9 Helpful Tips for Traveling to Morocco | EF Go Ahead Tours (2024)

FAQs

9 Helpful Tips for Traveling to Morocco | EF Go Ahead Tours? ›

Take some precautions. Temperatures will be high in the summer months so make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day. Protect your skin with sunscreen, long and loose clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.

Take some precautions. Temperatures will be high in the summer months so make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day. Protect your skin with sunscreen, long and loose clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.

You should definitely plan to spend at least a week in Morocco if you're visiting for the first time. That will allow you to see much of the desert and tour some of its cities, all at a comfortable pace. Ideally, though, you want to aim for anywhere from 10 days to 2 weeks.

The best way to travel to Morocco is by catching a flight. Alternatively, you can catch a ferry from France, Spain or Gibraltar. Read more about getting to Morocco.

If you think you may have sex while you are in Morocco, be aware that AIDS, hepatitis and other sexually transmitted disease do exist. Please take all precautions and make sure to bring your own condoms.

Yes, tourists can wear jeans in Morocco. While flowy pants and dresses tend to be more comfortable due to the heat, don't be afraid to throw in your favorite pair of jeans if desired. I would still recommend wearing a long, flowy top with them.

Depending on what you plan to do, you should probably aim to take around £40-£50 per person per day (£280-£300 per week) in Morocco. You can always head to the ATM if you need more cash for extra activities, plus most places accept credit cards.

Moroccan Dirham

Morocco / Currency

The Moroccan dirham is the official monetary currency of Morocco. It is issued by the Bank Al-Maghrib, the central bank of Morocco. One Moroccan dirham is subdivided into 100 santimat.

Wikipedia

When is the best time to visit Morocco? The best time to visit Morocco is during spring (mid-March to May) or fall (September to October). The weather is warm but pleasant, unlike the cold temperatures and snow of winter, or the scorching heat of summer. The coastal regions can be visited year-round.

How many days can an American stay in Morocco? ›

If you plan to stay in Morocco for more than 90 days, you will need to register with the police and apply for a residence permit, known locally as a Certificat d'Immatriculation.

For domestic flights, we recommend you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure time.

In a group situation, 20–50 dirhams – roughly equivalent to USD 2–5 – per person, per day, for a tour guide is standard, or for a private service, consider a larger daily amount. While it may not be customary to you, tipping is of great significance to the people who take care of you during your travels.

Tipping When Eating Out in Morocco

And in nicer restaurants, a typical tip is between 7-10 percent of the bill. NOTE: Your tip should always be paid in cash and left on the table. Don't simply add it to your bill when paying with your bank card.

Over-the-Counter Remedies

Nearly all medicines, including antibiotics and painkillers, are available over the counter at Moroccan pharmacies. Aspirin is sold as Aspro; ibuprofen is sold as Analgyl, Algantyl, or Tabalon. Acetaminophen, the generic equivalent of Tylenol, is sold as Doliprane and is widely available.

Medicines & First Aid

Recommended items to take for any trip to Morocco are: paracetamol, ibuprofen, imodium, sun cream, lip balm, after-sun cream, mosquito repellant, sunglasses. A traveller's First Aid kit is always good to have on board in case of any injury.

Carrying ID

It is in theory obligatory in Morocco to carry official ID at all times. In practice, a photocopy of the important pages of your passport will do, so long as the real thing is in your hotel in the same town. When travelling between towns, you should always have your passport on you.

For Morocco there are two associated plug types, types C and E. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type E is the plug which has two round pins and a hole for the socket's male earthing pin. Morocco operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Moroccan toilets almost always do not contain toilet paper and it is a necessity to carry toilet paper and/or hygiene wipes if you will be away from the hotel for an extended period of time. We recommend bringing travelers' gel for cleaning hands before eating.

Can you wear shorts in Morocco? Yes, there is no problem with wearing shorts in Morocco. You will see this just about everywhere. However, in rural Morocco, you might want to stick with longer shorts, capri length or full length pants.

Are leggings OK in Morocco? ›

The answer to both of these things is yes, you can wear both leggings and skinny jeans in Morocco. However, they are not the best things to wear in Morocco. If you wear leggings or skinny jeans in Morocco, you should absolutely plan on wearing a long top that covers your butt entirely. This applies equally to men, too.

Cultural Guidelines: Moroccan men do dress a little sharper than Westerners tend to. T-shirts are fine, but you might feel as if you fit in a little better if you are wearing a polo or a button up shirt.

Do you have to cover up in Morocco? Legally speaking, no, but for “respect' and your own personal comfort, I would suggest covering up when you're walking around in public in Morocco. You don't need to wear a hijab as a female or anything, but making sure your arms, legs and curves are covered is a good idea.

That said, upon entering the Moroccan territory, tourists have to declare any sum in excess of an equivalent of 100,000 MAD in order to be able to re-export it in part or in full upon exiting the country. Importing dirhams is tolerated within the limit of an amount of MAD 2,000.

In some tourist places you can pay for hotels, restaurants, and activities in USD, EUR, or GBP, but only banknotes are accepted. Although, you'll always get a better deal paying in the local currency. In addition, you can get MAD from ATMs using your debit card. Withdrawing cash on a credit card is less favorable.

There is no limit on the amount of foreign cash you can bring in to the country. You won't be able to change Scottish or Northern Irish bank notes and it's very difficult to exchange travellers' cheques. The Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is non-convertible.

Morocco is still a cash-based economy. Euros, USD, and CAD – not Australian dollars, are always accepted in Morocco and you will save time bringing cash to convert, doing away with bank lineups or non-active cash machines to acquire dirhams.

U.S. dollars are not accepted. One dirham is divided into 100 santimat. A dirham is equivalent to approximately 10-12 U.S. cents, making the exchange rate roughly 8 to 10 to the U.S. dollar.

On average, July and August are the warmest months. Marrakech has a dry season in June, July and August. January is the coldest month of the year.

Do I need a visa for Morocco? ›

Passports and Visas:

You must have a valid passport with at least one blank page. Visas are not required for visits lasting less than 90 days. Visit the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco website for the most current visa information.

At night, temperatures fall dramatically—and in winter they can be freezing. The best time to book a desert tour is during the spring and fall months when the weather is neither too hot nor too cold.

Type of visa required: US citizens are visa-exempt however US green card holders from non-exempt countries require a Morocco visa. Morocco visa cost: Single entry USD23 and multiple entry USD34. Morocco visa processing time: 10 business days.

A visa is not required for this destination for a stay of up to 90 days. Please keep in mind that while a visa is not required, you must: Hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond your date of country exit and with one blank visa page.

Hitchhiking and camping are also very common and quite popular in Morocco so it's possible to cut your transportation and accommodation budget massively. Morocco can be super cheap but if luxury travel is more your thing, the country also offers the most luxurious and lavish lifestyle money can afford.

Are COVID-19 tests required to travel to Morocco? There is no requirement for test results or vaccination certificate when arriving to Morocco.

A state of health emergency has been in place in Morocco since 20 March 2020. On 30 September 2022, Morocco lifted the obligation to present a vaccine pass or a PCR test to enter Morocco.

The easy answer is no; you do not need to cover your hair. That being said, there are some religious sites that may ask you to do so. Often they will have scarves for you to borrow, but I suggest bringing your own and carrying it in your purse or backpack just in case.

You can wear dresses and skirts, however, the minimal length would be just above the knee and loose. Depending on the top of the dress, if it shows too much cleavage, you can cover your shoulders with a card to look more decent.

Can you wear ripped jeans in Morocco? ›

However, and especially in rural areas, pair leggings with a longer tunic length top that covers your butt. What is this? Yes, you also can wear ripped jeans. If you have jeans that are ripped in more non-discreet places they might not be the best choice.

Moroccans will say “salaam alykum” (hello) to everyone, even in large gatherings and they'll ask about your health and the wellbeing of your family and children.

You can use credit and debit card in in towns and tourist areas in Morocco. Visa and Mastercard are most widely accepted. If you usually use an Amex card, you'll need to take an alternative card or carry enough cash for your trip, as you may not be able to find an ATM to withdraw cash easily.

Moroccan Food Etiquette: How to Eat Without Offending Hosts

When eating with your hands, eat with your right hand only. When eating with your hands, use just your thumb and first two fingers (using your entire hand is a symbol of gluttony). Only use your left hand to pick up bread or to pass dishes to other people.

In the major cities in Morocco, the tap water is chlorinated and will usually cause no harm, but it's still wise to either purify this water yourself or choose another water source, as your body may react to unfamiliar bacteria in the water, causing sickness or diarrhea.

Start haggling at one quarter of the price displayed, and never pay more than a third of the given price. For instance, if an item shows as 1000 dh, start with 250 dh and do not pay more than about 333 dh. This should also work when discussing prices verbally.

Summer in Morocco (June to August)

If you can stand the heat, visiting major cities in the country's interior shouldn't be off-limits, but you'll want to add visits to the coast and/or excursions in the Atlas or Rif mountains to your itinerary.

When to beat the heat. Morocco can get mighty hot in the summer, with temps often topping 104°F (40°C). Avoiding July and August is a good idea for those uncomfortable with the heat. The best time to visit if you like warm – but not too warm – weather is autumn or spring.

Either for its deliciously warm weather, stunning natural landscapes, great cuisine, and tourist-friendly cities and culture, Morocco remains a mainstay in global tourism. Morocco remains a major travel destination for its stunning landscapes, rich culture, great weather, and vibrant tourist sector among other reasons.

How much do you tip a private tour guide in Morocco? ›

In a group situation, 20–50 dirhams – roughly equivalent to USD 2–5 – per person, per day, for a tour guide is standard, or for a private service, consider a larger daily amount. While it may not be customary to you, tipping is of great significance to the people who take care of you during your travels.

Morocco's a year-round destination, but the best time to visit is generally during the autumn (September-November) or early spring (March-April). The weather is warm, but you'll avoid the scorching heat and cold nights. Whatever time of year you visit, there's always something special about Morocco.

Temperatures can soar over 45 degrees Celsius and there is no tent provided with A/C ( as of 2023, there is). Max says: 'Southern Morocco and the desert is ideal from September to June (10 months of the year) and should not be missed.

July and August in Marrakech are the hottest summer months, with the temperature averaging at highs of 37 °C. June through to August in Marrakesh sees minimal rainfall. August is the driest month with an average of only 2 mm rainfall throughout the month. The humidity in Marrakech is at its lowest in July at 44 %.

For the highest temperatures the best time to visit Morocco is between June and August although the sub tropical climate offers sunshine throughout the year and winter months are equally popular with visitors. The hottest month of the year is August with an average daily maximum of 31 C and an average low of 20 C.

Casablanca is a more modern, business-oriented location. It still holds an enormous amount of history and interest, but combines that with bustling streets and a title of Morocco's business capital. Marrakech is a more popular tourist spot, combining phenomenal scenery and architecture with a remarkable history.

One of the most popular things that Morocco is famous for is the cuisine. There are delicious cooked vegetable salads and side dishes, scrumptious soups, tantalizing tajines (stews of meat, vegetables, and fruit), the best couscous you have ever had, and tasty bread used to scoop up each mouth-watering bite.

Morocco is Known for its uniquely rich culture centered on religion and tradition and abundance of beaches, mountains, ranges, and deserts, which makes it popular as “The Arab West.” What is this? Morocco though a country in the western region of North Africa, is centered on the Islamic tradition.

Morocco is home to the world's largest desert known as the Sahara desert! In Africa, Morocco is the 25th largest country with a population of almost 34 million. Since its foundation by Idris I back in 788AD, the country has been under the rule of a series of independent dynasties.

In some tourist places you can pay for hotels, restaurants, and activities in USD, EUR, or GBP, but only banknotes are accepted. Although, you'll always get a better deal paying in the local currency. In addition, you can get MAD from ATMs using your debit card. Withdrawing cash on a credit card is less favorable.

Can I tip in U.S. dollars in Morocco? ›

U.S. dollars are not accepted. One dirham is divided into 100 santimat. A dirham is equivalent to approximately 10-12 U.S. cents, making the exchange rate roughly 8 to 10 to the U.S. dollar.