Myanmar has some of the most beautiful temples in Asia and some of its kindest people. It's also at war.
Since the 2021 military coup, fighting between the army and armed opposition groups has spread across much of the country, and life for ordinary people has become far harder. Airstrikes hit opposition-held areas, roads close without warning, and a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in March 2025 badly damaged Mandalay, Sagaing and the capital, Naypyitaw.
So the most useful Myanmar travel advice is also the simplest. Read your government's latest warning before you book anything, and again before you fly.
Below are the official warnings as of October 2026, then the practical rules on visas, money, phones and health.
Is it safe to travel to Myanmar?
For most visitors, the honest answer is no, not without good reason. As of October 2026, the UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to large parts of the country. That list includes northern Shan State and the townships north of Mandalay City and Pyin Oo Lwin.
It advises against all but essential travel to most of the rest. That covers Mandalay Region, where Bagan is, and southern Shan State, home to Inle Lake. The US rates Myanmar at Level 4, Do Not Travel.
Inle Lake and Bagan have been away from most of the fighting. That can change in days, though, and the official advice still applies to both.
| Area | UK advice as of October 2026 | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Yangon | Not on either list | General warnings still apply |
| Mandalay Region, including Bagan | All but essential travel | Many insurers won't cover you |
| Southern Shan State, including Inle Lake | All but essential travel | As above |
| Northern Shan, north of Mandalay City | All travel | Don't go |
The military can bring in new travel limits at any time. Some areas are under martial law, and others have curfews or stay-at-home orders. Breaking them can mean arrest and a long prison sentence.
Conscription started in 2024. If you hold dual Myanmar nationality, you may not be exempt, so get advice before you travel.
Myanmar entry requirements and the tourist eVisa
You can't get a visa on arrival. Every tourist needs a visa before travel, and most people use the eVisa.
As of October 2026, the Myanmar tourist visa is issued through the official eVisa portal. It costs $50, allows one entry and a stay of up to 28 days, and usually takes about three working days.
A few rules matter:
- Passport: It must be valid for at least six months after the day you arrive.
- Cash: Declare foreign currency worth more than $10,000 on arrival, or you risk prison.
- Valuables: Declare gold, gems and jewelry when you land.
- Drones: Don't bring one unless you have a permit arranged before you travel.
Only use the government portal for your Myanmar eVisa. Copycat sites charge more and some issue nothing at all.
Most visitors fly into Yangon. Land borders open and close at short notice, so check the UK entry requirements page before you plan a crossing. You can also check your passport on our visa checker.
Money: bring clean US dollars
Myanmar still runs on cash. Foreign cards often fail at ATMs, and only a few big hotels take them.
Bring enough US dollars for your whole trip, because you can't count on getting more, and change them at banks or licensed counters in Yangon or Mandalay. Shops at Bogyoke Aung San Market in Yangon will quote in kyat, so change some money before you go shopping.
Changers are fussy about notes. They often turn away any bill with:
- folds, creases or worn corners
- ink, stamps or writing
- tears or small holes
- old series, especially notes whose serial numbers start with CB
Keep your notes flat in a stiff envelope. It sounds fussy, but a creased $100 bill may be worth nothing to you.
The local currency is worth far less than before the coup, so menu prices get rewritten often. Ask before you order.
SIM cards, internet and your phone
Buy a local SIM at the airport with your passport. The main networks are MPT, ATOM and Mytel.
Your phone gets a 30-day grace period on local networks. For a longer stay, register its IMEI number online, or it will be blocked. Yangon's street markets are full of people who'll happily help you top up.
The authorities control internet access and sometimes cut it off completely. Facebook and WhatsApp are blocked without a VPN. Install the apps you need before you arrive, and download offline maps.
Getting between Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle
If you do travel, fly between the main stops rather than drive. Air KBZ and Myanmar National Airlines link Yangon with Nyaung-U for Bagan, Mandalay and Heho for Inle Lake, and a one-hour flight saves you a long day of checkpoints on roads that can close without warning.
Book flights through your hotel or a local agency, and keep a day spare at the end of your trip. Schedules change often, and a missed connection in Yangon can cost you your flight home.
Overnight buses are cheaper, but they're slower and you'll be stopped more often. The UK advice warns that road travel is especially risky in the rainy season.
Photography and local laws
Don't photograph or film the police, the military, checkpoints or any demonstration. People have been arrested for it.
Ask before you photograph monks or market traders. A smile and a nod is usually enough, and most people say yes.
Take off your shoes and socks before you step onto any pagoda platform, and cover your shoulders and knees, because temple staff will turn you away if you don't.
Carry your passport and visa at all times. You'll pass checkpoints on most roads, and the staff often don't speak English.
Road travel can be dangerous, especially in the rainy season from May to October. Domestic flights are usually the safer way to get between cities.
Health and medical care
Hospitals are basic outside Yangon. The 2025 earthquake damaged hospitals and roads in Mandalay and Sagaing, and many haven't fully recovered.
- Don't drink tap water. Use bottled or filtered water, even for brushing your teeth.
- Use insect repellent at dawn and dusk. Dengue fever is common.
- Bring a small medical kit with rehydration salts, diarrhea tablets and any prescription medicine you need.
- Make sure your insurance covers medical evacuation.
If you take regular medication, our guide to travelling with medication explains how to pack it and carry the right paperwork.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to travel to Myanmar as a tourist?
Most Western governments advise against all or most travel. As of October 2026, the UK advises against all but essential travel to the main tourist regions outside Yangon, and the US says do not travel.
How do I get a Myanmar tourist visa?
Apply online through the official eVisa portal at least a week before you fly. It costs $50 and allows a stay of up to 28 days.
Can I use credit cards in Myanmar?
Only at a handful of large hotels, and even then the connection often drops. Carry clean US dollars and change them at banks.
What should I do in an emergency?
Contact your embassy in Yangon. Keep paper and digital copies of your passport, visa and insurance, and save the embassy's phone number before you arrive.
