Since the takeover in 1988, civil wars, the drug trade, persecution of democracy leaders (including elected leader and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest since the 1980s when she won a democratic election) and other internal tensions have made travel to Myanmar difficult, but not impossible. However, first travelers should be aware of the rules of the military junta that controls Myanmar before entering the country. There are many strong restrictions on where and when foreigners–especially independent travelers--may travel. In fact, many Western aid agencies, pro-democracy movements as well as powerful representatives in Myanmar, including Aung San Suu Kyi, chide travelers not support the current regime through tourism.

Nearly every technique of hearing outside news, while sometimes possible, is technically illegal. In Yangon, the capital of Myanmar, computers are few and far between and if they have Internet (a big if), it will be very expensive, extremely slow and totally unreliable and illegal.

There is a heavy military and police presence in Mynamar. There is a soldier on every bridge; government buildings have barbed wired. On the street, one can see banners with slogans such as "The people will not tolerate hostile influences attacking the government" and "The government shall always strive for social harmony."