Avoid all travel
“Canada's official risk level for Myanmar: avoid all travel.”
Updated 2026-07-20T08:36:47.8426967-04:00
Full advisory →Is Yangon safe? 🇲🇲
Myanmar · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Yangon scores 18/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. No — Myanmar is one of the world's highest-risk destinations for travelers, with official 'Do Not Travel' warnings in effect. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (high risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Yangon 🇲🇲
Myanmar · Assessed 28 July 2026
18
/ 100
Elevated risk — reconsider
Safer than ~6% of countries
Score capped at 18 — Level 4 advisory — "Do Not Travel". No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime56/100FairCrime index 49.2 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment35/100ElevatedExtremely negative
Advisories0Elevated
Stability33Elevated
Health89Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Elevated
02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Robbery / mugging
HighArmed robberies of gold shops and small businesses have been reported in Yangon suburbs; visitors should stay clear of isolated commercial zones after dark
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is common in crowded markets and on public transport, especially near the Central Railway Station and Bogyoke Aung San Market
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Elevated
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Elevated
Traveller sentiment score
Extremely negative
35/100
Reported feel12Extremely negative
Robbery risk34High risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler forums and news comment sections describe Yangon as feeling unsafe, with many reporting intimidation at checkpoints and a pervasive sense of political tension.
No — Myanmar is one of the world's highest-risk destinations for travelers, with official 'Do Not Travel' warnings in effect.
The multi‑database profile rates Yangon as HIGH RISK (composite 18/100) and the Canadian government issues a Level 4 'Avoid all travel' advisory; crime, political instability and corruption scores are extremely low, while the crowdsourced crime index sits at 49.2/100.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026Protest against the military coup in Yangon; crowds dispersed by security forces, occasional clashes reported near downtown— reutersconnect.com
- Jun 2026U.S. diplomat found dead in a hotel; Thai woman taken into custody— Al Jazeera
- Jun 2026Three arrested for armed gold‑shop robberies in Yangon— Myanmar International TV
- Jul 2026Licensable picture: Protest against military coup in Yangon— reutersconnect.com
Common scams
- Visas and money‑exchange scams targeting tourists at airports and markets
- Fake tour operators offering 'private' city tours that actually funnel money to militia groups
- Accommodation booking scams on local platforms that disappear after payment
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Myanmar is currently rated HIGH RISK for travelers, with a composite safety index of 18/100 and a “Do Not Travel” advisory from the Canadian government. The country scores poorly on governance, rule of law and political stability, and the crowdsourced crime index sits at 49.2/100. While the feeling‑safe metric from 2019 suggests a majority of locals once felt safe walking after dark, recent traveler sentiment is overwhelmingly negative, citing intimidation at checkpoints and a pervasive sense of unrest.
Recent incidents documented in the live dossier reinforce these concerns. In June 2026 protests against the military coup erupted in downtown Yangon, drawing security‑force crackdowns that occasionally turned violent. The same month a U.S. diplomat was found dead in a hotel, and three individuals were arrested for armed robberies targeting gold shops in the city. These events illustrate a volatile environment where even short‑term visitors can be caught in civil unrest or targeted by organized crime.
Pickpocketing remains moderate in crowded spots such as Bogyoke Aung San Market and the central railway station, while high levels of armed robbery have been reported in suburban commercial zones after dark. Visitors should also be wary of visa‑ and money‑exchange scams, fake tour operators, and accommodation booking fraud that can lead to financial loss or detention.
To mitigate risk, register with your embassy, keep travel documents secure, and use only reputable, pre‑booked transport. Avoid night travel in poorly lit areas, limit cash on hand, and conduct financial transactions through trusted, sealed services. Stay informed of local advisories, steer clear of protest zones, and heed the “Avoid all travel” directive by planning for an immediate, safe departure if conditions deteriorate.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Yangon districts for visitors: 1 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Yangon safety map.
Downtown Yangonavoidhigh protest activity and arbitrary arrests; curfews frequently imposed after dark
Chanayetharcautionbusy commercial area but occasional clashes and police checkpoints
Pabedancautiongovernment offices and markets; risk of sudden roadblocks
Thingangyuncautionresidential district with sporadic unrest and limited police presence
Dagoncautionstudent-heavy area; protests often start here and can spread quickly
Yankinsaferquiet residential zone with minimal recent incidents; stay alert after dark
07 · After Dark
Is Yangon safe at night?
84% of people in Myanmar say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2019).
Armed robberies of gold shops and small businesses have been reported in Yangon suburbs; visitors should stay clear of isolated commercial zones after dark
After dark, be most careful around Downtown Yangon, Chanayethar, Pabedan, Thingangyun. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Yangon's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight18
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight18
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight18
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight18
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight18
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight18
09 · Questions
Yangon safety FAQ
Is Yangon safe for tourists right now?
No — Myanmar is one of the world's highest-risk destinations for travelers, with official 'Do Not Travel' warnings in effect. The multi‑database profile rates Yangon as HIGH RISK (composite 18/100) and the Canadian government issues a Level 4 'Avoid all travel' advisory; crime, political instability and corruption scores are extremely low, while the crowdsourced crime index sits at 49.2/100. (Assessed 28 July 2026.)
Which areas of Yangon should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Downtown Yangon as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Yangon?
- Visas and money‑exchange scams targeting tourists at airports and markets
- Fake tour operators offering 'private' city tours that actually funnel money to militia groups
- Accommodation booking scams on local platforms that disappear after payment
How does Yangon compare with other places in Myanmar?
Yangon scores 18/100 — see the Myanmar safety overview for country-level data.
How is this Yangon safety score calculated?
The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Nearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Myanmar safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: yangon.json (CC BY 4.0).