Navigating Travel Fails in Morocco: Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Journey
AZDEAN: [00:00:00] Welcome back to another amazing episode of Destination Morocco podcast. In this episode we have Hiba and Sam. and we're going to be talking about travel fails and how to avoid them. We're probably going to have part one, maybe part two or three as well. In this episode we're going to talk about everything you need to know almost when you're traveling to Morocco,
[00:01:00] things that will help you enjoy your experience better and prevent you from being a victim of pickpocketing or scams or anything of that nature. Welcome to the podcast.
SAM: Thank you.
HIBA: Thank you.
AZDEAN: Very welcome. So Hiba, we're going to start with you, if that's okay with you, please. One of the major concerns when people are traveling to Morocco is definitely safety and security.
And it is a concern for all of us that are traveling to Morocco or elsewhere. So in terms of pickpocketing and theft, what should visitors or the travelers be aware of, in Morocco?
HIBA: Well, thank you so much, Mr. Azdean, for this amazing topic. I know that it will surely help and assist travelers who are seeking to visit Morocco, so. in order to avoid pickpocketing and theft or being in such a situation, I recommend travelers to use an anti theft bag, you know, and keep all the valuable things that they [00:02:00] have, either their wallet or like a phone, also jewelry for women in the inner pocket.
Also, it's better to be aware, especially in crowded spaces or streets, such as souks, traditional markets. So, it is likely to be the, uh, appropriate, atmosphere for, for thieves. So, they can take advantage of it. The, the other point that I want to shed light on, which is, Try as much as you can to avoid walking alone in, unknown areas, especially after dark.
So, try as much as you can to avoid that. There is an amazing thing, especially in accommodations, in which you can use, the hotel safes. So, you can carry the, uh, valuable items that you don't need, for example, to carry with you, during your day, and keep it secure there. Also, the last point that I want to add is, Please [00:03:00] don't, flash wealth in public, like, uh, wearing, expensive jewelries or, like, flouting large amount of money in front people, so, this is a sign that, uh, can attract the attention of thieves and make you an easy target for them.
AZDEAN: I totally agree. Thank you for, for sharing that Hiba. Sam, what, what do you have to add? What just Hiba said, please?
SAM: What I want to add is, especially I want to add a very interesting points, especially when it comes to your documents. your valuable documents, if you need go out, for example, with your local guide, you just need a copy of your passport, when you are with your local guide.
Just keep these things in your safe, and enjoy your city tour or your activity. As well. Especially when you are walking in this small alleys or streets in the old Medina, this is the place where thieves taking advantage of you. So just don't [00:04:00] go to the crowded areas, just wait, like for 5 minutes or 10 minutes until the road is clear,
the street is empty a little bit, then you can, continue your way to your accommodation or to your destination because the thieves take advantage of you in this crowded areas, especially when you carry in your bags or, your backpack, for example, first, you have to put it in front of you, not on your back.
Especially you are, yeah, when you are walking in the streets, to avoid all this kind of, pickpocketing and thefts.
AZDEAN: Okay, very good points. So just basically just have to be really aware of your surroundings. and mind the people that are, you know, passing by and stuff like that. And also, You know, just keep your valuables safe. That's really, really important. the other thing that I want to add to pickpocketing, sometimes when it happens, it's more than just one person involved.
There's somebody that will bump your shoulder. Then there's somebody else that We'll pick your pocket and we'll exchange with a third person, whatever they got [00:05:00] out of your pocket. So it just, you really have to be very careful, uh, just in case if that happens to you. The other thing that I want to move on to, and we have talked about this many, many, many times, in scams. We had an episode number four on the podcast and we did live Q and A in terms of scams. Um, But I also want to just touch base very briefly in terms of scams and tours as well, because, you can be scammed in, in tours and booking tours as well.
So, um, Hiba, can you give us some ideas or any suggestions that the travelers can be aware of to avoid these scams, please?
HIBA: Yes, absolutely. Well, this is a crucial point also. what I want to advise travelers is to do their homework before traveling to any country, not only from Morocco. and consider the different and newest types of scams that they may encounter. During their stay, the good news is that Destination Morocco offers an amazing and full episode about that topic.
[00:06:00] Uh, thank you so much guys. I really encourage, travelers to listen to it because it's gonna help and assist them for, knowing and considering the newest types of scams that they may meet during their, stay.
Also, I want to add, Don't hesitate to negotiate prices, especially if you want to do shopping or one of the activities that you want to do in your stay, don't hesitate to negotiate prices, but if you want to do it, do it respectfully and with a smile. also, be mindful of the, uh, strangers, surrounding you.
Don't share any personal or professional information about you. unless if that person, trustworthy, or close to you.
AZDEAN: Very good point. Thank you for that. Uh, Sam, any additional advice, please? I
SAM: to Morocco, especially in the big touristic [00:07:00] cities, you have to be careful of, like, some people that's selling, like, some tours or activities. because they are not, legal travel agencies and they will take advantage of you don't look at the prices because you will find like some prices which is, which is not, reasonable anyway.
And you have to be careful of that. When you want to book, we do everything in Destination Morocco. We plan our tours from A to Z. And we are here to help you to avoid all this kind of scams, especially related to tours and trips and activities. What I want to add here as well is just, In some places, people will ask you, for example, when, uh, as Hipa mentioned, when you want to shop, make sure that you have your receipt when you buy some stuff, and don't share any information, especially your credit card informations or your IDs or your passport.
with the people you don't know, especially in the street. And make sure that, everything you want to buy [00:08:00] related to activities and tour, you have to be careful and you have. to make sure that those people are legal and, worth your trust.
AZDEAN: Thank you so much, Sam. Um, this topic, it's, it's, it on its own, it's in its few episodes to be honest, because there's so many scams, you know, when it comes to shopping, you know, uh, they may say 20, but they, they refer to 20 USD, for example, and you're thinking 20 dirhams local currency. So there's many, many things that you really, really need to be aware of.
Uh, we're going to have another episode. about scams and it's going to be totally different than we have mentioned and talked about in the past this year and last year, but also like Sam said, there's a lot of tour operators that are operating illegally and that's why they can afford and sell you those tours at a dirt cheap prices.
Be careful, um, what you wish for, because sometimes that can backfire on you if something to go wrong. So there's so many things really, really to be aware of. Obviously, we [00:09:00] cannot cover all of them at this episode, but we're here for you. if you need advice, uh, reach out to us, we'll be very happy to, to assist you.
But also I want to move to staying in the same safety and security. I want to move to, you know, unsafe areas and areas at night. Um, I just came back from Morocco and I've walked quite a bit, in different parts of Marrakech. That's where I stayed most of the time. And it felt really, really safe.
I mean, I was. during the, the games when Morocco played in the African cup. and I walked quite a bit, um, 2am, 3am, 4am, and I felt very safe. Obviously I was, I was aware of my surroundings, but also, if you're traveling to Morocco and you're in that situation, I want to go first with Hiba, what should you be aware of?
if you would please Hiba.
HIBA: Yeah, I think what you should be aware of is, when you are walking alone, it is quite, uh, safer to travel in group, but if it is necessary to do so, um, be [00:10:00] mindful, especially, don't stick to shortcuts go from, uh, well traveled routes. also, Be mindful, again, of your surroundings, at all times, and avoid distractions like using your, uh, iPhone excessively.
And whenever you feel yourself, uncomfortable or unsafe about something, just try to remove yourself promptly. one important point that I want to shed light on on is keep emergency contacts either in your phone or, on your notebook, for example. who knows, you may, you may need it, then you can find it.
AZDEAN: Very good point. Sam, do you have anything to add to what just Hiba said, please?
SAM: Sure. Um, I want to start from what's just, Heba mentioned here is, have a contact of your, maybe of your family. Uh, if you are traveling from U. S. for example, you have to have, the emergency, if you're traveling. Keep your family aware of your destination [00:11:00] first and have a contact of your accommodation.
maybe your guide, your driver as well. So like that, if you get lost or you get in situation, you just contact, contact them and they will be, they will be there for you. want to add as well, if you don't need to stay outside after 10 p. m., just go back to your accommodation.
yeah, if you stay, for example, uh, after midnight, I really advise to take a taxi and make sure also the taxi using the meter, when you go to taxi or just negotiate the price with him, to take you to your accommodation. Just if you are, if you feel that area is not safe, just don't take a taxi.
risk to walk, especially, if your Riyadh or your accommodation is far away from the place where you are at the time. as well, you have to make sure, for example, if you get lost, make sure to call your accommodations. If you can't find, a taxi or, a transportation, make sure that you [00:12:00] call your accommodation or your local guide or your driver.
to pick up you from your location.
AZDEAN: Okay. Thank you. That's really important Sam. Uh, if you're traveling with us, we take care of all of this for you. So it's not a concern. Uh, you're safe with us 24 seven. And that's one of the things that we provide. it's the protection. if you're traveling on your own, I would like to add to everything what Hiba said and Sam, share your location with a friend.
With a family member, with somebody, um, sometimes the Riyadh or the hotel may not have a WhatsApp for you to contact them. They just have a local number. And for me, when I travel, I don't really use local numbers. I use WhatsApp 100 percent all the time. If I have to use just the regular number, it's, it'll cost me a little bit more, but I have that option as well.
So just make sure you have a lot of options. The other thing is when, when I was walking, you know, late night, early morning, I was walking in, in major streets, not in the narrow alleys and stuff like that. So the streets were lit. there's police, I [00:13:00] would say probably in less than a mile from each other.
so it was, I felt really, really safe, but I also, you know, it was, it was fun. I haven't done that in really, really, really long time. So I enjoyed it. it was a lot of fun for me.
So for now, what I would like to do is talk a little bit about, the dress and the dress code. you know, you can dress as comfortable as you want. Morocco, it's, it's pretty open. country. It's we, we expect tourists. Tourism is, one of the biggest, industries in Morocco and we depend very heavily on it.
So, dress the way you feel comfortable. That's really, really important. and again, if you need advice, we're here for you. Uh, anything you need, just reach out and, we'll point you to the right direction. So the next point that I would like to move to and ask some questions is about health and hygiene.
So when it comes to food and water contamination, Hiba, what can you tell us or tell the travelers to be aware of [00:14:00] when they are traveling to Morocco? I know when they travel with us, we provide them with bottled water throughout the tour in the car. so they don't have to. Really look for anything else.
I mean, everything is catered to them, but what about the ones that are just, you know, solo travelers or traveling by themselves with family or somebody else or a can you give us some advice please?
HIBA: You've just, uh, mentioned Mr. Azdean, a crucial point, which is the use of bottled water. So, I advise travelers to use Always bottled water, boiled as well as filtered water, especially when they are in rural areas. Also, an essential point that many travelers, don't, get attention to it, which is don't eat too much, especially during the first day of your arrival, because, you know, um, Moroccan organic ingredients are, strong, so in order to avoid any trouble later.
also, [00:15:00] try to, peel vegetables and, foods by yourself. in order to avoid again the risk of, contamination.
AZDEAN: Very good point. Sam, you have anything else to add? What just Hiba said, please?
SAM: Yes. Thank you very much for this. This question because it's very important because many people, um, when you get sick during your tour, it means that your tour is ruined. It's, yeah, sometimes. And you have to be careful, especially when it comes to food in Morocco. It's, as Hiba mentioned, it's very organic and very strong.
And you have to be careful of what you eat. I highly recommend, also to add what Hiba mentioned. You have to choose the restaurant, to pick the restaurants, especially when you travel with Destination Morocco. we gave you always suggestions for the restaurants. If it's not included in the itinerary, we give you suggestions for the restaurants we know, and we have been before.
else you have just to choose the [00:16:00] restaurants and to go to the restaurants where you want to go. The locals, especially the busy and crowded restaurants, like that the food is fresh. no worries. So you can eat as much as you can, but not the first day or the second day of your tour.
AZDEAN: Yes. Very good Absolutely. The other thing that I would just add, it's not really major, just have something for upset stomach. you can find it in US Costco, Sam's club, Walmart. it really, really helps and it goes along way. So, um, yeah, the water can really affect your tour.
If, if handled the wrong way. Also there's different types of, Bottled water when you go to Morocco and it doesn't matter which one you drink in different cities, but as long as it's bottled water, you're good. So, the other thing that I want to move on to the next one, which is the lack of medical precautions.
When people are planning to travel to Morocco, whether with us or just coming on their own or friends and family. So, um, I will start with Hiba and see if you can shed some lights. on this topic, [00:17:00] please. Then we'll go to Sam and see what he has to say as well.
HIBA: Sure. I recommend from travelers to ask their doctors first, for the necessary vaccinations or medications that they need to carry with them during their travel experience. It's quite suitable to carry, a basic, medical kit for, like, minor ailments. And also, if it is necessary or in emergency, you can, uh, ask locals.
You can, uh, again, ask your accommodation for, assistance. they will, of course, provide you with the information needed. Yes,
AZDEAN: Okay. Very good point, Sam.
SAM: Yeah, Uh, what I want to add here is Morocco is unlike the other African countries. Maybe that's you need, to have a vaccination because you got to go to country like, for some common diseases like Ebola, like some disease like that.
So Morocco is very safe. And [00:18:00] in Morocco, all the people are vaccinated by the way, so we don't need to be aware of this kind of disease, and I highly recommend to take your medical kits with you it's not a lot of medicines, necessary.
Uh, as Gene will will tell you about what you can carry with you carry on with you because he travels a lot to Morocco and he has this kind of medicines.
AZDEAN: Thank you, Sam. Yes. I highly recommend. visiting your doctor, whether you have some, underlying conditions that you need to keep, under control because we've had this with some clients, some medical emergencies, medical, situations. but we're very fortunate. Everything was handled, and was taken care of.
The other thing is, in Morocco, you can get a lot of medication without doctor's prescription, which is in a way kind of nice. But also if you're taking some medication and you're running low, just make sure you, you get enough of it as a refill. or if you can't, when you get to Morocco, you need to, to [00:19:00] consult with a doctor to get you the equivalent to that medication.
So that way you're not staying in Morocco without medication, which is very important. I remember back, I think it was either 2007 or 2010 when I visited Morocco, I did, shots for Hepatitis A and B before I visited. And it's really, really important, even though, I was vaccinated before I just had to redo it again just to be on a safe side.
So it's always good, really, really important to consult with your doctor. I know we're going to talk about travel insurance at some point in these episodes, but also would highly recommend, having the right, travel insurance for you. to protect your investment as well. So whether you're traveling with us or by yourself, and it's also very important to look for, cancel for any reasons.
There's many different insurances, but this is one of the biggest differences is the coverage. cancel for any reason. would like to talk a little bit more about it once we get to the insurance part of this episode. And thank you so much for the feedback. the [00:20:00] next topic that I wanted to, to talk about, especially when you're traveling to Morocco and especially during the summertime, it's June, July, August.
it's a lot of fun, but also it's very hot. And whether you're in the north side or the south side, it doesn't really matter because it's still very hot. and in terms of, Fahrenheit, it's probably the average, I would say about 95 to 110, degrees. on average anywhere in Morocco when you're traveling.
So, being dehydrated is really, really, really important. I want to see what, you know, Hiba has to say or recommend for travelers, during those months of the year that it's really, really hot, please.
HIBA: absolutely, um, in order to, uh, avoid being affected especially by the sun, particularly if you are, like, willing to visit the southern part of the region, I highly recommend, travelers to usually, it's a must, uh, sunscreen, your sunscreen, your, Sunglasses, a hat, of course, then keep yourself hydrated as much as you can, [00:21:00] either by drinking water, enough water, as well as the fruit and vegetable that have a high content of water, like watermelon, orange, as well as cucumber.
Also, try to take, like, break from time to time in shaded areas, so that will you, to cool down. And, feel a bit comfortable, also try to wear, like, breathable clothes, that will serve you to, serve the sweat to, um, evaporate and help your body to, regulate, its temperature.
AZDEAN: Oh, that's really, really important. Thank you for sharing that. Hiba, Sam, what else would you like to add to what just Hiba said, please?
SAM: Yeah, what I want to add is, it's not necessary, Don't walk under the sun, especially in the hot areas like Marrakech, for example, and Fez and the southern parts in Morocco, where is that, and Merzouga, and [00:22:00] Zagora, especially. It's very hot. just stay at your accommodation.
If you are walking and you have a city tour with your local guide, I highly recommend to have a hat with you because, you will have a headache after the city tour because the sun, as Azdean mentioned, is very hot during summertime and you have to be careful from dehydrating and carry on the bottles of water.
Our local guide and driver have always So just ask for any time you need for water and you will get it.
AZDEAN: Okay. Thank you so much. Thank you, Sam and Hiba. The, the other thing that I would like to add, especially in the southern part of Morocco, uh, when you go to the mountains, I'm talking about my village and the surrounding areas. we call it, there's a healthy sun and there's a sun that can make you sick.
And the sun that can make you sick is the one I would say between 10 in the morning until about 3 pm. So you, you definitely want to stay out of the sun, during that time. and if you're doing activities like we have done [00:23:00] in Merzouga and I remember, you know, the underwater tunnels, um, it was really, really hot morning.
You just have, you know, for me, As you can see, I don't have a lot of hair, so I have to keep my head protected. otherwise I'll get really sick. So it's really, really important to have a straw hat, long hats, you know, for the ladies just to cover your head, your shoulders, because it's, the heat will definitely get to you.
and drink a lot of water, fluid. it's really, really crucial. So just wanted to add that to what you guys have said. Thank you so much. Great information. the next. thing that I would like to talk about, which is still related to the same topic, which is the insect borne diseases in Morocco. A lot of people, when, when they think of Morocco and you say, Hey, Africa, they just, it's just something triggers in their mind that they should not be there.
They should not be traveling to Africa or traveling to Morocco. So, there's a lot of, preconception or a lot of, ideas that they have about Morocco that it's not necessarily accurate. we want to, you [00:24:00] know, debunk some of those, myths.
So if you can tell us a little bit about, you know, the insects, borne diseases, Hiba, and then, we'll go to Sam, and see what else he has to say, please.
HIBA: Well, I want to advise travelers to, avoid visiting the places or the areas with higher rates of insect borne disease. especially during the peak transmission, season.
AZDEAN: And when is that?
HIBA: After the rain season.
especially after the rain season. I highly recommend. Travelers to avoid places with standing water because it is considered to be right and appropriate environment for mosquitoes. So we want to avoid being affected or bite by mosquitoes. Try like to Protect your skin by wearing, protective cloths, breathable.
Yeah,
AZDEAN: Thank you. Thank you for that Hiba. Sam, would you like to add anything else, please?
SAM: Yes, please. I [00:25:00] want to tell our brothers that Morocco doesn't have like jungles. It's not a jungle country like there is no forests or woods. So it's, um, an open country and diverse country with mountains, deserts and and oceans. with, in some places, especially in the rural areas like Southern part of Morocco and the northern part of Morocco as well.
There is some places where there is mosquitos. So most of the yards we deal with a destination Morocco, they have um, what is called mosquitos.
AZDEAN: Repellent.
SAM: Yes. in the rooms to protect you against mosquitos. in the Riyadh, in the big cities, there is no mosquitoes and there is no, no flies.
as well your room. So you don't need to worry about this. But you have to avoid, especially when you are traveling alone. try to avoid these places, especially near the places where There is water. you have to be careful of this [00:26:00] kind of mosquitoes because they will your tour.
HIBA: lakes and puddles.
SAM: Yes. Yes.
AZDEAN: I remember as a kid, every time we go to the mountains, the first three to four days, our bodies are full of mosquito bites and they, they bite like there's no tomorrow. mean, they, I mean, you could see the bites all over my hands, you know, my legs. So it is true.
You have to be very careful. But then those bites, once we become a little bit, like the village kids, Within a week or so, there's no more bites. So you really have to protect yourself. Nowadays, there's plenty of products to do. and also to stay away like everybody said, the areas where there's just still water and it's kind of almost really rare to find it in major cities.
So. I want to stay on the same topic. I think we're almost done for this episode.
I want to talk about, street food and unfamiliar street food and how to handle it and how to go about, street food, whether you're in [00:27:00] Marrakech, whether you're in Fes, Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen. Um, if you can shed some light, Hiba on this, please, then we'll go, with Sam and see what else he has to say, please.
HIBA: Yeah, sure. Uh, I think one of the best ways to find tasty and safest, especially we're talking about safety, uh, street food, is by, observing. the places where locals eat. because whenever you see a vendor who is like, uh, popular within locals, this is a good sign that, their food is, safe and delicious, of course.
Uh, also, try to see cleanness. if you want to look for street food, seek for vendors who, have, a clean, uh, cooking environment. also, the vendors that, uh, usually cover their food from dust and flies.
AZDEAN: Perfect. So, Sam, um, what else can you add what just Hiba said, [00:28:00] please?
SAM: Yeah. The food in Morocco is incredible. street food as well is highly recommended. but I highly recommend to have it with your local guide. Especially because he will take you to the places where you can enjoy this kind of street food. if you're traveling alone, as Hiba mentioned, if you, I'm not sure, go to a restaurant where there is many Moroccan, especially ac crowded restaurants because the, the food there is fresh and clean.
for example, if you want to enjoy food on the Jemma-el-Fnaa square, for example, on the food stalls on the square, choose someone with a covered food, especially, and I, you have to be careful if the food is not covered, it means that, there is a risk. to get, like, a food potion, from this.
I really want you invite you to enjoy. the food in Morocco because it's very tasty.
AZDEAN: Thank you so much, Sam, for that. Really, really appreciate it. You know, the street food in Morocco, it's, [00:29:00] it's big. I love the street food in Marrakech. I love it in Fes, Shefchaouen. It's all different. It's very clean. It has changed a lot in the last few years. And it's really, really delicious and very diverse. And, uh, I do agree definitely with everything Hiba and Sam said. You know, when it comes to street food and picking the vendor that you want to have that.
dish with or, you know, whether it's beef, chicken, uh, any delicacies. also if you're with us, then we can do, uh, food tasting tours. We can taste a lot of different variety of Moroccan foods, especially in Marrakech or Fes. So, this is the end of this episode, but I want to see what, Hiba, have any last words or Sam, and also we're going to be staying in the same topic which is still related to, to travel fails and how to avoid them.
And we're going to be talking about cultural awareness, the missteps that can happen for travelers, visiting Morocco. So, and before we do that, any last words, Hiba, Sam,
HIBA: I encourage, [00:30:00] travelers to, come to visit Morocco, uh, what we've tackled today. of course, just for their safety. we know that Morocco is, an amazing country in which you can, have, An unforgettable travel experience. Just to take into consideration, try to prepare yourself and do your homework, uh, like, uh, listening to our episodes, uh, and, uh, take our advices into consideration.
AZDEAN: thank you so much Hiba. That's incredible. Sam, please.
SAM: Yeah. All these advices invite you to visit Morocco and enjoy your trip to Morocco and enjoy your travel. because we don't want you to come to Morocco and, something happened that will ruin your trip. This is why. we have to tell you to avoid all this kind of things in order to enjoy your travel.
And of course, we are here to help you. We are here to, to assist you with anything you need [00:31:00] and very welcome to Morocco.
AZDEAN: Thank you so much. This has been Destination Morocco podcast, and we'll see you next time. Thank you.