Travelling to Morocco – Is It Safe in 2020?

Travelling to Morocco can be an unprecedented way of discovering the beauty that Africa has to offer, without having to dedicate those extra few hours on the plane to reach the heart of the continent. The breathtaking views, unique flora and fauna, and tropical weather make Morocco one of the top destinations to visit, with the coastline cities creating a truly spectacular view of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Travelling to any nation you’re unfamiliar with is always the safest with a tour guide or an organised group, that will provide you with the inner knowledge of the areas you’re visiting, as well as minimise any danger you may stumble upon the way.

If you want to visit this country, but don’t know what will be the best place to start, consider Mount Toubkal for your next adventure. This region not only shines away with its sensational feeling of being isolated from the world but also, provides a safe haven for more cautious travellers. However, before you hop on a plane, let’s look at how the situation looks like in the country today – at least when it comes to safety.

Safety

Morocco is, for the most part, a safe country to visit – mainly due to high levels of security being enforced around the country, and random checks conducted to ensure the safety of all within the nation. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t let your guard down, and you should exercise increased precaution while travelling in the Northern African regions – especially since Morocco’s borders are some of the less stable political zones and the country is situated near active war zones, such as the one of Libya.

However, as a country, Morocco is considered quite safe, with the International SOS – the world’s largest medical and travel security services firm – featuring Morocco among the safest countries for travellers in 2020. This ranking doesn’t necessarily come as a surprise, considering the Northern African Nation has notoriously made the list year after year.

The index takes into consideration several criteria to decide upon the safety of the nation in question. Those include threats from political violence and social unrest, in addition to risks associated with diseases and its preventability, transport safety, petty crime, and as for the current health situation, the impact the COVID-19 pandemic made on the countries.

It may come as a surprise to some people unfamiliar with Morocco, but the country ranks at the same level of safety as some Western nations – the US, Australia and the majority of European Union nations. The Travel Index has also proven that Morocco is a much safer option than its neighbouring companions, that are also well known for travellers to visit. Those include; Tunisia, Egypt and Israel; or some of it’s more Southern acquaintances, such as South Africa or Tanzania.

Petty Crimes

We advise you to keep all your valuables in a safe, secured place, and not wear any flashy jewellery or accessories while visiting the cities. Even though Morocco can seem like an amiable country for visitors, it is unavoidable to stumble on some pickpocketers or scammers – just like everywhere.

It would help if you were vigilant at all times, especially while cruising around the bigger cities, such as Rabat or Marrakech, which are known to be hot spots for pickpocketing.

Things to Avoid

Like any new place you’re travelling too, Morocco also has its fair share of things you should avoid to ensure your safety, and not find yourself in a compromising situation.

It would help if you always remembered that you’re visiting a Muslim nation, that carries other cultural traditions and practices than your home country might. That’s why you should respect them – this mainly involves dressing modestly, not showing public displays of affection, and limiting yourself from using any profanities. Muslim countries also live a different lifestyle, with strong bans related to the usage of drugs, and modest consumption of alcoholic beverages.

In addition to that, you should also be aware that foreigners can be viewed as a target – that’s why you shouldn’t carry large sums of money around, and not wear anything flashy that may attract unnecessary interest.

To ensure your safety, you should also not consume tap water and always carry a bottle of water with you around, as, during the summer months, the country is known to reach temperatures of about 40 degrees Celsius.

When it comes to services, do not accept any kinds of unsolicited services, as people may expect you to pay them for it, due to the simple fact of you being a foreigner.

Conclusion

While Morocco is generally considered to be a safe country, you still should take standard precautions that you would on any other trip. Like everywhere in the world, crime does happen, however following our guidelines may minimise the chances of you being the target of such crimes.

While travelling to, and through Morocco, always remember to follow the country’s customs and traditions, and not undertake any kinds of actions that may be deemed as unsuitable. If it’s your first time visiting Morocco, we would highly recommend for you to find a tour guide, beforehand or on the spot, as they will help you discover the country in more depth, and minimise any risks you may be faced with.