Jeremy Schmidt

Is Morocco Safe? 7 Things to Know Before You Go

by Jeremy Schmidt | Sep 12, 2018 | Safety

Morocco is considered one of the safest countries in Africa. Almost 12 million tourists visited Morocco in 2017. Over 12 million tourists visited in 2018 and the tourism sector continues to flourish in this unique and breathtaking North African country. From cultural hospitality and positive foreign relations to high quality security presence (both seen and unseen), Morocco continues to attract millions of travelers each year, offering an unparalleled, exotic experience.

So first things first – is Morocco safe in the grand scheme of things? According to the US Department of State, as of the time of writing, Morocco is a Level 1 country which suggests that travelers take a normal level of precaution when traveling and exploring. So yes – Morocco is considered a safe country to visit and provides millions of tourists from all over the world with fantastic holidays every year.

That said, here are 7 important things that will be helpful to know before you arrive in Morocco about safety and security during your travels.

1. Be aware of your surroundings

As always when traveling, it is important to be aware of your surroundings. Know where you are headed and look confident in where you are going. Violent crime is rare in Morocco and as such, most of the crime is associated with petty theft. Often petty thieves target those who look lost and “stick out” from their surroundings. While it is easy to get lost in the medina streets on your own, navigating with confidence will go along way to avoiding unwanted occurrences. When you are in a big crowd such as you will find in a place like Jemaa al Fna in Marrakech (pictured above), it is good practice to ensure that you keep good track of your wallet, purses, and cell phones as petty theft (i.e. pickpocketing) is possible.

While unexpected (we’ve lived here for several years without ever having an issue with petty theft), it is always good to have a certain level of vigilance that can help protect from something really ruining your travels!

2. Dress conservatively

It is important to keep in mind that Morocco is vastly a Muslim culture. While other religions may have a limited presence, Muslim traditions will predominately be found in most places around the country. As such it is important to be aware of and respect local customs and expectations of dress.

Here are a few tips (especially for women) in order to have an enjoyable and successful trip to Morocco:

Women

Avoid low cut and overly tight tops. Instead, opt for a looser fitting top that covers your shoulders and midsection. A scarf to wrap around your neck while venturing into the old city can be an excellent way to supplement your wardrobe.

Avoid short skirts or shorts. Instead, opt for loose flowing dresses or pants.

Generally speaking, showing too much of the thighs or shoulders may attract some unwanted attention and likely will be considered disrespectful within the culture. Too much intentional eye contact between genders may be considered suggestive and thus, is a good idea to avoid.

Men

Generally, men have much more leeway for dress but we still recommend pants or longer shorts and shirts with sleeves.

Also, if you would like to visit the Hassan II Mosque for a tour it is important that you plan ahead in your dress. It is one of the only mosques that non-Muslims may enter and appropriate dress is required for entrance. Appropriate dress into this architectural wonder is no shoes (you’ll be given a bag to put your shoes in while taking the tour) and the covering of your shoulders and knees. It is possible – even likely – that you will be turned away and not allowed to enter if you are not dressed appropriately for this experience.

We, at Morocco Accessible Travel Consultants, leave it up to you to decide what is and isn’t appropriate while helping you to navigate cultural expectations in the best way possible. Do your best to use common sense, study the culture a bit before you come and use it as a way to enter into a culture that is not your own in an intentional and respectful way!

3. Don’t drink the water

All around Morocco you will see beautiful and ornate fountains. These are particularly common around the old, walled medinas with a “common cup” for anyone to take a drink as needed. While cultural and a good photo opportunity, perhaps leave this experience as a memory of what you almost did. Instead opt for a bottle of Sidi Ali or your favorite bottled water brand.

Often when you travel abroad it is good practice to drink only bottled water. This is also true in Morocco. Though generally safe, it is a good practice to avoid drinking tap water while traveling abroad. It is incredibly easy in Morocco to find bottled water. Corner stores (called hanuts in Moroccan Arabic) will usually give you a few different brands to choose from and are very cost effective.

Along with not drinking the water, it is a good idea to avoid eating fruits and vegetables that do not have a skin on them and are uncooked. Sanitation in regards to washing vegetables can vary from restaurant to restaurant and as such, it is a good idea to make wise decisions of what to eat in order to avoid the unfortunate occurrence of stomach issues while traveling. Instead, consider enjoying a piping hot tagine, freshly cooked off of the coals! Food is a highlight in Morocco with exotic flavors and a dynamic cultural experience.

So grab a big bottle of water, order an amazing tagine and get ready for a culinary treat that will tantilize the tastebuds!

4. Beware of faux guides

One of our national tour guides sharing historical treasures with a group in Fes.

Everyone who travels with us will be protected from this issue. We only work with licensed, English speaking guides that we approve. We consistently receive feedback from our clients about how amazing and unique their tours were in the historic medinas throughout Morocco. Our guides, thankfully, are respectful, knowledgeable and gifted communicators about country that they love.

That is not always true of everyone who claims to be a “guide” in Morocco. While often starting out at a cheaper price, faux guides have been known to take people to places where they are pressured to buy goods, placed in uncomfortable situations and are charged high prices for help to get back to a traveler’s hotel. Additionally, these guides are illegal in Morocco and can really turn a fun tour into an unpleasant experience. While local police authorities have done a lot of work to clean up this issue, some faux guides are still present in and around the old cities hoping to prey on uninformed tourists.

We highly recommend ensuring that your tour guide is a legit guide with proper documentation that will significantly increase the likelihood of a successful medina tour.

Finally, if you are arranging a guide outside of a tour agency (which will be done for you), ensure that you settle on a price before you embark on the journey. If you try to bargain or set a price afterwards that task becomes difficult to impossible without heated discussions!

5. Travel with a friend – or lots of them!

There is strength in numbers. When we travel with people it allows for another pair of eyes (or several pairs of eyes in larger groups) taking care of one another. It is always good to have others with you in order to ensure that as you explore the nuances of Morocco.

This doesn’t mean that as a solo traveler it is advised not to travel to Morocco but we would definitely suggest going with a tour agency. Your driver and guides ultimately become your friends. Over and over again we hear about our drivers still connecting with past clients via Facebook and WhatsApp simply because there was a connection of friendship.

Friendship, companionship and a responsibility felt for another person are great components to adding an extra layer of security to your trip.

6. Beware of scams

The markets of Morocco create an exotic allure that beckons the curious traveler. Generally speaking, these shops are excellent places to encounter culture and provide an exciting experience for you. If you a haggler at heart, you might just enter a paradise of sorts.

That said, there are a few warnings to be aware of. One, if you are passing by and a shop owner offers you tea with no expectations, know that you will be expected – and likely pressured – to purchase something. These kind of sales can be common with classic Moroccan products such as carpets, textiles and leathers. If it is too good to be true, it is. That’s life in a lot of ways, right?

Second, when a shop keeper, possible guide, or someone in the medina offers help, “free products” or other services and along with it says “it’s no problem” or “it’s free” – it will be a problem for you and it will not be free. So the easiest solution is to avoid these types of offers altogether.

Third – and this is especially common in Jemaa al-Fna in Marrakech – if you take pictures of snake charmers, monkey handlers or just about anyone else working in that square, you will be expected to pay for them. Not only will you be expected to pay for taking photos, they will want a ridiculous amount of money for them. Simply don’t pay for it. It is a scam. They make their money by telling you to take photos and then charging you a lot of money to take them. If you do get caught in this trap and aren’t comfortable paying their high prices, feel free to show them that you deleted the pictures and walk away.

Lastly, for those that find haggling a bit like receiving 100 paper cuts all at once, don’t be afraid to hear the price, assess if you are willing to pay it and if it seems fair, just pay the asking price. Could you get it for a lower price? Sure, it is possible. But at the end of the day, there may be value in not having to haggle if it isn’t your thing. Don’t be afraid to say “no, thank you” and walk away. You can also look for places that have small signs with prices written on them. These places have fixed pricing and may allow you to skip the sometimes awkward dance of haggling.

Scams can happen but there are a lot of good and fair shop keepers all over Morocco for you to interact with. Don’t be afraid to explore, shop, and enter into the world of haggling if it is your ‘cup of tea’. At the end of the day, remember that ‘no’ is an acceptable answer and you never need to buy something that you do not want to buy.

7. When you get lost ask a shop keeper for help

Nowhere to be, spending time with people you love, enjoying your vacation – frankly, sometimes it is fun to get lost. Sometimes you don’t want to admit that you are lost. But let’s pretend for a minute that you aren’t a directional wizard. When it comes to Moroccan medinas, it is not so much if you get lost, but when. Without a guide, you will get lost. If you are exploring on your own in Fes – probably even in Marrakech – it is ridiculously easy to get turned around. Rather than pull out your tourist map book, start pointing in all different directions and looking nervous just look for a nearby shop owner that doesn’t look overly interested or wanting to engage with you. Often these gentleman are a safe bet to ask them a simple direction to a nearby site that will help you get back on track. Many of these people are happy to point you in the right direction with no expectation of anything in return.

When you get lost, it isn’t a time for panic but rather calmly look to see if there are any landmarks you are familiar with and if not, just find the next person that seems content to continue sipping their coffee or mint tea and ask them for some assistance to get you to the landmark you wish to go. Likely they’ll point you in the right direction and then you’ll have to ask another person along the way to make sure you are still headed in the right direction. When in doubt, kids will be happy to make 5 Moroccan dirhams and lead you to the place you are looking for. What is important is that you have fun while getting lost! Keep your head on straight, stay away from places that you feel uncomfortable in and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you’re in a pinch.

Stay safe and enjoy your Moroccan adventure!

As it is everywhere in the world, it is important to be aware of your surroundings while traveling but as a general rule, Morocco is one of the safest countries in Africa to travel. It boasts countless opportunities to experience an exotic culture. There are few places in the world where you can enjoy beaches, desert, mountains and a 1,200 year old city within the same week! There simply nothing quite like a trip to Morocco. We look forward to seeing you in the markets!

Riads vs Hotels: Which one is best?

by Jeremy Schmidt | Aug 17, 2018 | Accessibility, Accommodations

When traveling to Morocco you will encounter countless new experiences. Culture, food, excursions, history and even accommodations can and will probably be very different from daily life in the West. One of the choices you will want to make when deciding on traveling to Morocco is whether you will stay in hotels or in riads. Before you can make a decision, it is important that you know the difference between the two! So let’s take a look at the difference between these two types of accommodations so you can make the best choice for you and your travel companions.

Hotels

Hotels will be similar to what you would see in the United States, Europe, and Australia. Many large chains also take residence in Morocco as they do around the world. The benefits of hotels are that they are generally consistent. There is a standard that is implemented around the globe to ensure that a hotel meets the expectations of the larger company.

Hotels vary from smaller boutique-like hotels to sprawling resorts outside the city limits – and everything in between. Rooms will often be standardized meaning that while you will get a consistent experience, some people find the experience to offer less of a cultural experience. Depending on the star level of the hotel, it will likely outfitted with one or more swimming pools.

Food

Meals at hotels can range from being a luxurious, sit down meal with a customized menu to a large buffet spread with countless options. If you are a “foodie”, we often recommend considering a stay at a riad because the food tends to be a significant focus of the experience during your stay.

Hotel Accessibility

Hotels are generally thought to be more accessible than their riad counterparts. Whereas this is definitely not always true, we do find that hotels do generally provide more accessibility options. Due to the fact that they often are outside the medina walls, have more room options and are often held to international standards, hotels can be an excellent choice for those needing the utmost accessibility

Riads

Riads are essentially the Moroccan version of a guesthouse. Historically, these are houses that were, generally, once occupied by wealthy families in the thriving walled cities of Morocco. Now, many of these luxurious guesthouses have been remodeled and adapted to provide a culturally rich experience for their guests.

Often these historical properties look down on a large open-air courtyard with beautiful greenery. Rooms, typically, are individually designed and have their own unique features. Pools and spas are often available at the middle to higher end properties, while the more budget riads will be without.

Location is another vital piece of the decision making process. Riads, generally, boast excellent locations as they are often within the walls of the city.

Service and hospitality are also an important component to riads. Often treated like their home, they have smaller staffs, a higher level of consistency in the service and tend to be more personalized.

What riads may lack in the consistency found in hotels, they make up for in hospitality, service and location.

Food

Foodies, get your forks (or hands if you really want the cultural experience!) ready for a culinary delight! Meals at these guesthouses are consistently a highlight for those visiting a riad – even if you don’t decide to stay there. Often cooked fresh with ingredients purchased at the local market that morning, this is one of the places that really shines in a riad. Eating at a riad becomes less about eating good food and more about experiencing the taste, flavors and culture of Morocco.

Riad Accessibility

Whereas hotels generally have more options, more rooms and overall increased accessibility, there are exceptions. There are some incredible riads with excellent accessibility and some with adapted accessibility. With a bit of an adventureous spirit, these cultural gems are within your reach.

What should you choose?

The decision becomes pretty multi-faceted doesn’t it? Riads provide culture and experience. Hotels offer consistency and ease. Both promise to make your travels comfortable and inviting.

Ultimately, it comes down to what components are most important to you, the traveler. Some important questions to ask might be:

What kind of experience are you looking for while traveling in Morocco?

What accessibility needs do I have when staying at a hotel or riad?

What accommodation amenities are most important to me when traveling?

Whatever you decide, a trip to Morocco will be full of experiences and memories that you will remember for a lifetime. Maybe the decision is not one accommodation type over the other but rather a mixture of both. Either way, we’d be happy to dialogue, dream, and create something spectacular with you. The more we explore and encounter the beauty of Morocco, the more we fall in love with this place. Come discover accessible Morocco with us!

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Can someone in a wheelchair travel to Morocco?

by Jeremy Schmidt | Jun 29, 2018 | Accessibility

Can a wheelchair user visit Morocco? In 2011, we asked the same question and a vision was born – accessible Morocco. Accessible Morocco. Let’s be honest – a vision is one thing but was – and is – it actually possible? How can someone in a wheelchair navigate a city that was founded 1,200 years ago? While it is a beautiful country – are all the hotels or guesthouses going to be full of inaccessible stairs? How can a wheelchair user take part in something that is quintessential Morocco like ride a camel? Are we reaching for the stars here?

Questions swirled and, frankly, more questions than answers. Seven years later and we have the answers to many of those questions. Seven years later, we are still researching some of those questions, too.

But the main question is this: Can a wheelchair user travel to Morocco?

The answer is a resounding yes!

After many successful multi-day tours, accessible equipment rentals, shore excursions, day trips, and airport transfers we proudly and emphatically say “yes – Morocco is accessible to travelers in wheelchairs, travelers with limited mobility and travelers with visual impairments”! We have had the privilege of working with many people with disabilities – of all levels – and their families to create unforgettable memories.

Here at Morocco Accessible Travel Consultants we focus on three areas of accessibility in order to create opportunities in this majestic country.

Accommodations

Depending on where you want to go, we can book you in riads (traditional Moroccan guesthouses) that have been adapted. It is an excellent way to encounter the local culture while maintaining accessibility. We will work together with you to see if the level of accessibility in these riads are appropriate and possible for you.

If hotels are your preference, we have search far and wide to find accessible hotels in every city that we visit. Often they offer an increased level of accessibility for those that need it. Not all hotels are accessible in Morocco – in fact many are not – but we have traveled extensively in order to assess, catalog and organize the hotels that will work specifically for your needs. We know the exact door widths, grab bar heights and properties that have shower seats of every hotel we book with to ensure that there are no surprises during your trip to Morocco.

We have also partnered with a local Sahara Desert property that has made creative solutions to adapt their deluxe tents for our clients. What once was impossible, now is possible – a night under the Sahara Desert stars!

Transportation

We have partnered with several companies and drivers around Morocco in order to provide excellent accessible transport options. We have two main transportation types.

Fully Accessible Transport

Fully accessible transport gives the utmost accessibility. It provides the ability for power wheelchair users (or manual wheelchair users if desired) to be secured with the QStraint System for increased security and accessibility. Fully accessible vehicles are generally larger vehicles which is a great solution to accommodate our bigger traveling groups of four or more.

Mercedes Vito Transport

The Mercedes Vito is an excellent choice for those who can transfer to a seat from their wheelchair. We use a Roll-a-Ramp as a solution to provide accessibility while maintaining a smaller vehicle for a more intimate, close experience with your fellow travelers.

So whether you need full accessible transport or adapted transport, there is a solution for you. Every traveler with a disability fills out a mobility form that helps us to partner with you to understand and guide you to the right transport option for your time in Morocco.

Excursions

Hotels and transport are the basics of any accessible travel opportunity. Without them, travel becomes very difficult – often times impossible. The final area that we focus on to take any trip to Morocco from good to EPIC are your excursions.

People define “epic” differently so we have a wide array of opportunities available to you. So if your “epic” is rolling through a 1,200 year old city – we have an adapted route for that. If your “epic” is relaxing on a beach – we have beach wheelchairs for that. If your “epic” is a trekking and exploring an ancient fortified city – we have a Joelette Trekking Wheelchair (see below) for that!

If you dream it in Morocco, we can probably find a solution for it! The reality is that we want you to see what you want to see and experience what you want to experience. We are passionate about partnering with our clients to create unforgettable experiences – whether those experiences are adventurous or creating space to unwind.

Equipment Rental

From wheelchairs and shower chairs to beach wheelchairs for ultimate relaxation, equipment rentals can be arranged that provide not only accessibility but also comfort for your time in Morocco. Sometimes traveling with your own power wheelchair is cumbersome and worrisome. Sometimes walking is possible but you need a manual wheelchair for times when you get tired. Sometimes a shower chair makes morning routines exponentially easier.

Whatever it is, there is probably a mobility equipment solution for you. Equipment rentals are an excellent way to ensure that you maintain accessibility to get the most out of your trip to Morocco.

Is Morocco Accessible?

From accessible accommodations to adapted transport and mobility equipment rental – Morocco is accessible. Will everything you encounter be ADA or EAA compliant? No – but we are working to that end. Every hotel that you will stay in has been personally verified by our accessibility experts to ensure that you have the best information available to meet your needs.

We know just as much as the next person that the word “accessibility” can mean a slew of different things, so in the coming week stay tuned because we will be unveiling our new accessibility categories that will help you understand how we assess our tours, accommodations, transport and excursions.

Check out some of the images below to see some of the accessibility features you may encounter in Morocco.

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