Tips For a Female Traveling Solo in Morocco

17 Mar 2021

Comment are off

Traveling Solo in Morocco as a female is safe. However, regard should be paid to what gender norms are in the country being visited. You will be looked at as a stranger because you will physically stand out as different. You will be as much a curiosity to them as they are to you. Besides, your intentions may be misinterpreted unjustly. To reduce unwelcomed attention and avoid uncomfortable situations, follow these tips.

Wear a t-shirt and knee-length shorts

To stay comfortable as a woman traveling solo in Morocco, wear a t-shirt, and knee-length shorts over your bathing suit. You’ll notice Moroccan women don’t wear spandex bikinis, but rather wear normal clothes when swimming. Modesty is a deeply helpful way of life for Moroccan women. So be certain to leave your two-piece at the hostel when taking a dip.

Avoid conversations with men you don’t know

Keep away from conversations with men you don’t know. Try to avoid looking them straight in the eyes. It’s easy to attract unwanted attention as a foreign woman traveling Solo in Morocco. Avoid eye contact and friendly conversation, and avoid them being a misinterpreted advances.

On buses, sit near the front

On buses, sit near the front. Put yourself in the middle of other female travelers. Safety in numbers. They’re all upfront for the same reason, to make the trip go as smoothly as possible. Become one of the girls and align yourself with them to lessen your sore thumb factor.

Call and order taxis at night

At night call and order taxis, don’t pick them up on the street. Reserving a taxi in advance increases your chances of a hassle-free ride from a reputable source. You’re increasing your chances that something could go wrong by standing on the streets alone late at night. The driver may have his own societally enforced assumptions about you. So don’t give anyone the opportunity for misinterpretations of your situation.

On overnight trains sleep on the top level

Sleeping up top lessens the chances for ‘accidental’ groping due to the increased level of difficulty in reaching you. Plus, it increases the safety of the items you’re traveling with as it’s more difficult to grab and run off with them.

Cover your shoulders

Cover your shoulders and knees, avoid tight, see-through, or revealing clothes. Most holy places require modest dresses and clothes can be rented at some to enter properly covered. In general, try and cover your body as much as possible. If it’s a particularly sweltering day, break the shoulders, or the knees guideline, but not both. Remember the norms of the society you are a visitor in.

Morocco is a beautiful country with many architectural gems, awash in the vibrant colors of women’s saris. It also has a lot of extreme poverty and different norms for women in their culture. Be respectful of the societies you visit, and try to fit in to avoid being hassled unnecessarily. Even with shoulders and knees covered you’re still going to stand out, though. You will not be mistaken for a loose woman who’s asking for it based on how she dresses. According to a Survey, is what 75% of Morocco men surveyed feel about a woman’s clothing choices. Know how to not draw too much attention to yourself. Then go out and experience all the beauty that Morocco has to offer.