What to pack for Burma: 10 Myanmar packing essentials
You’ve done it! You’re going to Myanmar and your backpack or suitcase is open. What should you put in it? Check out these Myanmar packing essentials for your trip:
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1. Sunscreen with high SPF
Regardless of when you go, the sun hits Myanmar and it hits it hard. Despite being a Spaniard, I am fairly light-skinned (got it from my dad), so I try to use sunscreen with 50+ SPF.
Since I have a sensitive skin I use Photoprotector ISDIN Hydrolotion because it’s very light but with high protection, and Neutrogena Triple Protect Men’s Daily Face Lotion for my face (which is my daily lotion anyway throughout the year).
2. Light fabric clothing
Temperature are high all year round but you don’t want to deal with putting clothes on and off when you get in and out of temples. The solution: bring light fabric long pants (i.e. linen) and light coloured T-shirts (avoid tank tops).
3. A sweater for colder times
Don’t forget to bring something a bit warmer for colder times such as the nighttime when trekking through the mountains or during long bus trips with air conditioning in freezer mode.
4. Insect repellent
They have some bugs, the most annoying being the mosquito. Depending on the area you are visiting, there may be risk of malaria, so try to avoid mosquitoes using repellent with DEET such as Sawyer or Relec.
5. Comfortable shoes that you don’t want to keep
You will walk. A lot. Especially if you do some trekking, so bring comfortable shoes. And Myanmar is dusty when it’s sunny and muddy when it rains, so make sure you are not emotionally attached to your footwear.
Another option is to buy cheap and functional gear for walking in Decathlon or a similar store.
6. A torch
You probably won’t have problems in Yangon, but in more rural areas the lighting in the streets is rather poor or nonexistent, and the displayed cables everywhere are prone for a blackout. Bring a torch or a headlamp to help you with your urinal walks during the night or finding the keys on a dark alley. You can also use your phone, but it is better to have free hands using something like this frontal torch.
7. Swimming suit
Unless you head to the beaches you probably won’t have swimming planned on your trip. However, as mentioned before, you’ll be warm, you’ll sweat and you’ll be dusty after your days of sightseeing, so if your accommodation has a swimming pool YOU WILL WANT TO USE IT! And worst case scenario you can jump into the Irrawaddy river.
8. Flip flops
After walking all day under the sun you will want some refreshments and flip-flops will do the trick. Some day you’ll even want to wear them all day! And you will see that it’s the main footwear of the locals, so you will feel more integrated.
9. First aid kit and toiletries
There are some things that you should consider to pack up. As I said before, talk to your doctor to see if he recommends you to take anti-malaria pills. They are not 100% efficient but it is better than nothing, and combined with the insect repellent you’ll get your best shot. Bring wet wipes and/or tissues because many toilets do not have toilet paper. Bring antibacterial hand sanitiser too as they usually don’t have running water either. Consider bringing imodium and rehydration packets for stomach upsets. Female travelers: pack up your tampons, they are nowhere to be found in Myanmar.
An option could be to get a travel medical kit like this one and give some final add-ons.
10. A power adaptor
Europe has the type C power outlet, the UK has type G, the US has type B and Myanmar has…well a mixture of different power outlets. The one I found most common was type C (yay Europe!) but consider getting a universal power adaptor like this one that will fit all of them and you can still use it for future trips.
Bonus items!
- A good travel backpack improves any travel experience. My favourite is the Osprey Fairpoint 55, which combines a 42L main pack with a convenient dettachable 13L daypack. It is more elegant than most backpacks and you can hide the strips for check in. You can complement it with eBags packing cubes for organization. If you know how to pack light, you can check the Osprey Fairpoint 40, which is carry on size but doesn’t have a daypack.
- A portable charger will be a great addition, especially if you will be visiting more rural areas where power is unreliable. This one is durable and doesn’t take up much space.
- A waterproof money belt. It is not because it is unsafe, but mostly because if you go in low season chances are that you will get soaked, but at least your money and phone can be saved. Try this one, it has thousands of happy customers and a theft insurance!
- A travel guide of Myanmar. WiFi and cell signal is getting better in Myanmar, but it is still not perfect. Bring your guide with you so you can read on long bus trips. My favourite (as always) is Lonely Planet. Check out their Myanmar guide and buy it with 20% discount using the code FEASTBURMA20!
Closing statement
Now that you’re all packed, continue reading about this magnificent country here:
→ Myanmar: the gem of Southeast Asia
