I am a full-time traveler who only speaks English and Spanish. I have previously traveled to a number of locations with FCDO Do Not Travel advisories and am comfortable being the only foreigner around, dealing with demanding locals and government officials, managing high-risk safety protocols, etc. I recently avoided an attempted kidnapping in one such location and generally understand how to navigate similar spaces.
I'm seriously considering visiting Myanmar for 6-10 days in mid-late May, entering and leaving via Yangon. I would prioritize seeing Bagan if I go, and haven't decided where else I'd want to visit.
A guy I met in the Middle East told me it is very safe to visit Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, and Mawlamyaing and travel by road betweem them. He also said that there was a low risk of detainment by the authorities even though my country is known to pay to release hostages, that it was unlikely anyone would demand bribes, and that the war and scam center kidnappings are both very low risk factors for a visible foreigner who stays in and moves between major cities. I was wondering if this was an unusually optimistic prediction and wanted other opinions.
Basically I need to know:
- What is the level of danger I should anticipate as a Western traveler (not a journalist, government official, or high-ranking corporate employee, so no special protection)? Specifically, what risks will I face related to detention by the authorities, kidnapping by other groups, and street crime, and how does this vary if I try to travel outside Yangon?
- Would a foreigner have issues traveling between Yangon, Bagan, Mawlamyaing, and Mandalay? Are there other areas I could enter without obtaining special permissions? Will there be limits on certain modes of transportation, like needing to use official transit or extensive searches at checkpoints?
- Will officials subject a Western traveler to extra scrutiny, or expect on-the-spot payments of unofficial fees? What would the risk be for not paying? Is there a high general risk of detainment by the authorities for a Westerner from a country that pays for hostages?
- Are there scams I should be aware of? Do the scam centers operate in the major cities or just the border zones? Will they try to kidnap a Westerner not connected to Myanmar?
- Are there other risks I haven't anticipated here?
- How dangerous is it to walk around alone at night? is this different in vs outside major cities?
- Any other recs?