anti-malaria medicine needed in Burma?

Hello Huong 😊

Check the WHO(World Health Organisation) website. It gives health information for all countries in the world, including information about which ones are a Malaria risk.

I'm a kind of person, who mosquito love to bite and I suffer from that seriously. I don't really want to take anti-malaria medicine but is that a nessarity?

Anti Malaria medication wont stop them biting. Try using a DEET containing insect repellant to prevent bites.



Mel Reply to this

Most hotels have aircon or fans - prices below are for a room with private bathroom
- Mandalay I stayed at the Royal City Hotel $17 per night, go and see the Moustache Brothers - bring some reading material as a gift.
Yangon - Ymca was grim - roof leaked in the rain at 3am, Ocean Pearl better, $10-$15 for a room. Haven also recommended.
Inle Lake - stayed at the Inle Inn very nice, $10, friendly staff, check out the winery for great views of the lake 3-4km out of town.
Bagan - New Park Hotel - $8 - nice rooms, bike hire $1 per day
Hsipaw - Mr Charles - $10 - was being extended - noisy if hanging around during the day - otherwise fine, still better than the other 2 options in town by all accounts.
Myitkyina - lots of people stay at the YMCA but after my Yangon experience decided to give it a miss - stayed at New Light Hotel - $17, lots of grubby chinese hotels in this town so check the rooms first - look fine from reception but not so great inside
Bhamo - Grand Hotel, very nice $13 - Friendship hotel looks good too
Katha - Ayerawaddy guesthouse - basic, clean, shared bathroom, $5, with fan, helpful staff
Sinbo - only one place to stay, basic $2.5, shared outdoor washroom and WC

Have a great trip! The Burmese people are amazing! Reply to this

I used mainly private buses and boats - transport very slow whichever way you go so if you can hire a car that would be quicker. I think you have to hire a driver as well though. Didn't meet anyone driving themselves. Reply to this

Food was paid in Kyat, not $US, about 1000 Kyat for $1, you get better exchange rates for higher value notes, You don't need an abundance o $1 bills maybe $20 worth. Most places have change for $US, entrance fees are payable in $US but it was $10 for Bagan ( or maybe it was $20??? ) , Inle $3, $10 for Mandalay city sites combined ticket. Bring some $10/$20 bills but the majority in $50 or $100 notes for better exchange rates.

Hotels are payable in Us$. Bus Transport was payable in local money (Kyat), Airfares in $US, Trains in $US or kyat, Boats sometimes US$ sometimes kyat.

Taxis usually kyat, $US can work in Yangon.

There are No ATMs and banks are useless to foreigners. Credit Cards not accepted for payment in most places so bring enough $US for your entire stay.

Yangon is the best place to change money - in the Bogyoke Aung Sang Market, there is a man about 50-60 years old, tall with glasses that was a reliable money changer, you can find him about 20 metres inside the main entrance. He will also change other currencies although not sure about the rates. Make sure all your $US notes are new, unfolded and undamaged - they are so particular about the $us banknotes it's not funny. There is also a hotel near the market - think it was called the Grand or Central or something that also changes money, slightly lower rates than the market. In Mandalay there were fewer places to change money - there was a taxi firm that I changed money at, can't remember the name, but ask at the Royal City Hotel and they will tell you where to go. Outside of Mandalay and Yangon there are fewer options to change money and the rates are a lot worse. Don't exchange at the airports unless you want to get ripped off. Reply to this

Thanks a lot!!! this is very useful! Reply to this

It is best to visit your GP for a recommendation, but if you want to research yourself online then visit the NHS Fit for Travel website as it has detailed and up to date latest information on malaria areas worldwide and what type of medicine is effective (none is 100%!e(MISSING)ffective though so take other precautions not to get bitten):
http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations.aspx

If you want to order anti malaria tablets online you need to be careful as there are many online pharmacy services operating outside the law. I am in the UK and travel frequently for work and the only website i can find that is fully registered with all the relevant UK authorities is Dr Fox: http://www.doctorfox.co.uk/anti-malaria-tablets/

Malaria is potentially fatal so if the NHS recommend taking anti malaria tablets then I would do so. Reply to this

I forgot lots of garlic and hot peppers help as well, they really like sweet. Also remember mossys go to where the blood vessels are close to the surface neck, wrist & ankles. they follow the Co2 upstream to find you.

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Hi Irish Flag,About the money changers,does it matter to the authorities if you change $ on the street.Does it have to be an offcial changer so as not to ruffle anyones feathers?What would you suggest ,this is coming from a parinoid old traveler. Reply to this

Hi Stanley,


I changed money 3- 4 times in Aung San Market - no problems , the military tend to leave tourists alone. Changed money another time at a taxi company in Mandalay. The market in Yangon is the most reliable place and the best rates - I tend to avoid guys operating on the streets, unless you are very familiar with the notes and know how to spot a fake. There are money changers in some hotels but the rates are lower, I didn't notice any "official" money changing places, don't think the Burmese Banks change money, but to be honest I never went in so could be wrong. Plus you want to avoid lining the regimes pockets if at all possible.

The more North you go the harder it is to find money changers so get plenty in Yangon.

Only spoke with the military once - got told by a bunch of rather drunk military in a bar in Bhamo that I should be drinking their beer - Myanmar Beer instead of the imported Chinese stuff, politely said no, it was too expensive and that was the end of that conversation :-) They realise the value of tourism so will leave you be. Reply to this

How many of you out there have been to Burma (Myanmar)? There doesnt seem to be a lot of good stuff written about the country unless I'm looking in the wrong place! I was keen to go but I discovered today I will need to backtrack on myself to do so and I am now wondering whether it is worth all the hassle given there are so many amazing places in Asia to see.

Would value your opinions.

cheers Reply to this