Security and health
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller site provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Morocco. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.
It is strongly recommended that Australian travellers take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before their departure. They should confirm that their insurance covers them for the whole time they will be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in their policy.
It is also recommended for Australian travellers to register, before travelling, on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website, in case of an emergency.
Security
Petty crime, including pick pocketing, bag snatching, scams, and thefts, occurs, particularly in the medina/market areas, parks and beaches. Thefts are also prevalent around ATMs. Panhandlers can be aggressive. Ensure valuables are secure and avoid displays of wealth. Hire only official guides recommended by hotels, travel agencies, or local tourist authorities.
Health
No vaccinations are required. There’s a limited risk of malaria in the northern coastal reaches of Morocco.
Adequate medical care is available, particularly in Rabat and Casablanca. However, medical staff speak very limited English. Medical treatment can be very expensive.
Pharmaceuticals are available only on presentation of a doctor's prescription. The products conform to international health norms and are often manufactured by local companies, the subsidiaries of multinationals.
As a general rule, when in the street:
- Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors
- Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated, canned or bottled drinks. Avoid tap water, water fountains and drinks with ice cubes. Clean your teeth with bottled water.
- Don’t eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurised
- Don’t handle animals, particularly monkeys, dogs, and cats