Don’t fall for scams in Marrakech – 11 common ones to look out for
Exploring Morocco has been one of the best travel experiences I have had to date. The amazing food, colorful culture, beautiful (but hot!) weather, and friendly people are all a part of what makes Morocco such a special place. It is also an incredibly safe destination for tourists and solo travelers alike. Even still, you may come across some less-than-ideal situations and plenty of scams in Marrakech.
This blog post is all about scams in Marrakesh and 11 common ones to look out for!
1. Don’t look lost – even if you are.
The friendly guide scam.
A popular scam around the medina is when you are enjoying the best part – getting lost in the souks. While getting lost in the narrow shop-filled streets and wandering the medina are definitely something you want to experience – don’t get too lost. Once someone observes that you are (or that you look like you are unsure of where to go next) – you’ll get approached by overly friendly locals, eager to help. This is probably the most common of all the scams in Marrakech.
They will offer you directions to your destination or try to take you to the “big square” (Jemaa el-Fnaaa). Don’t accept! These locals will get you there – only after taking you the longest way possible and demanding money once you reach your destination.
Travel Tip: Avoid this scam by downloading the Google maps of the area you will be staying in so you can navigate even without cell service.
2. Don’t accept any offers to smoke anything.
Paying a bribe for an illegal activity scam.
Marijuana and shisha are both illegal in Morocco. A con that I personally witnessed a few times is locals approaching you and asking casually if you would like to join them for a smoke. Don’t be fooled! This may be legal in your home country but it is not here. These scammers have police officers that are in on this and work with them. Once you are smoking and having a good time with the scammers, the police will bust you and demand a bribe to let you go.
3. Don’t let henna artists do a practice heart or flower on your hand.
The accidental henna spill and quick henna tattoo scam.
Picture this: you’re walking along the square and suddenly feel something cold on your hand. You turn around to a woman with a henna cone in her hand profusely apologizing for spilling it on and offering to fix it. Don’t accept. Wipe your hand clean and run away! Suddenly that little mistake will turn into a full-blown henna tattoo you didn’t ask for with a hefty price tag once they are done.
Another version of this is when they stop and compliment you or try to strike up a conversation. They then ask you to do a quick heart or star on your hand to demonstrate how the process works and then will demand a tip once they are done.
4. Don’t accept free jewelry or gifts from street vendors
The courtesy gift scam.
As friendly as the Moroccan people are, don’t take anything from them you don’t intend to pay for. Locals walking around with jewelry and small items for sale will sometimes try to approach you and make conversation about where you are from. Then before you go they will offer you a bracelet or small item as a gift for being kind to them. Don’t accept unless you want to tip them or pay for the gift. Once it is on your arm they will not take it back and will demand something for it. This is another popular one amongst the scams in Marrakech.
5. Don’t get in a taxi without agreeing on the fare first
The unexpected upcharge scam.
Taxi drivers in Morocco agree on the fare for your destination before taking you there. Never get into a taxi without doing so or you will be in for a surprise when you arrive at your destination. Most taxis around the medina don’t cost more than 50 dirhams ($4.58) to get you anywhere but can be a little more at night. If you go up to a taxi driver and they insist that they can get you there and not to worry about the price, don’t get in! Your 50 dirham ride will suddenly be 150-200 dirhams upon your arrival.
6. Don’t eat anything you didn’t order at food market stalls
The “free” appetizers and hidden menu scam.
Jemaa el-Fnaa is popular for all of its food stands with many delicious traditional options to choose from. This scam I learned about first hand because we fell for it ourselves when sitting down to try a few things from a food stall.
Once you sit down to look over the menu they will start to bring you bread, olives, salads, and other appetizers to enjoy while you order. This food is not free! Ask how much these items cost (since they are usually not on the menu or on a separate hidden menu). If you do not want them – send them back. Otherwise, you’ll be in for a surprise when your bill is higher than expected for what you ordered. This is one of the more subtle scams in Marrakech but it is still very costly!
7. Don’t listen to anyone telling you there is a “special event” going on
The tannery and Berber carpet-making viewing scams.
I can’t count how many times locals jumped out in front of us to tell us about a special event. Usually at the tanneries or a special carpet-dying event happening just “over there”. This is similar to the friendly guide scam where they will offer to take you there. Only because they are “already heading in that direction” or they work there. “No money, no tour guide” is a phrase they will commonly use to get you to follow them. Don’t believe this. They can still demand a tip once you arrive at your destination. Then, once you arrive, their colleague will be waiting for you, ready to take you on a “free tour” of the area as well.
8. Don’t carry your cash together in one place or take it all out when paying for something.
The upcharge scam.
This one should be common sense but it does happen to the best of people from time to time. In all the excitement of shopping around the medina, you stop to take money from an ATM and just stuff it all in your wallet. Later, when you go to pay for something you end up having to take it all out. Avoid this at all costs. This can cause some vendors to aggressively upcharge or ask for a tip once they see you have the funds to do so.
9. Don’t buy argan oil, saffron, and Berber carpets from just anywhere.
Selling fake goods scam.
Although these are all amazing souvenirs from Morocco that I would recommend anyone buy, exercise caution when buying them. Unfortunately, there are many fake items floating around the market that you don’t want to waste your money purchasing.
How to avoid this scam:
For saffron: inspect the color and smell it before purchasing. If it is not a deep dark red color or not fragrant at all, you are likely buying safflower.
For argan oil: the color should be a dull golden yellow, and the oil itself should have a strong earthy and nutty aroma. If it smells fragrant and fruity or is completely odorless, it is not authentic.
For Berber rugs: This one can be a little more difficult to catch but it is possible. If you are able, burn a string from the rug. Authentic Berber rugs are made of 100% wool and should not ignite. Fake versions use polypropylene fiber that is both toxic and highly flammable. You can also check the back of the rug for knotting. If it is truly handmade, it should be irregular and imperfect.
For all items: A general rule of thumb would be – if the price is too good to be true, then it probably is.
10. Don’t take photos with live animals.
The “free photo” scam.
If you see monkeys and snake charmers in the square, do not take pictures of them or with them unless you intend to tip the owners. The owners will usually offer to take a photo with you or let you hold the animal “for free”. In some cases, these animals are being exploited for these tips and it’s best to not engage with them. These scams in Marrakech are especially cruel for the animals involved.
11. Don’t get on a camel without agreeing on the price.
The overpriced camel ride scam.
Camel rides are typically a pretty inexpensive thing to do throughout Morocco. Don’t get on a camel’s back for pictures or a ride without agreeing on a price first. Otherwise, you will be for a surprise at the end when the camel will not sit down for you to climb off. This a tactic used to intimidate you into paying the price they are requesting.
That’s 11 scams in Marrakech to look out for! Remember these for your trip.
Have you experienced any of these or know anyone who has? Let me know in the comments!
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