Top 7 Travel Tips for Morocco

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If you are planning to travel to Morocco soon, there are some things you should know in advance. In this post we tell you the main travel tips for Morocco, essential to take advantage of the visit to the Maghreb country to the fullest.

Let’s get started!

1. BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO MOROCCO

The best time to enjoy Morocco and cities like Marrakech, Casablanca or Tangier is spring (between March and May) and autumn (September to November). These seasons are the coolest and most pleasant of the year.

Summer can be an option if you travel to the coast, but inland it is too hot; with temperatures reaching 55 degrees. In contrast, the winter is especially cold at night, so it is not recommended either.

If you can only travel in the summer months because you don’t have holidays at other times, our advice is to go to areas like Agadir. The main beach destination where you can enjoy beautiful sunsets.

In this article we tell you all about the temperatures in Morocco and what to do in each season.

2. WHAT TO BRING IN THE SUITCASE TO MOROCCO

To prepare the suitcase to travel to Morocco is quite simple and one of the tips for your trip to Morocco. Don’t forget to take in your suitcase the documentation, health insurance and SIM card with Internet:

DOCUMENTATION FOR MOROCCO

Passport and driver’s license in order.

If you are Spanish you do not need a visa to travel to Morocco. It is enough to travel with a passport valid for more than 6 months after the end of the trip. The maximum stay for a tourist is 90 consecutive days during a semester and cannot exceed 180 days in the year.

You also don’t need a visa if you belong to any of these countries:

  • Argentina
  • Chile
  • Mexico
  • Peru
  • Puerto Rico

If you are a national of other countries, I recommend you to consult before planning your trip if you need a tourist visa; in our article Requirements to travel to Morocco

To drive in Morocco you need a international license, either one. The license must be in force, but there is no minimum validity required.

– HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME

Whenever we travel whatever the destination is, a good health insurance is indispensable; believe me this is one of the most important advice for your trip to Morocco. Take out a travel insurance. From sunstroke, dizziness from the weather, food poisoning or drinking tap water. There are many reasons why you should take out insurance and receive ideal care in case of illness. Avoid causing concern to your family and friends and ensure your health there.

Find out about the best medical insurance for Morocco with the best coverage and prices in our article Do you need medical insurance to travel to Morocco?

– Internet

If you are one of those who likes to share your travel experience, as you enjoy it on social networks or who likes to remember the travel tips for Morocco that we have given you in Travelistos; for example: search sites on google maps, confirm hotel reservations, etc. It ensures a good Internet connection even before you travel. Forget about roaming and consider as a last resort the Wifi, alternatives such as data SIM or Pocket Wifi -Wifi portables- can offer you a quality; secure and private connection. Keep in mind that having Internet on your trip will sometimes be as important as your lunch hours.

Find out about all the internet options in the article How to have internet in Morocco

3. HOW TO PAY IN MOROCCO

– CASH

The currency in Morocco is the Moroccan dirham. Another tips for your travel to Morocco is that to get a good exchange rate and not lose much time on arrival change your euros through a service such as Money Exchange. It’s very comfortable and safe, because they bring you the money home and as soon as you land you can pay in local currency.

It is very important that you take cash with you on your trip to Morocco as it is very common that some establishments only have the option of paying in cash (they do not have a dataphone). Know everything about money exchange for your trip to Morocco.

– DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD

It may not be very common to pay by card, but for security reasons and in case of any unforeseen event it is very important to have a card with you and hopefully a credit card.

4. WHERE TO STAY IN MOROCCO

Stay in a riad instead of hotels. In Morocco you can find high quality and original accommodations called Riads. The riad, or “garden” in Arabic, is a type of accommodation that consists of an inner courtyard with rooms around it and some common areas.

In a riad you will find mosaics, plants, fountains and even a swimming pool. Similar to courtyard houses, this accommodation option can save you many euros for its convenient price, as well as contributing to your travel experience due to the different references to Arab and Moroccan culture you will find in them.

Learn all about accommodation in Morocco

5. TYPE OF ELECTRICITY IN MOROCCO

advice-travel-morocco-plugs
Plug in Morocco Source: Files.cablewholesale.com.

In Morocco they use 220V electricity, the frequency is 50 HZ and the S/C plug has two round pins as in Spain. You can use your electrical appliances in Morocco if the voltage in your country is between 220V and 240V.

If the voltage in your country is lower (110V-127V), remember to bring a voltage converter or transformer. Before you buy one, we recommend that you check the label on your electrical appliances and if the specifications say 110 – 240V and 50/60 HZ it means that you can use it in all countries of the world.

6. WHAT TO DO IN MOROCCO

Find out here what activities to do in Morocco

Travel by Ferry: while there are short, comfortable flights to Morocco, the experience of traveling by ferry – and back – can enhance your experience, especially if you live in cities near the Straits of Gibraltar.

Rent a car: rent a car and drive around the country. If you don’t know how to drive, or don’t have much money, you can buy train tickets and see the beautiful Moroccan landscapes from the window.

Hire a guide: take our advice if you are short of time, you can get lost and this may mean you spend a lot of time getting to know something you can do in less time. Even if you spend a little more than going on your own, you must understand that your time is as valuable as your money.

Dribbling: it is a custom and even considered by some as a national sport of the country, so do not feel ashamed to do it, dribble, in the end the merchants will never lose.

Breads, stews and teas: this could be part of your diet on the trip. Besides bread, you can add to your traveler’s diet delicious Moroccan sweets such as Kaab el Ghazal (similar to croissants) or Meskouta (Moroccan sponge cake). And never forget to accompany it with a mint, green tea, with mint or a simple orange juice.

Speaks Spanish, English and French: both the capital, Rabat, and the well-known city of Casablanca are French-speaking cities. In the case of regions like the Rif, Yebala and Tarfaya, Spanish is usually spoken well, these formerly belonged to the Spanish Protectorate in Morocco.

advice-travel-morocco-beach
Taghazout Beach. Fountain: Unsplash.com.

7. HOW TO BEHAVE IN MOROCCO

Avoid the scams: knowing Morocco is not getting rid of scams, always try to walk accompanied, in a group of tourists or if you walk alone, use your common sense and do not walk afraid. If you have doubts, ask and don’t let any stranger try to do you a “favor”.

Don’t be rude: in Moroccan culture, kindness is highly valued, even if it is in basic and short words like “thank you”, “sorry”, “hello” and “goodbye”.

Haggle but not all: although we told you that you can haggle, in some occasions it is not possible; like for example tickets to museums, palaces, transport or restaurants. In conclusion, any already established rate.

Dress appropriately: these places can be mosques and madrasas (schools), religious places that can be intolerant – in some cases – to how one can dress, especially if you are a woman.

Do not drink tap water: it is better to boil it or drink bottled water. Also, try not to eat anything raw washed with water, it is better to eat everything cooked. Tap water in Morocco is not completely drinkable, and if you are not used to drinking it (you should never do so). It can cause serious illnesses, diarrhoea, vomiting and even having to go into hospital.

Be careful with displays of affection: try to be careful with displays of affection. In the Maghreb country some sexual practices are forbidden and you can get into trouble even by criminal means. Especially be careful with homosexual relationships.

Be careful with the pictures and questions you ask: avoid taking pictures and asking questions of anyone. If you are a journalist you may have complications entering the country.

Avoid compulsive shopping: unless you have a big budget, avoid spending your money the first few days on souvenirs, crafts or clothing. Save that for the last day of your trip.

Find more travel tips for Morocco on accommodation, what to do in Morocco, travel insurance, what to pack, internet access, currency exchange and more.

About the author

Herman Rosero

Soy diseñador, me gusta la empatía y entender las necesidades de los demás. En Travelistos te ayudaré a (diseñar) organizar tu viaje, dándote a conocer lugares, actividades, opiniones; que te pueden ser útiles antes, durante y después del viaje.

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