Safety in Morocco: Is Morocco a safe country?

Morocco is a truly delightful country to discover. Fascinating archaeological sites, pristine beaches, enchanting palaces, picturesque streets, and bustling medinas all make this country diverse and wonderful.

However, as in other North African Muslim countries, life in Morocco is very different from that in the West. This difference raises safety concerns for travelers. In each of the following sections, we highlight the major safety issues in Morocco and provide a number of practical, easy-to-follow solutions to address them during your stay.

Covid 19

The global pandemic has transformed the way we travel. For many travelers, cleanliness and access to uncrowded open spaces have become top priorities. Fortunately, many of the services we offer work well in tandem with preventing the spread of any viruses.

While crowded buses and steamy train cabins can be petri dishes for spreading viruses, fully sanitized private chauffeured cars and vans are the exact opposite. With Journey Beyond Travel, you can travel domestically with your friends and loved ones in your own car or van. This tailor-made service ensures your safety while traveling within the country.

What about the country itself? While the coronavirus did strike Morocco, it was not as severe as in other parts of the world. Most epidemics occurred in popular neighborhoods and factories away from tourist areas. Nevertheless, while the old medinas of cities like Marrakech and Fez are typically bustling, especially in the fall and spring, our tours take you far from the crowds and into the spectacular, remote nature and culture that makes Morocco so special. After all, what could be more physically distant than the vast sea of sand in the Sahara Desert?

Vaccines and Health

The common health concerns that plague much of the rest of Africa need not be a major concern for those considering a trip to Morocco. For example, Morocco is virtually malaria-free. There is no need to worry about mosquito bites. However, one can take the usual precautions to stay safe (e.g., wearing light-colored clothing, using insect repellents during the warmer months, etc.). Also, while there are no vaccines required to enter the country, it is recommended that you get the polio and tetanus vaccines. If you want to be as safe as possible, it is recommended that you be vaccinated against typhoid and hepatitis A (and even hepatitis B).

Food and Water Safety

As in any other foreign country, local food (especially street food) is not always prepared in the conditions to which your stomach is accustomed. Therefore, be careful where you eat street food. In general, Jemaa el Fna in Marrakech, Skala du Port in Essaouira, and the port of Agadir are safe places to sample local Moroccan flavors. Many guidebooks recommend drinking only bottled water. However, most water from the tap is safe to drink because of the well-developed (and relatively new) water reservoir systems throughout Morocco. Drinking bottled water is not a problem, but our team has partnered with an international organization called TAP. We recommend that you bring a small filtration device or steripen and drink the water as you process it. We also advise travelers not to eat fruits and vegetables that have not been washed or peeled by themselves to avoid stomach upset during the trip.

Crime in Morocco

In general, crime does not pose a major threat to the prospect of tourism in Morocco. However, petty crimes such as pickpocketing and bag snatching are common in crowded areas. Hustlers and scammers also target tourists. The wisest way to avoid them and continue to enjoy your time in Morocco is to politely decline their services and be sensible and vigilant with strangers.

• Many of them pretend to be students when they approach you and say they want to practice their English and learn about your culture. If you follow them, you will invariably end up in stores where they will force you to store.
• They may also ask you to help them translate something into English and then take you into the store while they talk to you.
• If you are led into such a store, the salesperson may offer you a “free gift.” Don’t accept it. Don’t accept it because a group of people will be waiting to approach you, accuse you of stealing and extort payment.
• Fake tour guides always tell you that everywhere is “closed” and try to get you to follow them.

They may also demand expensive cab fares at bus and train stations, telling you that the train has been canceled or that they can’t catch the bus or train they are waiting for.

• If you spot a fake tour guide, scammer or con artist trying to scam you, here are some of the best ways to avoid trouble,
• Avoid eye contact and ignore them.
• If you have made eye contact, ignore them and move away.
• If they still persistently approach you, the most effective way to avoid them is to quickly but politely walk away.
• If the person persists, don’t be afraid to say no. Saying “la” (Arabic for “no”) will help keep your native language from giving away.
• In any case, it’s best to ignore totes and fake guides.
• If you talk to them, it means they have already made a successful first step.

Generally, for safety reasons, it’s best to never accept the services of anyone who approaches you and avoid eye contact if you see someone approaching. Once they start talking, it can be hard to get away from them. However, a firm “no” can work.

Crimes targeting tourists are common in cities such as Marrakech, Casablanca, Tangier, Fez and Rabat. When visiting these places, be especially alert for the following things .

Drugs.

The custom of enjoying hashish (known locally as kif) has been around in Morocco for centuries. It is not uncommon to see men smoking hashish, especially in the Rif Mountains where most of the cannabis is grown. However, while smoking kif is fairly common in the country, the drug is illegal, and punishment for breaking the law can be up to 10 years in prison in Morocco’s less friendly prisons.

Cannabis has become a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide. In Morocco, cannabis, though illegal, has been big business for centuries. The government is not serious about cracking down on the drug business, and foreign travelers who smoke on the street or those who carelessly buy drugs in undercover police cars are often punished.

If you find yourself in this situation, make sure you can pay the fine on the spot. If a police escort is unavoidable, do not sign unclear documents, hire a competent interpreter and attorney, and contact the embassy as soon as possible. If a court date is set and you are free to leave the country, consider leaving.

Civil unrest and terrorism.

Civil unrest is not uncommon in Morocco: in 2011-2012, peaceful demonstrations involving tens of thousands of people took place across the country, but incidents of violence between police and protesters were isolated.

Domestic terrorist incidents were a more serious problem in the early 2000s, but have become rarer as Moroccan security services have become more focused on identifying and arresting potential terrorist organizations before they become active.

In general, governments around the world emphasize caution when traveling to Morocco. Often this advice is general and vague and lacks truly in-depth information. Although the Moroccan people do not want political instability and criticize the government in every possible way, most Moroccans support the modern and progressive King Mohammed VI. In short, politically Morocco is very stable and has been a good example of solidarity in the region for decades. Of course, isolated incidents can happen in any country (like the US or France), but when they happen in Muslim countries, they tend to stand out and are immediately labeled unstable.

In reality, as in many other countries around the world, Moroccans are peace-loving citizens and will stand friendly against any group or person trying to disturb the peace. Government officials and Moroccans in general do a very good job of keeping the country safe. Riots and terrorist incidents in Algeria, Tunisia, or even France have little to no effect on stability in Morocco.

We encourage travelers to think outside the box and trust our local teams to assess current issues (such as COVID 19, Ebola, incidents in France, Tunisia, Boston and other perceived threats). And if an incident does occur, it will almost always be one person who can slip through the cracks undetected to accomplish their insane goals.

If you are American, Australian, Canadian or European (or from anywhere else), you will be welcomed in Morocco by honest, friendly and open-minded Moroccans. We will not be targeted for terrorist attacks. We believe that large busloads of tourists pose a slightly higher risk (although extremely low) than the individual trips to Morocco that we organize.

Our drivers, guides and local specialists will treat you with the utmost hospitality. We take seriously our commitment to provide our guests with a wonderful, safe and unique experience and ask travelers to feel confident that they can trust us to do the best job possible. It is difficult to predict the situation in the world at large. We act as we always have – with extra attention, but without fear.

For travelers and citizens, Morocco is a very safe country to travel and live in.

Road Safety .

Road conditions in Morocco vary throughout the country and throughout the year. Road safety depends on the time of year, from fast toll highways to unmaintained secondary roads, and heavy rain and snow make driving more dangerous. In addition,

all types of vehicles, from bicycles to donkey carts, are allowed on the roads. Road accidents are a serious problem in Morocco, so extreme caution should be exercised when traveling in the country.

Is it safe to travel to Morocco with children?

Moroccan society is very family-oriented, especially if you are traveling to Morocco with your family and young children. Family is the top priority for Moroccans and children are spoiled by older relatives, can go to bed later than is customary in the West, and are allowed to play freely indoors and on the streets.

When traveling with young children, you may find that the attitude of the locals is friendlier. People often approach and praise children, lovingly stroke their cheeks and in some cases kiss them, invite them to stores and cafes and offer them free tea. All of this is friendly behavior and there is no need to feel awkward or unsafe. Morocco has a very child-friendly culture, and by traveling with young children, you will be able to interact with the locals and experience the Moroccan way of life firsthand. 

Is Morocco safe for women?

Undoubtedly, traveling to Morocco for women is different from traveling to Western countries. In Morocco, gender roles are more clearly defined and traditional notions of a patriarchal society are very evident, so women need to be especially careful when discovering the colorful streets of Morocco.

Moroccan men have grown up with limited interaction with women outside of the family, and this, combined with Western misconceptions about sexuality (thanks in large part to easy access to pornography on the Internet), can lead to misunderstandings of Western women’s behavior and actions.

Both Moroccan and foreign women are often subjected to name-calling and lewd remarks that are best ignored. On rare occasions they may intervene, but if sexual harassment escalates to physical harassment, feel free to respond in the same way you would at home: yelling, screaming, and calling for help are all acceptable and helpful ways to respond.

Yelling and screaming and calling for help are all acceptable and helpful ways to respond. This not only humiliates the harasser, but also alerts local people who may come to your aid (specifically, “Shame!” which means “Hashoma!” which means “Shame!”). If possible, report the harasser to the local tourist brigade.

Practical tips for women traveling to Morocco include the following,

• Use common sense: This applies to almost any international trip, but is especially true for women traveling to Morocco. Try to behave sensibly, observe most local customs, and research and get as much information as possible before traveling.
• Dress modestly: wear clothes that cover your knees and shoulders. Even in big cities, a headscarf can help avoid embarrassing situations if there is no resistance.
• Be confident: when walking in a busy medina (old city), look confident and purposeful.
• Behave appropriately: there are very strict norms for interaction between men and women. In general, avoid intense eye contact and especially touching, which can be seen by Moroccan men as seduction.
• Mention your “husband”: if you start to feel uncomfortable while talking to a Moroccan man, casually mention your “husband” who is nearby. Whoever your traveling companion is, introducing him as your husband can protect you from unwanted harassment.
• Stay calm: Ignoring sexual comments can be difficult, especially for women who have never experienced this behavior, but the best way to handle the situation is to stay calm.

There is no need to be afraid, and it would be a shame if an unpleasant situation ruined your trip. Morocco remains a conservative country when it comes to gender roles, but change is happening. Today, many women don’t wear face veils, some prefer a simple headscarf, and young women can be seen drinking with friends of different genders in expensive bars. However, compared to cosmopolitan cities such as Marrakech and Fes, the countryside is still more conservative and it is advisable to follow the tips above to avoid embarrassing situations.

Traveling in Morocco can be more challenging for women than for men. However, if you are reading this blog, fear of possible sexual harassment is not a reason to avoid traveling to this wonderful country. It may or may not happen to you, but if you keep in mind that neither Islam nor respectable Moroccans condone sexual harassment, you’ll realize that it’s not such a dangerous situation after all.

Are Jewish travelers safe in Morocco?

Morocco has always been a culturally diverse country, with a wide variety of people calling it home since its inception. Although the country is now dominated by Muslim Arabs, Jews and native Berbers made significant contributions to Morocco’s history long before Arab immigration, leaving a fascinating legacy that can still be felt today.

For centuries, Muslims, Jews and Berbers have coexisted peacefully, respecting their religions, customs and traditions. Indeed, just half a century ago, Morocco was the largest Jewish settlement in the Arab world: more than half a million Jews lived freely in the Kingdom of Morocco. Today, only about 2,500 remain, but their heritage has not been forgotten.

In fact, it is not difficult at all to find remnants of the historic Jewish presence in Morocco. Whether it is the centuries-old charming Mellah (Jewish settlement) in Morocco’s greatest medina or the Arab world’s only museum of Jewish heritage in cosmopolitan Casablanca, Moroccans are proud of their Jewish heritage and recognize its importance to their country’s history. Above all, Morocco has always strived to be a host country. Today, that acceptance continues, and it is perfectly acceptable for Jewish travelers to visit Morocco and experience the country’s incredibly diverse history.

But what about LGBTQ+ travelers to Morocco?

In general, LGBTQ+ travelers to Morocco are another group of people who need to take some precautions when exploring the country.

In theory, homosexuality is illegal in Morocco. However, in practice, this law is applied differently from country to country and poses no real threat to gay travelers to Morocco. Homosexuality is not uncommon in Morocco, but it is hardly recognized or accepted among women. Nevertheless, the police never intervene if the homosexual couple are foreigners, but usually intervene if one of the partners is a Moroccan citizen.

Some practical tips for LGBTQ+ travelers include Be informed:

• before traveling, it is important to find out what LGBTQ+ rights exist in your destination. This will also give you an idea of local attitudes and tolerance towards the LGBTQ+ community.
• Be discreet: public displays of affection are strictly frowned upon by heterosexual couples as well as gays and lesbians. Moroccan men are often seen holding hands, which is a sign of friendship and nothing more. However, Moroccan men know that holding hands between Western men means a more intimate relationship, so this is not encouraged in public either.
• Getting to know the locals Morocco is generally a conservative and religious country, although some places are more conservative than others. Therefore, it is very important to get to know the local people. Choose foreign-owned
• accommodation: if you are worried about how a Moroccan company will react to two people booking a shared room, you can stay in a hotel or riad owned by a foreigner. This way, you can be sure that your stay will be treated normally and with due respect.
• Book  with a travel agency that truly understands the needs of LGBTQ+ people. There are many other travel agencies besides us that specialize in LGBTQ+ issues and special needs, but we at Journey Beyond Travel are confident that no other company understands the actual logistics “on the ground” as well as we do. We’re confident that no other company understands the real logistics of “on-site” as well as we do. We can help you create a unique experience in Morocco where you can experience the local culture while remaining safe and hassle-free.

Despite the seeming hostility towards the LGBTQ+ community in Morocco, locals are generally tolerant as long as they respect local customs. For this reason, Morocco remains a popular destination for LGBTQ+ travelers from around the world, and cities like Tangier (considered the world’s first gay resort), Marrakech, and Agadir are particularly attractive to gay travelers. These cities have beautiful beaches and a small gay scene in bars and clubs. There are many places in Morocco that are open to gay, bi, lesbian and transgender people.

Who to contact in case of emergencies

If an accident happens during your stay in Morocco and you become a victim of a crime (fake guides, sexual harassment, theft, etc.), the easiest way to get help is to contact the tourist police. They are located everywhere in popular city centers and are easy to find, but you can also ask your hotel for information on the nearest police station. In an emergency, dial 19 in urban areas to contact the police, 177 in rural areas to contact the Royal Gendarmerie, and 15 to contact ambulances and fire brigades.

Also, always have the address and contact details of your country’s embassy and consulate in Morocco with you so that you can contact them quickly if necessary.

How safe is Morocco?

In general, Morocco is a safe country to visit. Moroccans are known for their kindness and tolerance, which makes traveling here a pleasant experience. However, due to the conservative nature of the local culture, traditional customs in public places should be observed to avoid unwanted situations. As in many other countries, tourists are a particular target for pickpockets and fake guides, so you should be mindful of your surroundings and belongings. You should not be afraid to travel to Morocco. Stay calm, look confident and don’t give in to casual solicitation – it will make your stay in Morocco more memorable.

Welcome to Live Morocco Tours, where your dream journey begins! At Live Morocco Tours, we understand that every traveler is unique, and so are their travel aspirations. That’s why we offer you the opportunity to customize your own tour and turn your travel dreams into reality.