Myanmar SKETCH SCORE: 32/100Myanmar moved -1 this weekgovernments disagree by 2 advisory levels on MyanmarNo major changes since yesterday.Myanmar SKETCH SCORE: 32/100Myanmar moved -1 this weekgovernments disagree by 2 advisory levels on MyanmarNo major changes since yesterday.
Myanmar

Nope.

No major changes since yesterday.

Verified Sep 9, 2026Confidence high▼ -1 this week
32Sketch Score
90-day trend

Governments, one trip

What they're telling their own citizens about Myanmar

The advisories disagree by 2 level(s) — read all four before you decide who to trust.

The real score

The breakdown

22advisoryConsensus
8Political Stability
14Police Trust
92Health
48Road Safety
28Natural Disaster
20LGBTQ+

See it from your perspective

32

Nope.

The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.

Don't fall for it

Scams to know

Begging syndicates

Children and mothers with babies beg in tourist areas like Bago and Bagan as part of organized syndicates. These individuals are seeking easy money rather than survival, as food is available at monasteries.

Bogus monks

Fake monks solicit money at tourist attractions, violating the rule that genuine monks cannot touch or accept cash. Avoid these individuals who use high-pressure tactics or attempt to sell items.

Staying healthy

What to watch out for, health-wise

Active notices

No active CDC travel health notices right now.

Vaccines

Required: Yellow Fever

Recommended: Chikungunya, Cholera, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Malaria, Measles, Rabies, Typhoid

Source: CDC Travelers' Health →

Getting in

What you'll need at the border

Visitors to Myanmar must obtain a visa unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries or citizens who are ineligible for a visa on arrival or an e-Visa.

Passport validity required: 6 months beyond entry.

Source: Wikipedia →

Real, not invented

Terrorism

Terrorist attacks in Myanmar cannot be ruled out. Attacks could be indiscriminate including in places visited by foreign nationals. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of trusted local sources.

Source: UK FCDO →

Real, not invented

Cultural & legal notes

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Myanmar for men and women, although in practice these laws are not consistently enforced. If convicted, the punishment can be up to life imprisonment. There have been reports of police using threats of prosecution to extort bribes. This is alleged to include arbitrary arrest and detention. Public attitudes towards LGBT+ people can be mixed. Up until recently, there have been increasingly large Pride festivals and growing visibility of the LGBT+ community, including gay bars and clubs. However, this has reduced since the coup. Public displays of affection, whether heterosexual or LGBT+, are frowned upon in Myanmar culture. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .

Source: UK FCDO →

Right now

In the news the last few days

Real talk

What travelers actually say

Travelers report that Myanmar remains navigable if you stick to designated safe zones and heed local advice. While some visitors report feeling secure, others note risks including petty theft, burglary, and the potential for crossfire in areas like Mandalay, where rebel activity near the royal palace necessitates avoiding movement after 10 pm. The country faces significant logistical hurdles, including electricity shortages, internet censorship requiring VPNs, and complex currency exchange rates that invite scams. Travelers are advised to avoid specific regions like the far side of the Irrawaddy River in Mandalay, stay alert for monkey-related theft at sites like Mount Popa, and exercise caution with unofficial money changers.

don't go out of the hotel after 10 pm. Even if there is no night lockdown, the Rebel attacked the royal palace many times during previous month and every time during the night. So better to avoid to be taken in a cross fire exchange.

— r/travel

anecdotal evidence suggests that there have been occasional instances of violent crime against foreigners, including muggings, burglaries and petty thefts. Homes occupied by foreigners and hotels have been targeted in the past.

— r/travel

Mount Popa (Temple located on a lonely rock towering over the central plains. Monkey-infested so be aware of your belongings.

— r/travel

Pack this, know this

The little things that trip people up

🔌

Plug & voltage

A / C / D / F / G / I · 230V

🚗

Driving side

right

🚨

Emergency

police: 999 / ambulance: 999 / fire: 999

💵

Tipping

Tipping is generally not practised by the Burmese themselves. However, given widespread poverty in the country, tips are certainly appreciated if you have been provided with exemplary service. Tips that are charged to a credit card almost never make it to the service staff, so if you wish to tip, make sure you hand it over in cash to the person who served you.

Cash vs. Card

Upmarket tourist places (hotels, agencies, restaurants) are accepting credit/debit cards (and will surcharge accordingly). So you can even pay with MasterCard in a store in the middle of Inle Lake for purchases value more than US$100. But nonetheless paper money is the only way to pay in most places.

Source: Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA) →
Show the receipts (7 sources)
Printable pre-trip checklist for Myanmar →