🇲🇲

Is Myanmar Safe to Visit in 2026?

Very High Risk

Very High Risk. Civil conflict ongoing since 2021 coup. Many areas affected. Tourism heavily disrupted. Warnely's safety assessment for Myanmar is Extreme Risk (77/100). Last updated 10 May 2026

77 / 100

Extreme Risk
Reviewed Apr 2026 · how we score

Live alerts in Myanmar Get the iOS app

⚠ Active conflict / rapidly changing situation

Our static profile may lag events. Always verify against the latest FCDO advisory before travel.

What Warnely Is Tracking

Real-time incidents pulled from the Warnely pipeline. The dashboard renders a richer feed.

Loading incident data…

Official Travel Advisories

UK FCDO

Advise against all but essential travel

Advises against all but essential travel to Myanmar due to ongoing armed conflict and martial law.

View full advisory →

US State Department

Level 4 - Do Not Travel

Do Not Travel due to civil unrest, armed conflict, and arbitrary enforcement of laws.

View full advisory →

Risk Breakdown

This is the static baseline rating across six dimensions. The Warnely dashboard adds a live 30-day signal alongside.

Crime3/5

Petty crime in cities. Arbitrary detention risk. Scams targeting tourists reported.

Natural Disasters3/5

Cyclone risk May-Nov. Earthquake-prone. Flooding in delta regions.

Health4/5

Malaria widespread. Medical infrastructure severely degraded since 2021. Limited facilities.

Terrorism4/5

Armed conflict between military and resistance forces. Airstrikes in some regions.

Civil Unrest5/5

Ongoing civil war since Feb 2021 coup. Martial law in many areas. Curfews enforced.

Infrastructure4/5

Internet blackouts common. Banking system unstable. Domestic flights unreliable.

Quick Facts

Plug type	C/D/F/G
Voltage	230V/50Hz
Time zone	UTC+6:30
Driving side	Right
Tap water	Unsafe

Visa & Entry

Type	eVisa (apply online)
Length	28 days
Cost	$50 (Tourist eVisa)
Apply	Official portal →

eVisa required, $50 for 28 days. Active conflict and travel advisories against most regions – verify before booking.

Verify on IATA Travel Centre →

Summary: E-visa system operational but entry unpredictable. Check current situation before booking.

Passport: Valid 6+ months.

Customs: Declare cash over $10,000.

Prohibited: Drones. Political materials. Photography of military/government forbidden. Drug laws extremely strict (death penalty).

Practical Tips

Check UK FCDO/State Dept – currently advise against most travel
Tourism revenue funds the military – ethical considerations
Avoid Rakhine, Shan, Kachin states – active fighting
Yangon and Bagan remain (technically) accessible but with risk
Burmese language; English limited outside tourism

Common Scams & Practical Risks

Sapphire/jade pressure: Counterfeit gems sold to tourists; even "licensed" dealers can be untrustworthy. Don't buy gems unless you're an expert.
Currency change rates: Black-market dollar rates vary widely; sanctions context. Use hotel exchange or licensed bureaus.

Solo & Women’s Safety

Solo Travellers

Myanmar is NOT recommended for most travelers since the 2021 coup. Civil conflict, internet shutdowns, banking instability, and arbitrary detention risks make travel extremely challenging. If you choose to go, only visit established tourist areas (Bagan, Inle Lake) with extreme caution.

Women’s Safety Exercise Significant Caution

Pre-coup Myanmar was relatively safe for women. Current instability adds significant risks for all travelers regardless of gender.

LGBTQ+ Travellers

Legal status	Criminalised
Social climate	Hostile

Section 377 colonial-era ban active. Post-coup junta also socially repressive. Yangon’s small scene driven underground. PDA dangerous.

Verify current law on Equaldex →

Drug Laws

Severity	Death penalty possible
Cannabis	Severe penalties

Death penalty on books for trafficking; junta context means due process limited. Major opium-producing region. Avoid entirely.

Verify on UK FCDO →

Emergency Numbers

police

199

ambulance

192

fire

191

tourist

N/A

Data version v2 · Reviewed Apr 2026 · methodology · Found something out of date? Tell us.

Common questions about Myanmar

Is Myanmar safe for tourists in 2026?

Civil conflict ongoing since 2021 coup. Many areas affected. Tourism heavily disrupted. Warnely's overall safety assessment for Myanmar is Extreme Risk (77/100), very high risk. Always check the latest UK FCDO and US State Department advisories before booking.

What's the crime risk in Myanmar?

Petty crime in cities. Arbitrary detention risk. Scams targeting tourists reported. Crime category score: 3/5 (moderate).

Are there health risks travelling to Myanmar?

Malaria widespread. Medical infrastructure severely degraded since 2021. Limited facilities. Health category score: 4/5. Consult a travel clinic 4-6 weeks before departure for recommended vaccinations.

Is Myanmar safe for solo female travellers?

Exercise Significant Caution. Pre-coup Myanmar was relatively safe for women. Current instability adds significant risks for all travelers regardless of gender.

When is the best time to visit Myanmar?

Cool Dry (Nov-Feb). 20-32°C, comfortable. Peak tourist window – though tourism much reduced post-coup.

What are the drug laws in Myanmar?

Drug penalties: Death penalty possible. Cannabis: Severe penalties. Death penalty on books for trafficking; junta context means due process limited. Major opium-producing region. Avoid entirely.

Do I need a visa to visit Myanmar?

eVisa (apply online). Stay length: 28 days. eVisa required, $50 for 28 days. Active conflict and travel advisories against most regions – verify before booking.

Which regions of Myanmar are safest to visit?

Generally safer regions include Yangon, Bagan, Inle Lake, Mandalay. See the regional breakdown for current safety guidance on each area.

Is the tap water safe to drink in Myanmar?

Tap water in Myanmar is not safe to drink – use bottled or filtered water. Most travellers should stick to bottled or filtered water for cooking, drinking and ice.

What do governments say about travel to Myanmar?

UK FCDO: Advise against all but essential travel. US State Dept: Level 4 - Do Not Travel. Read the full advisories on the relevant government sites – links are inside the Official Travel Advisories section above.