Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Agadir, Souss-Massa, Morocco

1. Taxi Scam

Avoid overpriced taxis by using official taxi ranks or booking in advance. Be wary of drivers who claim the rank is closed.

Official Ranks: Located at main tourist areas for a legitimate service
Booking in Advance: Organize taxi rides through your hotel or reputable app for peace of mind
Avoid Closed Rank Claims: Official ranks are rarely closed, and this could be a scam attempt

Bargain hard at markets and avoid small souvenir shops for fair prices. Be cautious of sellers who pressure you to buy immediately.

Markets: A great place to find a wide variety of souvenirs at reasonable prices
Small Shops: May have higher priced or poor quality items
Pressure Tactics: Be wary of sellers who rush you to make a purchase, and take time to compare prices

Purchase branded items from official stores or large, reputable shops. Be suspicious of sellers offering cheap designer goods.

Official Stores: Sell authentic branded products and have a reliable reputation
Large Reputable Shops: Sell quality goods at fair prices, with reputable customer service
Cheap Designer Goods: Counterfeit items are typically of lower quality and may not function correctly

Be wary of time-share presentations offering free meals or activities. Cancel immediately if you feel uncomfortable or pressured.

Free Meals/Activities: Time-share presentations often lure tourists with freebies
Pressure Tactics: Salespeople may pressure you to sign immediately, be cautious and take your time to decide
Cancel Immediately: If you feel uncomfortable during the presentation, it is important to end it promptly

Use reputable exchange services or banks for fair exchange rates. Be cautious of street vendors offering favorable rates.

Reputable Exchange Services: Offer fair exchange rates and have a reliable reputation
Banks: Provide competitive exchange rates and secure transactions
Street Vendors: Rates may be unfavorable or lower quality currency exchanged

Use ATMs inside banks or reputable locations for safety. Be wary of ATMs in secluded areas or ones that seem to be tampered with.

Inside Banks: Offer a secure environment for transactions and reduce the risk of theft
Reputable Locations: Have increased security measures and reduced chance of tampered ATMs
Secluded Areas/Tampered Machines: May have skimming devices or thieves waiting to steal your card information

Compare prices and read reviews before renting a car. Be wary of aggressive salespeople who offer unnecessary extras.

Price Comparison: Ensure you get the best deal by comparing prices across multiple rental agencies
Read Reviews: Learn about others' experiences and make an informed decision
Aggressive Salespeople: May pressure you to accept unnecessary extras or overpriced services

Choose a licensed guide from a reputable agency or your hotel. Be wary of unsolicited offers for guide services.

Licensed Guide: Has the necessary qualifications and knowledge to provide quality service
Reputable Agency/Hotel: Provides licensed guides with fair pricing and reliable reputation
Unsolicited Offers: May be unlicensed or offer poor service at inflated prices

Book fishing trips through reputable agencies and check reviews. Be cautious of boats that seem overcrowded or poorly maintained.

Reputable Agencies: Provide quality service, well-maintained boats, and fair pricing
Check Reviews: Learn about others' experiences and make an informed decision
Overcrowded/Poorly Maintained Boats: May be unsafe or provide a poor experience

Book camel rides through reputable tour operators or your hotel. Be cautious of camel handlers who offer cheap rides at secluded areas.

Reputable Tour Operators/Hotel: Offer quality service, fair pricing, and reliable reputation
Secluded Areas: May have unregulated or unsafe camels for rides

Buy SIM cards from authorized sellers. Be cautious of street vendors offering discounted or pre-activated cards.

Authorized Sellers: Offer official service and provide a reliable connection
Street Vendors: May offer poor quality cards or pre-activated cards with unwanted charges

Purchase jewelry from reputable stores. Be cautious of street vendors offering cheap or antique jewelry.

Reputable Stores: Offer high-quality, authentic items with a reliable reputation
Street Vendors: May offer poor quality or fake jewelry

Be cautious of invitations to free dinners or parties, as they may be scams. Stick to reputable restaurants for peace of mind.

Reputable Restaurants: Offer high-quality food and service with a reliable reputation
Free Dinners/Parties: May be scams aimed at stealing personal information or overcharging for drinks

Donate to reputable charities. Be cautious of people soliciting donations on the street.

Reputable Charities: Have a proven track record of helping those in need and transparency in their operations
Street Solicitors: May not be a legitimate charity or may misuse donations

Appreciate street performances but avoid giving money. Be cautious of performers who request payment upfront or pressure you to tip excessively.

Avoid Giving Money: Street performers may not need your donations, and tips can encourage unnecessary requests
Upfront Payment/Excessive Tips: May be scams aimed at taking advantage of tourists