Avoid all travel
“Canada's official risk level for Myanmar: avoid all travel.”
Updated 2026-09-24T08:53:33.120000-04:00
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Is Bagan safe? 🇲🇲
Myanmar · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Bagan scores 20/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. No. Bagan is not safe for travelers due to ongoing conflict and severe government advisories. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Bagan 🇲🇲
Myanmar · Assessed 13 October 2026
20
/ 100
Elevated risk — reconsider
Safer than ~7% of countries
Score capped at 20 — Level 4 advisory — "Do Not Travel". No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime48/100CautionHomicide 2.6 / 100k
Sentiment49/100CautionVery Negative
Advisories0Elevated
Stability33Elevated
Health69Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Elevated
02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
62
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
15 / 100 (Very Negative)
15
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
0k residents
94
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
2.6 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Myanmar2.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
81
Robbery / mugging
ModerateWhile specific robbery data for Bagan is scarce, the general instability and presence of armed groups increase risk, especially outside tourist areas.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and petty theft can occur in crowded tourist sites and markets, though the current security situation may overshadow this.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Elevated
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Caution
Traveller sentiment score
Very Negative
49/100
Reported feel15Very Negative
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent reports highlight that despite Bagan's attractions, the escalating civil war and safety concerns severely deter tourism, indicating a very negative sentiment regarding travel safety.
No. Bagan is not safe for travelers due to ongoing conflict and severe government advisories.
Multiple government advisories strongly recommend against all travel to Myanmar, including Bagan, due to widespread civil conflict and instability. Recent reports indicate serious human rights abuses and violence occurring in areas near Bagan.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Grisly find points to Myanmar regime massacre near Bagan.— The Irrawaddy
- Jun 2026Dozens of bodies found in villages raided by Myanmar junta troops near Bagan.— Myanmar Now
- Jun 2026Over 40 civilians slain in regime rampage near Bagan temple town.— The Irrawaddy
- Aug 2026Myanmar tourist arrivals edge up as escalating civil war prevents broader recovery.— Travel Daily Media
Common scams
- Scams related to inflated prices for transport and accommodation, particularly targeting tourists.
- Potential for bribery demands by officials.
Full briefing
Travel to Bagan, Myanmar, is strongly discouraged due to severe ongoing conflict and instability. Multiple government advisories, including Canada's Level 4 'Avoid all travel' directive, underscore the extreme risks. Recent reports from October 2026 detail grisly findings and massacres by regime forces in villages near Bagan, with dozens of civilian deaths reported in June 2026 following junta raids.
The broader security situation in Myanmar, marked by escalating civil war and a lack of political stability, directly impacts visitor safety. While specific crime statistics for Bagan are limited, the general environment of conflict and potential for unrest means that opportunistic crime like robbery and pickpocketing, though perhaps overshadowed by larger security concerns, remains a risk, particularly in crowded areas.
Given the severe government advisories and documented violence in proximity to Bagan, travelers should heed all warnings and avoid any travel to the region. If you are already in Myanmar, maintain an extremely low profile, stay informed about local conditions, and avoid any large gatherings or protests. Comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical evacuation and political unrest is essential, though its utility is severely limited by the 'Do Not Travel' advisories.
Was this Bagan, Myanmar report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 5 Bagan districts for visitors and 5 best avoided. See them plotted on the Bagan safety map.
Old BaganavoidRecent reports of civilian killings and raids by military forces in areas near Bagan necessitate extreme caution.
Nyaung UavoidThis town, a gateway to Bagan, is affected by the broader conflict and instability in the region.
New BaganavoidWhile appearing more developed, it is not immune to the country's widespread civil unrest and potential for violence.
MyinkabaavoidLocated within the Bagan archaeological zone, it is subject to the same risks as surrounding areas due to ongoing conflict.
Irrawaddy RiverfrontavoidAreas along the river may be subject to increased security presence or disruption due to the ongoing conflict.
07 · After Dark
Is Bagan safe at night?
84% of people in Myanmar say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2019).
While specific robbery data for Bagan is scarce, the general instability and presence of armed groups increase risk, especially outside tourist areas.
After dark, be most careful around Old Bagan, Nyaung U, New Bagan, Myinkaba. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Bagan safety FAQ (2026)
Is Bagan safe right now (2026)?
No. Bagan is not safe for travelers due to ongoing conflict and severe government advisories. Multiple government advisories strongly recommend against all travel to Myanmar, including Bagan, due to widespread civil conflict and instability. Recent reports indicate serious human rights abuses and violence occurring in areas near Bagan. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Bagan safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Bagan report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Bagan should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Old Bagan, Nyaung U, New Bagan, Myinkaba, Irrawaddy Riverfront as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Bagan (2026)?
- Scams related to inflated prices for transport and accommodation, particularly targeting tourists.
- Potential for bribery demands by officials.
How does Bagan compare with other places in Myanmar (2026)?
Bagan ranks #1 of 5 Myanmar destinations we've assessed, scoring 20/100. See the Myanmar safety overview for the full list.
How is this bagan safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: bagan.json (CC BY 4.0).