Mongolia Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Mongolia.
Healthcare System
Mongolia’s public system is free for citizens but underfunded; private clinics in Ulaanbaatar offer faster care and English-speaking doctors. Rural areas rely on small soum hospitals with limited supplies.
Hospitals
For tourists, Second State Central Hospital and Intermed Hospital in Ulaanbaatar are preferred. Carry cash or insurance pre-authorization—credit cards are rarely accepted for medical bills.
Pharmacies
Chain pharmacies such as Guur and Monos stock common medications, but specific antibiotics or altitude-sickness drugs may be unavailable; bring a personal supply and prescriptions in generic names.
Insurance
Not legally required, but strongly recommended; border guards may ask for proof of coverage that includes evacuation.
Healthcare Tips
- Boil or treat river water even if locals drink it unpurified; giardia is common.
- Pack a dental kit—rural dentists are scarce and standards vary.
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpocketing in crowded markets, on minibuses, and at the Black Market (Narantuul).
Semi-wild packs roam both cities and the countryside; bites peak in winter when food is scarce.
Winter temperatures below -30 °C can cause frostbite within minutes.
Potholes, drunk drivers, and sudden sandstorms lead to frequent rollovers on rural routes.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Unlicensed cars with homemade ‘taxi’ signs overcharge or demand payment for non-existent luggage fees.
Street changers count bills quickly, palming large denominations while distracting you with small talk.
Guides demand extra cash en-route for ‘luxury ger camps’ that turn out to be basic and already included in your package.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
Transportation
- Domestic flights to the Gobi are safer than 12-hour jeep rides in summer storms.
- Register your route with the Border Protection Office if heading within 50 km of China or Russia.
Food & Water
- Avoid unpasteurized mare’s milk (airag) if lactose-intolerant; fermented alcohol content can reach 3%.
- Bring chlorine-dioxide tablets for well water in remote camps.
Cultural Etiquette
- Never walk in front of an elder or stand on ger threshold—both are considered disrespectful.
- Accept offerings (tea, cheese) with right hand or both hands; refusing first offer may cause offense.
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Mongolia is relatively safe for women, but solo female travelers may attract unwanted attention in bars and at festivals like Naadam.
- Sit next to families on overnight trains; avoid empty carriages.
- Carry a scarf to cover hair when entering Buddhist temples—locals appreciate the modesty gesture.
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Same-sex relations are legal; no anti-discrimination protections exist, and gender markers cannot be changed on IDs.
- Book twin beds instead of doubles in provincial guesthouses to avoid awkward questions.
- Ulaanbaatar’s only gay-friendly bar (Hanzo) is discreet—ask your hotel concierge for current location.
Travel Insurance
Medical evacuation to Seoul costs USD 80,000+; domestic air ambulances are scarce outside Ulaanbaatar.
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