myanmar open for tourism

Myanmar to reopen borders to international tourists in mid April

Myanmar will resume international passenger flights from April 17, the military said on Saturday, lifting a two-year ban on foreign tourists.

Key points:

• Myanmar will lift its two-year ban on foreign tourists on April 17
• Visitors will have to be fully vaccinated, take two PCR tests and quarantine for a week
• The nation's tourism industry took a hit from the pandemic and violence around the junta's takeover

The South-East Asian nation closed its borders to visitors in March 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, in an attempt to prevent rising infections.

Myanmar was further isolated after a coup last year saw huge protests and a bloody military crackdown on dissent, sending its economy — including its tourism industry — into freefall.

"We will open all international flights on 17 April, and can fly as regularly," said the National Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of Coronavirus Disease, citing falling COVID-19 infections.

In a statement, it said the decision was "in order to improve the tourism business sector, and in order to have smooth trip for visitors who come to visit Myanmar".

Visitors will be required to quarantine for a week — undergoing two PCR tests — and must be fully vaccinated, according to the Health Ministry.

Pandemic, coup paralyse tourism

Myanmar's tourism industry was battered by the pandemic, with the country registering 40,000 daily COVID-19 cases at its peak last year. It has recorded almost 20,000 deaths in total.

Spiralling violence following the junta's takeover has also dented business, with many international firms pulling out of the nation.

More than 1,600 people have been killed by security forces and more than 11,000 people arrested since the coup, according to a local monitoring group.

• X (formerly Twitter)

Related Stories

Save the children staff killed in myanmar junta massacre.

Why is Myanmar's military killing its own people?

'People are sacrificing their lives': Myanmar people in Australia urge the world to not forget about their country

Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced, so what led to the former icon of Myanmar's pro-democracy movement being charged?

• Tourism and Leisure Industry
• Travel and Tourism (Lifestyle and Leisure)
• Unrest, Conflict and War
• World Politics

• 2 Weeks for Couple
• 2 Weeks for Family
• Thailand Lantern Festival
• Indonesia(Bali)
• South Korea
• China (HK, Taiwan)
• Itinerary Ideas
• Asia Highlights Travel Reviews
• Thailand Travel Reviews
• Vietnam Travel Reviews
• Cambodia Travel Reviews
• Japan Travel Reviews
• Myanmar Travel Reviews
• China Travel Reviews

How to Plan a Trip to Myanmar - Local Guide

When to visit, getting around, local transport, where to visit and how long to stay, take a balloon ride in bagan, with a tour guide and a private car, where to stay, where to eat, how much does it cost.

Myanmar has eased its travel restrictions from May 15, 2022. All travelers are exempt from quarantine to visit Myanmar now as long as you're fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival.

A visit to Myanmar (Burma) can be a magical experience with its stunning landscapes, spectacular archaeological sites and special cultural traditions. The following guide may help you develop your plans for visiting Myanmar.

Begin in Yangon and move on to Mandalay. Then visit Bagan, with its amazing pagoda complex. Relax at Inle Lake, before departing from Yangon. This is the 9-day highlights program. Between October and April, a 3-day supplementary trip to Ngapali Beach, after Inle Lake, would create a perfect tour conclusion.

It's always a good idea to avoid the intense heat and high humidity periods of weather when considering a visit to Myanmar. The period from November to February is the ideal time to travel.

Dry Season — November to February

The tourist season starts in early October and peaks between December and February. At this time of year, temperatures rarely rise above 32°C (90°F) during the day, making exploring the archaeological sites comfortable and interesting.

The beach at Ngapali is a perfect place to relax during this time. There will be great pressure on hotels and other travel services in the tourist destinations. It's advisable to make reservations at least a few months in advance.

The price is much higher in the dry season, especially during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Hot Season — March to May

The heat builds steadily from the beginning of March, and the temperatures will exceed 40°C (104°F) by the end of the month. As temperatures are really high, outdoor exploration can be rather challenging.

The Myanmar New Year is celebrated nationwide in mid-April. If you visit around then, you will see crowds of people playing music, dancing, and throwing water over each other, and you can enjoy a carnival atmosphere.

All domestic flights are fully booked during the Myanmar New Year, so it's not easy to buy a ticket.

Wet Season — June to October

The rains start in May and by June the monsoon storms sweep into the country. Humidity is quite high during this time and the wettest months are July and August. Temperatures are hovering around 30°C (86°F).

Beach resorts at Ngapali will be closed and flights to the area reduced to one per week. At times of heavy downpours, road travel can be difficult with road blocks caused by flooding. Flights are sometimes diverted, causing delays.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family 's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

Most visitors arrive in Myanmar at Yangon International Airport or Mandalay International Airport.

Visitors from Europe, America, or Australia need to transfer at some Asian cities, such as Bangkok and Singapore, as there are no direct flights from those regions. These two cities are served by most major international airlines, so it's easy to make connections.

The following cities also hold direct flights to Yangon: Kuala Lumpur, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kunming, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Kolkata, Dubai, and Doha.

From Bangkok to Yangon

There are about 20 flights a day from Bangkok to Yangon and the average flight time is 1 hour.

The following airlines provide direct flights to Yangon: Myanmar Airways International, Myanmar National Airlines, Bangkok Airways, and Thai Airways. It will typically cost about US$100–150 for a single, one-way fare.

Good deals are often available on low-cost airlines, such as AirAsia and Nok Air, for just US$50.

The most convenient way to travel around Myanmar is by air, which could save the most of your time and provide a comfortable experience. If you have more time, a cruise along the Irrawaddy River will be a good option, as it allows visitors to get a real taste of life on the river.

The train and bus are not recommended because they are slow and uncomfortable. For example, to reach Mandalay from Yangon, it takes about an hour by plane, 7 hours by car, and 15 hours by train.

Domestic Flights

Domestic routes are mainly operated by seven airlines: Air KBZ, Air Bagan, Air Mandalay, Asian Wings Airways, Yangon Airways, Golden Myanmar Airlines, and Myanmar National Airlines. Most airlines fly small planes, such as an ATR 72, which can seat up to 78 passengers.

Online booking is available on any of the airlines' websites, but the process is far from seamless. It's recommended to purchase tickets via a travel agent for the same price as the published fare.

The flights sometimes change, so you should have prior notice of changes, especially timings. If you have booked via an agent, he or she will inform you of any changes and help with the new itinerary.

Do note that most airlines share codes with other airlines, which means they may regroup passengers from different flights onto one joint flight if there are not enough people.

The ticket prices of different operators are much the same, because they fly at a similar time and on the same route. The single, one-way fare for key routes costs about US$70 to US$120.

We often book flights with Air KBZ for our customers because its service and schedules are more convenient.

Road Travel

Traveling by bus is slow and bumpy for long-distance journeys. The schedules of most long-distance services start in the evening between 4pm and 10pm, traveling overnight with stops at cafés along the road every two hours, so don't expect much sleep. Passengers will arrive at their destination early in the morning.

In large cities, such as Yangon and Mandalay, the long-distance bus stations are far from the downtown areas. Tickets are sold from counters at the bus stations or via local agents. The cost depends on the length of your journey, usually between US$10 and US$20.

Rail Travel

Traveling by train is a little more appealing, as it provides scenic views and the chance to mingle with locals. Trains are less reliable and slower than buses. Delays often happen, so there will be changes on arrival and departure times.

Tickets can be purchased at the railway station ticket offices and it usually takes a long time. Fares are much more expensive than on buses and foreigners need to pay in dollars at a higher rate, about five times as much as the locals.

Cruising the Irrawaddy

Traveling by boat provides a more relaxing way to experience the timeless charm of the country. The most popular route is the one between Mandalay and Bagan on a 2-day cruise, which usually leaves in the morning.

If you take a luxury cruise, you will sail along the more scenic stretches of the river, which include some interesting stops at riverside villages, such as a pottery village to see the pottery making process.

Guests on luxury cruisers are treated to spacious and well-furnished cabins, delicious meals, swimming pools, and a good observation deck to see beautiful views over the water.

Larger cities in Myanmar offer a variety of transportation, such as buses, taxis, hire cars, motorbikes, trishaws, and horse-drawn carts. Public transport is poorly resourced, so most visitors tend to rely on taxis and hire cars.

Buses of all types run the streets of main cities in Myanmar. As most vehicles are dilapidated and filled with the locals, taking a bus can be crowded, airless, and uncomfortable. There are few English route maps, so it's hard to know where to get off.

Taxis are plentiful and can be flagged down in the streets of big cities, such as Yangon. Some taxis are air-conditioned, but most are not.

There will be taxi service information outside the airport and the fares are fixed. It's easy to call a taxi to take you to a central hotel if you don't book a pick-up service.

Remember to negotiate the price before getting in a car. If you think the driver is insisting on an excessive price, try to find another one to negotiate with.

Private Car

Private cars with drivers can be hired via tour agencies or hotels. Given the itineraries, they will arrange the car and ensure the driver knows where you want to visit.

Most of the cars are imported from Japan so the steering wheel is on the right side. The price starts at about US$60 per day.

Horse-Drawn Cart

Horse-drawn carts operate widely at archaeological sites, such as Bagan and Ava. It provides a relaxing way to explore the ruins and countryside. It's fun to drive all the way through the woods and sandy lanes.

Taking a small boat is the best way to visit Inle Lake. Getting on a boat, you will be taken to several sites on the lake. Some of the highlights include the floating gardens, local markets, and pagodas. The boats can be arranged by the hotels.

If you want to see the sunset views over U Bein Bridge or the Irrawaddy River, a private boat trip lasting for several hours is also a good option.

How many places you can visit depends on the time you have available. With 9 days, you can see the highlights of Myanmar by visiting Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, and Inle Lake. With 12 days, you can have two free days relaxing on the beach of Ngapali or can combine Bangkok with Myanmar.

The following itinerary is designed to give you some inspiration when considering what to see in Myanmar. We provide tailor-made tours to Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries. Your trip will be arranged according to your particular interests.

Day 1 Yangon

Day 2 yangon.

Morning: Colonial District – National Museum – Yangon Circular Railway

Afternoon: Bogyoke (Scott) Market – Shwedagon Pagoda

Day 3 Mandalay

Morning: Domestic flight to Mandalay

Afternoon: Mahamuni Buddha Temple – Shwenandaw Monastery – Kuthodaw Pagoda and the world's largest book – Mandalay Hill to watch a sunset

Day 4 Mandalay

Morning: Mahagandayon Monastery

Afternoon: Inwa – U Bein Bridge to watch a sunset

Day 5 Bagan

Morning: Domestic flight to Bagan

Afternoon: A boat trip to see the sunset over the Irrawaddy River

Day 6 Bagan

Morning: A hot-air balloon ride – Shwezigon Pagoda – Ananda Temple

Afternoon: Horse-drawn cart sightseeing – Shwesandaw Pagoda to watch a sunset

Day 7 Inle Lake

Morning: Domestic flight to Inle Lake

Afternoon: Inwa – A boat trip to see the sunset over Inle Lake

Day 8 Inle Lake

Morning: A boat trip to see the floating gardens – Five-day market – Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery

Afternoon: Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda – Indein Pagoda Complex

Day 9 Yangon

The sight of hot-air balloons drifting serenely over the plains of Bagan has become an iconic image. Most balloon rides start a few minutes after sunrise, offering an unrivaled perspective over the vast plains, from the thousands of temples to the Irrawaddy River.

After an hour drifting through the air, passengers may land next to a pagoda, on a sandbank, or in a field. This magical flight can be the experience of a lifetime and something really special to share with your friends. Add this to your bucket list.

A local guide will help you make the most of your time. The guides in Myanmar are truly considerate, reliable, and flexible. They are passionate about sharing their culture and lifestyle and will take good care of every visitor.

We recommend you stay with one guide throughout your trip in Myanmar, rather than having different guides in different cities. You will have a more comfortable experience by doing so.

A private car and driver is necessary in such a country, the infrastructure of which is poorly resourced and the public transport is unreliable. The driver will have your itinerary and take you there. You don't need to work out the maps to know how to get to the sites from your hotel or to find a restaurant.

Temperatures are hovering around 30°C during the day, so it will be a relief when you get in an air-conditioned car and are being driven around. It also facilitates a more flexible experience.

The cost per day is about US$90 for the guide and the car plus driver.

A wide option of accommodation is available in Myanmar, from low-budget guesthouses to luxury resorts. Most hotels in Yangon and Mandalay are business hotels with high standards of facilities and service, but they are characterless.

Alternatively, some resort hotels in Inle Lake and Bagan are more appealing, as they make the most of their spectacular situations, with special building materials and beautiful views of lakes or temples.

One night in a 3-star hotel costs about US$60 per room and a 4-star hotel costs about US$120–160 per room. The 5-star hotels usually start at US$200 per room per night.

The price of all types of hotel in Myanmar is much higher than other Southeast Asian countries due to the shortage of rooms, especially in high season.

There is a variety of dining options in Myanmar, from local food to Western food, Thai food, and Chinese food. Some tasty snacks are sold by vendors on the streets, while authentic Burmese food is served in some traditional restaurants, which are often built from wood.

Dining at your hotel is also a good option with different kinds of food being provided. You will have a chance to see the Burmese classical dance or an interesting puppet show at the same time. The dining place is well-decorated for clients to enjoy themselves in a relaxed atmosphere.

The main dish can be chosen from beef, pork, chicken, fish, prawns, and squid. The common staples are steamed rice, fried rice, and fried noodles. Italian food, such as pizza and pasta, is also available in the tourist resorts.

Prices for meals vary between restaurants. You can expect to pay less than US$5 for a simple meal. Usually US$10–20 is enough for an elaborate meal.

Only opened up in 2010, Myanmar still remains relatively untouched and represents today how the other Southeast Asian countries were 30 years ago.

The cost of the trip is the highest among the Southeast Asian countries, but the unique experience is worth the price. The mid-range cost is about US$200 a day. This price includes a private day trip, one night in a 3-star or 4-star hotel, and a decent meal.

Visit Myanmar with Asia Highlights

We provide tailor-made tours to Myanmar. Tours typically start or end in Yangon or Mandalay and last approximately 9 days; visiting Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake.

You might like:

• 9-Day Myanmar Highlights Tour
• 14-Day Myanmar and Thailand Essence Tour
• 16-Day Myanmar Tour in Depth

You might like to read

• Plan a First-Time Trip to Myanmar
• Best Time to Visit Myanmar

Why Asia Highlights (10,000+ reviews & 98.8% 5-star rating)

• Save Your Time:
• Less research, more enjoyment!
• Real-time 1V1 expert planning
• Maximize Your Flexibility:
• Personal local guide and ride
• Explore at your own pace
• Celebrate Your Journeys:
• Specially-crafted family adventures
• Celebrate milestones with style!

Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries

At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.

More Travel Ideas and Inspiration

Sign up to our newsletter.

Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our team of experts.

Why Asia Highlights

Where can we take you today.

• Middle East
• African Safari
• Travel Agents
• Loyalty Program
• Our Differences
• Privacy Policy

Address: Building 6, Chuangyi Business Park, 70 Qilidian Road, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China

The Straits Times

• International
• Print Edition
• news with benefits
• SPH Rewards
• STClassifieds
• Berita Harian
• Hardwarezone
• Shin Min Daily News
• Tamil Murasu
• The Business Times
• The New Paper
• Lianhe Zaobao
• Advertise with us

Myanmar to reopen to international tourists in April

YANGON (AFP) - Myanmar will resume international passenger flights from April 17, the military said on Saturday (March 19), lifting a two-year ban on foreign tourists.

The South-east Asian nation closed its borders to visitors in March 2020 at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in an attempt to prevent rising infections.

Myanmar was further isolated after a coup last year saw huge protests and a bloody military crackdown on dissent, sending its economy - including its tourism industry - into freefall.

"We will open all international flights on 17 April, and can fly as regularly," said the National Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of Coronavirus Disease, citing falling Covid-19 infections.

In a statement it said the decision was "in order to improve the tourism business sector, and in order to have smooth trip for visitors who come to visit Myanmar".

Visitors will be required to quarantine for a week - undergoing two polymerase chain reaction tests - and must be fully vaccinated, according to the Health Ministry.

Myanmar's tourism industry was battered by the pandemic, with the country registering 40,000 daily Covid-19 cases at its peak last year. It has recorded almost 20,000 deaths in total.

Spiralling violence following the junta takeover has also dented business, with many international firms pulling out of the nation.

More than 1,600 people have been killed by security forces and over 11,000 arrested since the coup, according to a local monitoring group.

The junta indicated late last year it was moving to reopen to international visitors this year, hoping to take advantage of the slew of local traditional holidays.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

• Coronavirus

Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards

Spin the wheel now

Myanmar Government to Re-Open Land Borders, Resume International Travel in Early 2022 After Achieving Vaccination Targets Amid Clear Signs of Economic Recovery

The Myanmar Government announced today it will reopen land border crossings with China and Thailand next month ahead of a planned resumption of international air travel by the end of the first quarter of 2022, as vaccination rates have improved significantly amid clear signs of economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister of Information Mr Maung Maung Ohn said travel restrictions will be eased by January 2022 at Muse which borders Ruili city in China’s Yunnan Province and at the three Myanmar towns of Tachileik, Kawthaung and Htee Kee which border Thailand. Travel at border crossings with Laos, India and Bangladesh are currently permitted due to lower incidences of infection.

Status of COVID-19 Infection Rates, Deaths & Vaccinations Between the first case of pandemic infection in the country on 23 March 2020 to 12 November 2021 (20 months) Myanmar’s Ministry of Health has recorded a total of 511,717 cases of infection and 18,899 deaths due to COVID-19.

In the week (to 12 November) a daily average of 919 new confirmed cases were detected with a positivity rate of 4.2% while 20 deaths were recorded – a fatality rate of 2.3%. These compare with 3,901 new confirmed cases (positivity rate of 30.8%) and 172 deaths (fatality rate of 8.1%) in the first week of August 2021. The numbers of new confirmed cases and deaths have fallen to 76.4 percent and 88.5 percent, respectively, over the comparative periods.

The Government continues to receive vaccines through donations and national procurement programmes. Most of the vaccines are from China.

As at 12 November 2021, the Health Ministry had administered at least one dose of vaccine each to 14.4 million citizens above the age of 18, or 42.5% of the population. This will increase to 50% of the population by end of 2021. To date more than 21 million doses of various vaccines have been administered. By April 2022 Myanmar would have sufficient vaccines to inoculate the entire population.

“Our priority is the health and well-being of each citizen. The vaccinations are being carried out without any discrimination, including of prisoners and members of ethnic armed organisations. However, some individuals who had been involved in civil disturbance activities are reluctant to register for vaccination, especially in major cities,” said Minister Mr Maung Maung Ohn.

Procedures To Prepare for Resumption of Air Travel in Q1 2022 With the fall in infection and fatality rates and the acceleration of the vaccination programme, the State Administration Council is accelerating resumption of social and economic activity to restore national stability following the challenges of the pandemic and the internal social unrest.

To prepare to resume international air travel, six Government ministries are coordinating efforts to standardise testing and safety procedures such as social distancing, contact tracing and quarantine as well as vaccination status certification, the Minister said.

“Air travel is important to facilitate the return of Myanmar citizens, expatriates, aid and development workers, and international business travel. We must ensure that hotels, transportation, health facilities, airports and airline operators are ready to meet the standard operating procedures. We will keep various embassies informed of progress,” he said.

“We are cautiously assessing infection rates abroad ahead of the European winter. Once our vaccination programme reaches targets and if global infection rates drop, we intend to resume international air travel in the first quarter of 2022,” he said.

“This will benefit not just tourism but also commercial activity and bilateral social, cultural and development activities and exchanges. In recent months we have received substantial foreign interest in investments and business opportunities. These parties are eager to travel to Myanmar to conclude transactions,” he added.

Re-Opening of Schools & Universities With most students above 18 already vaccinated, the Ministry of Education has started to reopen schools. In the first phase that began 1 November 2021, all schools from Grade 1 to 11 (except those in 46 townships) – involving over 473,000 students – were reopened. About a quarter million tertiary students will resume studies next month when universities and colleges reopen.

Since the re-opening of schools there has not been any incident of pandemic infection or fatality. This is due to the vaccination programme and health procedures. As some teachers have not returned to work due to social disturbances and fear of their safety, nearly 7,000 new teachers and over new 3,700 tertiary educators have been appointed in recent months to make up for the shortfall.

Economic Recovery and Resumption of Social Activity Despite clear evidence of economic sabotage and the effects of the pandemic, economic activity has largely restarted across most parts of the country with the onset of the dry season last month, the Minister said. The Myanmar Government has introduced emergency economic relief in the form of grants to farmers, and to the fisheries and livestock sectors. It has also extended credit to rice exporters and offered assistance to small and medium enterprises.

The Minister noted that the Myanmar currency has strengthened from as low as 2,500 kyat last month to about 1,800 kyat currently. This underscores the economic recovery and success of efforts to counter rumours about the currency. The Central Bank of Myanmar recently strengthened online transactions, introduced incentives and other measures to reduce regulatory red tape, and conducted regular dialogue with local banks to maintain trust.

“Myanmar is recovering from challenges of a health pandemic, an economic downturn and social and political disturbances. The vaccination programme and the economic recovery efforts are gaining momentum. However, the police and security forces must abide by the law and carry out the duties.

“Business confidence is returning especially in major cities where religious activities recently have all been well attended. The resumption of air travel will be an important catalyst for tourism, the return of foreign investments and international business activities,” Minister Maung Maung Ohn added.

– Ends – Issued by Ministry of Information, Union Government of Myanmar

For more information, please contact  [email protected]  or  [email protected]

Related Posts

(second overseas roadshow of 2024) mgto unveils mega roadshow and presentation seminar in singapore this thursday (25 april) to tap into overseas markets, transnusa launches five new direct domestic flights, singapore cable car launches world’s first skyorb cabins.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Tourists urged to avoid Myanmar as junta prepares to reopen to world

Travel agents and aid workers raise issues of safety and note that tourism dollars will only benefit the ruling military

Foreign tourists have been urged to avoid visiting Myanmar after the junta signalled plans to open up the country despite widespread ongoing rights abuses and violence including kidnappings and killings by the military, as well as food shortages and regular blackouts.

More than a year after it seized power and ousted Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s military has announced it plans to reopen for tourism and resume international flights on 17 April.

“I would not suggest anyone travels there,” said Michael Isherwood, chair of the Burma Humanitarian Mission and program director of charity Backpack Medics. “If Burma reopens to tourists, it’s primarily to benefit the junta,” which is oppressing the population.

When there were murmurs of a reopening late last year, Tin Tun Naing, the minister for planning, finance and investment for Myanmar’s ousted National Unity Government told The Straits Times it wasn’t a time for sightseeing and urged people not to visit.

Myanmar closed its borders, like many countries, to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in early 2020. At that time, an elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi ruled the country but a military coup in February 2021 saw that power ceded. Resistance groups emerged and since then the south-east Asian country has been racked with violence, protests and economic collapse.

UN high commissioner Michelle Bachelet said last month Myanmar’s humanitarian crisis continues to expand amid systematic brutality by security forces. “The economy is on the brink of collapse. Over 14.4 million individuals are now assessed as being in humanitarian need,” she said, predicting that “food scarcity will sharply increase over the coming months”.

The UK government currently “advises against all but essential travel to Myanmar”, stating the risk of being arbitrarily detained or arrested.

Opening to tourism could signal a return to normalcy when “Burma is anything but normal these days,” said Isherwood, citing random arrests, the burning of villages, rape and extrajudicial killings in the ethnic and border areas.

According to the United Nations Human Rights Council, more than 1,600 people have died at the hands of security forces, 12,500 have been detained, 44,000 have been displaced, and 14 million require humanitarian assistance. Hundreds of children are also being held for ransom in unknown locations.

Last year, the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) attempted to broker a peace plan with the junta government although little progress has been made on moving that forward.

Reopening to tourism was “an effort to promote a narrative of control and globalisation … an effort to establish the de facto authorities as being in control of the country, being legitimate”, said one aid worker living in Myanmar, who requested anonymity for safety reasons.

Tourists signify stability, said Bertie Alexander Lawson, CEO of Myanmar-based boutique travel agency Sampan Travel, and an image of stability is likely one the authorities want to project, he added. The security risk is higher now compared with a couple of years ago, said Lawson, but safe travel was possible “if you’re going with an operator that is taking the risk seriously”.

Visitors should, however, be informed of the context they’re coming into and calculate whether they’re going to have a positive impact on Myanmar communities, he said.

Jochen Meissner, founder and director of Yangon-based travel agency Uncharted Horizons Myanmar, advised against travel. “Even here [in Yangon], every day there are bomb attacks or assassinations, [and] a lot of army on the streets.”

While the junta government will likely make sure the main tourist attractions are safe, Meissner said he wouldn’t encourage anyone to visit for a holiday.

Only those vaccinated against Covid-19 will be able to enter the country before having to do a week-long quarantine with two PCR tests. Other challenges tourists will face include a lack of access to cash, following the buckling of the banking system, and power blackouts. “There are big parts of Yangon that are in total darkness on an evening so I’m not sure it’ll be very conducive for tourist travel,” said the aid worker.

Some parts of the country, including Kayah state and Chin state, formerly popular with tourists, will also be off limits, Lawson said. In such areas, there are reports of worsening living conditions with limited water, electricity, and internet access.

Meissner said: “Everything is not OK here.”

• Myanmar coup
• South and central Asia
• Human rights

Most viewed

• The Star ePaper
• Subscriptions
• Manage Profile
• Change Password
• Manage Logins
• Manage Subscription
• Transaction History
• Manage Billing Info
• Manage For You
• Manage Bookmarks
• Package & Pricing

Myanmar junta to reopen borders to tourists

Friday, 13 May 2022

Related News

Thailand says Myanmar border unrest easing and it may indicate negotiations taking place

Myanmar warlord at centre of battle for key border town, thailand sets up ad hoc committee to monitor unrest near myanmar border.

In this file photo taken on March 18, 2020, people wear facemasks amid concerns of the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus walk in the Yangon international airport in Yangon. Myanmar's junta will allow tourists to apply for visas after a break of more than two years, state media has announced. - AFP

YANGON, May 13, 2022 (AFP): Myanmar's junta will allow tourists to apply for visas after a break of more than two years, state media has announced, sparking calls by an activist group for foreign travellers to stay away.

The country closed its borders to visitors in March 2020 at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in an attempt to prevent infections rising.

It was further isolated after the army toppled the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, prompting huge protests and a bloody military crackdown on dissent.

"With an aim to develop the tourism sector... e-Visa (Tourist) applications will be allowed and accepted from 15 May 2022," said a notice in the Global New Light of Myanmar.

It did not give details on when the first visitors could be expected to arrive.

Activist groups warn that the military's vested interests in swathes of the economy -- including mines, banks, petroleum, agriculture and tourism -- mean tourist dollars will likely end up in the junta's coffers.

"Even if foreign visitors avoid hotels and transport owned by the Myanmar military and their associates, they will still fund the junta through visa fees, insurance and tax," said activist group Justice for Myanmar.

"We call on anyone considering a holiday in Myanmar to boycott."

After democracy was established in 2011 following decades of military rule, Myanmar opened up to tourists, becoming popular with travellers seeking an exotic destination away from the well-trodden backpacker haunts of Southeast Asia.

But the tourism sector was battered by the pandemic, with the country registering 40,000 daily Covid-19 cases at its peak last year. It has recorded almost 20,000 deaths in total.

Clashes between anti-coup fighters and security forces following the military takeover, including in the main cities of Yangon and Mandalay, have also dented business, with many international firms pulling out of the nation.

The economy has slumped, with the local kyat currency plunging against the dollar and rolling power outages in major cities aggravating economic misery.

Access to ATMs and foreign exchange counters is patchy even in commercial hub Yangon.

Commercial flights for business travellers resumed in April, with visitors required to take a Covid-19 test on arrival but no longer required to quarantine.

More than 1,800 people have been killed by security forces and over 13,000 arrested since the coup, according to a local monitoring group. - AFP

Tags / Keywords: Myanmar , Junta , Opening , Borders , Activists

Found a mistake in this article?

Report it to us.

Thank you for your report!

REVIVING ‘THE GODDESS’ IN NADIAH BAMADHAJ’S WORK

Next in aseanplus news.

Trending in AseanPlus

Air pollutant index, highest api readings, select state and location to view the latest api reading.

• Select Location

Source: Department of Environment, Malaysia

Others Also Read

Best viewed on Chrome browsers.

We would love to keep you posted on the latest promotion. Kindly fill the form below

Thank you for downloading.

We hope you enjoy this feature!

Myanmar essentials: planning your Burma trip

Jan 13, 2016 • 5 min read

As Myanmar (also known as Burma) continues to open up to the outside world, more travellers are venturing to this fascinating country.

Myanmar is undergoing a rapid transition following historic elections in 2015 and it can be difficult finding the latest information on what to expect when you visit. Here is a brief rundown to help you plan your trip.

Before you go

It is possible for citizens of 100 countries to apply online for a tourist e-visa via Myanmar’s Ministry of Immigration and Population website ( evisa.moip.gov.mm ). It is only possible to enter Myanmar on an e-visa at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw international airports; and at three Thai-Myanmar land border crossings Tachileik, Myawadi (Myawaddy) and Kawthoung (Kawthaung). Check the immigration website for the latest at the time you travel.

Accommodation

The massive increase in visitors since sanctions were lifted in 2012 has stretched Myanmar’s tourist infrastructure to the limit. There is a shortage of hotel rooms in major destinations such as Yangon and Bagan , though many new hotels are being built. Accommodation in Yangon fills up as far as a month in advance, particularly if it is a place listed in a guidebook. It is not impossible to roll up and find a room, but it can be difficult and stressful and you will likely end up paying more than you want. Most places can be booked online now, so it’s worth reserving your room as soon as you can. It is essential to book ahead during high season (November to March).

In some rural areas, monasteries will take travellers in for a small fee if there are no rooms available. But don’t rely on the local monks being able to help you out.

Myanmar is no longer the cheap destination it once was, so make sure you adjust your budget accordingly. In particular, prices for even basic accommodation have risen dramatically. In tourist hotspots like Bagan, you can pay US$35 to US$40 for a dingy, no-frills room.

Banks and ATMs

Over the last few years, ATMs that take international cards have started appearing throughout Myanmar, meaning that travellers no longer have to carry hundreds or thousands of US dollars in cash around with them. You can find ATMs even in relatively remote destinations like Hsipaw and Mrauk U. KBZ and CB Bank have the most reliable ATMs – they accept both Visa and Mastercard, and charge a fee of 5000 kyat (around US$4) per transaction. It’s also possible to receive international cash transfers via Western Union.

Currency and cash

Myanmar is trying to encourage both locals and visitors to use the local currency – kyat – rather than US dollars, which was the preferred currency until 2012. As of the end of November 2015, only banks and official moneychangers are able to change dollars, although how rigidly that will be enforced remains to be seen.

Despite that, and the presence of ATMs, it’s still worth bringing some US dollars with you, preferably in smaller notes, as they can be useful if you’re stranded without access to an ATM. Make sure your US bills are immaculate and printed no earlier than 2006, or you may not be able to exchange them. It’s also easy to change Thai baht in Yangon and Mandalay .

Credit cards

Credit cards are accepted mostly only in top-end hotels. Some travel agents in Yangon and Mandalay also take them, usually charging a small fee, for purchasing flights.

Keeping in touch

It’s easy and cheap to buy a SIM card in Yangon and Mandalay that will enable you to make calls and access the internet.

Online access has improved, with wi-fi becoming the norm – most hotels, guesthouses and cafes have it for free – and the internet is now spreading to more remote locations. But tightly squeezed bandwidth and power outages can make using the internet a frustrating exercise.

In places open to foreigners, Myanmar is relatively safe, with very little crime. Still, you should take the usual precautions of using hotel lockers or safes for your valuables. As in most Buddhist countries, foreign women travelling in Myanmar are rarely hassled on the road as they might be in India, Malaysia or Indonesia. However, there have been a few reports of sexual harassment.

No-go zones

Most government advisories warn against travel to parts of  Rakhine (Rakhaing) State in western Myanmar, where clashes between local authorities and the minority Muslim (Rohingya) communities has led to the mass displacement of thousands of people. Some other parts of the country remain closed to foreigners due to conflict between the government and various ethnic armies clustered in eastern and northern Myanmar . These areas are mostly in Kachin and Shan States, close to the frontiers with China and Thailand, and far from the major tourist destinations.

Accurate information on conflicts and closed areas can be difficult to come by. Check your government’s advice prior to travel, and ask about the situation once you are in Myanmar. Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree travel forum is a good source of news from travellers on the ground.

Getting around

Unless you fly, all travel in Myanmar takes time (it's a nine-hour bus trip from Yangon to Mandalay, for example). Buses are almost always faster than the trains, but bus rides are bumpy – you might consider taking tablets for motion sickness. Boats are also an option for some routes; the Mandalay–Bagan service is popular among travellers.

Yangon International Airport is the main hub for domestic flights, and there are a number of services linking the main centres of the country. Local airlines include Air Bagan ( airbagan.com ) and Myanmar National Airlines ( flymna.com ). Note that it is cheaper and easier to book domestic flights via agencies once you are in Myanmar.

There are no international car-rental agencies, but most travel agencies in Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan – as well as guesthouses and hotels elsewhere – can arrange cars and drivers.

Etiquette tips

• Myanmar is emerging from decades of isolation, and as such it is more conservative than nearby countries. Many people still wear traditional dress – the longyi for men, the htamein for women, both sarong-like garments. You rarely see anyone expose their knees or shoulders, and you will make everyone more comfortable if you follow suit.
• Money is handed over and received with the right hand, while the left hand loosely supports the right arm.
• Never use your feet to point at a person or thing.
• A smile always goes a long way, as does knowing a few words in Burmese.

Explore related stories

Feb 11, 2022 • 5 min read

From lakeside rambling to touring a disused glass factory, here are seven superb things to do in Yangon that are completely free of charge.

Aug 27, 2020 • 2 min read

Oct 28, 2019 • 19 min read

Aug 1, 2016 • 2 min read

Apr 25, 2024 • 5 min read

Sep 6, 2021 • 7 min read

Aug 12, 2019 • 6 min read

Sep 20, 2017 • 5 min read

Aug 18, 2015 • 6 min read

Aug 17, 2015 • 6 min read

• Reopening Myanmar Tourism: What to expect?

Myanmar will resume international passenger flights from April 17, the military said on Saturday, lifting a two-year ban on foreign tourists.

• Reopening overview
• Reopening & resuming the economy
• Pandemic, coup paralyse tourism
• Myanmar will lift its two-year ban on foreign tourists on April 17
• Visitors will have to be fully vaccinated, take two PCR tests and quarantine for a week
• The nation's tourism industry took a hit from the pandemic and violence around the junta's takeover

The South-East Asian nation closed its borders to visitors in March 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, in an attempt to prevent rising infections.

Myanmar was further isolated after a coup last year saw huge protests and a bloody military crackdown on dissent, sending its economy — including its tourism industry — into freefall.

"We will open all international flights on 17 April, and can fly as regularly," said the National Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of Coronavirus Disease, citing falling COVID-19 infections.

In a statement, it said the decision was "in order to improve the tourism business sector, and in order to have smooth trip for visitors who come to visit Myanmar".

Visitors will be required to quarantine for a week — undergoing two PCR tests — and must be fully vaccinated, according to the Health Ministry.

Myanmar's tourism industry was battered by the pandemic, with the country registering 40,000 daily COVID-19 cases at its peak last year. It has recorded almost 20,000 deaths in total.

Spiralling violence following the junta's takeover has also dented business, with many international firms pulling out of the nation.

More than 1,600 people have been killed by security forces and more than 11,000 people arrested since the coup, according to a local monitoring group.

Hello, my name’s Jordan and I’m obsessed with travelling overland. Seeing how cultures change while travelling slowly captivates me; and doing so in an eco-friendly way, preserving the cultures and landscapes that so many travellers yearn to explore, has given me my travelling purpose.

• How many days do you need in Myanmar

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Asian countries has taken the cautious approach to inbound travel and has had some of the strictest border restrictions and closures. At the moment, the nations of the region are in the beginning stages of reopening their borders for tourism, with every country introducing its own regulations.

The “unlocking” statuses vary widely. Travelers entering Asian countries may be required to do everything from going into quarantine, submitting negative COVID-19 test results, presenting proof of health insurance, and proof of vaccination (known a vaccine passports).

There is an understandable uncertainty with how you should travel to the Asian region if you are planning to. This is why we present you the list of 19 Asian countries, along with details on the current travel situation. As each country applies precisely defined regulations, you should always check the official websites listed in the article below for the latest government announcements.

Myanmar is renowned for the Burmese people’s festive spirit, and each year, there are festivals that happen all across the country. Below is the list of festivals that you should not miss as you plan your trip to Myanmar. One thing to note is that most festivals happen according to the Burmese calendar, so the dates of the festivals may vary each year. We recommend checking the dates before you travel.

With its UNESCO listed Buddhist temples, friendly locals, dirt cheap prices and idiosyncratic street food, Myanmar ranks among the best destinations for a backpacker in Southeast Asia.

Much like nearby Cambodia, the country was once considered off-limits for western tourism because of its turbulent political history.

However, since 1992, when the country officially opened to the outside world, tourism has been growing with over 7.5 million international tourists set to visit the country in 2020.

Despite this, the country is much less traveled than the Southeast Asia favorites of Thailand , Cambodia , and Vietnam .

But all of this is rapidly changing. Take a quick scroll through Instagram and you will be captivated by all the beautiful images of this colorful and vibrant country.

From soaring hot air balloons over Old Bagan to the wonderfully acrobatic fishermen of the Inle Lake, it's hard to believe this undiscovered gem will stay a secret for much longer.

So if you are planning a trip to Myanmar as we enter the 2020s, what questions should you ask beforehand to ensure your trip runs smoothly? 

How much money should you budget? What should you pack beforehand? How long should you spend in Myanmar? How do you pronounce Myanmar? Do the locals still call it Burma?

Even if you are the type of traveler that likes to travel without a fixed itinerary or set plans, a little research before you book your flights can make all the difference. 

Here is a guide for everything you need to know about backpacking Myanmar.

• Best Thailand Beaches

How long to spend in Cambodia may seem like a ridiculous question to address, but if you have plenty of time and aren’t sure how much to dedicate, this blog will definitely help you out. 

How long can you stay in Cambodia? 

Well, as long as you like! From 7 days to a month, there are various ways you can travel across Cambodia and uncover its secrets. Advising an ideal trip length for Cambodia is a bit of a complex challenge, as it depends on several factors such as the places you wish to visit, the activities you plan to join, or if you want to combine Cambodia with its neighbor countries. 

Stay tuned! We are going to sort all these things out including the step-by-step guide to create the best itinerary in Cambodia.

• About 1 week
• About 2 weeks
• About 3 weeks
• About 4 weeks
• Family Vacation
• Wellness & Leisure
• Trek & Hike
• Cycling & Biking
• Honeymoon Vacation
• Luxury Holiday

We believe you have the right to arm yourselves with as much information as possible before making any decision.

Check below the detailed information for our different destinations, our plans by travel theme or time frame to learn more before moving forward...

Check out all the must-see places and things to do & see

Unique experience combined with top-notch services

Easy excursion combined with week-long beach break

The combination of fun and educational activities

Reveal off-the-beatentrack routes, least explored destinations, and unknown tribe groups

Explore the least visited destinations and unknown experience on foot

Explore every corners of the destination on two wheels

Easy excursions combined with unique experience making the long-lasting romantic memories

The combination of some must-see experience and the cruise tour along the mighty rivers

Either are you wondering about best time to visit, visa policy, or how to get the cheapest flight, we have your back! WHAT MORE?  Choose the country you plan to visit, then search for your nationality below to see our special travel tips & advice for your country.  CONTACT US  if you cannot find yours.

• Australian Travelers
• US Travelers
• UK Travelers
• Canadian Travelers
• German Travelers
• French Travelers
• Czech Republic Travelers
• Danish Travelers
• Finnish Travelers
• Irish Travelers
• Israeli Travelers
• New Zealander Travelers
• Norwegian Travelers
• Polish Travelers
• Portuguese Travelers
• Spanish Travelers
• Swedish Travelers
• Swiss Travelers
• Belgian Travelers
• Italian Travelers
• Dutch Travelers
• Austrian Travelers
• Indian Travelers
• Singaporean Travelers
• Malaysian Travelers

• [Updated March 15th, 2022] Vietnam resumes visa exemption for 13 countries
• 10 Biggest Festivals, Events, and Holidays in Cambodia
• 10 Epic Lantern Festivals in Asia
• 16 Koh Phangan Parties & Nightlife Spots that You Cannot Miss
• 16 Magical Festivals of Thailand
• 18 Unmissable Festivals & Holidays in Laos
• 20 Interesting Facts about Angkor Wat
• A comprehensive guide to Thailand’s Test & Go Scheme
• A day trekking to 100 waterfalls in Nong Khiaw
• A guide to Thailand Happy Quarantine
• All aboard! High-speed train offers compelling new way to travel through Laos
• All about Full Moon Lantern Festival in Hoi An
• All about Khmer New Year in Cambodia
• All about Laos Elephant Festival in Xayabouly
• All about Laos Green Pass Online Visa Portal
• All about Laos sticky rice & the best dipping sauce to pair with
• All about Reopening Vietnam Tourism
• All about Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Thailand and Cambodia
• All about Vietnamese mooncake
• An insider’s guide for That Luang Festival
• Angelina Jolie surprises fans by turning up at Angkor Wat
• Angkor - The Capital City of Khmer Empire
• Angkor Thom Temple - The Great City of Khmer Empire
• Angkor Wat - Cambodia’s Mystical City of Temples
• Angkor Wat Tours - How to See the City of Temples without the Crowds?
• Angkor Wat’s Art: The Praise of Cambodia Stone Carvings
• Asia Reopening – Which countries are open for tourism and travel now?
• Baksei Chamkrong & The Legend of the Bird with Sheltering Wings
• Banana Pancake Trail & The Epic Guide on Southeast Asia Backpacking Route
• Banteay Kdei Temple - Citadel of Monks' cells
• Banteay Samre & The Legend of Cucumber King
• Banteay Srei Temple - The Artistic Citadel of Women
• Baphuon - The Pyramid Temple in Angkor
• Bayon - The Cambodia’s Temple of Mysterious Smiling Faces
• Beng Mealea - Lost Temple in the Middle of Nowhere
• Best Laos restaurants in Laos & some big cities in the world
• Best Rooftop Bar Bangkok
• Best time to visit Angkor Wat - Cambodia’s City of Temples
• Boun Awk Phansa - The Magical Traditional Festival of Laos
• Boun Bang Fai - Rocket Festival in Thailand and Laos
• Boun Lai Heua Fai: The Magic Festival of Light in Luang Prabang
• Boun Pimai Festival - Laos new year CRAZY water fight
• Boun Wat Phou – Buddhist Festival on the Khmer Ruins
• Buddhist Lent & Khao Phansa Day in Thailand & Laos
• Burmese Thanaka Powder - Myanmar's Secret Beauty Ingredient
• Cambodia abolished Covid tests & enable on-arrival visa system
• Cambodia street food
• Chasing the Sun at Pre Rup Temple
• Complete Guide for Backpacking Cambodia
• Complete Guide for Backpacking Laos
• Complete Guide for Backpacking Myanmar
• Complete Guide for Backpacking Thailand
• Complete Guide for Backpacking Vietnam
• Complete guide to Sihanoukville Sandbox
• COVID-19 vaccine guide for travelers to Thailand
• COVID-19 vaccine guide for travelers to Vietnam
• Cruising the Mekong River: A Journey of Scenic Beauty and Cultural Delights
• Dragon Dances & Other New Year’s Traditions In Asia
• Epic Guide for Chau Say Tevoda Temple
• Epic Guide for East Mebon Temple of Angkor
• Epic Guide for Prasat Suor Prat
• Epic Guide for the Golden Temple of Shwedagon Pagoda
• Epic Guide for Thommanon Temple
• Epic Guide on Half Moon Party Koh Phangan
• Epic Guide on Koh Phangan Black Moon Party
• Everything about Bon Om Touk - Cambodia Water Festival
• Everything about Full Moon Party Phuket
• Everything about Prasat Kravan Temple in Cambodia
• Everything about Roluos Group of Temples
• Everything about Thailand Blue Zone Sandbox Scheme
• Everything about Thailand Pass system
• Everything you need to know about Magha Puja (Makha Bucha)
• Everything you need to know about SHA & its certificates
• Everything you need to notice when traveling in Vietnam during Covid-19
• First Tour Guides and Drivers Become LaoSafe Certified
• Foreign visitors can travel freely with NEGATIVE Covid test
• Hanoi Balloon Festival to kick-off this weekend - March 25th 2022
• HASSLE-FREE ENTRY: Gov’t scraps PCR and rapid tests for international arrivals
• Hmong New Year - The Celebration of Colors
• How many days do you need and how to plan the best itinerary in Cambodia?
• How many days do you need and how to plan the best itinerary in Laos?
• How many days do you need and how to plan the best itinerary in Thailand?
• How many days do you need and how to plan the best itinerary in Vietnam?
• How to register for Test & Go on Thailand Pass system?
• Inside 4 Michelin-starred restaurants in Vietnam
• jayavarman ii
• jayavarman vii
• Kbal Spean & The Legend of the Valley of 1000 Lingas
• Khmer Empire
• Koh Ker - Abandoned Temple of a Forgotten City
• Laos boat racing festival: The Race of Friendship and Glory
• Laos Confirms Lao New Year Holiday Dates 2022
• Laos Eases Entry Procedures for Foreigners and Lao Nationals
• Laos Food Insight - Top 10 Dishes You Must Try
• Laos fully reopens from May 9th, 2022
• Laos Prepares for Full Tourism Reopening, Testing Still Required
• Laos reopening - Everything you need to know
• Laos Slashes Quarantine Measures for New Arrivals and Returning Residents
• Laos Street Food - Top 10 Dishes You Must Try
• Laos Tourism Ministry Proposes Full Reopening
• Larb – Laos Meat Salad: the delicious traditional dish of Laos
• Latest updates on Vietnam Covid-19 restrictions for travel & tourism
• Loy Krathong - The Magnificent Thai Lantern Festival of Light
• Loy Krathong in Bangkok - Where to have the best celebration?
• Luang Prabang Authorities Release 2022 Lao New Year Events Schedule
• Luang Prabang City and Kuang Si Waterfall Win ASEAN Tourism Awards
• Luang Prabang Holds First Boat Racing Festival After Years of Covid-19
• Neak Pean Temple - The Entwining Serpents
• Pattaya Nightlife
• Pattaya's Wan Lai Festival: How to survive the CRAZY Songkran water fight?
• Pchum Ben – Cambodia Festival for the Ancestors
• Pha That Luang - The Sparkling Golden Stupa in Vientiane
• Phi Ta Khone - Thailand Ghost Festival
• Phimeanakas Temple & the Legends of 9-headed Serpent
• Phnom Bakheng - Chasing Sunset on the Sacred Hill of Gods
• Phnom Kulen - Lost World Inside the National Park
• Phu Quoc Sandbox: Vietnam first initiative to reopen tourism
• Phuket Sandbox reopening plan & What to Expect?
• Prasat Bakong - Ancient Cambodia Temple of Roluos Group
• Prasat Bei - The Temple of Three Brick Towers
• Prasat Lolei - Ancient Cambodia Temple of Roluos Group
• Pre-travel Covid tests for arrivals lifted from April 1
• Preah Khan Temple - The Royal Sword of Khmer Empire
• Preah Ko - the Oldest Temple of Roluos Group
• Preah Palilay – The Mysterious Temple in Angkor Thom
• Preah Vihear - Ancient Temple in Northern Cambodia
• Reopening Cambodia Tourism - Everything you need to know
• Reopening Thailand: Everything you need to know when traveling during covid
• Songkran - Everything about Thailand New Year’s Water Festival
• Songkran in Bangkok - Sacred Tradition Vs. Crazy Water Fight
• Songkran in Chiang Mai: What to do during the Festival?
• Songkran in Phuket: Where to join the water fight?
• Srah Srang - Chasing the Sun at the Royal Bathing Pool
• Ta Keo Temple - The Mountain with Golden Peaks
• Ta Prohm: Cambodia's 'Tomb Raider' Temple
• Ta Som Temple - Home to the Propitious Holy Elephant Jewel
• Tad Yuang Waterfall Wins ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award
• Thailand eases entry rules from May 1st, 2022
• Thailand Scraps More Covid-19 Rules to Welcome Tourists
• Thailand street food
• The Best Spots & Tours to Catch Angkor Wat Sunrise & Sunset
• The BRUTAL Phuket Vegetarian Festival: Not for the faint of heart!
• The Colorful & Traditional Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival
• The Colorful and Magical Naga New Year Festival in Myanmar
• The colorful Kachin Manaw Festival
• The Magical Thadingyut Festival of Light in Myanmar
• The Story of Burmese Longyi - Myanmar’s Traditional Dress
• Top 15 best traditional Laos dishes you need to try
• Top 15 Festivals in Vietnam that you should not miss
• Top 16 Traditional Festivals in Myanmar That You Cannot Miss
• Top 18 Places for New Year’s Eve 2021 in Thailand
• Ultimate guide for Hue Festival
• Ultimate guide for Tazaungdaing or Taunggyi Fire Balloon Festival
• Ultimate Guide to Koh Phangan Full Moon Party, Thailand
• Vang Vieng Prepares for First Cabbage Festival
• Vietnam & Laos listed as ‘Safest For Travel’ by CDC (USA)
• Vietnam or Thailand Travel: Which one should you visit?
• Vietnam stops Covid testing for all arrivals
• Vietnam to treat foreign and domestic tourists alike: deputy PM
• Vietnam’s Magical Mid-Autumn Festival
• Vietnamese street food
• Visit the empty Angkor Wat? Now is the best time!
• Wat Phou - the Ancient Khmer Temple in Southern Laos
• What is happening if you have a positive Covid test result when traveling in Thailand?
• What is the Difference between Laos & Thai Papaya Salad
• What is the meaning of Thingyan Festival – Myanmar New Year?
• What to do & where to celebrate the New Year's Eve in Chiang Mai
• What to do and where to Celebrate Your New Year's Eve in Bangkok
• When is Tet Vietnam - Should you travel during Vietnamese lunar new year?
• Where is Angkor Wat? How to get there?
• Where to celebrate Loy Krathong Festival in Phuket?
• Where to Celebrate Your New Year's Eve in Phuket
• Xe Champhone Loop - the hidden beauty of central Laos
• Yi Peng - The Magnificent Chiang Mai Lantern Festival of Light
• Inspiration
• Tips & Tricks
• Culture & Tradition
• Nature & Adventure
• Food & Drink
• News & Events
• Rockland Building, No. 6, Alley 102 - Khuat Duy Tien, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi 120415, Vietnam
• +84 868 38 25 38
• [email protected]

• Meet the Team
• Work with Us
• Czech Republic
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• Scandinavia
• Philippines
• South Korea
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• Budget Travel
• Work & Travel
• The Broke Backpacker Manifesto
• Travel Resources
• How to Travel on $10/day

Home » Southeast Asia » Travel Safety

Is Myanmar Safe for Travel? (Insider Tips)

Myanmar is an undiscovered gem of Southeast Asia. A cultural wonderland, a huge mix of ethnic groups, rich history, and stunning nature definitely make it a favourite of ours.

But it’s not complete paradise. There has been a n ongoing,   70-year-long ethnic civil war , the persecution of  Rohingya Muslims,  landmines, bandits, and the  opium trade,  to name the biggest. All of these issues may have you asking yourself, “is Myanmar safe at all?”

It’s ok to be concerned about safety in Myanmar. This is exactly the reason why we have created this insider’s guide on  staying safe in Myanmar. 

There are a whole lot of things that we are going to be covering in our epic guide, from whether it’s safe to visit Myanmar right now(fair question), if you should go there as a solo female traveller, to whether or not the food is safe or not. Our guide will have you covered.

So you may be wondering about the safety of Myanmar in general, or you may be wondering about the state of the healthcare in Myanmar – whatever your concerns may be, we are here to help you travel smart and stay safe so you can get the most out of your Myanmar voyage.

Unlock Our GREATEST Travel Secrets!

Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox.

How Safe is Myanmar? (Our take)

Is myanmar safe to visit right now, safest places in myanmar, 22 top safety tips for traveling to myanmar, is myanmar safe to travel alone, is myanmar safe for solo female travelers, more on safety in myanmar, faq about staying safe in myanmar, so, is myanmar safe.

Long an isolated, off-limits country, Myanmar (aka Burma ) is now open for business.

And that’s good news for you: the ancient temples of  Bagan , crumbling colonial streets of  Yangon,  and the former royal capital of  Mandalay  are all available for you to visit.

And, despite a buffet of  no-go areas  present throughout the country, Myanmar IS safe. Myanmar may not appear safe at times, because of on-going ethnic “issues”, but, as a tourist, these hardly affect you.

Petty theft is almost non-existent. Hassle levels are low. Crimes against tourists are actually  super rare.  Often, the worse that you’ll have to deal with is the occasional overcharging, which is tourists should be used to by now.

People in Myanmar are very friendly and – in most places – refreshingly not jaded when it comes to tourists.

However, you do need to be responsible when you travel…

There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, and this article is no different. The question of “Is Myanmar Safe?” will ALWAYS have a different answer depending on the parties involved. But this article is written for savvy travellers from the perspective of savvy travellers.

The information present in this safety guide was accurate at the time of writing, however, the world is a changeable place, now more than ever. Between the pandemic, ever-worsening cultural division, and a click-hungry media, it can be hard to maintain what is truth and what is sensationalism.

Here, you will find safety knowledge and advice for travelling Myanmar. It won’t be down to the wire cutting edge info on the most current events, but it is layered in the expertise of veteran travellers. If you use our guide, do your own research, and practise common sense, you will have a safe trip to Myanmar.

If you see any outdated information in this guide, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. We strive to provide the most relevant travel information on the web and always appreciate input from our readers (nicely, please!). Otherwise, thanks for your ear and stay safe!

It’s a wild world out there. But it’s pretty damn special too. 🙂

Many people arrive or visit Myanmar as a part of a tour, but independent travel is totally doable.  Myanmar is definitely becoming a popular spot for backpackers.

Myanmar is not a model country though, let’s be honest. Poverty and corruption are rife, the military still practically rule the country, and armed inter-ethnic conflicts continue. Myanmar is also the world’s second-largest producer of opium after Afghanistan.

As of February 2021, the situation in Myanmar is a bit precarious. The Military Staged a coup and has imprisoned the lawfully elected government. It is not certain how the situation will play out, for at the time of writing there is rioting, civil unrest and martial law – not the best time to visit.

The grand majority of Myanmar is safe to visit right now, BUT certain parts of the country  AREN’T. We’ve got a full section on that later.

Since independence from the UK in 1948, the internal conflicts in Myanmar have been ongoing as  the world’s longest civil war.

Border areas are tricky. Whilst the Indian border  seems to be ok,   anywhere between Myanmar and China, Thailand or Laos  can be volatile. For example, the  Karin  and  Mon States – on the Thai border – should be approached with caution.

Given the volatile nature of these areas, wandering off on your own or trekking by yourself is inadvisable. Not only are there snakes to deal with, but unexploded ordnance, mines and travelling into differently controlled areas can REALLY get you into serious trouble.

With all these things in mind, we can confidently say that visiting Myanmar is safe, especially once the political situation has improved. As of February 2021, we’d recommend waiting just a little bit longer to book your trip.

When choosing where you’ll be staying in Myanmar, a bit of research and caution is essential. You don’t want to end up in a sketchy area and ruin your trip. To help you out, we’ve listed the safest areas to visit in Myanmar below.

Many travellers backpacking Myanmar will start their route in Yangon, arriving on a cheap flight from Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. It’s an incredibly busy place and can definitely be a culture shock, but it’s totally worth the experience. 

One thing we have to note though: watch your belongings! Yangon is known for pickpocketing and petty theft. As long as you keep your eyes open and your valuables close by, visiting the city is pretty safe. But as we mentioned – it’s busy! 

Exploring the city is easy and it’s a fun place to walk around although you may want to catch a cab for longer distances – taxis don’t have a meter and you need to negotiate before getting in, it’s always possible to score a discount. From Yangon, you can head East to the famed Golden Rock at Kyaiktiyo, West towards Mrauk U, or you can head north to Bagan or Inle.

Mandalay is the second-largest city in Myanmar and an important economic and cultural hub. It’s often considered to be the center of Burmese culture, which is why it’s a popular destination for travelers who want to experience other cultures.

This is a city with a rich and intoxicating culture and history that can be incredibly rewarding for travelers. It’s also a famously busy city, so don’t let that dissuade you. Mandalay can seem intimidating at first, but once you arrive, you’ll find incredible religious and cultural sites, friendly people, and an interesting mix of foods.

Bagan is one of the most ancient and archaeologically exciting places in the whole world. As a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest archaeological zone in the world, Bagan lies in the historic Mandalay Region of Myanmar. It goes without saying that this place is overflowing with history, so it’s the best place to visit if you want to dive into the past.

But if you also want to see the modern side of this incredible region, look no further. There are loads of modernised areas with bustling streets and eclectic markets. The region has lots of vast open spaces as well, with the glorious countryside surrounding it. It’s the best place to visit in Myanmar for your fill of culture as well as nature.

With its more laid-back vibe, it’s also one of the safest regions to visit in Myanmar. That being said, it’s still smart to keep your wits about you. It’s better to be safe than sorry. 

Places to avoid in Myanmar

As we mentioned before, there are plenty of no-go areas in Myanmar. And to make sure you’ll have a safe trip, we’ve listed the worst ones below. That being said, you should always keep your eyes open and stay aware of your surrounding no matter where you are.

The northern parts of Shan State, the state of Kachin above that, Southern Chin , and Rakhine State (home to Rohingya Muslims ) are hectic to visit and sometimes totally off-limits.

Certain towns within these areas, like Hsi Paw in Shan are ok to travel to but, overall, the areas around them are generally not safe. The UK government advises “all but essential travel.”

You can still attempt to visit these areas – just be sure to contact a local agency or expert and check what the situation is like first.

Border areas can be a bit tricky as well, especially when there’s increased military. However, there’s not much to see in that region anyway, so you definitely won’t be missing out. 

It’s important to know that Myanmar isn’t the safest place, so a bit of caution and research before you start your travels will go a long way. If you want to increase your safety during your stay, read on for our insider travel tips. Stick to those and you won’t have a single issue in Myanmar.

Myanmar Travel Insurance

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Myanmar is a  land of wonders  with a myriad of interesting sights. And just because there are zones which people say you should avoid, doesn’t mean you should write the entire country off. You can go to Myanmar and have a safe, fun, and definitely memorable trip.

But it’s important to travel smart . That means understanding the culture and social norms as much as the current situation.

• Stay away from any kind of demonstration  – It’s not advised for foreigners to be a part of a political rally as anything can happen at anytime
• Be careful when discussing politics with a local  – you might think that you know about the Rohingya situation, for example, but a local could see it a whole other way.
• Watch out for snakes  – not just when trekking; lesser visited temples in  Bagan  are nice homes for slithery, dangerous snakes, like cobras.
• Traffic can be MORE than a bit crazy  – especially in  Yangon.  Take care when crossing, or even just walking along the road.
• Don’t take pictures of any government buildings  – or police, or military personnel, for that matter.
• When trekking, hike with a local guide  – not just a Burmese person, but an actual local to the area. They’ll know where not to go and be clued up on the local situation, too.
• If you have a tattoo with an image of Buddha…  – cover it up. People are actually deported for not showing respect.
• Don’t walk around flashing your wealth  – crime stats are low, but it’s best to be careful.
• Pack a money belt  – just in case. (You may not have to wear it.)
• Mosquitoes will pester you   – so cover up and use repellent. They can carry the zika virus, dengue fever, and Japanese encephalitis…
• Careful in monsoon season  – this runs from May to October. Floods and landslides can be pretty bad in this period. The weather could possibly turn into a full-blown cyclone as well.
• And earthquakes too  – it’s not unheard of in Myanmar. Knowing what to do in the event of a bad one is a good idea.
• Pollution can be a problem  – especially around quarries, such as those outside  Mandalay.
• Avoid swimming and wading in freshwater rivers, lakes, ponds  – the parasitic schistosomiasis , also known as snail fever, can be picked up in freshwater sources.
• Learn some Burmese  – also simply called ‘Myanmar.’ The language is not that hard either – it’s all about emphasis, no tonal stuff here.
• If you do have to use dollars somewhere, they HAVE to be pristine  – getting an  Indian Visa  in  Yangon,  for example, requires US dollars. Pristine. Crisp. No stains, no wrinkles, no rips.
• Don’t feed the monkeys  – they’re used to snacks and go mad for them. They can be pretty vicious too.
• Dogs can also be scary  – groups of them can be aggressive. Some of them may have rabies, so keep away.
• Swim in safe areas on the coast  – there can be strong tides, which are bad news even for a confident swimmer.
• Book accommodation ahead of time  – foreigners can only stay in certain places, making it a bit hard to come by in high season.
• Be careful walking around after dark  – streetlights aren’t ubiquitous and hazards can be numerous, especially in towns.
• Don’t be alarmed at red stains on the floor…  – you’ll see this everywhere. Thankfully, it ain’t blood – people chew  betel here, which takes on reddish color when chewed. It’s basically a drug and when you’re done, you spit it out.

We’re all for solo travel because there’s a lot you can get out of it. It’s not just a  challenge for yourself , which is when you grow the most as a person, but it’s an amazing way to meet new people and see the world.

No matter where you travel though – be it Myanmar or Malta – it’s always a good idea to be equipped with a few tips when it comes to travelling by yourself.

• When you’re by yourself,  things CAN get lonely. (It’s just bound to happen.) The best antidote to this is to  socialize.  Not only is it a good way to share travel tips, but you may also make a travel buddy or two.
• The best place to meet people is  a hostel  of course. Find yourself one with good reviews.
• That said,  there aren’t loads of hostels (Though there are quite a few good Mandalay hostels ) . Staying in a family-run guesthouse can be an amazing experience though. Feeling at home is much better than a much more impersonal hotel experience. Trust us.
• Try and blend in. You’ll notice that not many people wear trousers or shorts. Instead, they wear longyi,  which is traditional Burmese attire. A wrap-around skirt sort of thing that both men and women wear. Feel free to wear it as well.
• Getting yourself a  local guide  when you’re going off the beaten track is a great idea. This will help you understand more about the area you’re travelling through as well as Myanmar as a whole.
• Picking up a  sim card  at the airport is a good idea. With this, you’ll be able to use the data for maps, phone your accommodation ahead of time, book restaurants, and all sorts of other stuff. Most importantly though, you’ll be able to  keep in touch with your folks and friends back home .
• Don’t get crazy drunk. Busy places like Yangon are already difficult to navigate and getting blind drunk isn’t going to help the situation much.
• Don’t push yourself too hard.  You don’t need to see every place  and doing so is really going to wear you out. Give yourself days to chill.
• Oh and  Myanmar can get HOT.  Look after yourself in the heat and drink plenty of water . If you’re by yourself, getting heat stroke is not fun at all.

We’d say that Myanmar is absolutely safe for solo female travellers. It’s going to be a trip to remember, that’s for sure.

And honestly? There’s not a lot of hassle or high levels of sexual harassment to watch out for in Myanmar. But because society is still developing, women are still faced with certain limitations. So it’s definitely smart to know how to travel Myanmar like a pro…

• Dressing appropriately is definitely something you should do. Either going for a  longyi  and some sort of blouse, or baggy trousers and a top that covers your shoulders. Tight leggings will stick out.  Look at what the other women are wearing and follow suit. Chances are you’ll get a lot more respect if you’re dressed more like a local.
• Make a few travel buddies. Staying somewhere that has good reviews from other female travellers  is a smart move. Making friends with another woman travelling through Myanmar will allow you some company and be useful for bouncing stories and tips off of.
• We wouldn’t advise going out drinking alone. Not because it’s unsafe but because you probably will get attention. Places like  19th Street (Yangon),  or  beer stations  around the country are quite male-dominated and you may feel uncomfortable alone.
• If you’re travelling on a train, bus, or boat by yourself, we’d recommend  sitting with other women.  Women travelling alone can be seen as pretty odd by Burmese people – it’s just not done. So making friends with some local ladies, or just chatting to other female tourists, is a good way to make yourself more comfortable.
• Find yourself a tour if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all. Even if it’s just a  walking tour  of a town or city. This is a  great way to meet people.  Plus you’ll also get to learn more about Myanmar. Win-win.
• Don’t touch monks! Myanmar is a  deeply Buddhist country  and monks are off-limits to women. Even if you’re passing something to a monk, don’t do it directly – just place it within his reach. That’s just the way it is.
• With this in mind, be aware that  you can’t go to certain stupas or religious sites.  Women, for whatever reason, just aren’t allowed in some holy places in Myanmar.
• Stock up on sanitary products before you head out of  Yangon  or  Mandalay . The likelihood is you aren’t going to be finding them anywhere that’s even remotely off the beaten track.

Of course, travelling alone may make you seem ‘odd’ by the local people. But you’re a foreigner – you’ll be odd anyway. And the easy antidote to that is to make some friends, take a tour, or simply to chatting to some local ladies. You’ll have an amazing time.

We’ve covered the main safety concerns already, but there are a few more things to know. Read on for more detailed information on how to have a safe trip to Myanmar.

Is Myanmar safe to travel for families?

Travelling with children in Myanmar is not exactly  straightforward and probably not that easy.

The main concern? HYGIENE.

Sanitation levels aren’t always top-notch and definitely nowhere near Western standards. Because of this, we wouldn’t really recommend taking  small children  on a trip to Myanmar.

Cleanliness aside, here are some other things to consider when taking your family to Myanmar:

• There are a growing number of family-friendly places to stay which boast amenities for children. But for the most part, accommodation here isn’t really about families.
• Whilst there is a loads of temples to see, especially in Bagan ,  it might also be easy for your kids to get quite quickly  templed out.  This might even happen to you, but for children, lack of interactive museums or anything like that might be a little boring.
• Poverty, especially related to children,  can be upsetting to see. There are kids begging, ladies with babies begging, children working. Just a word of warning.
• Animals, as we spoke about earlier, can be pretty dangerous – some can be  REALLY dangerous.  Make sure your children know the dangers and  keep an eye out yourself.
• Keeping your children out of the sun and  making sure they’re hydrated  is a must since Myanmar gets hot and the heat hits kids more acutely than it does adults.
• When visiting Myanmar with children, we’d honestly recommend getting yourself on some sort of tour. At the very least, you should have some sort of transport organized for the entire trip. That way, there will be  less to think about. 

In general, whilst it’s not going to be the EASIEST place to travel with children, Myanmar is SAFE for children. What you’ll need are a relaxed mindset and some pretty chilled parenting. Travelling to Myanmar with your kids is going to be a real adventure, but we think you’re going to love it.

Is it safe to drive in Myanmar?

Driving in Myanmar is chaotic, not to mention difficult to organize, and we’d say that doing it on your own is dangerous and not worth the stress.

For one thing,  you need to get permission from the government to hire a car.  For another thing, we just wouldn’t say it was safe.

The roads are not in great condition and cities are often just jam packed with cars. Neither have a lot of rules in place.

Though scenic, the road from  Pyin Oo Lwin  to  Mandalay  is not something you’d want to drive. The road itself is precarious with huge dropoffs and cliffs that make you hold your breath.

Drivers recklessly overtake each other as well and blanket the entire route with dust, which doesn’t help the situation much. It’s a thrill, alright, and it’s just not something we’d EVER consider driving ourselves.

After night, we just wouldn’t recommend driving in Myanmar AT ALL. Not knowing the roads, armed bandits, animals in the road. Just not worth it.

If you feel like you need to travel quickly,  just hire a driver. Splitting the price of a private car between you and a few other travellers makes it pretty cost-effective, too.

Is Uber safe in Myanmar?

No Uber here.

There is  Grab,  however. It’s reliable and cheap and a good way to get around  Yangon. 

Just make sure you don’t get  charged twice.  Drivers may demand cash even if you’ve paid credit on the app. A simple complaint to Grab should have your money swiftly winging itself back to you, though.

But generally, Grab is safe in Myanmar.

Are taxis safe in Myanmar?

The taxis are  generally safe  in Myanmar.

By that, we mean that sometimes the taxis can be a little old and sometimes the drivers can be speedy.

At  Yangon International Airport  you’ll be able to get a taxi easily. Hop over to the taxi desk, say where you’re going (give an address) and you’ll get a receipt.

There are plenty of taxis in  large cities.  Hail one and they’ll stop. They won’t necessarily always let you get in – taxi drivers might refuse if your destination is too far out of town.

In addition, get ready to negotiate. Taxis aren’t metered and drivers will set a price according to their whim. If it’s too high, go lower. If haggling doesn’t seem to be working, accept the price or move on.

You can also get taxis  between major towns.  This is basically a  private car.  The guys driving these taxis can range from perfectly fine to maniacs. Private taxis can be arranged through your accommodation. It’s not guaranteed that you’ll get an amazing driver.

You can also shop around.  Nyaung Shwe,  a popular spot on  Inle Lake , has many taxi companies on its main street. It’s a great option if you’re travelling as a group since you don’t pay per person, you pay for the trip. 

Is public transportation in Myanmar safe?

Yes, public transport in Myanmar is safe.

For train geeks and people who just like train journeys alike, the trains in Myanmar are awesome. They aren’t exactly top of the range but for the experience alone, these really are a great way to get around the country.

The famous loop train line that runs from central to northern  Yangon  and back again is actually a fun day out. Buy your ticket, sit back, and watch locals hop on and off.

You can also get  buses around cities. Yangon has the best system and boasts a regular fleet plus the  Yangon BRT (Bus Rapid Transit), which is a good way to get around. The buses are  air-conditioned,  which is a lifesaver when it’s boiling. Both of these are safe.

Long distance buses are another way of getting around the country and these range in quality. From luxury night coaches that serve free refreshments and have TVs in the headrests, to not so good buses that have one TV that plays the same Burmese music videos and soaps on loop (if you’re lucky). Riding a bus is always an experience, though.

The best thing to do?  Research.  Companies vary and asking your guesthouse which company they’re using will at least prepare you.

There are also  boats  that you can use. The famous  Ayeyarwady River,  amongst others, allows ample opportunity to get your skipper on. From standard government boats to ultra luxury colonial-feeling cruises, there are a number of ways to get around.

Look ’em up and see where you can go.  Mandalay  to  Bagan  (or the other way round) is a popular route, for example.

In conclusion, public transportation in Myanmar is safe. That’s that.

Is the food in Myanmar safe?

Burmese food has an unfairly  bad reputation.  In reality, there’s plenty on offer that’s going to have most foodies floored and we mean that in a good way. From the peanut zing and soft textures of  shan noodles  to the crunch and bite of  lahpet thoke  (tea leaf salad), all the way to BBQ’d meats – it’s all tasty!

You should get sucked into everything, including the street food –  don’t be scared.  A lot of places look ropey as hell, but, the thing is, everyone eats in them, from locals to other tourists. So sit down with your  si beer  (draught beer) and a bowl of peanuts and wait…

• Food tends to  sit around all day.  The same stuff that gets cooked up for lunch is often what’s on the menu for dinner. Just for the sake of your stomach, we’d say  steer clear of street food in the evenings.
• With this in mind,  food is often oily.  But that’s a good thing: a nice layer of oil in dishes like  curries  usually keeps insects away.
• Try and look for busy stalls to eat at, especially on notorious  19th Street  in  Yangon.  The busier the place, the better and more likely cleaner it is. You may be tempted to sit somewhere that’s completely not busy, but that’s a) no fun b) could be an indicator that the food makes people ill.
• Don’t get too freaked out by the grilled meat. It starts out raw and ends up VERY WELL cooked. This will kill most germs that will give you a dodgy tummy.
• If you’re  prone to a bad stomach  or you’re just not used to Southeast Asian food (and the way it’s cooked), the best way to proceed would be to do some research. Go to places that are tried and tested or are talked about a lot.
• As a general rule of thumb, we would say  eat seafood by the sea, and regular food in the mountains.  Seafood can give you the worst tummy trouble (food poisoning can be dangerous ) and the best way to combat this is to simply ensure it’s fresh.
• If you’re scared of curries, head to  Chinese restaurants.  The food here is cooked hot and fast and will be fine for you to eat.
• Make sure to WASH YOUR HANDS. Take hand sanitiser with you. These seem like  no-brainers .
• Don’t be worried about sitting down at streetside stalls. These are on many corners or on the street and seem to be  permanent fixtures.  You can literally watch your food being cooked just a few feet away.
• Refresh yourself with  cane sugar juice  from the markets. It’s cane sugar, put through a steam-roller type device. They’re perfectly safe and a good energy boost.

Whilst it may not always LOOK safe, the food in Myanmar is safe to eat. You WILL be missing out if you don’t sit down at a  beer station  and try some of the food that’s on offer. Ease yourself in, don’t go too mad, and your stomach and tastebuds will thank you.

Can you drink the water in Myanmar?

No. Not really. Not at all, actually.

You CAN’T drink the water in Myanmar.

Stick to bottled water and make sure the seal hasn’t been broken. If you find a source of purified water, be sure to fill up your own water bottle to the brim – you never know when the next one will come.

Is Myanmar safe to live?

Myanmar is safe to live in and  a lot of foreigners from all over the world do.  On the whole, Myanmar is definitely an adventurous place to live.

You’ll often get the feeling  you’ve stepped back in time.  People are friendly, there are charming daily markets, and a load of nature to explore on your days off.

Yangon  will probably be the best place to base yourself. That’s down to the other foreigners working and living here, the embassies, and the amount of things you can actually do in the city.

Let’s reiterate: it’s totaly safe to live in Myanmar on a day to day level. You can walk around the cities at night without fear.

What’s not so great is the government.  You’ll have to be ok with living in a country run by a government accused of very recent atrocities and where a pretty brutal military often has the final say. You’ll also have to come to grips living in a country where  civil war continues  in many of its states.

It is a very good idea to do your research on Burmese society and history before you go. Knowing more can’t be a bad thing.

Of course, get on Facebook groups, Google groups (like  Yangon Expat Connections ), and make friends with expats and locals alike.

At the end of the day,  Myanmar is a developing country.  Being fine with everything that comes with that is key.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

Is it safe to rent an Airbnb in Myanmar?

Unfortunately, Airbnbs can only be found in the major cities in Myanmar. The government restricts the places where tourists can live a lot, so don’t expect too many options. 

However, if you do score an Airbnb, you can expect super friendly hosts and great hospitality. Renting an Airbnb is perfectly safe, as long as you read the reviews. Staying at an Airbnb during your trip will also open up new possibilities and options to experience the country.

The local hosts are known to take great care of their guests and give the absolute best recommendations of what to do and what to see. Local knowledge always goes a long way, so be sure to reach out to your hosts if you’re unsure about how to fill up your Myanmar itinerary!

Is Myanmar LGBTQ+ friendly? 

Myanmar is a bit of a tricky destination for LGBTQ+ travellers. While tourists are generally respected, gay locals are facing way more discrimination and oppression. If you’re staying in bigger cities like Yangon, you’ll find a couple of gay bars and a small gay community. In the more rural areas, this will be harder, if not impossible to find. 

Keep in mind that Myanmar is a very conservative and religious country with around 89% of the population practising Buddhism. Public affection is a rare sight, no matter what kind of relationship you’re in. Unless you’re okay with keeping yourself and your partner on the low while travelling through the country, you might not have a super pleasant trip. However, as long as you respect the local culture, you won’t have to face any issues.

Here are some quick answers to common questions about safety in Myanmar.

Is Myanmar safe for female solo travellers?

While Myanmar is not necessarily safe in itself, female solo travellers are overall very safe in Myanmar. There is not much sexual harassment, and if you explore attractions with a local guide, you’ll hardly have anything to worry about. Dress appropriately if possible, so you don’t draw unwanted attention to yourself.

What should you avoid in Myanmar?

These are the things you should avoid in Myanmar: – Don’t participate in demonstrations – stay away! – Don’t share political opinions with a local – Don’t cross the street blindly – Avoid trekking or walking exploring without a guide

What are the most dangerous areas in Myanmar?

These areas are the most dangerous in Myanmar: – The northern parts of Shan State – The state of Kachin Southern Chin and Rakhine State – Any border regions (apart from Indian border)

Is Myanmar safe for inexperienced travellers?

We wouldn’t say that Myanmar is safe for first-time travellers. Mainly because you need to have at least some experience with different cultures, how to react and behave in certain situations and keep your head down if it’s needed. A curious tourist could easily get into real trouble in Myanmar.

Myanmar is a strange case. It can be safe if you come prepared and at the right time. Its military, the  Tatmadaw,  are fighting against and oppressing ethnic groups all over the country. There’s practically a  genocide  happening against the  Rohingya  people, which has been widely condemned across the globe.

Violent crime against tourists and even petty theft are virtually unheard of. You can walk around safely at pretty much any time of the day.

Myanmar is an awesome place to explore, and a lot of the time you will feel like you’re actually discovering Myanmar rather than being on a backpacking conveyor belt. There are tons of place that have yet to become overrun and Burmese people are super, super nice.

The biggest issue is coming to grips with the politics and current events of Myanmar. It may feel weird to be in a country where so much conflict is going on, but you can overcome this dilemma by  giving back to local people. By staying in guesthouses, hiring guides, and working with communities, you can help out in a small way. And that makes it worth it.

Disclaimer: Safety conditions change all over the world on a daily basis. We do our best to advise but this info may already be out of date. Do your own research. Enjoy your travels!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Monique MacPhail

Share or save this post

18 Comments

Hi Is there anyone in Myanmar travelling at the moment. I am planning an extensive Far East trip in Jan/Mar and have always wanted to go to Burma. I plan to fly in to Mandalay from Bangkok then fly to Yangon then fly out Any comments from anyone there at the moment ? Cheers Steve [email protected]

Hi, I’m planning to cross Myanmar as part of a trip from Thailand to India at the end of 2023. Do you think it’s doable? Thanks!

I actually did some serious research into this a few years, at the time it was possible, abet with a list of caveats. These included but were not limited too, obtaining the correct visa/permits, using government approved guides, using approved borders open to tourist, not all are. Things are always changing tho, so some current research into this will certainly be required particularly for the Myanmar side, due to the current situation there.

Hi, is it safe to travel to Yangon for business now? Thanks!

Things do seem calmer there at the moment, I would recommend posting on some Myanmar specific forums and looking up some local English language new sources to get a better picture of the current situation.

I am scheduled to travel to Myanmar in the middle of November this year; the “do not travel” notice from the state department scares me, but I understand that tourists, especially Caucasian, have little to fear. I plan to fly from Bangkok to Yangon in the early morning, then travel by car-with-driver to Bagan the next morning around 4 am, then fly from Bagan to Mandalay the following morning, then fly back to Bangkok the 4th day. Your thoughts… 1) safety in November 2022 , 2) WHERE can I find a car and driver for the trip to Bagan, and 3) should I change money to local currency, or just use US $ for everything ?

Hi Michael,

While tourists don’t generally encounter problems travelling in Myanmar, the travel you plan leaves almost no room for problems you might encounter, such as a cancelled flight, road closure or bad weather. If this is all the time you have, I would suggest you go for it, and be prepared with the mindset to basically throw money at any problems you may encounter along the way , to carry out your travel plan. I would suggest bringing enough pristine USD with you so you don’t have to waste time trying to get local currency if you have problems with ATM on the ground.

Can you do an update on this article regarding the current safety of the political situation in Myanmar for travel as of January 2022 once COVID restrictions are lifted?

In any hotel in Yangon, yes, have clean crisp notes but make sure the notes you receive in change are clean and crisp too. When hiring a car / driver make sure the vehicle you have negotiated over is the vehicle that comes and picks you up.

Hello I think you may want to update this article. It is NOT currently safe in Myanmar because of political uproar and this is not the time to be visiting

Yes we have been following the news and this article will be updated as soon as we are able. As I am sure you can appreciate, Safety situations do change quite a lot, quite fast and we can’t possibly keep up date to the minute!

Did you have problems with snakes?? Just curious I’d like to go but I am scared of them

Hi Eimeara, No problems with snakes that I encountered. But it’s one of those things. If you go wandering off piste into long grass and the like, who knows what you may find in there. Stay alert about where you are walking and you should be fine. It is an amazing country and I highly recommend you visit if you can.

Thank you for this excellent informative article. we travel to Myanmar in November and you have given me lots of information to work with

Its a fascinating place, have a great time!

Nice article though. However, the word genocide is quite unfairly exaggerated all around the world. Military operation against ethnic minorities could be, to some extent, true( although the federal military and the ethnic military are teaming up just to continue war for the funds). But the case for Rohingya is completely different. The Rakhine State is rich in culture and history mainly of Buddhism. You will find a lot of thousand years old Buddhist monuments and statues in the region where the conflict occurred. And yet, it’s been claimed the homeland for Rohingya people, who are Muslims.(I bare no ill will to Muslim people). A land with full of historical Buddhist monuments could be homeland for millions of Muslims ? Anyway, this article is an excellent one. Enjoyed that.

wow, wholly informative…except th one thing I needed to know, which pertains to th paperwork for getting INTO myanmar to visit. other than that, amazing article ! I’m psyched

How are you? – Shin ne-kaùn-yéh-là? “Shin ” is used by female. “ne-kaùn-yéh-là” is enough in general

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail.

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Myanmar (Burma)

Warnings and insurance.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice.

Areas where FCDO advises against all travel

FCDO advises against all travel to:

• Kachin State
• Kayah State
• northern and central Rakhine State
• Sagaing and Magway regions
• Tanintharyi Region, excluding Myeik township, and the archipelago and townships south of Tanintharyi township
• Shan State North
• North Mandalay Region; the townships north of Mandalay City and Pyin Oo Lwin
• East of the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway in Bago region

Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• Shan State South and East
• Mandalay Region
• Tanintharyi Region south of Tanintharyi township
• southern Rakhine State
• the rest of Bago region

The conflict is Myanmar is increasingly volatile. The security situation may deteriorate at short notice. Exercise caution, and consider any travel plans carefully.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel .

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:

• advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
• information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

Related content

Is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Before You Go

Learn About Your Destination

While Abroad

Emergencies

Share this page:

Burma (Myanmar)

Travel Advisory January 22, 2024

Burma (myanmar) - level 4: do not travel.

Updated to include information on Civil Unrest, Armed Conflict, Wrongful Detention, Arbitrary Enforcement of Local Laws, Land Mines and Unexploded Ordnance, and the “If You Decide to Travel to Burma” section.

Do not travel to Burma due to  civil unrest, armed conflict, and arbitrary enforcement of local laws . Reconsider travel to Burma due to  limited and/or inadequate healthcare and emergency medical resources, and areas with land mines and unexploded ordnances . Exercise increased caution due to  wrongful detentions .

COUNTRY SUMMARY : The Burma military regime detained and deposed elected government officials in a February 2021 coup d'état. Protests and demonstrations against military rule continue, often on significant dates. The military has responded to these protests by arbitrarily arresting individuals and with the indiscriminate use of deadly force against protesters and bystanders.

The Department of State has determined that the risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by the military regime exists.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services in Burma as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel outside of Rangoon. Dependents under the age of 21 cannot accompany U.S. government employees who work in Burma.

Civil unrest and armed conflict  occur throughout Burma. The level of civil unrest and armed conflict varies significantly between and within states and regions and may change at any time.

Civil unrest and armed violence due to fighting between the military regime and various ethnic groups and militia occur in parts of Chin, Kachin, Kayin, Rakhine, and Shan States, as well as in Sagaing, and Magway regions.

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are used in the ongoing armed conflicts, including in the Yangon urban area. From January to July 2023, the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon confirmed an average of fourteen IEDs per month detonated against regime targets in the Yangon urban area, while an average of nine unexploded IEDs were discovered and safely disposed of per month. IEDs used in Yangon urban area tend to be designed for smaller impacts against specific targets. Outside of Yangon, IED attacks against checkpoints and other critical infrastructure have been designed for larger impact.

While land mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) exist throughout Burma, the greatest concerns are in the areas of Shan, Chin, and Kachin. The locations of landmines and UXO are often not marked or otherwise unidentifiable.

The military regime arbitrarily enforces local laws , including carrying out  random and wrongful detentions of U.S. citizens without due process . U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Burma may be detained without access to U.S. consular services or information about their alleged crime.

U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals are not exempt from prolonged interrogations and extended detention without due process of law. Local law enforcement officials may detain and/or deport U.S. citizens for speaking out or protesting against the military regime, including on their personal social media accounts, and for sending private electronic messages critical of the military regime. Facebook and Twitter are banned in Myanmar; police have sought bribes from individuals using a VPN to access social media sites even though VPNs are not officially illegal.

Burma has  limited and/or inadequate healthcare and emergency medical resources due to critical staffing shortages in the public sector health workforce. Importation of medical supplies, including medicine, into Burma is not consistent and medical prescriptions and over-the-counter medicine may not be available.

Read the Safety and Security section on the  country information page .

If you decide to travel to Burma:

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Follow the Embassy on Facebook and Twitter .
• Follow the Embassy’s Consular Section on Facebook .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Burma.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• Purchase travel medical insurance that includes medical evacuation.
• Do not touch unknown metal objects and avoid traveling off well-used roads, tracks, and paths due to risk of unexploded ordnance.
• Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
• Make contingency plans to leave the country.
• Review local laws and conditions before traveling.
• Visit our website for  High-Risk Area Travelers .
• Share important documents, login information, and points of contact with loved ones so that they can manage your affairs if you are unable to return as planned to the United States.  Find a suggested list of such documents here .
• Develop a communication plan with family and/or your employer or host organization.
• Erase any sensitive photos, comments, or other materials that could be considered controversial or provocative by local groups from your social media pages, cameras, laptops, and other electronic devices prior to travel.

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

One page required for entry stamp

Travelers are required to show documentation for COVID-19 medical insurance, and a completed Health Declaration Form.

Amounts in excess of USD 10,000 must be declared upon entry

Amounts in excess of USD 10,000 must be declared upon exit

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Rangoon 110 University Ave Kamayut Township, Rangoon, Burma Telephone: (95) 1-753-6-509 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  (95) 1-753-6-509 Fax: (951)-751-2124 Email:  [email protected] Facebook Twitter

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to Burma.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Since the February 2021 coup, Burma’s military regime controls travel to, from, and within Burma. To enter Burma, you must have a valid passport with at least six months’ validity remaining and a valid visa. You should apply for your visa at a Burmese Embassy or Consulate abroad before you arrive in Burma. Inside the country, you will be required to show your passport with a valid visa at all airports, train stations, and hotels. Security checkpoints are common outside of tourist areas. COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate and Negative Test Results are no longer required for the entry. Travelers are still required to show documentation for COVID-19 medical insurance AND a completed Health Declaration Form. The Myanmar Insurance website has additional information.

Visa Information: Burma's eVisa program allows tourists and business travelers to apply for a visa online rather than physically applying at an embassy or consulate:

• You are generally notified within a few days whether you have been pre-approved for a visa.
• You must present the approval letter at Immigration when you enter Burma.
• Once you are approved for the visa, the visa needs to be used within three months.
• Apply at:  Myanmar eVisa (Official Government Website) .  Be aware that non-official websites may be fraudulent; beware of scams.

Military Travelers: Active-duty U.S. military personnel are not authorized to travel to Burma.

Burma has a  visas-on-arrival program  for certain business travelers. The program is available only to those with a formal letter of invitation from a business registered with the Burmese Ministry of Commerce, NOT to tourists.

There is also a meditation visa for visitors planning long-term studies at monasteries and meditation centers.

You can get information about entry requirements as well as other information from the  Embassy of Burma’s  website. The Embassy is located at 2300 S Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20008. Telephone: 202-332-4350. The Permanent Mission of Burma  to the UN is located at 10 East 77th St., New York, NY 10021.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Burma.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction  and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Messages regarding security-related events are posted on the  Embassy’s website .

Fighting between the Burma’s military forces and ethnic armed groups and militia forces continues in border regions, including parts of Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Shan, Rakhine, and Chin States, and as well as in Sagaing and Magway in the center of the country. Travelers should avoid travel to these areas.

The destinations frequented by most U.S. citizen visitors, including Rangoon, Bagan, Ngapali Beach, Naypyitaw, and Mandalay, are not currently affected by this fighting, but the security situation can change quickly. See our Travel Advisory for more information.

Land mines and unexploded ordnance:  Conflict-affected areas are of greatest concern, particularly areas of Shan, Chin, and Kachin States. The location of landmines is often not marked or otherwise identifiable.

The regime’s Ministry of Hotels and Tourism publishes information on restricted areas.

Due to travel restrictions placed on U.S. diplomats by the de-facto authorities, our ability to assist U.S. citizens affected by incidents in remote and/or conflict-affected areas of Burma may be limited.

Crime:  Crime rates in Burma, especially involving foreigners, are lower than those of many other countries in the region. Nevertheless, the crime rate has been increasing, particularly home burglaries and petty crime. Violent crime against foreigners is rare, but there have been incidents involving attacks by taxi drivers and muggings. Citizens are advised to take particular care when taking taxis late at night.

See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for more information.

Victims of Crime:  Report crimes to the local police at 199 or in person at the police station in the district where the crime took place; and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(95) (1) 7536-509, ext. 4240, Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(95) 1 7536-509.  Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• help you find appropriate medical care.
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police.
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent.
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms.
• provide a list of local attorneys.
• provide information on  victim’s compensation programs in the United States .
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution.
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home.
• replace a stolen or lost passport.

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Disaster Preparedness

• Cyclones and Tropical Storms:  Cyclones may occur in two, three-month seasons peaking in May and November, respectively, during which travel conditions may deteriorate significantly. In addition, intense rainfall and squalls may occur during the rainy season (approximately June to October annually). Travelers are encouraged to prepare for cyclone emergencies and monitor local news stations when cyclones are forecast. The Myanmar Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has a color-coded system for storm systems: red for storms approaching landfall in Burma, orange for storms moving towards Burma, yellow for developing storms, and brown for current storms. Additional information on storm preparedness may be found on our Crisis and Disaster Abroad webpage.
• Earthquakes do occur throughout Burma. Check here for information about  earthquake preparedness .

The Department of Homeland Security’s page has numerous resources on emergency kits, preparing for disasters and developing emergency plans:  https://www.ready.gov/.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field.  In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities.  U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance .  

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.  Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities prior to practicing or operating a business.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. For examples, see our webpage on  crimes against minors abroad  and the U.S.  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately.  See our  webpage  for further information.

Should you be detained, especially outside of Rangoon, we may not be able to assist quickly.

Law enforcement officials do not routinely notify us of the arrest of U.S. citizens, and prison officials have been known to obstruct regular access by consular officers to U.S. citizen detainees.

Dual Nationality: Burmese law forbids Burmese citizens from possessing dual nationality. On occasion, Burmese authorities have detained and pursued criminal proceedings against Burmese-Americans who have returned to Burma on U.S. passports and who have had in their possession evidence of Burmese citizenship, such as a National Registration Card.

Tourists Must Reside in a Registered Hotel or Guesthouse:  Burmese law requires that foreign tourists reside in registered hotels or guesthouses. Criminal penalties, including multiple years of imprisonment and deportation, apply for non-compliance.

Illegal drugs  carry severe penalties. Expect long jail sentences under harsh conditions, heavy fines, or even execution for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs.

Insulting Religion:  Under Burmese law, insulting religion is a prosecutable offense. ‘Insult’ is a very broad term that could include tattoos or other religious representations in a non-religious context.  Images of the Buddha can be particularly sensitive. In 2016, a tourist was deported for allegedly having a tattoo of the Buddha on his leg. In 2020, a Facebook user from Meikhtila who criticized monks on social media was sentenced to over a year imprisonment; two other individuals were arrested for drawing graffiti of a skull wearing a monk’s robe. As in any country, visitors are encouraged to be respectful of local customs when visiting religious sites.

Drones:  Importing unmanned aerial systems (drones) without prior permission from authorities and flying them in sensitive areas can result in criminal penalties, including jail time and the permanent confiscation of the drone. Sensitive areas include government buildings, famous tourist sites, and religious buildings. Because it is rarely clear what constitutes a sensitive area, all recreational use of drones is inadvisable.  Multiple foreigners have recently been detained for flying drones in sensitive locations.

Social Media:  You may be prosecuted for posting negative or derogatory comments on social media, including Facebook, under the 2013 Telecommunications Law, which criminalizes “extortion of any person, coercion, unlawful restriction, defamation, interfering, undue influence, or intimidation using a telecommunications network.” If convicted, you may face a fine and/or imprisonment. 

Faith-Based Travelers:  See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers:  Consensual same-sex sexual activity is illegal under section 377 of the Burmese penal code, which has provisions against “sexually abnormal” behavior and entails punishments up to life imprisonment. Laws against “unnatural offenses” apply equally to men and women. These laws are rarely enforced; however, LGBTQI+ persons have reported police using the threat of prosecution to extort bribes. LGBTQI+ activists have also reported allegations of rape by security forces in some cases, arbitrary arrest (for example for loitering), detention, and broad societal and familial discrimination.

See our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights Report  for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities:  Individuals with disabilities should be prepared to face difficulties throughout Burma. Roads and sidewalks are often difficult to cross. Ramps or handicapped-accessible facilities are rare. 

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

For emergency services in Burma, dial 119.

COVID-19 Testing:

Testing is available at the following locations: 

• Yangon Airport Molecular Lab: located on Pyay Road near the Htan Pin Gone bus stop and DHL Myanmar warehouse at the airport. Telephone numbers: 094 4409 9941 / 094 4409 9942 
• N Health: located in Rangoon at the Tourist Burma Building on the corner of Maha Bandula St. and Sule Paya St. (near Sule Pagoda). Telephone numbers: 01 230 3202 / 09 519 9122 
• Pun Hlaing Hospital: located in Rangoon on Pun Hlaing Estate Avenue, Hlaing Tharyar Township, as well as at Pun Hlaing Clinic Downtown Rangoon, No. 14/A, Taw Win Street (Corner of Ambassador St and Taw Win St), Dagon Township.  Telephone number: 099400 60222 
• Samitivej International Clinic: located in Rangoon at 9E/2 Kabar Aye Pagoda Road, Mayangone Township. Telephone numbers: 01 656 732 / 01 660 545 / 09 42427 4301 
• International SOS Clinic: located in Rangon at Inya Lake Hotel, 37 Kaba Aye Pagoda Road.  Email:  [email protected]

COVID-19 Vaccines: The COVID-19 vaccine is available for U.S. citizens to receive in Burma. Some private clinics in Burma offer COVID-19 vaccination programs, including booster shots.  American citizens in Burma seeking vaccination should contact private clinics directly for more information.  The Embassy shares this information as a courtesy but does not endorse or recommend any specific vaccination program in Burma. 

• Grand Hantha International Hospital: located in Rangoon at No.3, Corner of Lower Kyee Myin Daing Kanner Road and Narnattaw.  Email:  [email protected] .
• Visit the FDA’s website to  learn more about FDA-approved vaccines  in the United States.  

Ambulance services are:

• not present throughout the country or are unreliable.
• not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.
• not staffed with trained paramedics and often have little or no medical equipment. 

Given the above information, injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

Most medical facilities in Burma are inadequate for routine medical care. If you are seeking medical care in Burma, you will be asked to pay cash for all health care services and medicines before receiving care; credit cards are not accepted in most health care facilities and insurance will not be billed. Adequate Emergency Medical Services including ambulance care is not reliably available. Patients who are admitted to public hospitals typically need a family member or friend to assist them with care in the hospital, and food and medical supplies must be purchased for use in the hospital. Few medical personnel in Burma are trained to U.S. standards.

U.S. citizens needing urgent medical care have been denied treatment at public hospitals due to a lack of funds.  In an emergency, you would likely need to be medically evacuated to a hospital outside Burma . Medical evacuation from Burma is expensive and is most often transacted in cash, therefore medical evacuation insurance is advised.

We do not pay medical bills.  Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance coverage overseas. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation (see above).

Medication:  Many pharmaceuticals on sale in Burma are counterfeit or adulterated, or may not be available. Travelers should consider Burmese pharmaceuticals generally unsafe to use and should bring their own medications for the duration of their stay in Burma.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with these authorities to ensure that the medication is legal in Burma.  Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Rangoon's roads are generally in poor condition, and traffic is congested throughout the day. Slow-moving vehicles, bicycles, animals, and heavy pedestrian traffic create numerous hazards for drivers on Rangoon's streets. If you drive in Burma, remain alert to avoid hitting pedestrians. If you are a pedestrian, remain alert even when you believe you have the right of way.

Most roads outside of Rangoon have one to two lanes and are potholed, often unpaved, and unlit at night.  Many of the truck drivers traveling between China and Rangoon reportedly travel under the influence of methamphetamines and other stimulants. Drunken and/or drugged drivers are common during the four-day Buddhist water festival in mid-April.

Driving at night is particularly dangerous. Most Burmese drivers do not turn on their headlights until the sky is completely dark. Many do not use headlights at all. Many bicyclists use no lights or reflectors.

Roadside assistance and ambulances are generally unavailable.

Public Transportation:  Please refer to our  Road Safety  page for more information.

Traffic Laws:  Vehicles drive on the right side as in the United States, however, a majority of vehicles still have the steering wheel positioned on the right. The “right of way” concept is generally respected, but military convoys and motorcades always have precedence. Vehicles generally lack seat belts. Child car seats are unavailable.

Most accidents are settled between the parties on site, with the party at fault paying the damages. In the event of an accident with a pedestrian, the driver is always considered to be at fault and subject to fines or arrest, regardless of the circumstances.

Aviation Safety Oversight : As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Burma, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the Government of Burma’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the  FAA safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to Burma should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at  MARAD . Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website and the NGA broadcast warnings .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

For additional IPCA-related information, please see  the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act (ICAPRA)  report.

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, learn about your destination, enroll in step.

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Make two copies of all of your travel documents in case of emergency, and leave one with a trusted friend or relative.

Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba

Bosnia and Herzegovina

British Virgin Islands

Burkina Faso

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Cote d Ivoire

Curaçao

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eswatini (Swaziland)

Falkland Islands

France (includes Monaco)

French Guiana

French Polynesia

French West Indies

Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy (French West Indies)

Guinea-Bissau

Isle of Man

Israel, The West Bank and Gaza

Liechtenstein

Marshall Islands

Netherlands

New Caledonia

New Zealand

North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Republic of North Macedonia

Republic of the Congo

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Sao Tome and Principe

Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone

Sint Maarten

Solomon Islands

South Africa

South Korea

South Sudan

Switzerland

The Bahamas

Timor-Leste

Trinidad and Tobago

Turkmenistan

Turks and Caicos Islands

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Vatican City (Holy See)

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit: