Morocco Travel Safety – Staying Safe during Your Stay
As is the case with any international travel plans, when traveling to Morocco you should concern yourself with Morocco travel safety for you and your family. It is important to know current conditions, how to protect your safety and security when in Morocco, how much terrorism is of concern, the local laws and customs, health issues and the country’s currency prior to finalizing your plans.
Current Travel Advice
There are a number of places online where you can get up-to-date information regarding Morocco travel safety. For example, Canada (https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/morocco), the United States of America (https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/morocco.html) and the UK (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco) routinely update their travel advice websites to alert you to any immediate concerns. They will especially note if there is an increase in the terrorism threat level regarding their specific country’s citizens. These sites are also valuable for additional Morocco travel safety advice and information.
Morocco Travel Safety and Security
There are several things that you can do to increase safety and security for your family while traveling in Morocco. Morocco travel safety advice includes being acutely aware of your surroundings at all times, avoid traveling alone, use taxicabs instead of walking or taking buses whenever possible, and do not respond if harassed.
It is particularly important for women to take extra precautions for safety in Morocco, as local men are known to harass them particularly if they are dressed immodestly. Even with the best of precautions, you could become a victim of a crime. It is a good idea to know exactly where the consulate for your home country is located, so that you can get to it quickly in the case of a problem or terrorist attack.
Terrorism
Moroccan authorities are doing a great job in squashing the groups and individuals that perpetrate terrorism to increase safety in Morocco. The best thing you can do to avoid a terrorist attack is to stay away from places that are known to be heavily attended by foreigners or that are not acceptable to the sensitivities of local customs and religion.
You should also steer clear of any demonstrations, particularly those that are organized to antagonize foreigners, if you want to increase your chances for safety in Morocco.
Local Laws and Customs
One of the reasons why people choose international travel is to experience how life is in other places of the world. Just as you would not expect a foreigner to step onto your soil and begin telling you what to do or breaking your laws, you do not want to do this either if you are concerned about your safety in Morocco.
Ignorance of the local laws and customs is no excuse. You are held accountable the same as their citizens. You can be detained or even imprisoned for breaking a local law, even though that action was not illegal in your home country. Furthermore, some infractions that are a mere slap on the wrist at home could have severe consequences and thus risk your safety in Morocco.
Your Morocco travel safety depends upon you becoming acutely familiar with the local laws and customs. For example, you should know that consuming alcohol in public is prohibited. It is also illegal to engage in homosexual or extramarital activities.
You may be used to freedom of speech your home country, but here it can get you imprisoned, especially if you criticize the Moroccan monarchy or perform religious proselytizing. Maintaining safety in Morocco means knowing the laws before you arrive and following them.
In honoring Moroccan customs, you should dress conservatively and respect their traditions. The more you know before you go, the better you can assimilate so as not to draw unwanted attention to yourself and risk your safety in Morocco.
Health
Your Morocco travel safety also involves staying healthy. One way to safeguard your health is to have a full physical well before you travel to Morocco. Discuss your travel plans with your physician to determine if there are any vaccines you should have. While there are not any mandatory vaccines for entry, there are some that are highly recommended.
You will find that health care in Morocco is different than you are accustomed to and your regular health insurance will not be accepted. They will expect a cash payment for any treatments you need.
It is highly advisable that you obtain travel health insurance and have extra funds reserved for a potential health emergency. Your safety in Morocco depends on you being able to get and pay for medical care if you need it.
Money
On the subject of funds, you should acquaint yourself with the currency of Morocco, namely the Moroccan Dirham, which you will see abbreviated as MAD or as Dh. This is a relatively stable currency, but you should check the conversion rate prior to travel so that you understand what you are spending. Morocco travel safety includes not being scammed, so knowing how the money works can help you avoid getting tricked into paying more than you should for something.
It is not just understanding the currency but also the economy. It may feel like nothing to give a $10 (USD) tip to a driver or other service person, but if you consider that equals a week’s pay for many Moroccan workers, you could set yourself up for a robbery. Keep your tipping in line with the local standards and you’ll do just fine and preserve your safety in Morocco.
It is also important to note that you should not convert too much of your country’s currency into dirhams at one time. It is illegal to take dirhams out of the country, so if you have any left over at the end of your stay you will need to get them converted back, which can sometimes be challenging. In addition, having too much on you at one time risks your Morocco travel safety.
The ideal thing is to have just enough left to give a reasonable tip to the driver taking you to the airport, or your tour guide at the end of the last day of travel.
Conclusion
Travel to a foreign country can be delightful or harrowing, depending upon the steps you take prior to travel and how you conduct yourself in the country. Your safety in Morocco depends on you following the Morocco travel safety tips that will help you prepare for your upcoming adventure, so only good memories and amazing souvenirs make the trip back home.
Last Updated on November 20, 2020
