Myanmar (formerly Burma) is one of the best kept secrets of Southeast Asia travel. This is a wild, beautiful country with very friendly people. Even though it hasn’t been spoiled by tourism yet, that may change before long because there are so many amazing things to see here. We felt like time travelers stepping into some of the old temples and ruins of Bagan.

Climate

The climate of Myanmar is tropical, so the weather is hot and humid year round, although the months from November to February are a bit cooler. The rainy season runs from June to September/October. It’s still possible to visit Myanmar during the rainy season, but you might want to give yourself some extra days as a buffer in case of bad weather.

Safety

Myanmar is a pretty safe travel destination, with a low violent crime rate from the UN of 2.3 per 100k inhabitants (66% lower than the global average). There are a few areas not advised for travel because of unrest, but these are well away from the popular tourist spots. I’ve traveled in many parts of the country and didn’t witness any crime. Myanmar got 4.5 million tourist arrivals in 2019.

Budget

Myanmar can be a very cheap place to travel, with hostels and private hotels available from $8. Meals are also cheap, costing about $1 to $3 depending on location. Transportation in Myanmar is generally by motorbike or car, and these can be rented to self drive, but hiring a driver is cheap and often preferable. The Grab transportation app is great for getting around cities like Mandalay.