Is Morocco safe for travelers?
I need to attend a Meeting in Marrakech in september, but I am worried about safety issues during travel. I live in Mexico, so I know how a developing country can be misjudged as "unsafe".
Does anybody have any experience or suggestions about travel to Morocco?
Thanks,
Ivan
0
Comments
You'll be amazed how safe Morocco ingeneral, and Marrakech in particular are. Other than a bit of a hussle in the souks ( Markets ) from the vendors inviting you to their shops if you are on your own, there is absolutely nothing to worry about.
Marrakech has the problem of pick-pockets but apart from the there are no serious crimes.
Moroccans can be very friendly and helpful but occasionally they may want payment for taking you somewhere or even giving you basic information if they see you are curious.
If you plan on staying in Morocco then travelling around is easy with either taxis, where you have to agree on a price if travelling some disatance, or by bus or coach to somewhere like Essaouira on the coast.
There is so much to say about Morocco but then we do not know what specifically your interests are or how long you will be staying.
jklejna@aol.com
In general Morocco is an extremely safe and hospitable country. Marrakech is a wonderful city with a lot to offer the traveller. My advice if you are alone is to hire a guide for the day (or even 2 or 3 days). This way you will get to see as much as possible in a short amount of time. Of course, they will take you to shops where they get a commission but everyone is entitled to make a little bit aren't they.
Stop worrying and enjoy your visit to the Magrehb!!
Lesley
You can visit my website dedicated to Morocco travel at http://www.gomorocco.com/
there's ton of useful informations.
hope this helps
I am a female and will be traveling alone to morocco in late September. Everyone I talk to tells me its a bad idea and not safe to travel alone in morocco being a woman. Is this true? Can you offer me any advice. I feel like I will be fine but other people say no dont go. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Many women go to Morocco alone and have a great time; wherever you go you will find men leering at you, this happens all the time so you just need to be aware of this and use common sense.
Unles you are naturally flirtateous, ignore politely the advances of all males, they will have different resons for chatting you up.
The main problem will be of language; if you speak French then this will help immensely although having said this, some taxi drivers do not even speak this.
In restaurants, hotels, shops etc English will be spoken widely but not necessarilly to converstional standard.
i advice you to contact this people: www.maisondusud.fr.gd
they are in the desert of M
I'm Moroccan and I appreciate when ppl used to say bout this country!!
What they say is true, Don't even have any negative feeling! Just do it and I advice you to visit Merzouga ;)
Have Fun!!
Is it politi if women wear sandals in Marrakech - and other places in Marocco?
Is it unpolite that women do not wear scarf? I guess it does not matter in the cities. But, in the countryside?
There was an incident a day ago in Marrakech where a few shops were ransacked but this was an isolated incident by kids who took advantage of the political unrest.
Things settled very quickly whereby the mess was cleared up quickly and trading resumed.
Other reports have been by Reuters of cars set alight which should be ignored - unless you are IN Marrakech or elsewhere then don't believe what you hear.
Countries such as Libya, Tunisia and Egypt (others too) have had serious unrest as the people have been ruled by dictators for decades (Gaddafi 42 years in Libya!).
Moroccans are asking King Mohammed VI to give up some of his powers and honour past promises of reforms; they are not asking for his removal.
Morocco does have so called free elections but still there is poverty and lack of job opportunities for many, trade is not a huge earner for the country, tourism does bring in much needed currency but is retained by the well off.
Many workers are low paid, earning typically 5 per day which is well below the stated national average.
There is another forum which is hot on this subject, being updated very frequently; go to Trip Advisor's Marrakech thread Political Unrest and learn.
As yet people are not cancelling their planned trips to Morocco, your travel company or travel agent should advise.
In the UK, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.fco.gov.uk) has not placed any travel restrictions on travel to Morocco.
There are protest marches planeed at regular intervals but they are just that, marches and no more.
People I know have just returned from Agadir and Marrakech and say there were no incidents of any kind.
It's understandable to be worried about travelling to Morocco after hearing about the protests last month. However, they were calm protests according to all the local and international news - including BBC world. The thing that makes the situation different to other countries that you would have heard about in the press (Libya, Egypt....) is that the Moroccan's are not trying to overthrow the government or the King. The King is loved across Morocco and the protesters were in fact protesting against high unemployment and other social issues. Since this happened the King made a speech and he reduced the cost of many everyday items like bread and it seems to have resolved the problem.
A collegue of mine had her parents out in Marrakesh at the time of the protests and she told me that they were not even aware that anything had gone on as it didn't distrupt her trip in any way. We also have a lot of customers still travelling around Morocco and they have told me the same thing so there is nothing to be worried about.
Keep an eye on the FCO website as they are always the most cautious in these situations. At the moment they have not changed their advice and are still saying that it is safe to travel around Morocco so go and have a great time in Marrakesh!
As for the rest....
You have not stated where in Morocco your daughter and bf are going; it is a very big country.
June will be crowded with tourists, many of these will be Moroccans going home for their vacation from europe where they work.
Again, depending on where you, or rather they, will be, it can be safe or not at night. In big cities where there are many people just walking and enjoying the evenings there will be no trouble. If out in the wilderness then a different story, perhaps.
Keep to busy areas, keep wallets safely concealed, do not display large amounts of cash...in other words use common sense and all will be fine.
Make the most of the trip and don't get paranoid at every corner. If you are staying in a riad then ask them to write the name of paper in English and Arabic so you can show a passer-by or taxi driver should you get lost.
Even though this event has shaken many people, they are still arriving.
The FCO in UK has warnings on its website although has not imposed or advised travelling restrictions.
I suggest you check with the relevant government office dealing with travel advice for your countries.
I'm only pleased it is nothing like europe, even with the hassle.
I would not say that traders are poor, it is their livelihood to shake us down and even though it has happened a few time to me I will still go to Morocco.
Marrakech has many sites within the city, all of which are easy to get to on foot, inexpensive to access costing a mere one euro to get into those run by the state or about 4 for the privately owned museums. Many other sites are, of course, free to see.
Much comes down to how gullible a person is when chatting to a trader, especially the herb sellers who I detest selling their sweeping off the floor as miracle cures.
No-one is obliged to go into a shop just because the trader smiles at you, just as you are not obliged to go into overpriced restaurants.
The sites outside of Marrakech are truly spectacular such as the Atlas Mountains covered in snow, gorges and waterfalls, valleys and much, much more. At least when you go on an organised trip you are insured for your safety but yes, you do get dragged into herbalists but are not obliged to go in.
I thought I would never return to Marrakech after a day trip from Gibraltar to Tanger as this was a disappointment, the following year I went on my own terms and have never regretted it. I go once a year now and will continue to do so.
There's always the Costa's in Spain for example where you will meet some colourful (and mainly drunken) British types.
The foreign office advice is fairly strong on both safety and terrorism issues and not particularly pleasing to read. They are not restricting travel but opt out on whether you should go or not.
I would not have wanted to be there at the weekend - the atmosphere must have been awful in the square. Does anyone know what the riads are like particularly agasana chain?
I would certainly go again but it looks like only to Tanger this time as I will probably be in Spain/Gibraltar and so don't fancy the prospect of a 10 hour rail journey from Tanger to Marrakech, once was enough.
Safety?
Foreign office say kidnapping is a moderate threat (given what is happening in Algeria might this be upgraded?)
I am planning on booking a guide (through our Riad) to show us the immediate sites etc
Planning on eating in the Riad at least 2 nights - but they provide excellent recommendations locally (reading reviews) and will even have a member of staff escort you there (and provide you with a mobile phone should there be issues etc)
I appreciate there will be a lot of hustle and bustle (which I now think my husband will HATE but he will be more than happy chilling at the Riad I think)
So - I am happy with all that
Was planning on doing one of the organised hot air balloon ride/camel ride/breakfast - it says this is 'in the desert and breakfast taken in a 'locals' tent
Is this safe? Are we at risk venturing away from the 'safety' of the Riad
I had read countless reviews of the Riad and the place and am so very excited about going
Can someone give me a current temperature check of the place? safety wise........
Thanks so much