Most visitors to Morocco never meet anything worse than a persistent salesman or a slightly inflated taxi fare. The tricks that do exist are well known, mostly harmless and easy to sidestep once you recognise them: unofficial “guides”, the famous “that street is closed” line, taxis without a running meter, surprise henna, paid photos and commission-driven shopping. This guide explains each one calmly, so you can relax and enjoy the country rather than treating every friendly hello with suspicion.
It is worth saying clearly at the start: the vast majority of Moroccans you meet are simply kind, curious and helpful. Hospitality is a genuine part of the culture. The small number of hustlers work in predictable places, mainly the busiest medinas of Marrakech, Fes and Tangier, and they rely on visitors feeling rushed, lost or embarrassed. Knowing the patterns takes away most of their power.
The unofficial guide
A young man falls into step beside you in the medina, offers to show you the way to a monument or “the real tannery”, and chats pleasantly as you walk. At the end, he expects payment, sometimes far more than you would have chosen to give, or he leads you to a shop where he earns a commission.
Unofficial guiding is illegal in Morocco, and police in the big cities have cracked down on it considerably over the years, but it still happens. The simple fix is to decide in advance how you want to explore. If you want a guide, arrange a licensed one through your accommodation or the local tourist office, who carry an official badge. If you prefer to wander, use an offline map and say a polite, firm “no thank you” (la, shukran) and keep walking. Our article on how to navigate the Fes medina covers practical ways to find your bearings in Morocco’s most complex old city.
“That road is closed”
A close cousin of the faux guide. Someone tells you the street ahead is closed, the square is shut for prayer, or the museum you are heading to is “only open for locals today”. Conveniently, they know another way. Almost always, the road is fine. Smile, thank them and carry on. If you are genuinely unsure, ask a shopkeeper who is sitting in his own shop, or a uniformed police officer, rather than the person who approached you.
Taxis and meters
Morocco has two kinds of taxi. Petits taxis are small city cabs, colour-coded by city, which are meant to use a meter. Grands taxis are larger shared cars that run between towns or to outlying areas, usually at a fixed fare per seat.
The common issue with petits taxis is a driver who “forgets” to switch on the meter, says it is broken, or quotes a flat fare that turns out to be generous to himself. Some useful habits:
- Before you set off, ask politely for the meter (le compteur, s’il vous plaît). If the driver refuses, it is fine to get out and wait for the next car.
- Ask your accommodation what a normal fare is for common journeys, so you have a reference point.
- Expect a night supplement in many cities after dark; this is legitimate rather than a trick, though rules vary, so check locally.
- At airports and big stations, fixed fares are common. Agree the amount clearly before loading bags.
- Carry small notes and coins. “No change” is a classic way for a small overpayment to become a large one.
Ride-hailing apps operate in some cities, though their legal status and availability have changed over time, so it is worth checking the current situation before you rely on one. For journeys between cities, the trains run by ONCF and coaches run by CTM and Supratours avoid taxi negotiations altogether; our Morocco train travel guide explains how the network works.
Henna on the square
In busy squares, particularly Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech, women with henna cones may take your hand and begin drawing before you have agreed to anything, then ask for a substantial payment. There is also a health point here: some street henna is so-called “black henna”, which can contain chemical additives that cause skin reactions in some people.
If you would like henna, and it can be a lovely souvenir, choose to have it done deliberately, ideally in a calmer setting recommended by your accommodation, agree the design and price first, and ask for natural henna, which is reddish-brown. If someone grabs your hand on the square, gently but firmly take it back and walk on. You owe nothing for a design you did not ask for.
Photos that come with a fee
Snake charmers, monkey handlers, water sellers in traditional costume and performers will often ask for money once you have taken a photograph, sometimes even if you only pointed your camera in their general direction. Performing for photos is their living, so a small tip is fair when you have clearly taken a picture. The trouble starts when the demand is out of proportion, or a monkey is placed on your shoulder without warning.
Decide before you raise the camera. If you want the photo, agree a small amount first. If not, keep your phone away. Many travellers also prefer not to support the use of wild animals such as Barbary macaques for photographs at all, a choice worth considering.
Photographing ordinary people is a separate matter of courtesy rather than a scam: always ask first, and accept a “no” gracefully. Our guide to Moroccan etiquette for visitors has more on this.
Commission shops and “special” cooperatives
Shopping is one of Morocco’s great pleasures, and buying directly from artisans is a wonderful way to support traditional crafts. However, you may be steered, by a friendly stranger, a driver or sometimes an organised itinerary, to a particular carpet house, spice shop or “government cooperative” where the person who brought you receives a share of anything you spend.
This is not illegal and the goods are often genuine, but prices tend to be higher and the pressure to buy can be strong. Leaving empty-handed is not rude: you can admire, drink the tea, say thank you and leave.
- Shop where you choose to go, not where you are led.
- Be wary of claims such as “fixed government price” or “only today”.
- Compare similar items in two or three places before committing, and never feel obliged to buy because dozens of rugs have been unrolled for you.
Haggling is expected in the souks, and done in good humour it is part of the fun. Our guide on how to bargain in Moroccan souks walks you through the etiquette.
Fake or diluted argan oil
Argan oil comes only from the argan forests of south-western Morocco, around Agadir, Essaouira and the Souss valley, and it is a product the region is rightly proud of. Because demand is high, diluted or blended oil is sometimes sold as pure, particularly at roadside stalls and in big-city tourist shops.
A few pointers: genuine cosmetic argan oil has a light, nutty smell rather than a strong perfume; culinary argan oil is made from roasted kernels and smells toasted; pure oil is not usually sold very cheaply; and reputable women’s cooperatives in the argan region can explain how their oil is produced. A clear label showing the ingredients is a good sign. Our argan oil guide goes into more detail on choosing and using it.
The same caution applies to some other souvenirs: “silver” that is mostly other metal, “antique” items made last year, and fossils of uncertain origin. Our separate article on how to tell real Sahara fossils from fakes covers the last of these.
A few other things to know
- Currency confusion. Some vendors quote in “rial”, an old informal counting unit still used in conversation, which makes numbers sound much larger than the dirham amount. If a figure sounds odd, ask “in dirhams?”
- Card machines. Check the amount on the terminal before you enter your PIN, and use ATMs attached to banks where possible.
- Pickpockets. As in any busy city worldwide, crowded markets and squares attract them. Use a zipped bag worn in front and keep your phone out of back pockets.
How to respond calmly
The best defence is not suspicion but a relaxed, confident manner. A few habits make a huge difference:
- Walk with purpose. Even if you are lost, step into a shop or café to check your map rather than standing in the middle of an alley looking at your phone.
- Say “no thank you” once, kindly, and keep moving. You do not need to explain or argue. A smile and a hand on the heart is understood everywhere.
- Agree before, not after. Whether it is a taxi, a photo, henna or a guide, settle what you are paying before the service starts.
- Do not hand over your phone or bag to someone offering to “help” with directions or a photo, unless you have chosen to ask them.
- Use official help. Tourist police operate in the major cities, and your accommodation is usually the best source of honest local advice.
- Keep perspective. If you overpay a little for a taxi or a scarf, it is a small cost of travel. Do not let it colour the whole trip.
For a fuller picture of personal safety, including advice for women travellers and families, see our article Is Agadir safe?. Agadir itself is notably relaxed compared with the big imperial cities, and many travellers find it an easy introduction to the country.
Frequently asked questions
Is Morocco full of scams?
No. Petty hustles are concentrated in a few very busy tourist areas, and they are mostly about small amounts of money. Serious crime against visitors is uncommon, and most people you meet will be genuinely helpful.
Which city has the most hassle?
Travellers most often mention the medinas of Marrakech and Fes, and to a lesser degree Tangier. Smaller towns such as Chefchaouen, Essaouira and Agadir tend to feel far calmer.
Should I hire a guide to avoid being bothered?
A licensed guide for a first morning in Fes or Marrakech can be very worthwhile: you learn the layout and are rarely approached while with one. Arrange it through your accommodation or the tourist office rather than accepting an offer in the street.
Plan your trip
Each of our city guides includes local advice on getting around confidently and respectfully. If you are heading for the big medinas, the Marrakech travel guide and the Fes travel guide are good companions, and the Tangier travel guide helps if you are arriving by ferry. You can browse every title in our Morocco travel library.
This article was written with the assistance of artificial intelligence, and was reviewed and edited by the Enjoy Agadir Trip team. How we write and check our guides
