How to Carry Money in Myanmar?

You would think in your pocket, right?

Or in your designer wallet? Bootleg or otherwise.

Or maybe in a fanny pack? That is if you’re okay supporting stereotypes and all.

These methods are valid if you can ensure your bills remain as crisp and pristine as your grandma’s formal living room (reserved only for special occasions, of course).

During your visit to Myanmar, you will use both the local currency, Myanmar kyat, and US dollars to purchase various things.

I personally used the kyat mostly for food, souvenirs, and taxi fare. I used dollars for my hostel fees, bus tickets to major cities and e-bike rentals. I used both currencies for famous landmark entrance fees and special visa passes required for foreigners in certain archaeological areas. I rarely use my credit card while traveling and this trip was no exception.

Keep in mind, if you pay in US dollars, you will most likely get kyats in return.

The physical qualities of the two currencies are on opposite spectrums – US dollars must have NO folds, blotches, etc. while the kyat usually looked dirty and tattered.

Before I departed for Myanmar, I researched online how to deal with money in Myanmar. I also read multiple articles and comments on forums stressing the importance of keeping U.S. dollars crisp to use in the country. All failed to mention how to successfully do this. Below are three ways you can ensure your money doesn’t get jacked up and leaves you stranded in a foreign country (because begging for money on vacation isn’t cute).

Wallet

How: If you don’t own a long wallet and you’re not interested in buying one, there is a method to use with your current wallet.

Get a small cardboard box and cut off one of the flaps at the crease. Put your dollar bill on the flap and draw an outline around it leaving a little bit of space around the bill. There should be a bit of space around the bill so the money doesn’t get crushed if it slides down a bit in your wallet. Cut along the lines you drew earlier; you should have a small rectangle that can fit into your wallet. Repeat the process again so you end up with two small rectangle pieces. Put your money between the cardboard box pieces, put inside your wallet and zip it up.

Pro: You’re used to carrying your bills and coins in there anyway.

Con: It can feel quite bulky if you have many coins inside your wallet with the pieces of cardboard boxes sandwiched inside.

Book

How: Find a book you were planning to read on vacation and put the money inside.

Pro: You can “kill two birds with one stone” by bringing a book you were planning on reading anyway and using it to keep your bills straight.

• Hardcover book: Your money will not bend while it is inside the book.
• Paperback book: It is lightweight to carry around.

Con: If you were planning on reading your book on your Kindle or iPad, it may seem like a hassle to bring a physical copy. Or maybe your vacation doesn’t consist of leisure reading and the sight of it will cause annoyance. Who knows? (shrugs)

• Hardcover book: Most likely too bulky and heavy. It’s a disadvantage to carry around especially if you only have a carry-on luggage (and you are riding with a budget airline that has the audacity to weigh it, smh).
• Paperback book: You might shove your book in your bag incorrectly and end up with a torn cover and crumpled pages and money.

Check holder

How: Go to your local dollar store, stationery store or even discount department store (like Walmart or Target) to find a plastic check holder used by servers in restaurants. If that fails, go online at Amazon or eBay. I bought two check holders at Daiso (a popular Japanese franchise store similar to an American dollar store) for ₩2,000 each while I was in South Korea.

Before you put your money into the check holder, get a money envelope from a bank or currency exchange counter at the airport. Put your bills towards the bottom of the money envelope. Then clip it to the check holder only at the top of the envelope to ensure that the clip doesn’t make an indent into the bills.

Pro: Cheap, sturdy and lightweight to carry around in your purse or deep pocket.

Con: Must keep your coins separately from your bills.

I ultimately decided to use method 3 and keep my US dollar bills in two check holders. I decided to buy two of them because I don’t like to walk around with ALL my money when I go out to explore the city. I leave the majority of my funds locked in my luggage which is locked in my locker in my hostel room. I can’t ensure that my room remains locked the entire time (you know, hostel and roommate problems) but nobody’s walking off with my money while I’m gone sightseeing, hmmph!

Have you been to Myanmar or are you considering going? What other ways can you think of keeping your money clean and crisp during your stay in the country?