Known for its beautiful architecture, colorful palaces, food, and culture, Morocco is a vibrant country full of cities on many travelers’ bucket lists.
While doing research, it may not land at the top of the “best destinations for solo travelers” list, but that doesn’t mean it’s a place that you have to rule out because you don’t have anyone to travel with.
Related Post: 9 Times Black Travelers Made Morocco Look Magical
With any destination, there’s the good and the not-so-good, which is why, after doing some thorough research through publications and bloggers we trust, we’ve put together these solo tips for black travelers.
Is Morroco Safe For Solo Travelers?
When comparing Morocco’s safety to other countries, including the United States, the short answer is, Yes.
The United States Department of State has Morocco listed as Level 2, advising travelers to exercise increased caution due to terrorism.
To put that in perspective, Italy, Spain, and France, all ranked as top destinations for solo travelers are also listed as Level 2 places.
Is Morocco Safe For Black Solo Travelers?
As a popular tourist destination and with its close proximity to neighboring African countries, the general consensus is that Morocco is safe for black solo travelers.
You should, however, be prepared for a lot of stares.
“As a Moroccan black, there is no discrimination between races, either be it work, education or anything,” Reddit user maydarnothing stated. “Interracial marriage is common and there are no incidents of structured racism in the country.”
The user-added, “But there is another unstructured racism which is verbal. just like the US has problems with the N-word. Based on what I live, I can say that Moroccans are racists but it’s not like they know they are. Ignorance is such a big problem.”
Is Morocco Safe For Black Female Solo Travelers?
Overall, the answer is still yes, however, as in other countries, catcalling and harassment can be a challenge for young women. As one vlogger stated, there is no way to dress or act that prevents this behavior, though wearing more conservative attire (i.e. long-sleeves and pants) can draw less attention.
According to Youtube blogger holdmelike official, men can be aggressive.
Describing a time in Marrakesh she stated, “A couple of times when I’ve been by myself, just going about my business, I’ve had a man come up and talk to me and then start following me around,” she stated. “I thought it was how I was presenting myself at first,” I had on jeans and a long sleeve shirt. “I’m used to in DC, where I’ve been for the last few years, you can shut a man down basically but that was not my experience here.”
She went on to describe how after turning the guy down, he still followed her for about 10 to 15 more minutes before he got the hint.
Tips and Advice For Traveling Solo
Planning is the best way to navigate Morocco solo and traveling while black.
Book your transportation and excursions ahead of time, according to Youtube Vlogger Kezia Eniang.
The best thing to minimize danger, as with any place, is doing your research before you travel alone.
Check local newspapers, the latest travel advisories to stay current on the political and social climate in Morocco.
According to the travel site, Go Abroad, theft does occur in Morocco and if you cannot negotiate in one of the three local languages, Arabic, French, or Tamazight, you are more likely to be overcharged when shopping in the souqs or markets where it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and hustled as a tourist.
Remember that you can take a step back and say “no” if you don’t want to buy anything in the markets.
Avoiding The Taxi Scam
One of the biggest headaches for tourists, especially solo travelers in Morocco is the notorious taxi scam where you’re being charged way more for a ride than you should be charged.
Whenever you get into petite taxi you need to ask for the meter. With the grand taxis, you should ask for the Mul-Taxi or the man in charge of all the grand taxis in the area for the price for your location and the number of seats you need. If your taxi driver says “the meter doesn’t work” or the seats for a grand taxi costs more than 100 dirhams per seat, just know it’s a scam.
It is illegal for taxi drivers to charge you without the meter.
When it comes to your change, make sure to carry small coins and bills so that you can avoid the “I don’t have change scam” from taxi drivers.
And if your hotel or riad offers you transportation from the airport, take it to be safe and to avoid the headache of being played.
Where To Go For Help
The “Tourist Police” in Morocco is dedicated to ensuring the safety of foreign visitors, which is who you should contact if you fall victim to a crime.
Planning ahead, having a back-up plan, and understanding the culture will help you to have an amazing experience in Morocco.
If you’re eyeing Morocco as your next travel destination, you should become a TN Plus member to access our 7-day city guides for Marrakesh, Fez, and Essaouira. They’re full of recommendations for hotels, restaurants, events, and more. Plus as a member of TN Plus, you’ve got access to travel deals and discounts you can’t get anywhere else.
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