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 has a two-tier healthcare system with public hospitals and private clinics. Healthcare quality varies significantly between Ulaanbaatar and rural areas. The capital has several modern private clinics and hospitals with English-speaking staff, while countryside facilities are basic with limited equipment and supplies.
Hospitals
In Ulaanbaatar, recommended facilities for foreigners include SOS Medica Mongolia, Intermed Hospital, and Songdo Hospital. These private clinics cater to expatriates and tourists with better facilities and English-speaking doctors. Payment is expected upfront, and costs can be high.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies (эмийн сан) are readily available in Ulaanbaatar and provincial centers. Many medications available by prescription in Western countries can be purchased over the counter. However, counterfeit medications exist, so use reputable pharmacies in major hotels or recommended by your embassy. Bring sufficient supplies of prescription medications as specific brands may be unavailable.
Insurance
Travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage and emergency evacuation is essential and strongly recommended. Medical evacuation from remote areas can cost $50,000-100,000 USD. Ensure your policy covers adventure activities if trekking, horse riding, or other outdoor activities are planned.
Healthcare Tips
- Bring a complete first aid kit and any prescription medications in original packaging with prescriptions
- Carry copies of your medical records and blood type information
- Download offline medical translation apps or carry a phrasebook
- Register with your embassy upon arrival for emergency assistance
- Consider a medical evacuation membership service for extended stays in remote areas
- Altitude sickness can occur in mountainous regions; acclimatize gradually
- Waterborne diseases are a risk; drink only bottled or purified water
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and theft from vehicles are the most common crimes affecting tourists, particularly in Ulaanbaatar. Thieves often work in groups and target distracted tourists in crowded areas.
Reports of drinks being spiked in bars and nightclubs in Ulaanbaatar have increased. Victims are then robbed or overcharged. Some establishments may also present inflated bills or add unauthorized charges.
Mongolia has poor road safety standards with erratic driving, poorly maintained vehicles, lack of traffic law enforcement, and hazardous road conditions. Roads outside cities are often unpaved and unmarked. Pedestrians face risks from drivers who don't yield.
Mongolia's extreme continental climate poses serious risks. Winter temperatures can reach -40°C with wind chill, causing frostbite and hypothermia within minutes. Summer brings intense UV radiation, heat exhaustion, and sudden storms. The 'dzud' phenomenon (severe winter) can strand travelers.
Injuries from horses are common, especially for inexperienced riders. Dog bites occur, particularly from guard dogs at ger camps and in rural areas. Some dogs may carry rabies. Livestock can be unpredictable.
Alcohol consumption is high in Mongolia, and intoxicated individuals can become aggressive. Drunk driving is common. Foreigners may be targeted by intoxicated locals, particularly at night.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Vendors sell items claiming to be genuine Mongolian cashmere or authentic handicrafts at inflated prices, but products are often synthetic or mass-produced imports. Some shops use aggressive sales tactics or claim limited-time offers to pressure purchases.
Taxi drivers, especially at the airport and tourist sites, may refuse to use meters, quote inflated prices, or take unnecessarily long routes. Some claim their meter is broken or that there's a special tourist rate.
Unlicensed tour operators offer cheap tours but provide substandard services, change itineraries without notice, or abandon tourists. Some take payment and disappear. Others may not have proper insurance or qualified guides.
Unofficial money changers offer attractive rates but use sleight of hand to shortchange tourists or swap real bills for counterfeits. Some exchange offices also use rigged calculators or provide incorrect amounts.
Individuals posing as police officers approach tourists claiming to need to check identification or investigate counterfeit money. They then steal wallets, demand bribes, or confiscate money claiming it's fake.
Budget guesthouses or ger camps show attractive photos online but provide significantly inferior accommodations. Some claim the advertised room is unavailable and offer a worse alternative at the same price or higher.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
Urban Safety (Ulaanbaatar)
- Avoid walking alone after dark, especially in poorly lit areas and parks
- Use licensed taxis or ride-sharing apps rather than walking at night
- Keep valuables hidden and bags secured in front of you on public transport
- Be particularly vigilant at Naran Tuul Market (Black Market) and busy bus stops
- Avoid confrontations and walk away from aggressive or intoxicated individuals
- Stay in well-populated, well-lit areas in the city center
- Register with your embassy and keep contact information accessible
Rural and Wilderness Travel
- Never travel alone to remote areas; always use a guide or travel in groups
- Inform someone of your itinerary and expected return time
- Carry GPS devices, satellite phones, or emergency beacons for remote areas
- Bring extra food, water, fuel, and warm clothing for emergencies
- Learn basic vehicle repair or travel with an experienced driver
- Respect nomadic families' property and customs when visiting ger camps
- Carry sufficient cash as ATMs are unavailable outside cities
- Download offline maps as mobile coverage is limited
Transportation Safety
- Always wear seatbelts; insist on them even if locals don't use them
- Avoid overnight bus travel due to driver fatigue and poor road conditions
- Hire reputable drivers and vehicles for countryside trips
- Check vehicle condition before departing on long journeys
- Avoid riding in overloaded vehicles or on vehicle roofs
- Be extremely cautious as a pedestrian; drivers don't always yield
- Consider hiring a 4WD vehicle with experienced driver for rural areas
- Avoid driving yourself unless experienced with off-road conditions
Health and Hygiene
- Drink only bottled, boiled, or purified water; avoid ice in drinks
- Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer, especially before eating
- Be cautious with street food; ensure it's thoroughly cooked and hot
- Bring a comprehensive first aid kit including altitude sickness medication
- Get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies, and ensure routine vaccinations are current
- Avoid unpasteurized dairy products to prevent brucellosis
- Use insect repellent to prevent tick-borne diseases in rural areas
- Acclimatize gradually if traveling to high-altitude areas
Cultural Sensitivity and Etiquette
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially monks and nomadic families
- Remove shoes when entering gers (traditional tents) and homes
- Accept offered food and drink with your right hand or both hands
- Don't point feet toward the fire or household altar in a ger
- Step over, not on, the threshold when entering a ger
- Dress modestly when visiting monasteries; cover shoulders and knees
- Learn basic Mongolian phrases; locals appreciate the effort
- Don't touch people's hats or head as these are considered sacred
Money and Valuables
- Use ATMs inside banks during business hours for safety
- Carry cash in small denominations; change can be difficult to obtain
- Keep money and documents in multiple secure locations
- Use hotel safes for passports, extra cash, and valuables
- Make copies of important documents and store separately from originals
- Credit cards are accepted in Ulaanbaatar but rarely elsewhere
- Notify your bank of travel plans to avoid card blocks
- Exchange money at banks or official exchange offices only
Communication
- Purchase a local SIM card for mobile coverage in urban areas
- Download offline maps and translation apps before traveling
- Learn basic Mongolian phrases or carry a phrasebook
- Keep your embassy's contact information easily accessible
- Consider renting a satellite phone for remote area travel
- WiFi is available in hotels and cafes in Ulaanbaatar but rare elsewhere
- Have your accommodation address written in Mongolian for taxi drivers
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Mongolia is relatively safe for women travelers compared to many destinations, and solo female travelers are common. However, women should take standard precautions, particularly in Ulaanbaatar's nightlife areas. Harassment is not widespread but can occur, especially from intoxicated individuals. Conservative dress is appreciated, particularly in rural areas and religious sites. Mongolian women enjoy relatively high status in society, and foreign women are generally treated with respect.
- Avoid walking alone after dark in Ulaanbaatar; use taxis from reputable companies
- Dress modestly, especially in rural areas and monasteries; cover shoulders and knees
- Be cautious in bars and nightclubs; watch your drinks and stay with trusted companions
- Book accommodation in advance and choose reputable hotels or guesthouses
- Consider joining group tours for countryside travel rather than traveling alone
- Trust your instincts; remove yourself from uncomfortable situations
- Keep your phone charged and share your itinerary with someone
- Wear a wedding ring (real or fake) if you want to deter unwanted attention
- Learn basic Mongolian phrases including how to say 'no' and 'leave me alone'
- Connect with other travelers or expat communities for recommendations and support
- Sanitary products are available in Ulaanbaatar but bring supplies for rural travel
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Homosexuality is legal in Mongolia (decriminalized in 1993), and there are no laws specifically targeting LGBTQ+ individuals. However, same-sex marriage and civil unions are not recognized, and there are no comprehensive anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBTQ+ people.
- Exercise discretion with public displays of affection regardless of orientation
- Avoid discussing LGBTQ+ topics openly, especially in rural areas and with strangers
- Research LGBTQ+-friendly accommodations in advance; some guesthouses in Ulaanbaatar are known to be welcoming
- Connect with local LGBTQ+ organizations or online communities for current information and support
- Be aware that traditional ger stays with nomadic families may be uncomfortable for openly LGBTQ+ travelers
- Consider traveling as 'friends' rather than partners when interacting with locals in conservative areas
- Ulaanbaatar has a small but growing LGBTQ+ scene; seek local advice for safe venues
- Be prepared for curiosity or intrusive questions; you're not obligated to answer
- Document discrimination incidents and report to your embassy if needed
- Exercise the same general safety precautions as all travelers; being LGBTQ+ adds an extra layer of consideration
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is absolutely essential for Mongolia due to limited medical facilities outside Ulaanbaatar, extreme weather conditions, remote travel destinations, and the high cost of emergency medical evacuation. Mongolia's vast distances and harsh environment mean that medical emergencies can quickly become life-threatening without proper evacuation. The cost of air ambulance evacuation to Ulaanbaatar, Seoul, or Beijing can exceed $100,000 USD. Adventure activities common in Mongolia (horse riding, trekking, off-road travel) carry inherent risks that should be covered.
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