Morocco: Splendid, Stunning, & Safe
Out of the 27 countries I’ve traveled to in my life, Morocco is definitely one of my favorites. With the majority of my travels having taken place in Europe, this Northern African country was unlike anything I had ever seen before.
While I was there, I rode a camel across sweltering sand dunes, drank the most delectable mint tea, feasted on mouth-watering tagine (a flavorful type of North African cuisine that is cooked in a clay dish), received an intricate henna tattoo on my hand, perfected my haggling skills at the local markets, and admired some of the most impressive architecture I had ever seen. I can wholeheartedly say that my experience in Morocco changed my life.
However, before you decide to take a trip there, it is critical that you adequately prepare to ensure your visit is a safe one. Read on for some of my top safety tips and tricks for navigating Morocco as a woman!*
(*Though I can only speak from my experience as a woman, some of these safety tips will apply to anyone planning on visiting the country!)
Planning Ahead
When it comes to traveling to Morocco — or anywhere for that matter — planning ahead is key. Just like with anything in life, it’s always best to be prepared and not go into a situation completely blind.
If you’re staying in a big city like Marrakech or Fes, make sure to book a hotel that is in a popular area. If you’re traveling alone, you’ll feel a lot safer walking to a hotel that is surrounded by markets, people, restaurants, etc. rather than having to worry about navigating a maze of dimly lit alleyways off the beaten path.
Be sure to always read the reviews before booking a place to stay. Really take the time to look through what people have to say and keep an eye out for any negative experiences that have to do with personal safety. Taking poor reviews into consideration before booking is a great way to ensure that you are choosing to stay in the safest place possible.
Study a map of the area before you go! It is so important to have a general idea of where everything is before even stepping foot in Morocco. As women, looking lost or confused in an unfamiliar place — especially if you are alone — can lead to a potentially dangerous situation. By being confident in your surroundings, the chances of someone preying on your vulnerability are much slimmer.
Cultural Awareness
Before traveling to Morocco, it is imperative that you have a firm understanding of the culture. Just as when traveling anywhere, you’ll find that this country’s way of life is vastly different from your own.
While you may find that many of the people you encounter speak English, keep in mind that the country’s official language is standard Arabic. Making an effort to learn a few common phrases before your trip can go a long way and help make you feel more at ease. It’s also important to note here that French is also widely used in the major tourist areas (This is due to the fact that Morocco was a protectorate of France from 1912 until 1955!).
Before going on your Morocco trip, become aquainted with some of the basics of the predominant religion, Islam. 99 percent of the Moroccan population identify as Sunni Muslim, so it is important to understand some of the traditions that they hold near and dear. While Moroccan mosques are absolutely stunning from the outside, keep in mind that you are not allowed to go inside if you are not muslim!
Understand that Morocco is a conservative country that values tradition and patriarchy. While you, as a tourist, are not expected to wear the same clothing as a Moroccan woman, you need to dress modestly. Even if you live in Southern California (like me!) and are used to wearing shorts and t-shirts every day, you must be respectful of another country’s culture and try to blend in as much as possible.
Clothing Tips
When I was packing my bag for a family trip to Marrakech in 2016, I grumbled when my mom told me that I could only bring modest clothing. As a sixteen year old, I hated being told what to wear, but looking back now — I am so glad I brought the outfits that I did.
Maxi skirts, flowy pants, long cardigans, and scarves are your best friends! Because Morocco is sunny and hot year-round, it’s important to bring clothing that is full-coverage, yet breathable.
Sunglasses are a lifesaver. Not only because the Moroccan sun is extremely bright, but they can also help you avoid eye contact if you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation. By wearing dark sunglasses, you can potentially avoid locking eyes with someone who might misinterpret your gaze as an invitation.
Self-defense
A mini alarm will take your safety game to the next level. Throwing a Safesound Personal Alarm into a zippable cross-body bag will make you feel 100x safer and 100x more prepared. Do not hesitate to press the button on your personal alarm to set off an ear-piercing sound if someone tries to hurt you and do not turn it off until you are completely safe.
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always been told to smile constantly and look as friendly as possible. As Moroccan society has completely different attitudes toward male-female relationships and interactions, this should not be done here. If you see men looking at you, try to resist the urge to smile at them. Smiles are not seen as a friendly gesture, but rather as a flirtatious invitation. If you want to avoid unwanted advances, it is best to keep a straight face and avoid eye contact.
Remember: It is best to be modest, but never rude. The key here is to use your best judgement on when and how to not be too friendly with strangers.
Trust Your Instincts
Speaking of using your best judgement and common sense, your intuition is rarely wrong. If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, do not brush those feelings aside. Here are some helpful tips on what to do if you ever find yourself in this type of situation:
- Share your location: Before you even embark on your trip, make sure to switch to an international phone plan and turn on location sharing. By doing this, your phone will be able to share your location 24/7 with your friends and family even if you’re in a different country.
- Keep a printed contact list: Make two hard copies of your close contacts and keep one in your hotel room and one with you at all times. If your phone gets lost or stolen, you will be able to reference your contact list for important phone numbers in order to get help. Also, it’s a good idea to have the US Embassy’s contact info included in that list if an emergency does occur.
- Head to a crowded area: If you’re being followed, head to a place that is full of people. When you’re in a highly populated area, it is very unlikely that anyone will try to cause you harm because it will draw a lot of attention to them.
- Remain calm: Take a deep breath and try not to panic. Quickly make your way to a safer place and call the police or the US Embassy if you need to.
A Few More Things
Bring a copy of your passport to use as backup in the event that your actual passport gets lost or stolen. Also, it’s a good idea to bring extra currency and a blank check and store them separately from your wallet. That way, if your wallet happens to get lost or stolen, all hope won’t be lost! Finally, check out the State Department’s travel advisory before your trip to ensure that there are no active threats.
Overall, a trip to Morocco can be life-changing if executed properly. If you ever have the chance to visit, I hope these tips will help you feel prepared and ready to handle whatever comes your way!