Tangier Warnings and Dangers

Before going to Tangier, I was begged by friends in Gibraltar to make alternative plans and visit a different Morrocan city; I didn't listen, telling them I'd already arranged reservations. They said, "The reservations won't be there when you get there". Sure enough, the people at the hotel acted like I was a LUNATIC to suggest I'd made reservations, though I'd called 3 weeks earlier and confirmed them.

Just get mentally prepared to step in Tangier and many cab drivers trying to get you as a customer. They will fight for you and many people that will try to take you as a guide. They will bother you and follow you for hours if is possible. They are usually close to hotels, ports, and other tourist places. They will tell you that is dangerous to walk without a guide and things like that. The best way is to tell them directly that you are not interested and you will call the cops. Trust me I almost fought a guy because I was arguing with him for 30 minutes because the guide was still following us. Is very frustrating, so get preapared if visiting Morocco.

People always says that you should watch you wallet, money, cameras etc incase of pickpockets or muggers. However I no of a number of people who have travelled to Morocco and never had any problems. Just like Ive known people to go to more exotic posh places and be robbed.

My advice though is never let shop keepers/stall holders see just how much money you have as the more they know you have the more they will want you to spend and if your worried about valuables dont take them with you.

Just like everyone says, there's a huge number of men waiting when you get off the ferry wanting to take your bags and give you a tour of the city. I made the mistake of going with one, knowing exactly what he was, and I was glad I did because it sure beat sitting at the train station all day. However, he claimed I could pay whatever I wanted which I knew was a lie. He repeatedly took me to dark places, put his arms around me, and said "Are you happy with Mustafa?" We did the typical carpet shop thing, and he took me to an overpriced empty restaurant, but the food was excellent. In the end he asked for 200 dirhams, and when I gave it to him he told me 300. Then I went off on him and told him if he's that desperate for money to just take it all from me which got him upset. He said I embarrassed him in front of his cousin (the taxi driver), and he just took the 200. In the end he tried to make out with me at the train station which was disgusting, but luckily he just said a couple of rude words when I pushed him away. These guides can be useful for seeing the city, but be very careful, and it's definitely advisable to arrange something beforehand than to just go with whatever random person approaches you.

The hassle one can have from street sellers following you arround can be most unpleasent. They just can not take "No" or "La" for an answer.

When we were with our tour group whe level of harassment was just AWFUL & really ruined the tour. I have to admit we were really not looking forward to spending another day in Tangier .

The next day when we ventured in to Tangier alone, it was wonderful, not one person approached us and we were left totally alone. I think these sellers must just hunt down the tour groups.

We got lost, I asked a lady for help and within seconds 5 or 6 people came to help. Which was lovely, a much better experience than the day before.

Photo is of Nice Tangier People, Not the Horrid ones! (~_~)

As soon as I had left the ferry there was someone following me asking for money. The only respite from this bombardment was when I went and got myself a guide for the day. A really nice guy called Charlie. I asked a bloke at a small art gallery and he put us in touch.

As soon as you step in Tangier you will face the hassle of many vendors trying to sell you different goods and small boys asking for money. They will walk around you trying to get your attention. If you answer or show the least interest, you can be sure that they will insist in bargaining a deal with you for hours. So, your best course of action is just don't even look at them and keep on walking.

Tangier has had problems with crime, just like many other border cities and large cities. But if you take precautions, you won't have any problems. We didn't have any problems. Wear a money belt. Don't wear flashy jewelry. Try not to dress like a tourist so you don't attract unwanted attention and pickpockets. Dress conservatively in long pants or skirts and shirts with sleeves. Don't walk in dark , desolate areas and wander around the medina alone at night. Basically, don't let your guard down because you're on vacation, but don't be paranoid either.