Morocco Health & Safety
Be Informed, Travel Confidently
Morocco is one of Africa's safest tourist destinations. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The main risks are petty theft, tourist scams, and health issues related to food and water -- all manageable with preparation and common sense.
Vaccinations
No vaccinations are officially required to enter Morocco. However, several are recommended by travel medicine clinics. Check current entry requirements before travel, as these can change.
COVID-19: Check current entry requirements. Requirements change frequently and may differ by country of origin.
Recommended
Hepatitis A
Transmitted through contaminated food and water. The single most commonly recommended vaccine for Morocco travel.
Typhoid
Also food and water transmitted. Especially recommended if you plan to eat street food or visit rural areas.
Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio
Ensure your routine travel vaccinations are up to date before departure.
Not Routinely Needed
Yellow Fever
Only required if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country.
Malaria
Morocco is malaria-free. No prophylaxis needed.
Rabies
Only recommended for travellers working with animals or undertaking remote adventure travel with limited medical access.
Consult a travel medicine specialist 4 to 6 weeks before departure for personalised advice based on your medical history, itinerary, and duration of stay.
Food and Water Safety
Drinking Water
Tap water in Moroccan cities is treated and technically safe, but many travellers prefer bottled water to avoid stomach upset from unfamiliar bacteria and mineral content. Bottled water is inexpensive and available everywhere. In tourist restaurants, ice is usually made from filtered water.
Street Food
Generally safe if the food is cooked fresh in front of you. Avoid pre-cooked food that has been sitting out in heat. Look for stalls with high turnover -- busy means fresh. The snail soup in Djemaa el-Fna and fresh-grilled sardines in Essaouira are local institutions for a reason.
Traveller's Diarrhoea
Affects 20 to 40 percent of visitors regardless of caution -- it is not necessarily a sign of contamination but rather your body adjusting to unfamiliar bacteria. Carry oral rehydration salts, probiotics, and Imodium (loperamide). Usually self-limiting within 2 to 3 days. See a pharmacist if symptoms persist beyond 72 hours.
Shellfish
Be cautious outside reputable restaurants during warm months (April to October). Mussel poisoning from red tides is an occasional risk on the Atlantic coast. If in doubt, choose fish over shellfish.
Common Health Issues
Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
The Sahara and interior Morocco in summer can exceed 45 degrees Celsius. Hydrate constantly, avoid outdoor activity during peak heat (noon to 3 PM), and wear loose covering and a hat. Heat stroke is a medical emergency -- move the person to shade, cool them with water, and seek help immediately.
Sunburn
The Moroccan sun is intense, especially in the south and at altitude. Use SPF 50 or higher and reapply frequently. Sun damage occurs even on overcast days and through car windows.
Altitude
Jebel Toubkal, North Africa's highest peak, reaches 4,167 metres. Altitude sickness is possible above 3,000 metres. Ascend slowly, stay well-hydrated, and descend immediately if headache or nausea worsens.
Scorpion Stings
Rare but possible, especially when sleeping outdoors in southern Morocco. Shake out shoes and clothing at desert camps. Most Moroccan scorpion stings are painful but not life-threatening. Seek medical care promptly.
Jellyfish
Present on the Atlantic coast during summer months. If stung, rinse the area with seawater (not fresh water), remove any visible tentacles carefully, and seek a pharmacy for treatment cream.
Medical Care in Morocco
Hospitals and Clinics
Quality varies significantly by location. Casablanca and Rabat have excellent private hospitals. Marrakech has adequate tourist-oriented clinics. Rural areas are very basic.
Use private clinics (clinique privee) rather than public hospitals in major cities. Staff often speak French and sometimes English.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies (pharmacie) are excellent and widely available throughout Morocco. Look for the green cross sign. Opening hours are typically 9 AM to 8 PM, with duty pharmacies open overnight in every city.
Pharmacists are knowledgeable and can advise on and provide many medications without prescription that would require one elsewhere. They are often the best first stop for minor health issues.
Always have travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage. This is not optional. If you are injured in a remote area, evacuation to a major city or home country can cost tens of thousands of dollars without insurance.
Emergency Numbers
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| SAMU (Medical Emergency) | 150 |
| Police (Surete Nationale) | 190 |
| Gendarmerie Royale (Rural Police) | 177 |
| Fire Brigade | 150 |
| Tourist Police (Marrakech) | 0524-384601 |
Save these numbers in your phone before departure. In rural areas, the Gendarmerie Royale (177) is the appropriate authority.
Personal Safety
Petty Theft
Pickpocketing exists in crowded areas -- Djemaa el-Fna, busy souks, bus stations. Use a money belt or neck pouch for valuables. Do not flash expensive cameras and phones in crowded market streets.
Bag Snatching
Occasionally occurs from passing motorcycles. Walk on the side of the pavement away from traffic. Wear bags on the shoulder facing away from the road. Keep phone conversations brief on busy streets.
Tourist Scams
The most common "crime" against tourists. Includes: the fake "student" who wants to practice English and leads you to a family shop, the "closed mosque" redirect (the mosque is not closed, and this person is not a guide), and persistent unofficial guides in medinas.
Drug Offers
Cannabis is widely available despite being illegal. Getting involved can lead to police attention that may include demands for money. Politely decline and walk on.
Terrorism
Morocco has a functioning counter-terrorism infrastructure and invests heavily in security. The risk is present but low. Follow your government's foreign travel advisories for current assessments.
Travel Insurance -- Non-Negotiable
Travel insurance is essential for visiting Morocco. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid in Morocco. You need separate travel insurance regardless of where you are from.
Essential and Recommended Coverage
- ✓Medical treatment abroad -- including hospitalisation and specialist care
- ✓Medical evacuation -- essential for remote areas with limited facilities
- ✓Trip cancellation and interruption
- ✓Adventure activities coverage -- if hiking Toubkal, surfing, or similar
- ✓Rental car excess coverage
- ✓Personal liability
Purchase your policy before departure and carry both a digital and printed copy of your policy number and emergency contact details.
Travel with Confidence
Every Serenity Morocco Tours itinerary includes experienced local guides who know the country inside out, 24/7 on-the-ground support, and logistics planning that keeps health and safety front of mind throughout your journey.