Should I Travel To Morocco Right Now?

Should I Travel To Morocco Right Now?

With political tension on the rise in North Africa and the Middle East, many travelers have questions about the situation in Morocco. At Journey Beyond Travel, we want you to feel safe and secure in your choice to visit Morocco. We also realize that travelers have legitimate concerns about visiting Morocco at this time, so we’ve put together an FAQ with some the more common questions we’ve received about travel in Morocco and the region in general.

Q: I’ve seen the news reports about demonstrations and protests in places like Egypt and Tunisia. Are there similar demonstrations happening now in Morocco?

A: No, though there are rumblings that protests and demonstrations could take place in the country before too long.

Q: Are tensions in the country high?

A: Yes, but not in the way you may think. Morocco and Moroccans are sympathetic to the protesters they see on the news each day, but, as of late, have not felt they are under the same duress. Morocco has a largely open political climate, and the public is allowed to demonstrate and speak openly against government policy—something many of the Egyptian and Tunisian protesters have listed as a major complaint against their own governments.

Q: But you say there is still tension. What do you mean by that?

A: Moroccans are very well informed and keep abreast of global affairs. That they themselves are not protesting right now does not mean they have not taken sides. While it’s usually considered prudent to avoid political conversation as a rule, whether about Western military power, the status of the Western Sahara or anything else for that matter, this rule of thumb holds especially true now.

Q: Morocco is a monarchy. Don’t the people wish they had greater personal freedoms?

A: Yes, but for the vast majority of Morocco, life is very good right now. When the current King, Mohammad VI, took power, he began a sweeping liberalization of the country and its laws. In the last decade the country has loosened laws on not only public demonstrations, but also women’s rights, freedom of the press and the rights of minorities.

Q: That’s great, but there must be a few areas where people have reason to be upset, right?

A: Yes. While freedom of the press has been expanded, it is still against the law to write anything mocking or criticizing the King. One young man was recently sentenced to three years in jail for creating a fake Facebook page for the monarch. Also, economic inequality is staggering in Morocco, and while the situation has been improving, many people are still forced to live in slums and shantytowns. That said, the government has been working to improve living conditions and public health, but there is still a long way to go.

Q: Would it be risky for me to travel to Morocco right now?

A: Not necessarily, or certainly no more so than any other time of year. The situation in the country is currently stable, and Moroccans value the income from tourism. Any anger or frustration they have is not toward tourists. If you take the same basic precautions you would on any trip to the country, you should be in no danger. Keep abreast of the news, avoid gatherings of large people and don’t become involved in any political demonstrations yourself. As always, make sure people know where you are, register with your embassy before traveling and take a working cell phone and the numbers of your country’s embassy and emergency contacts.

Please note that this is the opinion of Journey Beyond Travel and does not constitute personal travel advice. You are responsible for all decisions you make should you choose to travel to Morocco at this time.

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Morocco’s Agafay Desert

Morocco’s Agafay Desert

The Agafay Desert is located just an hour’s drive from the lively souks and dizzying maze-like market streets of Marrakech. Literally untouched by development, the Agafay offers quite the contrast from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech.

Visiting the Agafay Desert is a good option if you would like to gaze at some sand dunes and desert, but don’t have the time to travel all the way south to where Morocco borders the Western Sahara. In the spring, the Agafay is alive with blooming wildflowers. The rest of the year, the Agafay is parched and thirsting for water giving you just a taste of the aridness of the Great Sahara.

There are currently no train lines south of Marrakech so if you want to travel to the desert you will need to rent a car, catch a bus or take an organized tour. Quite a few tour companies offer multi-day ATV tours of the Agafay hills complete with tent camping and traditional Moroccan meals. These off-the-beaten path type of tours take you across sand dunes, over rocky buttes and through hidden canyons all offering splendid views of the Atlas Mountains in the background.

Popular Morocco tours arranged by Journey Beyond Travel include a trip to Lake Takerkoust, a manmade lake on the edge of the Agafay Desert that was built in 1929 to provide the city of Marrakech and surrounding areas with electricity. You can swim and sunbathe at one of the beaches alongside the lake or you can rent jet skis or pedal boats and explore the waters. The hills above the lake offer many hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails.

Quite a few luxurious boutique accommodations have sprouted up alongside the Agafay Desert. La Pause is a peaceful retreat alongside an oasis of palm and olive trees. This resort offers simple luxury in the Berber tradition meaning there is no electricity, but visitors are treated to thousands of candles and exquisite meals served under tents with wide-open views of the surrounding desert and Moroccan wilderness. Visitors can enjoy a camel sunset ride, a round of cross-golf (a unique version of cross-country golf), mountain biking and horseback riding.

Place Djemaa el-Fna, Marrakesh

Marrakesh is one of Morocco’s largest and most popular destinations, and it can feel a bit overwhelming if you’re wandering into the city for the first time. Take a moment to orient yourself, then head to Place Djemaa el-Fna, a square and marketplace located in the medina quarter, which is considered the old city.

The name Place Djemaa el-Fna may mean “Assembly of the Dead” or “Place of the Vanished Mosque.” No one is sure of the exact meaning, though locals believe the name refers to an Almoravid mosque, which was destroyed over a century ago. Today, the most important thing about Place Djemaa el-Fna is its relation to Marrakesh. Where there was once a mosque there is now a main square, which locals and visitors share throughout the year. 

Place Djemaa el-Fna is bordered by Rue Moulay Ismail and Rue Riad Zitoun el-Kedim on the west and east, respectively. To further orient yourself, it helps to know that the Place de Foucauld, Oessabin Mosque and Place Bab Fteuh are also near the square.

The vibe and rhythm of the square changes throughout the day. In daylight hours, Place Djemaa el-Fna square is mostly a marketplace with water sellers, orange juice stalls and snake charmers. As afternoon takes over, the marketplace entertainment changes, the snake charmers leave and Chleuh dancing boys arrive on the scene. Storytellers share tales in Berber or Arabic; peddlers with medicines and magicians also become part of the entertainment. Place Djemaa el-Fna becomes more crowded as evening begins to fall. More food stalls appear when night descends.

Souk Ablueh is located to the east in Place Djemaa el-Fna. The Marrakesh souk is a traditional North African market where daily needs can be met for both locals and tourists. There are a number of tourist shops and cafes in the souk. If you prefer to escape the noise and commotion of the souk, walk to the other side of the square. This area is filled with yet more cafes, hotels and gardens. There are some alleyways which lead into the old city; wander along these for even more shopping opportunities.

Place Djemaa el-Fna is a very busy location that can take more than a day to explore. Consider breaking down your trip to the square into two days. Spend the first day getting acclimated to the sights, sounds and activities found here. Take a day to look through the various shops and determine what you might like to buy when you return on the second day to make your purchases.

If you do not have two days to visit Place Djemaa el-Fna, you may still want to walk around for a few hours before making a purchase. There are numerous wares sold at the souk, so it is possible to find another item you prefer over the first few things you see. The vendors will bargain on the price of their items. They expect this haggling and to refuse is an insult. Begin with a price you think is fair for the item and let your conversation determine the correct price. Never insult a vendor by offering a price that is too low for the quality of work.

One final thing of interest to visitors in the Place Djemaa el-Fna is the street theater, or hoopla, which has been around since 1050 AD. From dawn until midnight a variety of performers including astrologers, healers and belly dancers entertain the crowds. Enjoy a refreshing drink and take a seat at a café so that you can watch a dinner theater show of sorts with these eclectic performers as they move around the square or offer services from a booth.