Is Casablanca Secure for Vacationers? (2023)

To the higher west of Morocco on the Atlantic coast lies the bustling Casablanca. This iconic metropolis is a spectacular financial and vacationer hub with loads to do and see. It’s visited by thousands and thousands of individuals yearly, however does that imply Casablanca is protected for vacationers?

Some might know the town from the previous 1942 traditional film Casablanca, a few wartime advanced love story — nevertheless it wasn’t shot right here. The film is much from representing the wonders that await Moroccan vacationers. Casablanca can also be one of many greatest locations to dwell in Morocco.

This metropolis is a world of architectural marvels, numerous cultures, conventional souk markets, and atmospheric eating places. You’re sure to fall in love with the place, however earlier than you go, right here’s what to know concerning the risks.

Why Go to Casablanca?

This quaint cosmopolitan house has loads to supply a curious traveler. Think about the intricate Hassan II Mosque, the work of the Villa des Arts, and the cultural richness of the Museum of Moroccan Judaism.

You’ll be able to spend time adventuring the souks crammed with Moroccan goodies like pottery, crafts, carpets, and extra. There are additionally many bars, golf equipment, and eating places to paint your Casablanca vacation.

Be happy to wind down and catch a tan on the Aîn Diab or Lalla Meryem seashores. For extra seaside enjoyable, stroll down Corniche, the picturesque promenade. Then, settle on the waterfront for some delectable Moroccan delicacies. Should you’d like to increase your journey, the historic Rabat is simply over an hour away.

Is Casablanca Harmful?

Casablanca is usually protected, and journey advisories give it a stage 2 precautionary standing. There may be usually petty crime, particularly in vacationer spots and crowded areas like markets. Mugging is essentially the most harmful stage of crime that vacationers might encounter. A handful of locals additionally like to tug scams.

Casablanca has a reasonable crime fee, so you will need to stay cautious of your environment. It is best to all the time watch your valuables, have them near you, and zip up your baggage. You must also not depart your baggage or valuables uncovered if you depart your automobile.

Locals face extreme expenses for harming vacationers. As such, violent hazard is unlikely throughout your go to, however it’s nonetheless attainable — primarily after darkish. When individuals query whether or not Morocco is protected, Casablanca is usually scrutinized. However, there are safer and extra hazardous areas.

Harmful Areas in Casablanca

Derb Sultan

Derb Sultan is near the town heart and is well-connected to different components of Casablanca. It’s one of many older areas the place conventional Moroccan structure displays its previous. Nevertheless, avoiding this a part of Casablanca is greatest due to the upper possibilities of theft and mugging.

Should you needed to ask a neighborhood, Derb Sultan is normally on their record of the dodgier components of city. Loads of different areas in Casablanca, like Gauthier, supply gorgeous sights with a a lot decrease security danger.

Derb El Kabir

Derb El Kabir is one other of the older neighborhoods in Casablanca. The individuals right here face financial challenges, and a few resort to medicine and crime. This makes it an disagreeable place for vacationers, and there are ample higher locations to be.

Most of Casablanca’s outskirts are extra harmful than the busy vacationer areas. Another hazardous areas embody Bousbir, Sidi Moumen, Derb Milano, Hay Mohammadi, Hay Moulay Rachid, and Hay Moulay Cherif. You’ll be able to communicate to your tour information or resort to search out out the place essentially the most harmful areas are.

Is it Secure to Reside in Casablanca?

Casablanca has a 54.56 crime index, which suggests crime is a medium-level fear. Theft, assault, armed theft, and break-ins all have an opportunity of occurring. Locals in Casablanca face these issues usually sufficient to have an effect on their livelihood. However different nations, like America, are far worse off.

Drug issues and corruption are the key points in Casablanca. It’s common for sellers to method vacationers and supply them marijuana or cannabis, as locals name it. It is best to observe that every one medicine are totally unlawful in Morocco, and you must by no means purchase any.

Know that the town’s particular neighborhoods and districts might fluctuate in security ranges. Researching your specific vacation spot will assist hold you protected. These areas ought to assist information you to the perfect vacationer spots.

Secure Areas in Casablanca

Casablanca-Anfa

Casa-Anfa is an upscale city district in Casablanca designed to fulfill its rising financial and residential wants. You’ll discover numerous bars and eating places, buying facilities, workplace buildings, and luxurious properties right here.

Since Casa-Anfa is a extra developed space, it’s safer than the older components of the metropolis. Should you’re searching for lodging, this district is a high consideration because it’s close to all vacationer sights and facilities.

Aîn Diab

Aîn Diab is a small coastal space inside Casa-Anfa. It accommodates the well-known La Corniche and is an atmospheric, rich a part of city. Creperies, cafes, and posh eating places adorn the scene, in addition to fashionable nightclubs for night enjoyable.

You’re sure to search out some snazzy lodging right here, and the perfect half is that the world is protected. You’ll nonetheless must train warning when wandering the town, as petty theft remains to be a factor, however you’ll doubtless be simply high-quality. Though nightclubs are enjoyable, the darkness brings increased possibilities of mugging. Regardless that it’s unlikely, it’s greatest to not exit alone.

Gauthier

Gauthier can also be part of Casa-Anfa however is extra central. You’ll discover a mixture of cultures, delicacies, vibrant pubs, and rooftop bars right here. The buying scene accommodates noteworthy up to date shops promoting garments, books, family items, and extra. The Villa des Arts can also be a stone’s throw away.

Gauthier poses little hazard to vacationers for essentially the most half. Nevertheless, petty theft and after-dark muggings are a typical drawback nationwide. Normal precautions ought to hold you protected.

Warnings & Risks in Casablanca

The Moroccan authorities takes crime towards vacationers significantly. Due to this fact, you may typically take pleasure in Casablanca with out vital points. Should you keep alert and be careful for widespread scams, you may keep away from most risks.

Regardless that the Casablanca nightlife is tempting, it does topic you to increased possibilities of mugging. It is best to all the time go together with a gaggle, keep away from getting overly intoxicated, and organize dependable transport. Accommodations are very happy that will help you with taxis.

Total Journey Danger (5/10)

As great as Casablanca is, there are a number of hazards to concentrate on earlier than your journey. Moreover petty crimes and scams, harassment can also be a standard situation.

Scammers within the metropolis could be fairly pushy and generally even aggressive. You don’t must really feel responsible for being agency with them as a result of it’s by no means unsuitable to guard your self. One of the best ways to keep away from these confrontations is consciousness.

Though largely unlikely, mugging is the closest name to a violent crime for vacationers in Casablanca. Should you adjust to the legal’s directions, you must get away unhurt.

Pickpockets

Nearly all vacationer locations have pickpocketing criminals; sadly, Casablanca isn’t any completely different. This largely occurs in crowded vacationer areas like markets. These thieves are expert at this craft, and the pickpocket will probably be lengthy gone by the point you discover what’s occurred.

To stop your issues from being stolen, you must all the time zip your backpacks, perhaps even get an anti-theft journey bag, and don’t let it grasp free whereas strolling. Solely carry the cash and gadgets you want, and ideally copies of your passport as a substitute of your precise one.

Terrorism

There have been two deadly terrorism instances in Morocco — one in Casablanca in 2003 and the final in Marrakech in 2011. Morocco has since knuckled down on security. Based on a 2021 terrorism report, they’ve dismantled some unbiased terrorist teams. Sadly, one other assault remains to be inside the realm of chance.

Terrorism is all the time unpredictable. Sadly, these situations occur in well-liked vacationer areas like malls and markets. You’ll additionally discover most journey advisories warning towards terrorism. All it’s good to do is keep up to date with native media and embassies to make sure the political local weather is relaxed.

Instructions Rip-off

As a vacationer, you’re more likely to get misplaced in any overseas metropolis sooner or later. Sadly, some locals prefer to revenue off you dropping your method. They do that by being pleasant and providing to indicate you the place it’s good to go, then demanding you pay them afterward. Often, it’s fairly an extreme quantity, and they won’t depart till you pay them.

Moroccans don’t make a lot cash, in order that they attempt to make their method in life any method they will. You could possibly all the time be good and supply to pay them beforehand, however when you don’t really feel like giving out money, you must as a substitute depend on your trusty map apps or ask at your resort’s entrance desk.

Automotive Rental Rip-off

Some automobile rental corporations like to present you a automobile that already has injury earlier than you utilize it. Then, they cost you for the tarnishes if you return it. Examine the car totally and observe each scratch or mark, in and out, earlier than leaving. You must also take images or a video to be additional protected.

One other method rental corporations rip-off you is by providing you with a automobile with empty gasoline and demanding you fill it if you return it. Generally, they ship you to a gasoline station owned by household or buddies for extra revenue. Once more, take images and movies.

Additionally, you is perhaps sneakily charged a cleansing payment upon return; simply be sure that it’s in your contract.

Ideas for Staying Secure in Casablanca

Now that you understand of all of the doubtless risks of Casablanca, you may relaxation understanding that you simply’re ready for something which will come your method. These are some additional useful tricks to make your vacation extra nice:

• Don’t present an excessive amount of pores and skin: Dressing conservatively exhibits respect, particularly in Muslim holy buildings.
• Don’t ebook excursions at souks: They’re usually scams or poorly organized and troublesome. Solely ebook out of your resort or on-line, comparable to GetYourGuide or Viator.
• Solely reserve taxis at respected corporations: ask your resort for the perfect taxi service or analysis on-line to keep away from being overcharged.
• Keep away from quiet and poorly lit locations: this makes you a much bigger goal for theft or mugging.
• Don’t let anybody offer you a henna tattoo: they are saying it’s free, then demand an costly cost afterward.

Is Casablanca Secure? | Often Requested Questions

Is Casablanca Price Visiting?

There’s loads to do and see in Casablanca that makes visiting worthwhile. This attractive place has tons of fascinating structure, together with Morocco’s largest mosque, The Hassan II Mosque.

You’ll be able to take pleasure in each Western and conventional comforts in Casablanca. There are upmarket boutiques, a mall, and the signature Moroccan souks in Previous Medina. You can too take pleasure in seashores and the Corniche promenade. That’s to not point out the stylish bars, pubs, and eating places everywhere in the metropolis.

Is It Secure at Evening in Casablanca?

Having fun with the nightlife in Casablanca is protected, however you shouldn’t wander the streets after darkish and keep inside an institution. It additionally helps to plan dependable transport dwelling to keep away from being overcharged for a experience.

It’s greatest to exit in a gaggle at night time, as being alone poses the chance of being mugged. You must also not get overly drunk, because it might make you a goal for pickpocketing.

Which is Higher, Casablanca or Marrakech?

Marrakech is a extra well-liked vacationer vacation spot as a result of it has extra historic structure and souks. Additionally it is extra culturally enriching than Casablanca. The Excessive Atlas Mountains are additionally only a brief drive away. Typically, there’s much more to see and do in Marrakech.

Casablanca is healthier by way of Western facilities and is barely safer. Solo feminine vacationers in Marrakech may additionally really feel safer in Casablanca. Additionally it is much less overrun by vacationers however nonetheless presents an genuine Moroccan expertise. Casablanca additionally has seashores, whereas Marrakech doesn’t.

Is Casablanca Secure for Feminine Vacationers?

Casablanca doesn’t have many situations of violence in direction of ladies and is protected sufficient for them to journey solo. Nevertheless, being a lady alone will result in extra catcalling and uncomfortable conditions.

Some solo feminine vacationers have had individuals observe them round, which made their keep disagreeable. Additionally, you will want to stay cautious, keep away from going out at night time alone, and stay away from quiet locations.