How safe is Myanmar for travelers?

The travel advisory, stated in full

The FCDO advises against all travel to:

• Chin State, Kachin State, Kayah State, Kayin State, Mon State, 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 to Mandalay Expressway in Bago region

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• Shan State South and East
• Mandalay Region
• Tanintharyi Region south of Tanintharyi township
• the rest of Bago region
• the townships of Kyangin, Myanaung, Ingapu, Lemyethna, Yegyi, Thabaung and Pathein in Ayeyarwady region

Travelling against FCDO advice can invalidate your travel insurance. The FCDO also warns that the conflict is increasingly volatile, that the security situation may deteriorate at short notice, and that the military regime can introduce travel restrictions at any time.

The conflict

• The military took control by force in February 2021 and declared a state of emergency. Thousands of civilians have died and fighting continues across much of the country.
• The military is highly likely to target opposition-controlled areas, including with airstrikes.
• Opposition groups target military and government buildings, checkpoints, police stations, ward administrators' offices and businesses, hotels and restaurants linked to the military or seen as such, including with small explosives. There have also been attacks on schools and hospitals.
• Attacks are more likely after sunset, and security is heavier on dates of national significance: 4 January, 1 February, 12 February, 2 March, 27 March, mid-April, 19 July, 8 August and 25 November.
• Some areas are under martial law; others have curfews or stay-at-home orders. Ignoring military instructions or a curfew can mean detention and a long sentence.
• Do not photograph demonstrations or protests. You risk arrest for trying.

Conscription, and why a second passport does not help

• In February 2024 the authorities announced that Myanmar men and women could be required by law to serve in the armed forces, and conscription has since started.
• Holding a British passport may not exempt a British-Myanmar dual national, because Myanmar does not recognise dual nationality.

The legal system

• There is a risk of arbitrary detention and arrest, particularly for journalists and activists, and the criminal process falls below international standards. The death penalty is in place.
• Defamation law is broad. Foreigners have been criminally investigated for things like posting a critical review of a hotel online.
• A conviction means a long sentence, detention conditions are extremely poor, and pre-trial detention can last many months.

Landmines

• The landmine risk in rural areas is serious, particularly in northern and central Rakhine, northern Shan and Kachin. Use has spread to other areas since 2021. Some mined areas are signed, but that is not widespread. Be extremely cautious about leaving main roads.

Drones and cameras

• Do not photograph police, demonstrations, military installations or military personnel.
• Drone rules are strict. Flying one near government buildings, religious buildings or even tourist sites can bring criminal penalties including prison. Do not bring a drone in without permits arranged in advance.
• Drone warfare is widespread, and anyone using one risks being associated with a party to the conflict.

Everyday crime and scams

• The common crimes are non-violent and opportunistic: bag snatching, pickpocketing, theft from hotel rooms, and gem or confidence scams. Thieves distract by asking questions, begging, offering items or jostling.
• Cyber scam centres operate across the country, particularly in Myawaddy district in eastern Kayin and Tachileik township in eastern Shan. Victims are trafficked in on false job offers, held in poor conditions and mistreated, some with passports confiscated and held to ransom. Treat any too-good job offer in Myanmar or its neighbours as a trap.

Religion and custom

• Insulting religion is a prosecutable offence, broadly defined, and it includes disrespectful images of the Buddha and tattoos of the Buddha.
• Remove shoes and socks before entering a pagoda or monastery, and avoid shorts, short skirts and sleeveless tops at religious sites.

Drugs

• Trafficking carries a minimum 15 years or the death penalty. Possession carries 5 to 10 years regardless of quantity.

LGBT+ travellers

• Same-sex sexual activity is illegal for men and women, with a possible sentence of life imprisonment, although the laws are not consistently enforced. There are reports of police using threats of prosecution to extort bribes, allegedly including arbitrary arrest and detention.
• Visibility has reduced since the coup, and public displays of affection of any kind are frowned upon.

Roads, rivers and weather

• Road safety is significantly below UK standards and serious accidents are common. Under Myanmar law, the driver is always at fault in an accident with a pedestrian. Driving is on the right but most cars are right-hand drive.
• Carry both the 1969 international driving permit and your UK licence, and note that an IDP cannot be bought outside the UK.
• Overland travel is hazardous in the rainy season from May to October and can be restricted at short notice by either side.
• River transport may not meet international safety standards and search and rescue is limited. Check for life jackets.
• Cyclones come mid-April to mid-May and in October and November.
• Earthquakes are a risk. The 7.7 magnitude earthquake of March 2025 caused heavy damage to infrastructure including hospitals and roads in Naypyitaw, Sagaing and Mandalay regions.