With a rich and long history, a culture of hospitality and generosity, and stunning geography spanning from the ocean to the desert and through mountains, Morocco is a prime tourist destination, and rightfully so.

After living here for nine months and traveling alone as a woman, here are some tips I have amassed for other lone travelers:

Stay in hostels

Not only are they cheaper than hotels, but they also offer a great opportunity to meet fellow travelers and find company for your adventures. Hostels are full of people from all over the world, often solo travelers themselves, eager to explore Morocco.

Along with getting a taste of Moroccan culture, you can also learn about life in places as far reaching as Thailand, Australia, Switzerland, and more.

Still, it is important to keep security in mind. Make sure you check the hostel’s ratings before you book. While most are lovely, there are some mismanaged hostels out there that can leave you feeling insecure and unsafe.

As a bonus, most hostels also offer spaces in female-only dorms for an added sense of security. Make sure to bring a small padlock with you so you can secure your valuables in a locker, or you can buy one at any “hanout”, small neighborhood stores, in tourist areas.

Some of my favorite hostels are Funky Fez in Fez, which offers delicious group meals and The Central House in Marrakesh, with a clear refreshing pool in its open courtyard and its own drinks bar.

Respect local customs and laws

Since Morocco is Muslim country, Moroccans tend to dress more conservatively, and men and women alike wear more modest clothing.

Dressing modestly both demonstrates respect for the local culture and might also help you avoid harassment and blend in more as you travel.

It is important to stay apprised of local laws as well. Drinking in public is illegal, as is same sex activity. While tobacco is permissible, all other drugs are highly illegal and can result in up to six years in jail.

Make sure you check all local laws and customs before you travel for your own safety.

Don’t be afraid to say “yes”

While it is important to exercise caution as a solo traveler, when it’s safe, don’t be afraid to throw your plans by the wayside and just say “yes” to whatever opportunity presents itself to you. Moroccans are incredibly hospitable people and will often invite in strangers. Don’t be too afraid to say “yes”.

After a heavy bargaining session at a jewelry store in the Marrakech medina, the owner invited me to have tea with him. While I was initially taken aback, I accepted his invitation. What followed was one of the best experiences I’ve had in my travels here.

Not only did he share his tea with me, but he also later invited me to stay and eat the beef kidney tagine he had been cooking on his small, gas burner stove inside his shop. As we ate, we discussed world politics and the history of Morocco.

He invited me to his village in the Sahara desert. Now, every time I return to Marrakech, I visit him and enjoy a cup of tea and great conversation once again.

These kinds of connections enrich your travel experience beyond belief, and they are one of the things that makes traveling in Morocco so special. Moroccans are incredibly welcoming, and like my Marakeshi friend, many Moroccans will invite you to their homes for tea and more.

While exercising judgment, don’t be afraid to say “yes” to experience the true depth of Moroccan culture.

Keep safety measures in mind

While Morocco is an incredibly safe and lovely country to explore, even as a solo female traveler, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Here are some safety tips I have amassed in my nine months here:

Ask for help

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Moroccans tend to be very protective of tourists and want you to have the best experience possible in their country. If for whatever reason, you do not feel safe, do not hesitate to turn to those around you for help.

Women in particular are highly respected and protected in Moroccan culture, especially by other women. Feel free to ask a Moroccan woman to walk with you if you fear being followed or for help or advice. It may take a few tries to find someone who speaks English, but even if you cannot fully understand each other, don’t feel shy to pantomime until they get the memo.

Hanouts are great places to seek refuge. They are neighborhood centers that are well-connected and quick to offer help or simply a place to wait out whatever or whoever is making you feel uncomfortable.

Make sure someone knows where you are

Share your itinerary with friends and family back home and your daily plans with a friend you meet along the way or your hotel or hostel. Another option is to share your location with someone you trust locally. Be sure to check in at the end of the day so they know you are safe.

Carry identification

Keep a photocopy of your passport and emergency contact information on you at all times. Should an emergency arise, it’s important someone can find and identify you.

Buy a local SIM card

Buying a local SIM card with data or using data roaming is a must. Carriers like Orange, Inwi, and Maroc Telecom offer affordable options for prepaid sim cards. As a solo traveler, being able to contact others for assistance is a non-negotiable safety measure.

Data access also ensures you can use Google Translate when needed. Many Moroccans do not speak English, and French is your best bet in most urban areas. In the north, opt for Spanish.

While Arabic translations may help you with single words or short phrases, Google Translate only supports the formal register of Modern Standard Arabic, which some Moroccans may not understand.

Keep track of your valuables

Crowded medina streets are the prime hunting grounds of pickpockets. Keep your valuables in a small bag with zippers in front of you and close to your person. A great solution is to wear a fanny pack around your shoulders.

Don’t flash large amounts of money, and don’t walk around with a lot of cash; especially euros or dollars. You can use a credit card for most large purchases in the medina. If not, there is usually an atm nearby.

Don’t take your phone or wallet out when you are walking through an empty street, especially at night. iPhones, for example, cost double the price they go for in the United States and are prime targets of thieves.

Head to the mountains, but with a guide

One of the most incredible features of Moroccan geography is its mountains. The Rif / Middle Atlas, High Atlas, and Anti Atlas Mountains all offer their own incredible sights and exciting adventures, including options for stunning multi-day treks.

Experienced backpackers may be used to heading off on their own for multi-day treks, but should be careful not to let hubris get in the way of ensuring their safety. Unlike in the United States, for example, most trails in these areas are unmarked and resemble little more than criss-crossing goat paths across the landscape.

In remote regions, villages are few and far between. Many inhabitants speak only Amazigh, the indigenous language of Morocco, and Darija.

To safely navigate the landscape and get the most out of your Morocco experience, hire a certified guide. I have personally traveled with Moroccan Eco Tours, Amazing Toubkal Trek, and Pathfinders across the Draa Valley, Jebel Saghro, and the High Atlas Mountains. The guides all speak English and French, as well as other languages, and each company offers affordable and customizable trips, even for solo travelers.

Learn the language

Moroccans are big on expressions of courtesy. One simple way to demonstrate your care and respect for their culture and country is to learn a few phrases in Moroccan Darija. Here are some easy ones for you to learn:

Salaam – “Hello”
Ba salaama  – “Goodbye”
Marhaba – “Welcome” 
Afak – “Please”
Shukran – “Thank you”

Shukran for reading, Ba salaama and Marhaba to Morocco!