Before you dare to a trip to Burma as part of a trip in Southeast Asia, I really had a financial issue very seriously, but alas, information on this topic was extremely few, and in the end I decided to go a proven way. Dollar, he and Africa dollar, thought to me. And I was right to this topic. But the remaining moments relating to the monetary question in the Burma me, to confess much surprised. And therefore I consider it my duty to share them with you.
I think I think with the fact that with the cards in the Burma there is no sense at all, but only an exception (about him below). Despite the fact that not so long ago, the visa and mastercard concluded an agreement with the government of the country about work, ATMs have not yet appeared. She can only help you if you, God forbid, rob. In this case, it will be possible to go to any of the fashionable hotels in the city, such as: Grand Plaza, Traders or Sedon, where you can ask for Cash Advanse. In this case, you can transfer money (this makes several Western banks), but you will lose a minimum of 10-20% of the hotel services and another 20-30% percent for the transfer of the bank from the first hundred dollars (the more the amount, the less commission). Which banks transfers to Myanmar, better look at Google, they can change.
As for the national currency, it is referred to in Burma or Chiang or Chiat. I honestly, I did not understand how accurately and therefore, in the narration it will appear as Chiant. I like it more. Immediately I say that by arriving in Yangon, it is not worth running to the exchange office. Taxi drivers, as well as traders, very willingly take dollars. So go to small dollar bills.
And now about the most interesting. On the exchange of currencies. Do not change dollars in banks. Yes Yes! You did not hear! It is not changing. The thing is that banks change dollars to Chiaty at the official rate, which differs from the real not just at times, but for orders! At the time of my stay, the official rate was 8 Chiang for the dollar, while 800-900 Chiat were given in the black market. Feel the difference ... Of course, in the black market there is a possibility that you are deceived, but you agree, the difference is just wild. What would at least somehow secure from deception when exchanging I changed, I advise you not to change money on the street. Best consult merchants. They have no way to run, so the likelihood that you "kick" small. The most favorable exchange rate in Yangon (Capital) offers merchants in the central market, which is not far from Sula. If I don't want to contact street change at all, change money in hotels. As a rule, there are exchanger to the reception. True, here the course will be lower than you can offer street figures.
I advise you not to change a lot of money right away. It is better to change 100-200 dollars at a time, no more. First, the course jumps, secondly, it is extremely problematic and not profitable to change it extremely problematic. I will note, by the way, that the more the amount being exchanging, as well as the bill looks, the better the course. Yes Yes! And on the state of dollar paper it also depends. Very love new, smelling green paper smelling.
Take a Euro or currency with neighboring countries, I also do not recommend. In 90% of cases, the course for these currencies is taken simply from the bald.
As for the prices, Miaanma in my opinion, the most expensive country in Southeast Asia. The cost of living is at least twice as high as in the neighboring Thailand or Vietnam, not to mention Cambodia. If in the latter you can find housing for $ 5 per day, then in Burma it will be at least 10. Tickets for buses between cities are an average of 20-25 dollars, to eat at the restaurant will cost $ 4-7 per person.