Casablanca & Marrakech, Morocco - safe to travel alone?

[rf134a]

I'm looking to go to Casablanca & Marrakech for a couple of days before I go on my tour to Egypt. Is it safe to travel alone there?

[CoffeeAddict]

I don't know about those specific areas but I do know that in Algeria things are very violent right now. All tours of the Sahara leaving from that region have been cancelled

[Talamasca]

I'm going to Marrakech alone in September. From what I've read, it's pretty safe. Just like in any other big city, just keep your wits about you. Pickpockets are probably the biggest concern.

Egypt would probably be the more dangerous country to visit at this time, actually. Large sections of the country are off-limits to tourists and a group of them were massacred by terrorists at Queen Hatshepsut's tomb a few years back.

[sparkplug]

I think it partially depends on your gender, race, behaviour and how well you can fit in or stand out.

[CoffeeAddict]

If you're in doubt you can always refer to the Canadian govt's travel advisories:

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/sos/warnings-en.asp

[Talamasca]

I think it partially depends on your gender, race, behaviour and how well you can fit in or stand out.

Morocco is one of the more progressive Islamic nations and its proximity to Europe has resulted in a lot of European influence over the centuries. Marrakech in particular is the most popular destination in the country. Still, a white woman travelling alone dressed in shorts and a tank top would not be a good idea. Just do your research and you'll be fine.

[rf134a]

Still, a white woman travelling alone dressed in shorts and a tank top would not be a good idea. Just do your research and you'll be fine.

How about an asian guy?

[Pete_Coach]

The Canadian Government site for info is

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-...country=197000

Although you may not be American, this site has some info. I find the Canadian government site sometimes a bit sparse. I use the American site often.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...s/cis_975.html

[Talamasca]

How about an asian guy?

That would be me too

Don't worry about it, you'll be fine. Morocco does get a lot of tourists from all over the world. It's just that conservative dress is really important in Islamic countries, especially for women, hence my earlier comment.

[TrevorK]

Morocco is one of the more progressive Islamic nations and its proximity to Europe has resulted in a lot of European influence over the centuries. Marrakech in particular is the most popular destination in the country. Still, a white woman travelling alone dressed in shorts and a tank top would not be a good idea. Just do your research and you'll be fine.

Dumb question - but out of curiousity what would happen to a female dressed like this (In what I would assume is typical backpacker wear within Europe)?

[Talamasca]

Dumb question - but out of curiousity what would happen to a female dressed like this (In what I would assume is typical backpacker wear within Europe)?

A lot of dirty looks and remarks from the local men AND women. Some of the men may even follow her around, which would probably freak her out. Basically, she would be considered akin to a prostitute and would be treated as such.

[pintobean]

Dumb question - but out of curiousity what would happen to a female dressed like this (In what I would assume is typical backpacker wear within Europe)?

Back in 1994, my 80-member highschool band did a tour of Portugal & Spain and the tour company offered us an optional side tour to the port city of Tangiers in Morocco. About 30 students decided to go. Since it was crazy-hot, a lot of the girls (ages ranging from 16-18) wore shorts and skimpy tank tops or bikini tops - needless to say, they got a lot more attention than they bargained for. Some of the Moroccan men were even offering us guys money, land and camels if we agreed to sell "our" women. It was an eye-opening experience to say the least.

The worst part of that tour was when our group walked through the market area. We walked by a stall that had a little blonde-haired, blue-eyed European girl standing on an overturned crate. She must have been 3 or 4 years old and was crying bitterly. After we got back on our ferry to take us back to Spain, one of the teachers asked our Moroccan tour guide about the little girl. The guide didn't even blink, and casually told us that the girl was "for sale". He said that she had probably been kidnapped and was now being sold to tourists for an exorbitant price. I actually remember feeling sick to my stomach. It was a disgusting end to a weird little side trip. Needless to say, I would not go back to that part of the world if you paid me.