A family holiday to Myanmar may just turn out to be an adventure of a lifetime. For most families, Myanmar is not the first country that comes to mind when thinking of a holiday with the kids. There may be some worries and doubts but all we can say is; if you dare and if you are well-prepared, you are bound to have a fantastic time in this magical country! You are up for an incredible family adventure that the kids will love just as much as you! Myanmar is beautiful, exotic and exceptionally diverse with a rich culture and breathtaking nature. There are over 100 ethnic cultures, with many old traditions still very much alive and practiced today. There are plenty of family activities to try and the local Burmese are super welcoming and always happy to help visitors (plus they adore kids!). Myanmar is authentic, unique, unspoiled and untouched – just the way we love it! The land of golden pagodas awaits… get ready to be blown away.
Arriving in Myanmar
Myanmar has 3 international airports: Yangon Airport is located in the south, with Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw both located in the middle. All of the big cities have reliable metered taxis and you can also make use of the Southeast Asian version of Uber – Grab. Upon arrival at the airport, the most convenient thing is to have pre-arranged a driver to pick you up. Usually, the hotel or villa can arrange this for you and especially with kids, you’ll have a peace of mind not having to worry about dealing with hordes of taxi drivers and how to get from the airport to your next stop.
Getting around
Taxis, Grab, domestic flights, trains, buses, rickshaws and horse carts, there are plenty of options! Definitely take the kids for a rickshaw drive once in a while just for the fun of it. When taking a taxi, make sure the meter is on – this can be handy for short trips from the city centre to your private accommodation or to the beach and back. For greater distances, we recommend to get a personal driver or go on a scenic train ride. However, when travelling with kids you may have limited time; consider a domestic flight to make the most out of your travels without overtiring your little ones. There are 70 airports in the country so it will be easy enough to find a flight that suits your schedule. It can be very convenient to fly from one city to another as it takes just 1 hour instead of a long, tiring train or bus ride.
We also prefer traveling consciously by using recycled water bottles, avoiding plastic of any kind and pack as light as you can.
Seasons: when to go?
The best time to go really depends on your travel plans and preferences. There are three seasons to consider
- October to March: Dry, winter season
- March to May: Hot, summer season
- May to October: Wet, rainy season
November to February is the best time to go and also the most popular time to explore Myanmar. Want to avoid the crowds but not get stuck in the monsoon? Plan your travels from March to May but do take note that these are the hottest months of the year. Wear a sunhat, sunglasses and avoid the sun between noon and 2.30 pm.
Important: Beach areas are closed from June to September when the monsoon rains hits. However, the mainland is all the more lush green and beautiful.
Packing essentials
- Battery-powered torch (there can be frequent power cuts)
- First aid kit with Mosquito repellent and O.R.S
- Pack clothes for warmer and colder weather (depending on your travel plans)
- Wet wipes/toilet paper (Myanmar is still improving its general public sanitation)
- Diapers (if applicable) – you may not find them outside of major cities.
Things to do in Myanmar with kids
A country rich in different cultures, kids can benefit from learning more about Myanmar’s cultural history and discover ancient forgotten crafts. For fun tours and hands-on activities, there are plenty of amazing places to visit and more than a handful of family things to do:
1. Explore the pagodas of Bagan by bicycle
One of the most famous tourist hot spots in Myanmar is Bagan. This ancient city was once the capital of a majestic and powerful ancient kingdom and occupies a 26 sq-mile area. Bagan Archeological Zone is a Unesco World Heritage site with thousands of temples and pagodas dating back to the 9th and 13th century (over 2000 of them). You can easily spend several days here, exploring the ancient kingdom and admiring the incredibly exotic golden temples. Mist-covered mountains all around, glittering golden pagodas, sunrises to leave you awe-struck; it’s mystical and the magic in the air is almost tangible. You can walk around (but it won’t get you very far), rent bicycles, hop in a rickshaw or even go for a (sunrise) hot air balloon ride for the most incredible 360-degree views of this expansive temple area in Myanmar. It’s a sight to behold and kids love the whole experience.- note that kids have to be at least 8 years old to go on the hot air balloon ride.
In between the temple hopping, do make a stop at Thanaka Museum. Here, the family can learn more about the local culture and traditions. Little tidbits and facts are shared like why the local women and children wear white paste on their faces!
When visiting the temples, one must remove any footwear and dress appropriately, covering shoulders, chests and knees. Other than that, allow yourself to be enchanted!
2. Green Hill Valley elephant camp
Green Hill Valley is a Family-run elephant sanctuary, focussing primarily on the care of elderly and disabled elephants. It is easy to see that the people working at this elephant camp feel a deep love for these creatures. In fact, they were the 2018-winner of Best Tourism Awareness Raising Project! We count this as one of the best places for families with kids to have an up and close encounter with these ‘giants of the land’. Most importantly, there is no exploitation of elephants, no riding or other cruelties often seen in other so-called ‘elephant sanctuaries’. A visit to Green Hill Valley in Myanmar allows you to join the care program. You can feed, bathe and cuddle them and it is an amazing experience for the kids!
3. Beach time: relax at Ngapali Beach
Ngapali, pronounced as ‘Na-pa-li’, is the most famous beach resort area in Myanmar and it is a great place to relax for a few days, unwind, swim and enjoy some precious family time. Located on the west coast, the beach is stunning, one of the best in all of Southeast Asia! The area is still peaceful and quiet and the ambience is laid-back and easy-going. Think palm-fringed beaches with white sands and clear waters. It’s perfect! The area of Ngapali Beach stretches out 7 km and there are 3 bays to explore. Whatever you do, make sure to stick around for sunset!
4. Boat trip to the islands of Ngapali
Enough of doing nothing? Book a boat trip and explore the nearby islands where you can go snorkelling. Take a boat trip with the kids and visit Pearl Island and Thandwe. The beaches on these islands are as pristine as they come and a lot of fun when encouraging the little ones to spot corals and fish in the sea. The route you will take is great with several snorkelling spots. Alternatively it can also be a fishing trip if you prefer.
5. Inle Lake
Inle Lake is a stunning freshwater lake with floating gardens and traditional wooden houses on stilts. A wonderful place to spend a couple of days, taking boat rides, watching the fishermen on the lake, breathing in the fresh air and getting stunned by the awe-inspiring surroundings. You can meet local artists and even sign up for workshops, making it a great unique experience for both yourselves and the kids. You can learn how to make paper, how to carve wooden boats or make threads for weaving from the lotus plant. It’s a wonderful place to go hiking and kayaking, as well.
6. Trekking in Kalaw
Kalaw, a former British hill station, is the main gateway to the best trekking trails in Myanmar. Sitting high above sea level, the temperature is nice and cool here so prepare well and bring warm jackets and hiking shoes. Nature is completely unspoiled, raw and wild. You will visit traditional villages and meet the friendly locals. You can go for a 4-hour trek or a 3-day trek – this is up to you and how much exercise the kids can take! It is quite lovely to stay overnight with a local family in a hut, eating a traditional meal and waking up with the sunrise. Do note though there won’t be any electricity; bring battery-powered flashlights. Safe to say, you will be going ‘back to basics’.
7. Scenic train ride
If you have the time, don’t miss out on a scenic train ride through Myanmar’s breathtaking landscape. You can travel from Kawal to Inle Lake. The ride is not too long (3.5) and it is absolutely stunning! Most kids love to ride trains, don’t they? This ride, they will remember forever!
8. Eat and shop at local markets
Be ready for a taste sensory overload! Head straight to the market, busting with colours, scents and liveliness. A local market is the best way to experience local culture and to get your hands on the most delicious and authentic local food. Markets are also the best place to shop for souvenirs and unique gifts. Can’t get enough of the local cuisine? See if you can sign up for a family cooking class to take local kitchen secrets back home with you.
9. Explore Yangon and see the famous Shwedagon Pagoda
Yangon is a sprawling city. No longer the capital of Myanmar but still the largest city in the country, it is home to colonial heritage, temples, markets and tea houses. Before your kids get temple-tired, be sure to take them to Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. This is Myanmar’s most sacred temple with a 100-meter tall pagoda decorated with gold, jewels, diamonds and rubies. Quite impressive! Still up for one more cultural landmark? Head over to Chaukhtatgyi Paya, a 2.15 feet-long reclining Buddha statue with glass eyes and a crown encrusted with diamonds. Brilliant!
10. See the longest wooden bridge in the world in Mandalay
If your travels take you to the city of Mandalay, go see the U-Bein Bridge – it is the longest teak bridge in the world with a length of 1.2 km. It is one of Myanmar’s most photographed sites and around sunset, it is indeed a great spot for a unique Myanmar family photo!
11. See a traditional Puppet show
Attend a traditional puppet show in Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan. It is a traditional string puppet show where locals work their magic with colourful dolls and spin tales of ancient stories and sagas. HTWE Oo Myanmar is a very famous puppetry in Yangon, staging the performance in front of their living room. If you can, go see it (book in advance) – the kids will love it!
Where to stay?
Myanmar has plenty of family-friendly accommodation ranging from resorts, hotels, private villas, guest houses and inns. There is something for everyone and every budget. However, for the best value for money, families should consider booking a private villa for the stay. Guests will have a living room just like they do at home, a kitchen to cook up something familiar for the kids when needed, a private garden with a swimming pool and private bedrooms for the parents and kids. A villa stay gives you a stunning ‘home’ from where you can go out and explore- unbeatable comfort!
Have you been to Myanmar and did you bring the kids along? Please share your experiences!
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