Is Morocco a safe travel Destination
Is it safe to travel to Morocco? An African country is a great option for a getaway from Spain. You can access both by plane for little money. Thanks to the number of cheap flights you will find to some of its cities. The option is simply to cross by boat to Tangier to start your adventure.
Surely you have already imagined yourself visiting beautiful cities such as Marrakech, Fes, and some corners of the Sahara desert. You can visit the fortified city as impressive as Ait Ben Haddou, a wonderful fortified city where movies like ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ have been filmed. However, perhaps you are concerned about safety when traveling to Morocco. Therefore, in this article, we want to give you all the information so you can assess whether it is safe to travel to Morocco. In addition, due to the situation that this pandemic has created. We will also talk about whether you can travel to Morocco now and the state of the country due to COVID-19. Read on and find out all about safety in Morocco.
A: But then is it safe to travel to Morocco?
Did you know that more than 13 million travelers visited Morocco in 2019? Of these, 2.6 million came from Spain. Given its proximity to our country, its great prices, and its undeniable attractiveness, it is normal that many people are encouraged to travel to Morocco. A large number of them, moreover, repeat over the years, as they are rarely disappointed in the African country, the safest in North Africa.
Roguery indeed exists in Morocco, but tourism represents almost 10% of the Moroccan GDP, so the government tries to protect this important variable of its economy.
The penalties for assaulting or robbing a tourist are quite harsh and in the most touristy areas, there are always a large number of plainclothes police.
Thus, it is safe to travel to Morocco, because acting with a head, being alert, and following basic precautions, it is rare that crimes against tourists to occur. Later we will alert you to the most frequent scams and frauds in Morocco so that you do not have any problems. You will also find a lot of tips from travelers for travelers.
As for health conditions, although it is not mandatory to carry any vaccines. It never hurts to approach a doctor to inform you of the necessary precautions and tell you what medicines you should include in your kit. In addition, since quality health care is provided in private hospitals, it is advisable to have good travel insurance with medical coverage to cover any mishap you may have.
In summary, it is safe to Travel to Morocco, but we encourage you to read the recommendations below to enjoy your getaway without any problems.
Scams in Morocco
As we have indicated, it is safe to travel in Morocco. But be aware that some people will try to scam you. For example, they will ask you for money to guide you to your hotel or to take you out of the medina. Therefore, if someone offers to guide you, make it clear from the beginning that you are not going to pay anything or agree on a price beforehand.
Another common scam is to be told that the monument you visit is closed to take you to a place they want, or to an event for which you will end up paying a lot of money. The same thing can happen when they tell you that “there are no more buses”. We are not telling you not to trust anyone, but these scams are common and you should be aware of them.
When you get into a cab, ask for a taximeter or agree on the price with the cab driver. Try to find out in advance the approximate price of the trip or take your GPS with you to make sure you are not being taken for a long ride.
As for purchases, in general, it is convenient to know the prices of the most common products (water, tea, a plate of food…) to know if you are being ripped off or not. Always check the change you are given. Are you planning to buy souvenirs of a certain value such as Berber jewelry? Be very careful because it is not uncommon for them to be faked.
If you have any problems, you can contact the tourist brigade and they will help you as much as possible. In the case of Marrakech, where most of these problems occur, it is located in the famous Jamaa el Fna square.
Travel insurance to Morocco
As you can see, traveling to Morocco is safe, but health conditions are not similar to those in Europe, especially in rural areas. Therefore, now more than ever it is essential to travel with medical insurance that offers you the quality assistance you need. The best travel insurance to Morocco is to book a trip with a Morocco travel agency
This is a perfect policy for all-terrain travelers, as it will cover those medical expenses that we can all incur such as a sprained ankle walking in Marrakech or slight indigestion from eating something out of the ordinary in the square of Jamaa el Fna.
But also those arising from the practice of adventure sports. For example a buggy ride in the desert or hiking in the Atlas.
Traveling alone in Morocco, is it safe?
Do you want to travel to Morocco alone or do you no longer want to wait for someone to accompany you? Go ahead! Traveling alone to an African country is safe, but you will have to be patient and cautious.
Morocco is a Muslim country and women are used to be quite covered up. This does not mean that you also have to do it. But it is true that if you cover your shoulders and knees, you will feel less observed. It is also quite normal for a man to address you on the street. Be insistent or look at you more than usual. In some cases, you just have to avoid paying attention to him or, if you feel uncomfortable, be blunt.
Finally, walking in the Medina at night can be unsafe, whether you are a man or a woman. You may feel more comfortable booking a hotel on the main street or simply avoiding going out at that time.
Some tips for safe travel in Morocco
As you can see, it is safe to travel to Morocco now. But it never hurts to follow some recommendations from other travelers like these:
Always drink bottled water, avoid eating salads and wash well the fruits you are going to eat. It is also advisable to carry anti-diarrhea pills.
It is safe to travel to Morocco and it is advisable to try the local food. But avoid street stalls and eat in restaurants. Food poisoning is common.
Drive very carefully. Traffic is quite chaotic, even on highways. It is normal for all kinds of vehicles, people, and animals to suddenly cross your path.
Avoid large concentrations of people.
It is advisable to ask permission from an official before photographing public buildings. If you want to take pictures of people, ask permission beforehand. Because many people in Morocco do not take it well.
Be respectful of religion.
Do not show affection in public. According to current legislation, homosexual relations can be prosecuted under criminal law.
More tips for safe travel to Morocco
Be discreet. Dress discreetly and do not constantly display valuable electronic devices or cameras.
If you have any problems on your trip to Morocco, report them to the country’s authorities and keep all documentation. Notify the Consulate or Embassy.
You can only travel with a drone if you have previous authorization.
Even in most tourist areas, avoid walking through the Medina at night. Although nothing usually happens during the day, the poor lighting at night makes assaults more frequent.
You can do this by searching in forums or asking before leaving the hotel.
Don’t even think about touching drugs, possession is severely punished.
As we always say, it is safe to travel to Morocco, but it is key to use common sense. Follow the precautions you would follow on any other trip. Enjoy your trip coherently.
