Morocco is an incredibly interesting and vibrant travel destination but it’s also important to educate yourself about how to stay safe in Morocco. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, it’s essential to stay knowledgeable of cultural context and protocol to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. To help you prepare for your trip, we’ve put down 10 essential tips on how to stay safe in Morocco in today’s blog post.
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On Friday, September 8, 2023, a devastating earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck Morocco, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives. Parts of Marrakech’s Medina were also affected, suffering damage. There is still a possibility of aftershocks, so it is highly recommended to stay updated on the current situation in Morocco before going on your trip. Despite careful consideration, we have decided to proceed with today’s blog post because we recognize the significant importance of tourism in Morocco. The country had only recently begun to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and now faces the risk of a reduced number of tourists, potentially leading to another crisis for the Moroccan people. According to numerous reports, most areas in Morocco, including Marrakech, have returned to a state of relative normalcy. Only a handful of riads in the Medina have been damaged and are therefore closed. Tour guides continue to offer their services as usual, many attractions are open for visits, and most of the popular tourist routes, such as those to Ouarzazate or Merzouga, remain accessible. The exception to this is certain villages in the Atlas Mountains, which were particularly hard-hit by the earthquake. In the upcoming blog post, we won’t focus on the earthquake but will instead provide general safety recommendations and guidelines based on our own experiences.
Source: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/travel/article/morocco-earthquake-is-it-safe-to-travel-to-marrakesh-right-now/
1. Don’t drink the tap water to stay safe in Morocco
Even though we heard that drinking tap water is considered safe in most areas, we didn’t want to risk anything and didn’t have a filtering mechanism with us. That’s why we bought bottled water instead and would advise you to do so as well. In addition, we only ate fruits that we peeled ourselves or washed them properly before eating.
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2. Don’t buy or consume any drugs
Even though cannabis is widely grown in the Rif Mountains of Morocco, consuming it is actually illegal. Never buy and consume any drugs in Morocco, otherwise you may face serious fines and even jail time. We were offered cannabis several times while we were staying in Chefchaouen but we declined the offer very clearly.
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3. Don’t drink Alcohol in the streets
The majority of Moroccans are Muslims and are not allowed to drink alcohol due to their religion. However, tourists are allowed to buy alcohol in licensed hotels, bars and stores. Don’t buy alcohol from unlicensed places and don’t drink in the streets as it is not permitted, neither is drinking and driving permitted. There is a zero alcohol blood tolerance, so don’t risk it. Alcohol is very expensive (5-8 € for one beer) in Morocco so if you don’t want to miss out on a glass of wine or beer in the evening and you’re on a budget, you’re allowed to bring 1 bottle of wine into the country.
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4. Only rent a car when you’re an experienced driver
Even though we found the road conditions were quite good for most of the time, the traffic can get pretty chaotic at times. The Moroccans tend to make their own rules when it comes to traffic rules, they pass from left and right, cross the streets even when the traffic lights are red and don’t get us started with all the roundabouts….We never figured out the rules.
When you decide to rent a car, make sure you always follow the speed limits, no matter what the locals are doing. Plus, stop every time you come across a police control and wait for them to signal that you can continue your journey.
Unfortunately, corruption among police officers towards tourists is not uncommon. We made one bad experience where we had to pay a ticket for a very unclear situation and didn’t get a receipt. If you approach a police checkpoint, it is always better to stop and wait until the police give you a sign to continue. This strategy worked pretty well for us after our first incident with the police.
5. Don’t take photos of the military
Morocco, like many countries, places a high value on respect for authority figures, including the military and police. In Morocco, it’s illegal to take photos of military locations, soldiers, or important government buildings. Violating these restrictions can result in the confiscation of your camera or other photographic equipment, fines, or even legal action. In addition to legal concerns, it’s important to be culturally sensitive. Some individuals may feel uncomfortable or offended if their picture is taken without their consent. Respecting people’s privacy and asking for permission before taking their photo is a good practice in any foreign country.
6. Don’t walk alone at night to stay safe in Morocco
While Morocco is usually a safe place for tourists, it’s smart to avoid walking alone at night, especially in areas you don’t know well or where the streets aren’t well-lit. If you go out at night, only bring your essentials. It’s a better idea to go out with a group or join a guided tour or activity. This not only keeps you safer but also gives you a chance to meet other travelers and make new friends. This tip applies to almost any country but especially if you are a female solo traveler.
7. Keep your valuables secure
Petty crime and pickpocketing are common problems in Morocco. That’s why it’s recommended to leave your passport at the hotel and only bring the items that are absolute necessary. Keep your valuables close to your body by wearing a money belt. Make sure you have a travel insurance that includes coverage for lost or stolen gear, such as laptops, cameras, and mobile phones.
8. Don’t show public displays of affection
Try to avoid showing public affection like holding hands, hugging or kissing. When asked if you’re married, it’s always a good idea to agree, even if you’re not. Unmarried Moroccan couples are not allowed to share a room together. However, non-Moroccans most likely won’t have any problems with their hotel booking.
It makes us incredibly sad to write this but it is important to note that homosexuality is illegal in Morocco. If you see Moroccan men walking arm in arm, it is not a sign of homosexuality but simply a sign of friendship. We have come across mixed information about traveling to Morocco as an LGBTQ+ traveler. On the one hand it seems like it is very unlikely that LGBTQ+ travelers who show public affections will have any problems but on the other hand we’ve read about incidents where same-sex couples have been arrested for kissing and holding hands. Just bear this in mind when planning a trip to Morocco as a LGBTQ+ traveler. In Marrakech there are guesthouses that call themselves “gay friendly” where you can share a hotel room without any problems.
9. Dress appropriately to feel more comfortable
This tip is more about respect and feeling comfortable than about safety. As there is no specific law about how to dress as a man or woman in Morocco, you are technically allowed to wear whatever you like. Even though we saw a lot of tourists wearing crop tops and shorts, we recommend dressing modestly. You will see that especially female tourists attract a lot of attention from men. Personally, we felt like dressing more conservatively helped us to feel more comfortable and to blend in better. Our tip is to wear light but long pants or skirts and shirts or blouses that cover your legs and shoulders. In addition, I always had a light scarf with me in case I wanted to cover my arms.
10. Be aware of scams to stay safe in Morocco
First of all, we would like to say that the majority of locals will not try to rip you off. There are many Moroccans who simply want to give you a friendly advice. However, there are still a lot of Moroccans who try to take advantage of tourists. Be prepared to be approached by “tour guides“ and “friendly locals” that insist to guide you through the cities “for free“. Be very clear and say no, avoid eye contact and avoid small talk. Otherwise they might follow you through the streets and push you to give them money after they have guided you to your destination of choice. If you really like to book a tour guide, make sure you do so through a professional tour agency and discuss prices in advance. This is only one of many scams you may encounter. Feel free to click on the link below and read a full list of different types of scams.
What about the likelihood of terrorism?
Many foreign governments point out the increased risk of terrorism in Morocco. In 2018, two young tourists were violently killed while hiking in the Atlas Mountains. This terrible crime was considered a terrorist act.
That being said, foreign governments advise tourists to exercise increased caution due to the risk of terrorism, just as they do for countries like France and the United Kingdom. We think you would agree if we say that these are countries that most people consider very safe travel destinations. There is no guarantee to be completely safe anywhere in the world but in our opinion this should not hold you back from exploring.
Is Morocco safe for female solo traveler?
As we always travel together it is a bit difficult to form an opinion on this. We definitely got the impression that traditional gender roles are the norm in Morocco. Whenever we were together Patrik was the only one who was asked questions and given answers. At the same time I couldn’t help to notice that women attract a lot of unwanted attention from men. Even when I was walking right next to Patrik or sitting in the car next to him, I caught men staring at me which felt quite uncomfortable. .
However, we heard from many female solo travelers that they felt completely safe to travel Morocco. Therefore we advise solo female travelers to pay close attention to their surroundings, dress conservatively by covering your shoulders and legs and avoid walking alone at night.
To sum it up: Is Morocco safe to visit?
Although there is an increased risk of petty crime like pickpocketing, bag snatching and scams, Morocco is considered a safe country to visit. Tourism is one of the most important income streams for Moroccan people and therefore crime almost never targets tourists. Plus, there is a good presence of police in the bigger and popular cities like Rabat or Marrakech. We felt safe during our entire trip in Morocco, even in the more rural areas of Morocco. If you follow some basic rules and pay close attention to your surroundings, we are confident that you will have a great and safe time in Morocco.
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