Casablanca Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Casablanca.
Healthcare System
Morocco has a dual healthcare system with public and private facilities. Public hospitals are available but often overcrowded with long wait times. Private clinics and hospitals in Casablanca offer significantly better quality care and are the preferred option for tourists, though they require upfront payment or insurance guarantees.
Hospitals
Major private hospitals recommended for tourists include: Clinique Badr (Bd Abdelmoumen), Clinique Zerktouni (Bd Zerktouni), Clinique Ain Borja, and Hôpital Cheikh Khalifa (excellent modern facility). The International Hospital Casablanca (Cheikh Zaid) offers high-quality care with multilingual staff.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies (pharmacie) are widely available throughout Casablanca, marked with green crosses. Pharmacists are well-trained and can provide advice for minor ailments. Many common medications available without prescription, but bring prescriptions for controlled substances. Some pharmacies operate on rotating 24-hour schedules (pharmacie de garde).
Insurance
Travel health insurance is not legally required but strongly recommended. Private hospitals require payment guarantees before treatment, and medical evacuation can be extremely expensive. Ensure your insurance covers Morocco and includes emergency medical evacuation.
Healthcare Tips
- Bring sufficient supplies of prescription medications in original packaging with prescriptions, as specific brands may not be available
- Tap water is generally treated but not recommended for drinking; stick to bottled water to avoid stomach issues
- Private clinics often require cash or credit card payment upfront; keep emergency funds accessible
- For serious medical emergencies, consider evacuation to Europe if your insurance covers it
- Learn basic French medical terms or carry a translation app, as English is limited outside major private facilities
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpocketing and bag snatching are the most common crimes affecting tourists, particularly in crowded areas. Thieves often work in pairs or groups, with one creating a distraction while another steals belongings.
Persistent vendors, unofficial guides, and touts can be overwhelming, particularly around tourist sites. While usually not dangerous, they can be intimidating and may lead to scams or overcharging.
Casablanca traffic is chaotic with aggressive driving, poorly maintained vehicles, and limited adherence to traffic rules. Pedestrians face significant risks, and accidents are common.
Traveler's diarrhea and foodborne illnesses can occur from contaminated food or water, particularly from street vendors or restaurants with poor hygiene standards.
Unlicensed taxis and drivers refusing to use meters can significantly overcharge tourists. Some taxi drivers may take unnecessarily long routes or claim meters are broken.
Verbal harassment, particularly toward women travelers, can occur in the form of catcalls, unwanted attention, or following. While usually not physically threatening, it can be uncomfortable.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Someone approaches claiming to be an official guide or offering to help you find a specific location, then demands payment afterward or leads you to shops where they receive commission. They may become aggressive if you refuse to pay.
After accepting 'free' help or a guide, you're taken to a carpet or craft shop where high-pressure sales tactics are used. Items are grossly overpriced and quality is often poor. The 'guide' receives substantial commission.
Near tourist sites, someone claims your destination is closed for prayer, holiday, or renovation and offers to take you to an alternative (which pays them commission) or provide a tour instead.
Taxi drivers claim the meter is broken and quote inflated flat rates, take unnecessarily long routes, or run the meter on a higher rate (grand taxi rate instead of petit taxi rate).
Street money changers offer better rates but use sleight of hand to shortchange you, swap bills, or give you counterfeit notes. Some may distract you while an accomplice steals your wallet.
Extra items you didn't order appear on the bill, or prices are higher than the menu stated. Bread, olives, or salads brought to the table may not be complimentary despite appearing so.
After taking photos of street performers, snake charmers, water sellers in traditional dress, or locals, they aggressively demand large payments, sometimes with intimidation.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
General Safety
- Keep copies of important documents (passport, insurance, credit cards) separate from originals and store digital copies in cloud storage
- Register with your embassy upon arrival for emergency notifications
- Learn basic French or Arabic phrases for emergencies - English is not widely spoken outside tourist areas
- Stay aware of prayer times as some businesses close, particularly on Fridays
- Avoid political demonstrations or large gatherings, which can occur and occasionally turn confrontational
- Keep emergency cash in a separate location from your main wallet
- Share your itinerary with someone back home and check in regularly
Money and Valuables
- Use ATMs inside banks during business hours rather than street-facing machines at night
- Notify your bank of travel plans to Morocco to avoid card blocks
- Carry small denominations (10, 20, 50 dirham notes) as many vendors cannot break large bills
- Don't flash large amounts of cash when paying for items
- Use hotel safes for passports, extra cash, and valuable electronics
- Consider using a money belt or hidden pouch for important documents
- Keep only daily spending money in accessible pockets
Transportation
- Download offline maps before arriving as internet can be unreliable
- Photograph or save your hotel address in Arabic for showing taxi drivers
- Avoid petit taxis after midnight; use hotel-arranged transportation instead
- For airport transfers, pre-book through your hotel or use official airport taxis
- Train travel (ONCF) between cities is safe and reliable; book first class for comfort
- Avoid driving yourself unless absolutely necessary - traffic is extremely chaotic
- If using Careem or Heetch ride apps, verify the driver and car match the app information
Cultural Respect
- Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, especially when visiting religious sites or conservative neighborhoods
- Remove shoes when entering mosques (note: most mosques are closed to non-Muslims except Hassan II Mosque)
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially women
- Use your right hand for eating and greeting, as the left hand is considered unclean
- Avoid public displays of affection, which are culturally inappropriate
- During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours out of respect
- Learn basic greetings in Arabic or French - locals appreciate the effort
Accommodation
- Stay in well-reviewed hotels in safe neighborhoods like Maarif, Gauthier, or near the Corniche
- Verify the exact location of your accommodation before booking - some areas are less safe at night
- Use hotel safes and don't leave valuables visible in rooms
- Keep your room number private and don't announce it in public areas
- Verify the identity of anyone claiming to be hotel staff before opening your door
- Choose accommodations with 24-hour reception for added security
Communication
- Purchase a local SIM card for reliable communication (Maroc Telecom, Orange, or Inwi)
- Save important numbers in your phone including your embassy, hotel, and emergency contacts
- Download translation apps for offline use (French and Arabic)
- WiFi is available in most hotels and cafes but use VPN for sensitive transactions
- Keep your phone charged and consider a portable battery pack
- Be discreet when using expensive smartphones in public to avoid theft
Food and Drink
- Choose busy restaurants with high turnover for fresher food
- Avoid raw vegetables and salads unless at upscale restaurants
- Peel your own fruit when possible
- Be cautious with street food initially until your stomach adjusts
- Alcohol is available in licensed restaurants and hotels but not widely sold; don't drink in public
- Bring anti-diarrheal medication and rehydration salts just in case
- Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer before eating
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Women travelers can visit Casablanca safely but should prepare for cultural differences regarding gender roles and interactions. Street harassment (verbal comments, staring, catcalling) is relatively common, though physical harassment is less frequent. Solo women travelers may receive unwanted attention but serious incidents are uncommon. Dressing modestly and projecting confidence significantly reduces unwanted attention.
- Dress conservatively: cover shoulders, avoid low necklines, and wear pants or skirts below the knee to minimize attention
- Wear a wedding ring (real or fake) and mention your 'husband' if asked about your marital status
- Avoid walking alone after dark; use taxis or ride-sharing apps instead
- In crowded areas, keep your bag in front of you and maintain awareness of your surroundings
- Ignore catcalls and unwanted comments; engaging often encourages further interaction
- Consider staying in women-friendly accommodations or riads with good reviews from solo female travelers
- Sit in family sections of restaurants when available, and in women's sections on trains if you prefer
- Wear sunglasses to avoid unwanted eye contact, which can be misinterpreted as interest
- If harassed, move toward public areas, shops, or approach other women or families
- Book ground-floor or lower-floor rooms with secure locks and use door stops for extra security
- Join group tours for certain activities rather than exploring completely alone
- Trust your instincts - if a situation feels uncomfortable, remove yourself immediately
- Consider downloading safety apps and keeping emergency contacts readily accessible
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Homosexuality is illegal in Morocco under Article 489 of the Penal Code, with penalties including fines and imprisonment of 6 months to 3 years. Same-sex marriage is not recognized, and there are no anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. Enforcement can be inconsistent but prosecutions do occur.
- Avoid any public displays of affection with same-sex partners, as this could lead to harassment, police attention, or arrest
- Be extremely discreet about your sexual orientation or gender identity in public settings
- Do not discuss LGBTQ+ topics openly with strangers or in public places
- Be cautious on dating apps, as there have been reports of entrapment, blackmail, and violence
- Book accommodations carefully; request a room with two beds if traveling as a couple to avoid questions
- Research LGBTQ+-friendly accommodations in advance through trusted sources and reviews
- Avoid wearing clothing or accessories that might identify you as LGBTQ+
- Be aware that even private consensual acts can be prosecuted if reported
- Do not assume that because Casablanca is cosmopolitan, it is accepting of LGBTQ+ individuals
- Keep contact information for your embassy readily available in case of legal issues
- Consider whether travel to Morocco aligns with your comfort level and risk tolerance
- If questioned about traveling companions, having a prepared story about being friends or colleagues may be prudent
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for visiting Casablanca and Morocco. Private medical facilities require upfront payment or insurance guarantees before providing treatment, and costs can be substantial. Medical evacuation to Europe can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Trip cancellations, lost luggage, and theft are also risks that insurance can mitigate. Morocco's distance from many travelers' home countries makes emergency situations more complex and expensive.
Travel insurance for adventurous travelers • Coverage in 200+ countries