Safety in Morocco??
 

My wife and I are considering a trip in the fall to Marrakesh and Fez. My wife has been reading the U. S. Dept. of State's website, which says that violence against Americans remains a possibiltiy. I think this is just a cya statement that applies to almost anywhere in the world, but she is concerned. Does anyone have any information on this? Have you been to Morocco, and did you feel safe?

I was in Morocco last spring, a single woman traveling on my own part of the time, and never felt anything but safe.

My wife and I visited Marrakesh in October last year. We felt safe at all times. However, the constant demands for your money......one way or another, gets a little tiresome. But hey...that's Morocco !

Providing you take sensible precautions, i.e. don't flash a huge wad of notes in public places, wear your best $40000 Rolex you'll be fine.

We've wandered across Marrakesh at night and never had a problem.

Ignore the U.S. Dept of States says, and start planning your trip, Moroccan are well-known by their friendshipness and hospitability.

hospitality

Julia1: Where in Morocco did you visit? I'm considering a weekend visit next year when I'm in Europe, but will also be a solo female traveler. I was pleased to read that you felt completely safe, and I'm curious which cities you visited. I would more than likely go to Marrakesh or Casablanca, but need to do more research. Glad I found this thread!

Kylieb3 - I was in Marrakech and Essaouira. Loved them both. Much of interest in Marrakech and many interesting places nearby Essaouira to visit, such as the Women's Coop that produces and sells argan oil products, abandoned marabout shrines, beautiful beaches & dunes, and great places to eat freshly-caught fish.

Here are some photos, if you're interested: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/c1475634.html

Thanks so much, Julia1! Your pictures are incredible too. I appreciate you sharing them with me. I've barely begun researching, so I apologize if this is a dumb question, but are Marrakesh and Essaouira close enough together to do both in a weekend? Or do you suggest focusing on one? I will only have my weekends free to travel around, so I'm trying to maximize my time over there by seeing as many places in and around Europe as possible. I'll continue researching but would love your feedback. Thanks again!

I was in Morocco last fall, also a solo female traveler - part of the time on my own, part on a tour. Aside from a lousy riad in Marrakesh, and the usual rip-off taxi drivers (walk away from the train and bus stations and take one off the street), I didn't have any problems. See http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...-medley.cfm?91 I usually check the British and Australain travel advisories as well as the US - the US tends to the timid. (http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-...ce-by-country/ )

Kyliebaby3--Marrakesh and Essaouira are about 3 hours apart by road in a car, a bit longer by bus. We've done it a couple of times as a day trip from Marrakesh out to the coast. If you leave earlyish, you'll be there for lunch, 3 or 4 hours in Essaouira and back for another tagine!

Love it-- thank you, Lifeman!

Angler: I have had experience driving a good chunk of Maroc. My wife and I at no time felt unsafe. As some of the posters mention, there is a constant harassment by the touts, from very young children to the older folks. Just learn to firmly say "LA!"..(NO!) and walk away, but don't show anger...a little smile wouldn't hurt...If you decide to drive, the roads are quite good, signage is ample, as are petrol stations ...and outstanding scenery every mile.

These<u>pre-digital pics</u> will give you some feel for parts of Maroc, including Fes, Marrakech , the canyons,the Atlas mts., the Saharan dunes, Zagora, Ouarzazate and Essaouira. They're scanned, but can be enlarged by clicking on the magnifying glass icon and dragged....

It's a fabulous country, exotic, atmospheric, great food and in general very friendly and open citizens....we particularly enjoy talking with the locals everywhere in the country. French is widely spoken, and my wife gets by pretty well with it...although English has become more and more popular. We would like to return again.
Enjoy your trip...

Stu Tower

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Morocco#

We just returned from Fes and a coastal town called Asilah as well as a short stay in Rabat...frankly felt safer than at home...really no concerns at all...lock valuables and use normal cautions and you will have a great trip...people are very hospitable and kind.

I would take government warnings with a grain of salt, they're usually hyped up. You're more likely to experience violence in the US than Morocco.

Graham09 - did you know that all we have to do is click on your name and we see that you joined last month apparently only to tout for your riad in Marrakesh?

Got back from Marrakech last night. It's a strange place. I felt quite uncomfortable on the 1st night, but as the Petit Taxi drove us to the airport five days later to catch our flight out I had a lump in my throat.

It's quite intimidating wherever you come from when you arrive; especially if you have booked to stay in the Medina (which I can now thoroughly recommend)as it is packed with all forms of life and noisy as hell. Don't worry though, it's perfectly safe. You will have no problems if you speak at least basic French and the Marrakshis will love you if you greet them with a little Arabic. I greeted everyone I saw with "es salaam alaykum" - peace upon you. Without fail you wil receive a smile and the customary response of "wa alaykum salaam" - and peace upon you. Our most useful phrase though was "la shukran" - no thank you. If said with a little force it is supposed you are a resident and you are left in peace. Worked well if I had had enough of shopping.

We saw very few Americans, but then we saw very few English either (my nationality). We met a stunning Canadian woman and her 15 year old daughter travelling unescorted working in orphanages. They had no trouble and met no hostility. Once you get used to noise and melee you'll love it. We also saw pavement sellers hawking miniature train sets featuring George Bush seated on a tank chasing Osama around the track on his skateboard! It made us laugh and showed that theire sense of humour is fine (better than ours in this Nanny State of ours).

Greet everyone you see from old men to young children with a happy "bonjour" or "bonsoir" and you'll be well rewarded. Give a little alms perhaps to the obviously needy and don't act as though there's a problem. Marrekshis favourite phrase seemed to be "pas de problem". You will find it a warmer place than London.

Enjoy.