Is Casablanca Safe in January 2026?

Grand taxi drivers outside Mohammed V International Airport approach arriving tourists and quote flat rates to the city center that are three to five times the going rate. They often claim meters do not apply for airport runs or that there is a mandatory fixed tourist tariff.

How to avoid: The official airport taxi rate to central Casablanca is approximately 300 MAD. Negotiate and agree the price before entering the vehicle. Alternatively, use the Al Bidaoui tramway or a pre-booked Careem ride for transparent pricing.

Vendors throughout Casablanca sell what they claim is pure, cold-pressed argan oil at very competitive prices. Most tourist-market argan oil is cut with cheaper oils or is entirely synthetic. Genuine argan oil production is labor-intensive and its market price reflects this.

How to avoid: Buy argan oil only from certified cooperatives run by Berber women, which are endorsed by the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture. Expect to pay 250–400 MAD per 100ml for genuine pure argan oil. Anything dramatically cheaper is almost certainly adulterated.

Tourists exploring the old medina near the Hassan II Mosque are approached by self-appointed guides who offer to show them around for free or a small fee. They lead visitors through a circuit of specific shops run by friends and family, collecting commissions on any purchase made.

How to avoid: Decline unsolicited guide offers near the medina. Download an offline map beforehand. If you want a guided tour, book through your hotel or the official Casablanca tourism office.

Around the perimeter of the Hassan II Mosque — the largest mosque in Africa and Casablanca's primary tourist attraction — unofficial guides approach visitors claiming the official tour is full or cancelled and offering a private tour for a negotiated fee. The "tour" is typically a walk around the exterior already visible for free, followed by pressure to visit a nearby carpet shop or restaurant where the guide earns a commission.

How to avoid: Official guided tours of the Hassan II Mosque interior run at fixed times and must be booked through the official booth at the mosque entrance. Check current times on the mosque's official website. Exterior viewing is always free and no guide is required.

Some restaurants near the Corniche and Hassan II Mosque show tourists inflated menus or quote verbal prices much higher than what is listed. Bills may also include undisclosed service charges and cover fees that can add 30–50% to the stated food price.

How to avoid: Ask for the written menu with prices before ordering and confirm that the prices shown are the final prices. Review the bill line by line before paying and question any unexplained charges.