Don't go to Morrocco!

Old Aug 5th, 2014, 05:30 AM
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Don't go to Morrocco!

Hi,
My friends and I just came back from a 10 days trip in Morrocco. We are 4 friends (2 Canadians, 1 Thai and 1 Swiss), we love to travel (especially in Africa and Asia) and we have been traveleing all around the world. But this last trip in Morrocco leave us with a bitter feeling.

We really enjoyed the food, the scenery but the people are just impossible, constantly cheatig, liing and sometimes stealing from us.

We started our trip in Spain (Malaga) then cross the sea in Gibraltar. We loved the first part of the trip but as soon as we arrived in Tangier the nightmare began...

Tangier: taxi drivers are crooks. They try to take advantage of newly arrived tourists by misleading in information.

we then took the train to Casablanca. The train ride is really exciting! very pretty sceneries.

Casablanca: not a pretty city at all. Taxis again cheated us. I has a fight with one on the road. In Casablanca however I really recommend there the famous restaurant based from the movie "Casablanca", just fabulous and cheap! We stayed in a nice hotel downtown.

we then took the train to Marackeck. Really cool ride again. We enjoyed very much.

Marrackech. A driver picked us up as booked few days earlyer in a big and comfortable van with a guide. We agreed (and still had the confirmation email) for a 3 hours city tour for 40 USD. At the end of the tour he asked for 70 USD. We had a strong argument with them but after 30 minutes of arguing and complaining to the office who made the reservation there was nothing we could do apart from fighting which we avoided. We took other taxis during our stay in Marrackech and again, most taxis will try to cheat you, a good trick they use is to agree with a price at first but then will not give you back the change saying they dont have any...

Desert trip: following our visit in Marrackech, we went for 4 days in the desert. It was interesting but the people werre a nightmare again. Always trying to cheat, steal and were constantly liing..

We were so happy to leave this country, and for sure we will never go back there anymore.
kimswiss is offline  
Old Aug 5th, 2014, 08:51 AM
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To start with, I have not been to Morrocco yet. But I found your advice way too strong. I do understand your bitter taste after so many problems with taxi drivers. But taxi drivers are notorious about squeezing money out of tourists almost all over the world.
Also Arabian culture is quite different than West. One needs to adapt. As most of your tour was good, why not title your post something like "Never use taxi in Morrocco!" ?
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Old Aug 5th, 2014, 05:28 PM
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Morocco can be rough, especially if you are not used to traveling that part of the world. I didn't have any trouble with the taxi drivers, but the fake guides, touts and everyone else wanting money are not fun to deal with.

It's always best to avoid anyone who approaches you - chances are they will want something from you. Go to shops and restaurants that don't have someone outside trying to get you in. If you hire a driver or guide, make sure he puts in writing everything that is included and what the cost is. If you pay what was agreed to and they still want more, then just walk away.

You will find, however, that most Moroccans are extremely friendly, warm and welcoming.
trebex is offline  
Old Aug 5th, 2014, 06:39 PM
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Sorry to read about your awful experience.
I believe Before going to Morocco you need to collect enough amount of information to have a similar enjoyable trip to others, it's hard to get satisfied with all different kind of drivers, but public transportation is something different because they don't often deal with tourists, so it's looks a big business for them and they chase tourists sometimes to get extra money other than working with locals.
You can use trains, tourist qualified drivers than you can assure in advance for having a good experience, as you can now read enough recommendations through mnay travel websites in the forums about recommended drivers.
in the other hand; you get what you paid don't expect more if you pay less, so it's the same with the public trmsport.
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Old Aug 6th, 2014, 08:07 AM
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I agree that Morocco can be tough to deal with - witness the MANY, MANY attempts to spam this forum (practically on a daily basis), but dishonest taxi drivers are, alas, not confined to Morocco.

Some tips:

Walk a block away from train and bus stations, and expensive hotels, to find a driver who will use a meter, or at least not charge as much.

Always have small bills so you don't need the driver to make change.

Get any bags out of the taxi before starting to pay.

Never get into a non-meter taxi without a clear understanding of the fare - write it down if necessary, and be clear about the currency - show the driver a note if you're having communication difficulties.

If the driver demands more money, walk away. If that is not possible say that you will call the police.

I haven't been to Tangier, but it is perhaps not the best place to start a visit to Morocco. I started in Rabat, which was much more laid back than Casa or Marrakesh. If you're short of time, skip Casa if possible.
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Old Aug 6th, 2014, 01:55 PM
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I agree...we started one trip in Fes, rented a car with dozens of dings, got a pre-typed document in English absolving any and all dings(which they honored), drove partially through the Atlas, on to Erg Chebbi and vicinity authentic Rissani market, after a few days on to Todra Gorge and the Dades Gorge, went as far south as Zagora in the Dra Valley, Saharan trail to the entrance of the Timbuktu trails, north again to Ouarzazate, a quick day trip to Finnt (fun), then swung northward to Marrakech, Essaouira and finally Rabat. A great monthlong Maroc discovery drive. Loved the country (of course with the car we coul avoid taxi troubles as stated above), experienced the exotique , the foods (which we had introduced ourselves to in L.A. before leaving). Can't travel anymore, but sure as hell happy we met Maroc in all its glory.
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Old Aug 7th, 2014, 10:49 AM
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Kimswiss,

While I'm sure your critique genuinely reflects your experiences, disparaging an entire country based on your experiences with a few cab drivers and some general references to lying and stealing doesn't really help anyone on this forum.

We found everyone in the country to be extremely friendly and never had issues with the few cabs we used (arranged through our riads). While you did have to avoid overly aggresive shopkeepers in the souks, a firm 'NO' seemed to get your point across.

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your experience, but I don't think it's indicative of the country and people as a whole.
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Old Aug 19th, 2014, 12:01 PM
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Thanks for your reassuring comments.
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Old Aug 27th, 2014, 10:29 AM
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Actually, it's 1st time I read about someone advising not to visit Morocco, isn't strange !
i can't deny that you'll have some difficulty in Morocco, but please don't blame just the country, blame also yourself for being clumsy guys.
Once you don't get informed about your destination, you'll face problems.
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Old Sep 2nd, 2014, 04:46 PM
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Morocco is challenging,,,Particularly for females alone. But as I re=read your post, it seems you did like the restaurants and the train trips. So most of your complaints are re taxis (which are a weak spot in any and every city). Thurs mentioned getting your luggage out before paying and I would add don't turn loose of the bill you are paying with until you see the change. For some reason, my instict kicked in at the first taxi and I wouldn't turn loose of the bill and from then on knew to do that. I will admit it is hard not to get exhausted in an environment where you have to be on guard so much, but I found the country so beautiful and exotic I felt it was worth it.

You didn't get specific re stealing. That I didn't experience. I also experienced kind helpful people on the street. One of the things that bothered me the most was the men lined up in front of the buildings sitting at a table, with all eyes on me - staring! I found it unnerving but it wasn't dangerous so I adapted. I will still go back if I have the opportunity - I have a soft spot in my travel memories for Morocco.
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Old Nov 6th, 2014, 03:14 PM
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Sorry I'm not agree with your review , because in anywhere in the world there's a bad people and good people , you saying " Don't go to morocco " Why ?? Morocco the most beautiful place in the world and the most moroccan people they are friendly and helpful , i had a very very awesome tour in morocco with out any problem ,really i will go back to morocco again so soon
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Old Nov 6th, 2014, 03:46 PM
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Ladies...try Disneyland next.
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Old Nov 10th, 2014, 03:11 PM
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I would say Go To Morocco and enjoy Morocco, and don't stop making your dream comes True with that unique land.
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Old Nov 14th, 2014, 12:01 PM
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About that tour guide who charged you $70, instead of the agreed upon $40, at the END of the tour -- why didn't you just give him the $40 and leave??
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Old Dec 12th, 2014, 08:21 AM
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wintersp: "One of the things that bothered me the most was the men lined up in front of the buildings sitting at a table, with all eyes on me - staring!"

Staring isn't considered rude in Morocco and other parts of North West Africa. I agree it's initially offputting as those who are staring tend to have their 'street face' on. But if you grin and give a wave, you'll invariably get a nice response.

And the way people talk, nay shout, at each other can be offputting. Even within the family home you'll hear people with extremely raised voices, and it doesn't help than both Tamazight and Darija are gutteral languages. But when you ask why they are arguing, the answer will be they are not, they're just having a conversation.

The beauty of travelling is that you get to see different cultures and practices.

Kimswiss's complaints are mainly about taxis. I think the taxi drivers at Heathrow airport in London would show the Moroccans to be amateurs in terms of ripping people off.
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Old Dec 12th, 2014, 11:11 AM
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Can't think why anyone who has done the least bit of research would take a taxi from Heathrow! And London cabbies are the best anywhere.
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Old Dec 12th, 2014, 06:45 PM
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why is anyone still posting to this thread? Th OP registered, posted and went away. She isn't interested so why is anyone else?????
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