid by US dollar. And there are the local products such as foods, souvenirs will be paid by kyat. Before that, in 2013 and 2014, a lot of places would only accept USD, but in 2015, as the government doesn’t want to use USD, the value of the local currency has dropped 25%.
In 2012, there were no ATM’s in Myanmar due to the economic sanctions on the country. Because, the economy in Myanmar hadn’t yet opened the door so you would need to bring all of the money you spend on trip, with virtually no way to get funds once you ran out. To approach the opportunity, the official mentions some policies to change the types of currency accepted for exchange and the availability of the first ATMs. Even so, one recommendation for you is to bring all the money you plan to use in the country in cash and use your Visa or Mastercard as a backup.
What kind of currencies you bring to Myanmar
Myanmar has two international airports including Yangon and Mandalay so USD, Euros and Singapore dollars are easy to exchange. Besides, if you want to exchange Thai Baht you should ask your tour guide where. Shops, jewelers, black markets in the street usually exchange USD to Kyat.
Larger bills ($50 or $100) are exchanged at slightly higher rates than smaller bills (example 02/2017: 1350kyat / $1 for $50/$100 bills, 1320kyat / $1 for $1/$5/$10/$20 bills).
How To Get The Best USD
Although the government in Myanmar has recently supported the banks to accept more than just the standard foreign currency, bills that are not perfect may still be rejected or exchanged at a lower rate. So you should keep your money carefully.
Before You Go
Before beginning the trip, you should exchange your currency to Myanmar Kyat and US dollar. However, you can calculate how much money spend on traveling to save a lot of exchanging fee. If they do not have what you need on hand, they can put in a special order for exactly how much you need which can take a few days to a couple of weeks to arrive at the bank.
Where should exchange 1 us dollar to Myanmar kyat
The best place to exchange is not the black market because of its safe. The best places to exchange are at the airport and the banks but the value of money is often lower than black market. They offer the best rates and the security that you’ll get what you should be getting.
In fact, Yangon is always a tourist or five at the exchange counters wanting to only exchange $10 just to pay a taxi, then exchange the rest on the black market in the city. No doubt, you will find out any banks in all the street even smaller towns off the main tourist track like Pindaya has. They are easy to see in the tourist spots such as Yangon, Mandalay, Inle Lake, or Bagan. However, you shouldn’t come to on weekends and holidays as banks are closed.
If you suddenly need Myanmar Kyat, you can exchange money at your guesthouse, local jewelry shops, though the rate will likely be poorer than what you would get at the bank.
One recommendation for you is to do not exchange money on the streets as you can get scammed where the shady money changers often hang out.
When you finish the trip, you can exchange your kyat at the airport or banks before you take off. However, keeping some currencies Myanmar is one of the most popular ways to get the great memory on the trip.
Spending money on what traveling Myanmar?
Myanmar costs on average of $35 per day, including food and drink. Before setting the traveling plan, you should see your budget and purpose. To save money, you can book a dorm or share a room with a random traveller. The cost of a hotel room in Myanmar is around from $25 to 35$. A bed in a dorm is approximately $10. There are also many preferred the comfort of having their own room, or the indulgence that came with the more premium hotels.
Otherwise, the cheapest mean of transport is bus.
Of course, if you travel with many friends you will save more budget as the cost will be shared amongst a group. For example, it’s likely your alcohol budget will decrease here seeing as there is a distinct lack of night-life in the towns and cities. However, should you wish to unwind, beer is relatively cheap at approximately $2 a bottle.
Generally, all accommodation fees and buses are paid in dollars. Local transportation means and local services are paid for in Kyat, especially, in street food and at the markets.
Some popular souvenirs you should buy
Sand paintings
Sand painting is a subtle art form in Bagan, but it seems to lie in tatters these days. As a popular souvenir of Bagan, sanding paintings – costing around 5 times of 1 us dollar to Myanmar kyat apiece. Sand painters themselves are also vulnerable. Sand paintings are the replicas of Bagan-era murals that are enormously complex and little understood mainly because of their mind-boggling diversity. The ancient personalities have invariably found their way to sand paintings that are on sale at stalls at most pagodas and monasteries in Bagan. Tourists like this sort of kitsch because they are not allowed to take photos of the actual murals. The making of a traditional sand painting takes between three days to ten weeks depending on the number of colours and the complexity. The process involves the sketching of replicas of the murals on a piece of white cloth using a stylus.
Lacquerware
Lacquerware in Burma is originated from China or Thailand. What sets Burmese lacquerware apart from others is the myriad of designs which are relief molded (Thayoe Pan Yun), incised (Ka Nyit Yun), and real gold leaf used (Shwe Zawa Yun). To keep the culture in Burma, you should bring some lacquerware items with the topic meals, ornamentation to home. Because you are very difficult to find superior-quality lacquerware anywhere else in Myanmar. One suggestion for you is to go on a trip to Bagan in order to pick up the best bargains in Myanmar.
Jewelry
Jewelry is one kind of gifts with the features of Myanmar that visitors should buy. In Burma, there are many precious stone mines that are mainly rubies, jade or sapphire stones. Therefore, products from gems produced in this country are highly appreciated on the market. Compared with other countries, not only in the region but also in the world, the price of gemstone in Myanmar is much cheaper, so you can consider buying some beautiful gems when coming to any Myanmar tourist sites such as Inle Lake, Yangon, Bagan or Mandalay. The small lovely items are made from pearls, silver, metal then they are made into products such as bracelets, anklets, necklaces. All are very good looking and eye-catching.
Longyi
The next souvenir to buy is Longyi skirt. Visitors will see Myanmar people with traditional clothing; both men and women in this country wear Longyi. This is a skirt that is simply a piece of cloth wrapped around the body, but for men and women there are different ways to wear. Men wore a large piece of cloth and knotted on the front, while women fold it back and sew it on the side. This dress is of all sizes and is very simple to wear, you just wind it around your body, bundle and tie. You should also buy a pair of flip-flops. People here mainly wear flip-flops and Longyi skirt in their everyday life. The stuff is simple, lightweight, durable and very comfortable, so they are the kind of souvenirs that Myanmar backpackers should buy when traveling to Myanmar.
Cigars
Cigar is also a unique souvenir in Myanmar. The local cigars have a very warm and pleasant scent. From Myanmar travel reviews, you can both enjoy this unique gift and witness the process of making cigars in Burmese villages. With ingredients made of natural materials, you do not have to worry about their safety. You can just try a cigar as the components are made from the natural materials. Thus, it offers the best feeling during the processing. All tourists can try once time to use cigar as its cost is very cheap and it is bought every market in Myanmar. Such a decent unique gift for your friends.
Thanakha powder
A special souvenir that visitors cannot ignore is Thanakha powder. Myanmar people use Thanakha powder as a multi-purpose cream that has the same effects as makeup and skin care during the day and night. It is also used to protect their skin from the sun. Thanaka is applied to the face, neck, the collarbone and even to the ear. Almost Burmese skin that is exposed to the sun will be covered by Thanaka powder. This is a long tradition of local people, and this powder blends naturally with the skin. You can buy Thanakha powder without any hesitation about your Myanmar travel budget at famous resorts in many types, even the most rudimentary ones. Thanaka’s fragrance is light, almost like citronella perfume and leaves a slightly itchy sensation on the skin.
Practical tips when buying souvenirs in Myanmar
Negotiate the price
As in many other countries in Southeast Asia, negotiation is an essential rule which tourists must remember when buying in Myanmar. Although many items are sold in luxury shopping centers at a fixed price, in the majority of roadside markets, sellers will raise the price, especially for foreign tourists. To get a better price, you should check prices at several other stores before your purchase. As a general rule, you should bargain 30% lower than mentioned prices.
Beware of counterfeits
Some companies in Myanmar have not yet reached the level of technology to mimic products of international brands. But they still produce low-quality products for sale to local population because these products cost much less. Maybe the counter in tourism spots sells the goods with cheaper price but it has the poor quality. Hence, you should go to super markets, stores and shopping malls in order to buy the luxury items like Myanmar souvenirs
Be careful when buying precious stones
The production of rubies, sapphires and gemstones are one of the most developed industries in Myanmar. Therefore, it is a chance for someone who loves the gemstone jewelry. After an opening of the market, the economy of Myanmar has changed. As a result, this field is developing more and more but, it happens the problem like bad phenomena of poor quality. Therefore, you will have to be careful when you buy a gemstone as a souvenir gift from Myanmar,. It is advisable to visit shops or companies with a commercial license. Do not forget to keep invoices or purchase orders.
Be careful when buying antiques
Another thing to remember when buying souvenirs in Burma is that antiques are not allowed out of the country. The goods you bring to your country must be checked by customs at the airport. So if tourists want to buy local craft products that resemble antique items, it is necessary to ask the seller to give you a certificate that this item is not genuine. This will facilitate the passage of customs checkpoints.
