Calling to Myanmar
Making Calls while in Mexico
Making Calls while in Mexico
Click here to go back to Myanmar calling cards
Information About Myanmar Telephone System
Myanmar has a basic telecommunications system Urban areas are well-served, but rural areas are not. According to data from 1995, Myanmar had 158,000 land lines and 2,000 cellular lines in use. Though this has surely increased, access to telephone service is still very low compared to other countries in the region.
Important Phone Numbers To Know if Traveling to Myanmar
The U.S. Embassy is located at 581 Merchant Street, Rangoon. The Consular Section telephone number is (95-1) 250-240, fax (95-1) 250-642, email consularrangoo@state.gov, website http://rangoon.usembassy.gov. The after-hours emergency number is +95 (1) 370-965. The Consular Section is open from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon and from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Other Important Information to Know About Myanmar
Time Zone:
GMT + 6.50. Current time in Yangon.
Currency:
The currency in Myanmar is the kyat. One U.S. dollar is worth 6.42 kyat. One British pound is worth 12.77 kyat. Current exchange rate for the kyat.
Population:
50,519,000. The government recognizes 135 distinct ethnic groups.
Holidays:
Public holidays in Myanmar include Independence Day (January 4th), Union Day (February 12th), Peasants Day (March 2nd), Full Moon of Tabaung (March 2nd), Armed Forces Day (March 27th), Water Festival (April 13th- 16th), Burmese New Year (April 17th), Labor Day (May 1st), Full Moon of Kason (April 30th), Beginning of Buddhist Lent (late July), Martyr’s Day (July 19th), End of Buddhist Lent (celebrated with Festival of Lights, late October), Tazaungdaing Festival (November 24th), and National Day (December 4th). Buddhist holidays depend upon the Buddhist lunar calendar. Hindu and Islamic holidays are also celebrated by some citizens of Myanmar.
Language:
Burmese is the official language of Myanmar. Yangon has a decent population of American and European expatriates, but English speakers will be hard to find outside of that city.
Climate:
There are three distinct seasons: the cool, dry winter from November to February; the unpleasantly hot summer from March to May; and the wet, humid monsoon from May to October. Usually, most of the year will have daytime temperatures around 86°F and high 70s temperatures at night. During the cool season, you can expect temperatures closer to 77°F and 59°F. Coastal areas are cooler but more humid.
Fun Facts About Myanmar
- Mohinga is considered Myanmar’s national dish and consists of curried catfish broth with chickpea flour, rice vermicelli, and fish sauce.
- The best way to travel within Myanmar is on private buses.
- Yangon has a population of about 4 million, but its abundance of trees make it appear more like a real jungle than an urban jungle!
- In traditional Burmese villages, the monastery is the center of cultural life. All Buddhist boys must spend time as monks.
- The bustling markets in the city of Mandalay feature goods from all over northern Myanmar.
- Burmese people eat with their right hand, but chopsticks and Chinese style spoons are used for noodle dishes.
- Dense forests cover over 49% of Myanmar. These forests are home to tigers, leopards, rhinoceros, and elephants.
- Tourist visas to Myanmar are typically good for 28 days with the possibility of a 14-day extension.
- Try traveling by horsecart in Myanmar's cities. It's fun and usually cheap. Just be sure to negotiate fares in advance.
- Avoid using government services if you can. The best way to have your dollars benefit the Burmese people is to stay at locally-owned inns and buy handicrafts directly from artisans.
- Kyaiktiyo, or Golden Rock, is a huge balancing boulder that sits on the edge of a cliff on the top of Mount Kyaikto. It is one of the most sacred sites in the country.
- Mingun is one of four ancient cities around Mandalay. It features the biggest hung and uncracked bell in the world.