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By Jasmine Laws
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The U.S. Department of State has updated its travel advisory for Morocco, advising American tourists "We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel."
The update on April 21 left the advisory largely unchanged, warning that "terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Morocco."
It remains a Level 2 advisory, which means "exorcise increased caution" and are updated at least once a year.
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A State Department spokesperson told Newsweek: "Travel Advisories represent our commitment to protecting the welfare of U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad by providing them clear, timely, and reliable safety and security information."
Newsweek has contacted the Moroccan government via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The updated guidance underscores the potential for attacks that could occur with little or no warning.
The advisory also warns that terrorist groups tend to target "tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, and local government facilities."
Morocco draws millions of visitors annually. In 2023, 331,557 Americans visited Morocco, according to data from the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism.
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What To Know
The April 21 update continues to place the North African nation at a Level 2 risk—"Exercise Increased Caution"—with officials warning that terrorist groups may target tourist hotspots. There are four levels, with the fourth indicating the highest level of risk.
The latest travel advisory had minor edits compared to the previous one, with an additional note shared on the importance of travel insurance.
"We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage," it read.
The notice urges travelers to maintain a high level of vigilance and avoid demonstrations and crowds.
In the security report for Morocco, the U.S. state department listed Casablanca as a high-threat location and Rabat as being a medium-threat location for "crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests." Marrakech also experiences a high level of crime, per the report.
It adds that anyone traveling into remote areas in Morocco should use a licensed and accredited guide and be prepared to check in and out of remote checkpoints by presenting their passport.
While Morocco's Directorate of National Security (DGSN) reported a 10 percent decrease in overall crime in the country in 2023, and a 25 percent decrease in murders, assaults, and deadly injuries, the U.S. state department advised that visitors, especially females, "should make a concerted effort to travel in pairs and avoid walking alone at night."
"Travel in pairs/groups, drink in moderation, maintain control over drinks, and never accept drinks from strangers. Avoid being out alone and during late-night or early morning hours. At night, avoid areas that are poorly lighted or secluded," it added.
In 2018, two Scandinavian tourists were murdered in an attack in the Atlas Mountains. Three men who supported the Islamic State group were convicted of beheading the victims and sentenced to death—the first such penalty in Morocco since 1993.
In February 2025, Moroccan authorities dismantled what they described as an "imminent dangerous terrorist plot" linked to the Islamic State in the Sahel.
According to reporting by the Associated Press, 12 individuals were arrested across multiple cities, including Casablanca and Fez. The suspects, part of a cell dubbed the "Lions of the Caliphate in the Maghreb" according to authorities, allegedly planned to carry out remote bomb attacks.
Levels of Risk Warnings
Advisories are frequently updated by the State Department to ensure they remain relevant. Level 1 and 2 advisories are reviewed every 12 months.
There are four levels of risk warnings associated with the travel advisories:
- Level 1: Exercise normal precautions is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk. Travelers are encouraged to exercise standard precautions. Countries currently at this level include Australia, Japan, Greece, Iceland, South Korea and Canada.
- Level 2: Exercise increased caution indicates heightened safety or security risks. This level often relates to threats such as terrorism or unrest. Countries under a Level 2 advisory include the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Albania, and Brazil.
- Level 3: Reconsider travel is issued when there are serious risks to safety and security. These may stem from high levels of crime, civil unrest, or health issues. Travelers should carefully evaluate the need for travel to these countries, which currently include Colombia, Guatemala, Jamaica, Nigeria, and Egypt.
- Level 4: Do not travel is the highest advisory level. It signals a very high likelihood of life-threatening risks, such as ongoing armed conflict, widespread violence, or severe public health threats. The State Department urges U.S. citizens to avoid travel to countries like Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Russia, and North Korea, as well as certain parts of Pakistan.
What People Are Saying
The State Department spokesperson told Newsweek: "We consider many factors to determine the Travel Advisory level for each country, including crime, terrorist activity, civil unrest, kidnapping or hostage taking, wrongful detention, health risk, natural disaster/weather, and current events. The information used to formulate Travel Advisories is collected from a range of sources, such as crime statistics and other publicly available information, information gathered from U.S. government sources, as well as assessments by our embassies and consulates.
"This analysis is undertaken without regard to bilateral political or economic considerations, putting the interests of U.S. citizens first. We regularly evaluate the facts on the ground and are committed to updating our safety and security messaging accordingly."
The State Department advisory read: "Exercise increased caution in Morocco due to terrorism...Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Morocco. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, and local government facilities."
In its security report, it added: "The most common crimes in Morocco are petty crimes, such as pickpocketing, theft from unoccupied vehicles, robberies, purse snatching, and burglaries. Criminals focus on high-traffic and high-density areas such as tourist sites, markets, medinas, and festivals in major cities. Criminals tend to fixate on people who appear unfamiliar with their surroundings, dress in obviously foreign clothing, or otherwise draw attention to themselves."
What Happens Next
The State Department advises U.S. travelers to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive updates and to prepare contingency plans in case of emergencies. The U.S. Embassy in Rabat continues to provide consular services and stands by to assist American citizens if needed.
Update 4/23/25, 10:32 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from a State Department spokesperson.
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