| I visited Burma in 2006 and really liked the time I spent | | | | want to avoid stress of counting your money to make |
| there, it was quite an experience. Even though I am | | | | sure you have enough, plan well in advance. I came in |
| against the junta controlling the country, I still decided to | | | | the country with $135 US and left with $5. For 5 days |
| visit Burma, as there are many places worth visiting. | | | | it didn't cost a lot, but I still had to watch out my |
| If you are unfamiliar with Burma, which was officially | | | | spending, as I had no way to get more money. So |
| renamed to the Union of Myanmar in 1989, it is the the | | | | don't make the same mistake as I did and plan well. |
| largest country by geographical area in mainland | | | | Another thing that is suggested even by the Lonely |
| Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by the People's | | | | Planet guide is to support the local population as much |
| Republic of China on the northeast, Laos on the east, | | | | as you can instead of the junta. That means not going |
| Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, | | | | to government owned hotels or restaurants. By doing |
| and India on the northwest, with the Bay of Bengal to | | | | this you make sure that it is the population that will get |
| the southwest. | | | | your money and not the junta. In the Lonely Planet |
| Here are a few suggestions if you decide to visit | | | | guide, they will tell you what hotels are owned by the |
| Burma. | | | | junta and which are not. Try to go in local restaurants |
| You should bring more money than you expect to | | | | and see how the Burmese are, you will find that they |
| spend. The reason is simple, as there are no ATMs or | | | | are among the nicest people you will ever meet. Even |
| credit cards in Burma. You will only be able to use your | | | | though they are oppressed by the junta, they still |
| credit card for hotels, but then you can book on the | | | | manage to be welcoming and friendly. From all the |
| Internet. That means you need to calculate a budget | | | | countries I visited, I found that the Burmese were the |
| for your trip. Expenses for transportation, food and | | | | nicest people. |
| souvenirs should all be carefully calculated before | | | | So maybe you never thought of visiting Burma |
| heading to Burma. By having a travel guide, you will | | | | because of the junta and the actual situation over |
| know what the typical prices for different services are. | | | | there, but it is truly a beautiful country to visit. If you are |
| I strongly recommend the Lonely Planet guide, as it is | | | | armed with a travel guide and plan well your |
| the one I used after looking at a few guides. It has all | | | | expenses, you will be fine. And don't forget to support |
| the information you need for you to have a safe trip. | | | | the local population, as they deserve to have a better |
| You should know that you will pay a departure tax for | | | | life. |
| leaving the country; it was $10 US back in 2006. If you | | | | |