ATM fees and limits in Myanmar?

You'll find ATMs in Myanmar, but don't expect them to work like they do in the West. The best banks to use are Kanbawza Bank (KBZ) and Co-operative Bank (CB Bank). I had no problem using my Revolut card at a CB Bank ATM in Mandalay. While I didn't pay any foreign transaction fees to Revolut, the local ATM fee was about 5,000 MMK per withdrawal. The machines generally work fine, but I'd suggest letting your bank know you're traveling to Myanmar beforehand to avoid any card freezes.

I actually had a negative experience trying to get cash from an ATM in a smaller town in Myanmar. I tried multiple banks, including a few that had Visa logos, and my card was declined every single time. It was super frustrating. My advice is to only use ATMs in the major cities, like Yangon or Bagan. The ones at airports and major shopping malls are usually the most dependable. I finally got cash at a uab bank ATM in Yangon, but only after a stressful couple of days with no access to funds.

I've traveled to Myanmar a few times and have found that while ATMs are available, carrying cash is still the best option. I always bring a few hundred US dollars (brand new, crisp bills are a must) as a backup. The ATMs from KBZ Bank and CB Bank are the most reliable. My Mastercard worked at a KBZ Bank ATM at Yangon International Airport, but I was charged both an international withdrawal fee and the local ATM fee, which added up. Don't be surprised if you face a daily withdrawal limit, usually around 500,000 MMK.

Getting cash from an ATM in Myanmar is a lot more reliable now than it used to be. Most major cities like Yangon and Mandalay have ATMs that work with international cards. I successfully used my Chase Visa card at an AYA Bank ATM in Yangon. The fees are a bit high-around 6,500 MMK per transaction-so it's best to withdraw a larger sum, like 300,000 MMK, at once to minimize fees. Just be aware that ATMs can sometimes run out of cash, so don't wait until the last minute.