Myanmar, once known as Burma, is an incredible country to visit. Having only opened to tourism in recent years it is unlike any place I’ve ever been. Breathtaking sunsets, countless temples and friendly locals wearing their traditional longyis are just a few of the things you’ll encounter. There is such a unique culture throughout the country and it is still so untouched, one of very few countries still like this today, which makes now the time to go see Myanmar!

Most travelers can apply for an electronic visa before arriving, making passing through immigration quick and easy, unless of course there’s a blackout…like there was when I arrived. Whatever your first impression may be you will soon grow to love this country and it’s people, some of the friendliest I’ve come across. It’s super affordable too!

The national currency is Burmese kyats, pronounced ‘chy-atts’, however many places will also accept US dollars. Note that they will only accept USD that are in pristine condition, no creases or rips and that are 2016 or newer. Kyats will need to be taken out on arrival and ATMs are readily available in all major towns/cities.

The main religion here is Buddhism. This is made abundantly clear with shimmering gold stupas and giant Buddha images at every turn. Monks throughout Myanmar will approach you to practice their English and learn about you.

One thing I noticed was that a lot of foreigners still refer to the country as Burma. However this can be very offensive to some as Burma refers to just one ethnic group, where as Myanmar includes all citizens of the country. Therefor it is the official and the politically correct term. To keep it simple, the country is Myanmar, the people are called Myanmar and the language they speak is Burmese.

While a surprising amount of people knew English, like everywhere, it’s always a good idea to learn some of the local language. Mingalaba is Hello, Chaytzoobeh is Thank-you and Cha-Kwa is Cheers!

There has been a lot of talk lately regarding their current political situation as they transition from military rule to democracy. In September 2017 the military was also found guilty of genocide, making headlines around the world. While there is still unrest around the Bangladesh border there was no sign of any conflict in the main cities/towns while I was there in February 2018.

With this being said I felt very safe the whole time. My guide in Mandalay pointed out that you won’t see security or police men because there is very little to no crime. I feel that it is a very safe and easy country to travel through as a solo traveler. Hostels make it easy to meet people and busses, trains and planes make it easy to travel from place to place.

Whatever the future holds for Myanmar, whether it be the government or a growth in tourism, it is changing. Now is the time to see the real country and experience their traditions and way of life. Don’t wait too long to tick this one off the bucket list.