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I've heard conflicting accounts about ATMs versus bringing cash to Myanmar. Are there ATMs that except US credit cards outside of Yangon and Mandalay?

If not, I'm sure I will need to bring US currency. I have heard that they do not accept hundred dollar bills with the blue line through it. Is this still the case? This was Intel that was two years old.

Thanks for your help!

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1

tin...ATMs are widely available...Yangon Mandalay (and both their airports), Bagan Nyaugnshwe, Lashio, Hsipaw, Mawlamyine, etc etc. basically everywhere a typical tourist will go, unless you go quite off the beaten path small towns. You just need to check with YOUR bank that their cards will work there (ie. some banks block / blocked their cards from use in Myanmar).
Kyat can be used to pay for everything now, so you only need to take a currency to buy your Kyat with...($US Euro and Singapore $ accepted nearly all official money changers)...$US can be used to pay for accommodation, but not the other currencies.
IF your currency is $US then take some, but any notes must be in pristine condition (no marks, tears, creases, fading, etc). Not sure about the 'blue line' but think it is just nothing pre-2006.
ATMs - have a 5,000 Kyat local bank fee and withdraw up too 300,000 Kyat per go, more than once a day if required. (some reports one banks ATMS are 6000 fee and only 200,000 Kyat)

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In response to #1

You are AMAZING!! Thanks so much! I kept getting different info and it was mostly from 2 years ago. I'm so grateful you responded!

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3

happy to help...
I see you are from the states, so yeah take some $US, and a card...combo of both is good...that is what I do, but now there are a few places that change $oz so I take that and my cards (with a couple hundred $US as emergency back-up).
Definitely check with your bank, as the US was the main country than black-banned Myanmar for ages....most posts I have seen from people who's cards wouldn't work were Dutch, and they were mostly a year ago.

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4

Yes I would take both. Visa cards seem to be still more common in Asia than Mastercard, don't bother with Amex. As fees are relatively high I have always used US$s cash, can change at airports at good rates. Yes $s need to be in new condition, no writing, tears, creases etc.

Can you change £ yet?

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both Visa and MasterCard work in the ATMs

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