By Hamid El Maimouni | Co-Founder of Morocco Travel Experts | 11 Years in Moroccan Tourism
Published: October 8, 2026
Canada has warned travelers to exercise a high degree of caution when visiting Morocco. The headlines have mentioned terrorism, robberies, scams, and even kidnapping.
I understand why someone planning their first trip would be concerned after reading that.
But there’s something important missing from many of those headlines: context.
My name is Hamid El Maimouni. I’m Moroccan, I’ve worked in tourism here for 11 years, and I’m a co-founder of Morocco Travel Experts, a Marrakech-based travel agency organizing private trips around the country.
I’ve spent years helping visitors discover Morocco, from the narrow streets of Marrakech and Fes to the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara.
And I’ll tell you something that might surprise you coming from someone who makes a living from tourism.
Some of Canada’s warnings are completely justified.
There are problems in Moroccan tourism that we shouldn’t pretend don’t exist. There are also warnings that need geographical context before someone decides to cancel an entire holiday.
So rather than telling you Morocco is perfectly safe or that you have nothing to worry about, I want to explain what the Canadian government actually says, what I consider the most important risks for ordinary visitors, and what I would tell a friend coming to Morocco for the first time.
What exactly did Canada say about Morocco?
In April 2026, an article published by Fox News brought attention to Canada’s updated travel advice for Morocco. Other outlets repeated the story, and the headlines naturally made people nervous.
But the most important information is not the headline. It’s the actual Government of Canada travel advisory for Morocco.
As of October 8, 2026, Canada’s overall advice is to exercise a high degree of caution because of the threat of terrorism.
That is not the same as telling Canadians to avoid traveling to Morocco.
However, the advisory does contain much stronger warnings about specific areas.
Canada advises against all travel within 20 kilometres of the Algerian border. It also advises against all travel in certain militarized border areas of Western Sahara, and against non-essential travel to Western Sahara more broadly.
These are distinctions worth understanding.
A family spending a week in Marrakech, Rabat, Fes, and Essaouira is not following the same itinerary as someone planning an independent expedition through remote border territory.
That doesn’t make the first itinerary risk-free. It means the risks, and the precautions required, aren’t identical.
Canada also warns about petty theft, armed robbery, card fraud, demonstrations, dangerous driving conditions, and harassment affecting women traveling alone.
Those deserve attention too.
For comparison, the United States currently places Morocco at Level 2, meaning Americans should exercise increased caution. The U.S. State Department’s September 4, 2026 update did not change Morocco’s existing advisory level.
My advice is to read the government advisory itself before reacting to a newspaper headline.
Is Morocco dangerous for tourists? My perspective after 11 years
I don’t think it’s useful to describe an entire country as either safe or dangerous.
Morocco is a country with busy modern cities, rural communities, mountain villages, desert regions, and major tourist destinations. Conditions vary enormously depending on where you go, how you travel, and the decisions you make along the way.
If you ask me whether I would recommend Morocco to a family visiting for the first time, my answer is yes, provided they understand the destination and plan appropriately.
But I would also explain the things that can make a trip uncomfortable.
In Marrakech, for example, tourists sometimes encounter persistent sellers or people offering unsolicited directions. For a first-time visitor who isn’t used to that environment, it can feel intimidating.
A stranger might tell you a street is closed and offer to show you another way. Sometimes people genuinely want to help. Sometimes the person expects money or intends to lead you toward a shop.
My advice is simple: don’t follow strangers just because they speak confidently. Check your route with your accommodation or someone you trust.
And please, don’t confuse someone asking you to buy something with an actual threat to your safety. They’re not the same thing.
At the same time, we shouldn’t dismiss aggressive behaviour as just part of the culture. Tourists have every right to explore without being harassed.
Morocco has many people who are genuinely welcoming, but that doesn’t mean every interaction will be pleasant.
A good trip starts with knowing the difference.
The safety issue I wish more tourists took seriously: Moroccan roads
This is probably less exciting than the headlines, but it’s something I genuinely want travelers to think about.
Road safety.
The Canadian government specifically warns about driving conditions in Morocco, particularly on national roads, in mountainous areas, and during bad weather.
And I agree that people should take this seriously.
I’ve seen plenty of itineraries online suggesting that visitors spend a morning exploring Marrakech, cross the High Atlas Mountains, visit Ait Ben Haddou, and continue driving for hours before reaching their accommodation late in the evening.
On paper, it looks manageable.
In reality, mountain roads can be tiring. Traffic, weather, construction, and frequent bends make driving very different from cruising along a motorway.
A journey that looks easy on Google Maps might feel exhausting, particularly for families with young children.
My advice?
Don’t plan your Moroccan holiday around the maximum distance you can cover every day.
If you’re renting a car, avoid driving unfamiliar mountain or rural roads after dark. Allow time for unexpected delays, and don’t push through bad weather just to reach a hotel.
If you’re using a private driver, ask about realistic daily driving hours. A professional driver should be willing to explain why a route is too ambitious.
And if you’re traveling between major cities such as Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, or Fes, consider using the train where it makes sense.
You don’t need a private tour to travel safely in Morocco. But you do need realistic planning.
What about terrorism and the warnings about kidnapping?
This is the most serious part of the Canadian advisory, and it shouldn’t be ignored.
Canada identifies terrorism as a concern and warns that foreigners have previously been targeted. It also identifies kidnapping risks in remote regions and areas close to the Algerian and Mauritanian borders.
These are official security assessments. I can’t dismiss them simply because I work in tourism.
However, travelers should understand where the warnings apply rather than assuming that visiting a famous tourist attraction is the same as entering an isolated border region.
For example, people often refer to the entire southeastern desert as ‘the Sahara’ without distinguishing between established tourist destinations and remote areas.
That distinction matters.
If you’re planning a desert trip around Merzouga or Erg Chebbi, ask your provider for the exact location of your accommodation, camp, and activities. Check the proposed route against Canada’s current regional warnings, especially the 20-kilometre exclusion near the Algerian border.
Don’t assume that a destination being popular with tourists automatically places every nearby activity outside an advisory zone.
For remote excursions, work with authorized guides, ensure transportation and communications are arranged, and avoid independent exploration of isolated areas without reliable local knowledge.
The Canadian government also specifically advises against hiking alone in remote mountain regions.
I wouldn’t encourage someone to ignore that advice for the sake of adventure.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy Morocco’s landscapes without taking unnecessary risks.
The scams and hassles tourists should actually prepare for
Let’s talk about something that visitors are more likely to encounter during an ordinary city holiday: tourist scams and unwanted pressure.
These aren’t unique to Morocco, but they exist here.
In the medinas of Marrakech and Fes, for example, an unfamiliar visitor can become disoriented quite quickly.
You may encounter someone offering directions, a person insisting you visit a particular shop, or a seller who becomes pushy when you decline to buy.
Here are a few practical habits I recommend.
- Agree on prices before accepting services. This applies to taxis where the meter isn’t used, informal assistance, photographs involving performers, and activities without a displayed price.
- Don’t hand money to people offering unsolicited help. If you’re genuinely lost, contact your riad or ask at an established shop.
- Keep your valuables secure in crowded markets. A crossbody bag worn in front is more practical than carrying an open backpack through a busy souk.
- Use ATMs at banks or well-established locations. Cover your PIN and check transactions afterward.
- Choose guides carefully. Ask whether a guide is officially licensed and agree on the route, price, and any planned shopping visits beforehand.
One thing I tell travelers is that bargaining and scams are not the same thing.
Negotiating the price of a carpet or handmade item can be a normal part of shopping in a Moroccan souk. Being pressured, misled, or charged for something you didn’t agree to is different.
And you are never obliged to buy something because a seller offered you tea.
You can politely say no and leave.
Is Morocco safe for women traveling alone?
Women traveling alone deserve a straightforward answer, not a promise that everything will be fine.
Morocco can be a rewarding destination for solo travelers, but harassment and unwanted attention are genuine concerns.
The Canadian government explicitly mentions verbal harassment affecting women traveling alone.
This doesn’t mean a woman should automatically avoid Morocco. It means planning and personal comfort matter.
I’d recommend booking accommodation with consistently good recent reviews, arranging a reliable arrival transfer when landing late, and asking hotel staff about areas best avoided after dark.
In busy medinas, confidence helps. You don’t owe a conversation to someone who approaches you, and you don’t need to explain why you’re not interested.
If a situation becomes uncomfortable, move toward a busy, well-lit business or seek assistance from hotel staff or the authorities.
A licensed guide for the first day in a complicated medina can also make the experience easier, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with the city.
But hiring a guide is an option, not a requirement. Plenty of visitors explore Moroccan cities independently.
The important thing is being able to enjoy the destination on your own terms.
Should Canadian tourists cancel their Morocco trips in 2026?
Based on the current advisory alone, I wouldn’t recommend automatically canceling an ordinary tourist trip to Morocco.
But I also wouldn’t tell someone to ignore the warning.
I’d make the decision based on the actual itinerary.
If you’re visiting major tourist cities, staying in established accommodation, and following sensible precautions, the government’s overall guidance is different from a warning to avoid the country.
If you’re planning remote trekking, driving near restricted borders, or exploring isolated desert routes, the decision deserves much closer attention.
Check the exact areas involved, follow the strongest applicable advisory, and reconsider any route that passes through a region Canada says to avoid.
Also, contact your insurance provider before traveling.
Some policies have exclusions or restrictions connected to government travel advisories, and different insurers interpret those differently.
Don’t assume you’re covered for every activity simply because you’ve purchased travel insurance.
I always advise travelers to understand what their policy covers for medical emergencies, hospitalization, evacuation, and trip interruption.
It’s not the most enjoyable part of planning a holiday, but it’s important.
What Canadians need to know before arriving in Morocco
There are also a few practical requirements worth checking before departure.
According to the Government of Canada, travelers with a regular Canadian passport generally do not need a tourist visa for a stay of less than 90 days.
The Canadian advisory also states that their passport should remain valid for at least six months beyond their expected departure date from Morocco.
Always confirm the latest requirements before flying.
Morocco uses the Moroccan dirham, and while cards are widely accepted in some urban businesses, cash remains useful in smaller establishments and traditional markets.
I would avoid carrying large amounts of cash around all day. Use a secure place at your accommodation for money and documents you don’t need to carry.
Keep electronic copies of your important travel documents, along with the contact information for your accommodation, insurance provider, and Canada’s consular services.
For Canadian travelers, registering with the Government of Canada’s Registration of Canadians Abroad service is another sensible precaution.
If you take regular medication or have particular medical needs, plan ahead rather than expecting the same services or products to be available everywhere.
What I would tell someone visiting Morocco for the first time
After 11 years in this industry, my biggest advice isn’t to book the most expensive hotel or hire a private guide every day.
It’s to give yourself enough time to actually enjoy Morocco.
Don’t spend seven days racing through six cities.
Don’t arrive in Marrakech expecting a quiet European-style shopping district. It’s busy, occasionally chaotic, full of life, and very different from what many first-time visitors are used to.
Don’t assume everyone approaching you wants money, but don’t trust every unsolicited offer either.
Don’t let one unpleasant interaction define your opinion of an entire country.
And don’t let a beautiful photograph convince you that a difficult mountain crossing or remote desert route requires no preparation.
Visit the markets. Eat in local restaurants. Learn a few words of Darija. Spend time in Fes without rushing through its medina. If you’re visiting Essaouira, give yourself time to walk around the fishing port rather than treating the city as a quick photo stop.
The Morocco I want people to experience isn’t a country where everything is perfectly arranged for tourists.
It’s a real country, with wonderful places, generous people, everyday frustrations, and genuine risks that deserve to be understood.
That’s also why I believe honest information is better for tourism than pretending problems don’t exist.
My final thoughts on Canada’s Morocco travel warning
I respect Canada’s responsibility to warn its citizens about potential dangers.
If a government identifies a security threat, travelers should take it seriously.
But there’s a difference between understanding a warning and allowing a frightening headline to make an entire destination seem inaccessible.
Morocco is not without risks. Neither is international travel generally.
What matters is knowing which risks apply to your journey, choosing sensible routes, staying informed, and being willing to change your plans when necessary.
I run a tourism business, so naturally I want people to visit Morocco. But I would rather someone arrive well-informed than book a trip based on unrealistic promises.
If you’re preparing a visit, read the official advisory, ask questions, and make decisions based on your own circumstances.
And if you’re uncertain about an itinerary, my team at Morocco Travel Experts can help review the route and explain the practical considerations before you commit to a trip.
Morocco is a place worth discovering. Just come prepared to experience the real country, not an imaginary version where nothing ever goes wrong.
About the author
Hamid El Maimouni is the co-founder of Morocco Travel Experts, a Marrakech-based travel company specializing in private tours and customized Moroccan itineraries. With 11 years of experience in Morocco’s tourism industry, Hamid shares practical local insights to help travelers plan better-informed trips.
Official sources and further reading