Is Myanmar Safe for Tourists in 2024?

Unlike popular neighbours Thailand and Laos, Myanmar gets very few tourists. A lot of this stems down to civil war and a military coup, but is Myanmar safe for tourists in 2024?

Yes it is. But only in certain areas. There are four popular spots within the country (Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake) which make a kite shape if you draw lines between them on the map. I will refer to these four places collectively as the “tourist kite” from now on. If you stay within the kite, you will not be affected by issues elsewhere in the country.

The main dangers of Myanmar I found were down to the environment rather than the political situation. Large holes in the ground, stray dogs running riot, poor hygiene and rats running amok…

I will explain below why Myanmar is safe for tourists to visit, assuming you take appropriate precautions.

Should Tourists be Worried About Civil War?

No. Whilst there is a civil war taking place, it should not have any impact on visitors who stay within the tourist kite.

Myanmar has been at civil war since conflict escalated, three months after a military coup d’etat ousted state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. She is a western ally who was seen as the future of democracy within Myanmar before the coup.

The roots of the war run far deeper than Suu Kyi, with the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) fighting insurgencies against multiple groups ever since the end of British rule in Burma (Myanmar’s former name) in 1948. The clashes are mostly ethnic-related with varying groups fighting either for independence or other forms of self-rule.

This New York Times map shows in red which regions are controlled by ethnic militias. The tourist kite is not amongst these.

There are restricted areas where tourists cannot go without a permit due to the conflict. These are located in Kachin State, Kayah State, Kayin State, Sagaing Region, Tanintharyi Region, Bago Region, Mon State and Shan State.

Only two of these are even close to any of the tourist spots in Myanmar. Sagaing Region borders the Mandalay Region, although the Irrawaddy River acts as a border, with a bridge connecting the two places. You won’t end up there by accident.

And the Bago Region lies between Yangon and all other places you may visit, although it is only the Shwegyin Township which is off-limits here, and that is not on either of the main roads north.

Are the Military Government a Threat to Tourists?

If you behave yourself, the government will not cause any issues for you in Myanmar. If you are a western tourist just like I was, then you will stand out a lot in the country as there are so few tourists here (I saw 7 during 11 days in the country). Yet the government will not bother you if you don’t bother them.

It is however important to be careful with photography. Do not take pictures of any government buildings or anyone from the police or military. Also avoid hospitals and any buildings with political links.

It is easy to identify government buildings in the main cities as there are red and white barricades outside them.

Stick to photographing Buddhist stupas and nature to be on the safe side.

The military will come on buses between cities in order to check your passport. This is standard routine and you will not have anything to worry about if you have valid documents in place.

What do Travel Advisories Say About Visiting Myanmar?

If there is one travel tip I would like to share with you from my experiences traversing the globe, it is to take government travel advisories with a pinch of salt.

They always exaggerate when it comes to safety information. And this makes sense. It would be a PR disaster if the government informs people that a country with an unstable security situation is “safe” only for something bad to happen, to even just one of its citizens.

I would advise taking safety advice from locals and recent travellers to a country for a clearer picture of what is going on. One of my favourite resources for this is the Every Passport Stamp Facebook group where serious travellers share up-to-date information on less stable countries.

Anyway, let’s have a look at what government travel advisories have to say about visiting Myanmar right now.

The USA

The USA lists Myanmar as a “level 4: do not travel” country, putting it in the same bracket as Yemen, Mali, Afghanistan and Ukraine. Scary, huh?

They talk about civil unrest, improvised explosive devices (IEDs, or landmines to use a simpler term) and the armed conflict taking place within Myanmar.

Then they say “the military regime arbitrarily enforces local laws” specifically citing a risk of unlawful detention of US citizens.

Whilst these issues may seem intimidating to a traveller, it is important to note that you will most likely not come into contact with unexploded ordnance or armed conflict when staying inside the tourist kite. Local laws are the only challenge listed here that you will need to navigate.

Australia

The Australian government also advise against all travel to Myanmar. They state many of the same issues that the US advisory covers, whilst also talking about the health and safety threats. Hospitals in Myanmar are of very poor quality and there are risks of mosquito-borne diseases and rabies.

Australia does mention the fact that much of the armed conflict occurs near the border regions (which are all away from the tourist kite).

The UK

The UK provides the most accurate safety map of Myanmar, compared to other countries. They split the country into red (do not travel), orange (do not travel unless you have to) and green (generally safe) areas.

Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake are all within the orange zones, whereas Yangon is listed green on the UK map.

They expand further on the specific list of places to avoid at all costs. We talked about the following spots to stay away from earlier: Kachin State, Kayah State, Kayin State, Sagaing Region, Tanintharyi Region, Bago Region, Mon State and Shan State.

The UK travel advice also adds Chin State, most of Rakhine State (north and centre), the Magway Region and townships north of Mandalay City to the list.

Canada

The Canadians join the USA and Australia in suggesting citizens avoid Myanmar at all costs.

They mention in a little more detail how lethal force against protesters has been used by the military.

Of course, this is something that can be avoided by staying away from demonstrations (common sense in any country that isn’t a free democracy, not just Myanmar).

Is There Much Crime in Myanmar?

For all its problems, Myanmar is a country where tourists are very unlikely to end up as victims of petty crime.

Myanmar is a Buddhist country, and locals adhere to Buddhist teachings of peace and respect, which mean tourists are most likely not going to become victims of theft or violence. It is not in the culture of the Burmese people to act in such a way.

Myanmar comes bottom of lists ranking the safest countries in Southeast Asia. However that is due to the wider conflict and problems tourists won’t encounter, such as corruption within the government.

It deserves its spot at the bottom of the list when you look at the wider picture and judge the country on the whole. However I cannot emphasise enough that staying within the tourist kite keeps the risk of crime very low.

I’ve travelled to almost every country in East Asia, and Myanmar is one of the safest when judging it purely on crime. There are other factors which make the country a little dodgy, but not crime (we’ll address those reasons later).

Safety in the Main Tourist Spots in Myanmar

The tourist kite is by far the safest region of the country to visit. Let’s break down each of the four locations and have a look at the safety levels in each.

Is Yangon Safe to Visit?

Yangon is probably going to be your first stop in Myanmar. I arrived on a flight from Kuala Lumpur and spent the majority of my time in the country here in the former capital city.

In terms of crime and the conflict, you have little to worry about in Yangon. I’d say it felt safer here than in other major Southeast Asian cities such as Bangkok, Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City. Even if it doesn’t quite rank as one of Southeast Asia’s safest cities.

The main dangers come from the environment and shoddy engineering.

Stray dogs are a big issue here. They carry rabies which is almost 100% fatal if symptoms develop. Strays in Yangon are more active at night. Try to keep your distance from them, do not run, and pretend to pick up something to throw at them. Otherwise they will chase, and they are faster than you.

Pretending to pick up a rock is a highly effective method of deterring stray dogs in any country. Even if you don’t actually pick anything up, just pretending to will often scare dogs into backing off.

Elsewhere in Yangon, there are frequent electricity blackouts. This can make it dangerous at night when the streets are pitch black. Combine the darkness with the strays and Yangon can be pretty sketchy without lights.

Oh, and this is a city with a big rat problem. I love Yangon, but it isn’t particularly clean. The city is paradise for rats, of which I saw several during my week here.

In fact I saw one rat in my hostel, asked to move to a different room, and found rat droppings on every single one of the bunk beds.

On top of this, there were many on the streets at night, in areas which had vibrant food markets during the day.

Is Bagan Safe to Visit?

Again, Bagan is very safe when it comes to crime and conflict, yet not so safe when it comes to the surrounding environment.

Bagan suffers from the same stray dog and electrical blackout problems as Yangon, but there is another safety issue here as well. Snakes.

Bagan is a vast plain which is home to over 2,000 Buddhist temples, many of which are very remote and haven’t been entered for years.

As a result, nature has taken over. Grass surrounding many temples is now overgrown, providing the perfect habitat for snakes. The temples themselves have also become homes to many serpents enjoying the dark shelter and the solitude away from humans.

Unfortunately, some very deadly snakes live in Bagan. The deadly banded krait, which took the life of scientist and snake expert Joseph Slowinski elsewhere in Myanmar is one of them. The king cobra and spitting cobra are also found here. Likewise the Russell’s viper, another of the country’s deadliest snakes.

Make lots of noise as you walk to alert snakes of your presence. Most species are defensive and only attack humans as a last resort if they feel threatened.

Also avoid walking through long grass, and be very careful entering temples which look as if they haven’t seen a human for a long time.

Is Mandalay Safe to Visit?

Mandalay is similar to Yangon in many ways. Crime is low, as is the possibility of danger arising from the conflict. However stray dogs (to a lesser extent than Yangon) and electrical blackouts are dangers here.

Mandalay does border the Sagaing Region which is one area in which the conflict is active. However it is not currently showing signs of spilling over into Mandalay.

There’s a big military presence around Mandalay Palace, but you won’t have to worry about this if you’re on your best behaviour.

Is Inle Lake Safe to Visit?

If the dangers of Yangon are similar to Mandalay, then Inle Lake is more like Bagan.

Snakes are again a danger to be aware of here. To avoid them, you just need to stay on the main paths and not venture off the beaten track, particularly in surrounding forest areas.

Be careful visiting Inle Lake during Myanmar’s monsoon season (June-September). The rains can be heavy and make the waters very choppy. Boats here are not the best quality, therefore it’s advisable to be careful.

I’d advise only visiting during the dry season.

Local Laws in Myanmar

Travelling in the country once known as Burma comes with a few more challenges than travelling in Western Europe or the USA. One such challenge is the local laws which have been laid down and implemented by the military junta currently running the country. Let’s have a look at the laws to be aware of here:

1. Legally, it is possible to receive the death penalty for drug trafficking. In practice, this doesn’t really happen anymore. But it’s still pretty stupid to get involved in drugs regardless of whether you’re in Myanmar or elsewhere. Just don’t do it.
2. Don’t take photos of anyone in government or military uniform. If caught then the best case scenario is being asked to delete the pictures and being let go with nothing more than a stern word. At worst you can get in a lot of trouble, but with the unpredictability of the military junta, it’s hard to say precisely what lengths they’d go to. Just don’t take the risk. The risk is higher for journalists than for tourists.
3. For the same reasons, don’t take pictures of any government or military buildings. This can be extended to any building which may have links to politics or the government. Your safest bet is to stick to photographing Buddhist temples and nature. Red and white barricades are a clear indication that you should not be taking pictures of a place.
4. Homosexuality is illegal in Myanmar and punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Act appropriately in the country and don’t put yourself at risk. I suspect Burmese jails aren’t very nice.
5. Do not disrespect or display images of Buddha. I first heard you could be arrested and deported for having a tattoo of Buddha when I went to Sri Lanka in 2019. It turns out Myanmar implements the same rules. Multiple tourists have been punished for having Buddha tattoos, and one man even spent over a year in notorious Insein Prison for using an image of Buddha wearing headphones to promote his bar.
6. Curfews may exist at night. The junta regularly imposes curfews across parts of the country. The curfews come and go at short notice so you will need to take local advice or advice from recent travellers to Myanmar in order to know what is in place ahead of your visit. Breaking curfews can lead to arrest, so be sure to know when to stay indoors.
7. Avoid demonstrations. Lots of protests have popped up against the junta in the last three years. Many have ended with violent force against protestors and even fatalities. Even if you avoid the worst case scenario, you will most likely be arrested. If you don’t look Burmese, you will stand out like a sore thumb and make yourself an easy target. Stay away.
8. Be aware of strict defamation laws in Myanmar. I was surprised to find out about heavy-handed rules against defamation when I came to teach English in South Korea. But it turns out much of East Asia has similar laws, including Myanmar. You can find yourself in a lot of trouble if you criticise people in Myanmar, including on social media. Be especially careful saying anything negative about the military junta. Although I suspect they’d turn a blind eye if you had something derogatory to say about Aung San Suu Kyi…
9. You must stay at registered accommodation. The junta has cracked down on where foreigners can stay, and outlawed Airbnb. You will need to book accommodation before you are able to apply for an e-visa to visit the country in the first place. I wrote a more detailed logistics report on what you need to know before visiting Myanmar including visa information and entry requirements. Using a popular accommodation website such as Booking will usually ensure your accommodation is registered and meets local laws.
10. Research whether or not you need a permit when you head off the beaten track. Stick to the tourist kite and you won’t have any issues in terms of both safety and risking arrest for being in the wrong place. Outside of that region however and you could get in trouble for travelling without permits. Unfortunately the junta aren’t keen on issuing permits right now, meaning a lot of the country remains off-limits. The no-go zones are often changing, so talk to locals and recent Myanmar travellers for the most up-to-date information.

What are the Main Dangers for Tourists in Myanmar and How Can I Avoid Them?

If you stick to the tourist kite and obey the local laws, then you have nothing to be afraid of in terms of the military or civil conflict in Myanmar.

The Animals

As mentioned before, this is a country full of dangerous snakes and rabid dogs who aren’t particularly happy to see you. If something goes wrong, the Burmese health system is inadequate and this is not the easiest country to receive a medical evacuation if needed.

To avoid issues: Avoid walking in long grass. Also don’t put your hands under rocks and in other possible cubby holes where snakes may live.

Additionally, if you see aggressive dogs approaching, act as if you’re going to pick up a rock or other object to throw at them. This will scare them into backing off. I have a 100% success rate with this method in many countries ranging from India to Costa Rica, and beyond.

Electricity Blackouts

Whilst not a dangerous thing in its own right, it can lead to harm in the dark when you aren’t able to see.

You can easily trip in the dark, which can be hazardous since Myanmar has a lot of dodgy paths full of holes where you could easily break your ankle with a mistimed step.

To avoid issues: Try and avoid going outside after dark. If there is an electrical blackout and you have no phone to illuminate the darkness then you won’t have any problems if you stay indoors.

Electrocution

In fact, the blackouts can potentially save lives in a bizarre twist of fate. Myanmar falls very short when it comes to safe infrastructure. It has a lethal combination of shoddy electrical engineering and flooding.

Now you don’t need Einstein to tell you that mixing electricity and water is not a good idea.

Wiring is often exposed, and power cables are often bunched together recklessly, often with several hanging down to a level where people can come into contact with them.

A series of electrocution incidents made headlines in 2016, with politicians calling for reforms to prevent issues. Now I somehow doubt the military junta in charge today has electrical safety at the top of their agenda. Even less so after a series of setbacks in the first few months of 2024 against the groups they’re fighting.

To avoid issues: Don’t touch exposed wires, keep water away from any electrical hazards, and avoid puddles in areas with poor electrical wiring. You can often spot these areas when you see wires which are clustered together in big messy bundles.

The Heat

Myanmar is a hot country with temperatures rarely dropping below 25°C (76°F) on average. Humidity is also pretty high from June-September.

Travel health is important, but even more so in a country with such poor medical facilities.

Whilst in the cities you will have few issues, more remote and open places such as Bagan can be very intense in the heat. The Royal Bagan Clinic (private) and Nyaung Oo General Hospital (public) are the two options available according to the UK government’s list of medical facilities in Myanmar if you do need medical assistance.

Make sure you have good travel insurance just in case you do run into problems.

To avoid issues: Stay hydrated (more on that below). Make sure you carry enough water when you’re outside of the (relative) comfort of Yangon and Mandalay. Sun cream and a good hat are also wise things to wear.

Water is not Safe to Drink

Do not drink the water in Myanmar. It will cause a whole lot of unwanted issues. Best case scenario, you will be spending a while longer on the toilet. Worst and you could pick up some very nasty disease and possible serious health issues.

To avoid issues: You can drink bottled water, purify water with tablets, or boil water to kill any nasty bacteria. But my favourite solution is to drink from a filtered water bottle.

Ever since I started travelling long term back in January 2019, I’ve used a trusty Water-to-Go filtered bottle. This filters out bacteria and makes water safe to drink when it wouldn’t be without the filter. I’ve used it for over 5 years (replacing it once) and taken it to over 50 countries with no issues, so I can happily vouch for it.

Filters require replacing every three months or so for the 75cl bottles.

Must admit I sometimes keep them in a little longer, but have never had any issues and would recommend this to anyone considering international travel to places without clean water.

There are other brands out there, but I’m only going to talk about the one I have personal experience of using here.

So is Myanmar Safe for Tourists in 2024?

Yes, if you stick to the tourist kite of Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake. Beyond this it is not so safe.

It is also important to take good care of hygiene, only drink bottled, purified or filtered water, and be aware of the dangers posed by wildlife and the environment.

Myanmar is a little more rugged than the average country that attracts a lot of tourists. Even if you’ve traversed the well-trodden Southeast Asian backpacking path of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and so on, Myanmar is definitely a step up.

It would put it in my top two most challenging countries to date alongside India. It’s certainly possible to visit safely, you just need to do a little more research than you would elsewhere and take extra cautions.

The issues which most people worry about in Myanmar (the civil war and military junta) are not really problems at all for tourists, assuming you behave and obey the laws. It is the environment which poses the biggest dangers here. Violent crime against tourists is virtually unheard of.

I wrote previously about my experiences visiting Myanmar. You can read that too in order to find out more information.

I would advise against travel to Myanmar for a beginner traveller with no experience outside of safe countries with a lot of tourists. But if you’ve travelled extensively in more rugged parts of the world such as Latin America and Africa then Myanmar will pose few issues for you.

And the reward is absolutely worth it.