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<\/p>\nKnown as the \u2018Gateway to Africa\u2019, Morocco is a dazzling yet dizzying destination. The Islamic, African and French influences have created a culture which is rich in charm and diversity. It\u2019s what beckons so many travellers each year. Surely I\u2019m not the only one noticing more and more envious posts pop up on my Instagram and Facebook feeds? Despite the magical, captivating qualities of this country and its people, the thought of travelling to Morocco still incites hesitation and safety concerns in prospective travellers. From getting lost in the spider web streets of the medinas to navigating cultural norms and even knowing what to wear and how to act, we all have our worries. It\u2019s normal for Western travellers to wonder: is Morocco safe?<\/p>\n
However, after travelling there myself I can say while Morocco is every bit as captivating, photogenic and mind-blowing as it\u2019s made out to be it also isn\u2019t somewhere to head without a little prior research. Knowing what to expect and how to behave will really help you. So here are my top 10 tips to help you stay safe and get the most out of what will be an incredible journey.<\/p>\n
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Morocco is a Muslim country meaning the dress is quite conservative. Islam places a heavy emphasis on modesty so you won\u2019t see the locals walking around in singlets or short skirts no matter how hot it is. Larger cities such as Fez and Marrakech are quite liberal when it comes to how tourists dress but for women, it\u2019s different to travelling in western countries. Gender roles are much more defined and men have little contact with women before marriage so I found it\u2019s best to err on the side of conservative.<\/p>\n
For women, showing too much thigh and shoulders can easily attract unwanted attention from men and implies that you don\u2019t respect local customs or are \u2018available\u2019 by showing these \u2018private\u2019 parts. Pack some long flowy skirts and dresses or harem pants and loose, shoulder-covering shirts. I mostly wore loose-fitting trousers and blouses while out. It\u2019s also a good idea for women to always carry a light scarf with them as many mosques require your hair to be covered. For men, longer shorts and any shirts which cover your shoulders are fine.<\/p>\n
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This is obvious when travelling anywhere. Knowing a few words of local dialect will take you places (literally) and Moroccans will really appreciate your efforts. Although Arabic is the country\u2019s official language, it\u2019s not your only option. Berber is the indigenous language and spoken by those living in places like the Rif and Altas Mountains. French is Morocco\u2019s unofficial second language, a result of its occupation during the 20th-century. The language is still widely spoken across much of the country however, it\u2019s not too common in small villages and remote areas.<\/p>\n
Thanks to skyrocketing tourism levels over the last decade, English speakers abound in the larger cities. Many people who work in hospitality, museums, hotels know enough English to discuss prices, services and give their recommendations. It\u2019s common for merchants in the medinas to also speak at least basic English to call your attention and barter.<\/p>\n
Having a few words of Arabic up your sleeve will come in handy. Here are a few to remember.<\/p>\n
Hello \u2013 Salam
\nBye \u2013 Bslama
\nPlease \u2013 3afak
\nThank you \u2013 Shokran
\nNo \u2013 Lla
\nYes \u2013 Iyyeh<\/p>\n
And my personal favourite (especially when it comes to hurrying along travel companions): Yallah! – Let\u2019s go!<\/p>\n
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Always have your wits about you and know what\u2019s going on when you\u2019re walking at night. While the well-lit and busy areas are generally safe, it\u2019s a good idea to avoid the dark corners of the medinas and back alleys. Buddy up with a fellow traveller; it\u2019s better to be safe than sorry, especially as petty theft like bag snatching and pick-pocketing is common.<\/p>\n
For women, it\u2019s not a good idea to walk alone at any time. Venturing outside alone will attract a lot of unwanted attention from men in the forms of leering looks, catcalls and in some cases even being followed. I always left the riad in a group or with our local guide and felt pretty safe at all times.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re planning on hiking in the mountains don\u2019t go alone. Many western government advisories warn tourists about the threat of kidnapping in these remote areas. Each country has different advice so it\u2019s best to hit up your government\u2019s travel advisory website.<\/p>\n
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Sadly, as the tourism industry booms so too do the number of unlicensed guides in major cities like Fez and Marrakesh. These fake tour guides will spot foreigners entering the city and insist on providing them with local, historical and cultural knowledge \u2013 for a price. They will take you to specific shops where they will earn commission from any purchases made. Many riads and cities themselves warn tourists against using these guides.<\/p>\n
While they seem relatively harmless they threaten the local economy by preventing local business from benefitting from tourism revenue. It\u2019s best to do your research before you hit the ground and book through a reputable company. If unsure, travel agents or fellow travellers are always great for recommendations.<\/p>\n
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Always agree on the price of the journey before you set off. It\u2019s best to ask your hostel or riad for an approximation of how much the trip should cost and go from there. This will help you to avoid having to pay an inflated, overpriced fare once you reach your destination.<\/p>\n
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Haggling is stressful, chaotic but also fun. To Moroccans, the process of bartering is a social interaction and way of life. As my guide said \u201cWe haggle for everything, it\u2019s like a conversation between friends. My wife even haggles over the price of tomatoes at our local market.\u201d Store owners will usually offer you tea or water as you browse their goods. Once you\u2019ve selected your swag it\u2019s time for the hard part \u2013 deciding the price.<\/p>\n
A general rule of thumb is to offer one-third of the sellers\u2019 initial price and go from there. It\u2019s almost guaranteed they will laugh at your lowest offer so don\u2019t be surprised or offended when it happens. Appearing hesitant about the purchase is key; as soon as you let on how much you love something, you lose all bartering power. If the price is still too much, be prepared to walk away. In some cases, you will be hassled to stay or even followed. In such cases it\u2019s important to be firm but respectful. Say \u2018no thank you\u2019 and stand your ground.<\/p>\n
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Bottled water is your best friend, anything which comes out of the tap is not. Enough said. On that note, be wary of street food. Cooking practices aren\u2019t the same as western countries so use your common sense. It\u2019s best to eat in restaurants if you want to avoid wasting a day of your trip in bed with an upset stomach\u2026<\/p>\n
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The general advice is: don\u2019t drive in Morocco. It\u2019s not pretty hectic and there are so many other ways to travel. This is coming from someone who hasn\u2019t been behind the wheel of a car since she packed her bags to travel five months ago but there\u2019s good reason for it. Driving practices in Morocco are chaotic and accidents are common. It\u2019s important to keep in mind that road skills and standards aren\u2019t the same as in western countries. All kinds of vehicles, bicycles and even donkey carts share the one roads. It\u2019s organised chaos which I wouldn\u2019t be game enough to attempt to navigate! Taxis are cheap, as are private transfers or even tour buses which hostels will gladly organise for you. Plus, it gives you a chance to sit back, enjoy the scenery and try to relax.<\/p>\n
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The Sahara is beautiful and a must-see while in Morocco. With one of the world\u2019s most spectacular sunrises and sunsets plus golden sand stretching as far as the eye can see, why wouldn\u2019t you want to go here? However, a tour is the best way to go. Guides are experienced and your safety is their utmost priority. They know which areas will captivate you and which ones to avoid. Many governments warn against travelling into the western area due to many unexploded landmines \u2013 especially near the border with Mauritania. If in doubt check your government\u2019s travel advisory. Hostels and registered tour guides will put you in touch with the best tours to ensure you have the best time!<\/p>\n
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Despite most Moroccans being devout Muslims, the country isn\u2019t entirely dry. The big cities are quite liberal, especially Marrakech which is known for its nightlife. But there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to consuming alcohol and hitting the nightclubs.<\/p>\n
Drinking here isn\u2019t good for your wallet, especially if you\u2019re on a budget. Alcohol is highly taxed so you\u2019re looking at western prices. Most riads, some supermarkets and some top-end restaurants that cater to tourists will sell alcohol. It\u2019s best to ask your hostel for the best place to buy it. Many riads and hostels will allow you to consume alcohol inside, whether it be at the bar, in your room or on a private terrace. This isn\u2019t the case for everywhere so research what you can beforehand or ask reception for clarification.<\/p>\n
Most bars and clubs have a speakeasy feel to them. Moroccans tend to consume alcohol in private and being drunk in public spaces is frowned upon. As with anywhere, it\u2019s important to keep your wits about you when enjoying a few beverages. Staggering around the medina at night isn\u2019t just a bad look it\u2019s also dangerous and can be an invitation to petty crime.<\/p>\n
Like everywhere, Morocco has its risks but by exercising common sense and educating yourself it can be navigated very safely. It\u2019s a country like nowhere else and should definitely be on your bucket list if it isn\u2019t already!<\/p>\n
As the Moroccans say \u2013 Yallah!<\/p>\n
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\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\udde6\u00a0So, do you think Morocco is safe? Share some of your own tips for travelling in Morocco below\u00a0\ud83d\udc47<\/b><\/p>\n
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Hostels in Morocco<\/a>|\u00a0Cheap flights to Morocco<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ashley Wick is a Sydney-born writer with a taste for adventure. Follow her travels on her blog,\u00a0Jumped The Nest<\/a>, and her\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Known as the \u2018Gateway to Africa\u2019, Morocco is a dazzling yet dizzying destination. The Islamic, African and French influences have created a culture which is rich in charm and diversity. It\u2019s what beckons so many travellers each year. Surely I\u2019m not the only one noticing more and more envious posts pop up on my Instagram…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":138665,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9473],"tags":[1487],"class_list":["post-55005","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-tips","tag-morocco","wpbf-post"],"yoast_head":"\nAbout the author<\/b><\/h4>\n