Morocco: Trip Preparation & Destination Information

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Morocco: Trip Preparation & Destination Information

About Morocco

Overview

Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is located at the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea and is the closest point of contact to Europe for Africa as a continent. Morocco is a land of tolerance, a blend of cultures and religions, and a country known for its hospitality.

 

Capital City: Rabat

Population: 37.1 million (2020 est.)

Currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD)

Time Zone: Western European Time - WET (UTC/GMT +0)

Emergency Number: 111

Outlet: Types B/E

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Packing List

Speak the Language

There are a number of languages in Morocco. The two official languages are Standard Arabic and Standard Moroccan Berber

 

  • Hello  - أهلا  'ahlan
  • Goodbye - وداعا  wadaean
  • Thank you - شكرًا لك  shkran lak
  • Do you speak English? - هل تتكلم اللغة الإنجليزية  hal tatakalam allughat al'iinjilizia
  • I don’t understand - لا أفهم  la 'afham
  • How are you? -كيف حالكم  kayf halukum
  • I’m fine, thank you - أنا بخير شكرا لك  'ana bikhayr shukran lak
  • What’s your name? - ما اسمك؟ ma asmuk?
  • My name is… - اسمي هو asmi hu
  • Where is... - أين هو  'ayn hu
     
    • The bathroom - الحمام  alhamam
    • An ATM - أجهزة الصراف الآلي  'ajhizat alsaraaf alali

 

Google Translate: Download the Google Translate app or click here 

Camel-Morocco

Weather

MARRAKECH WEATHER

Culture Notes

  • In order to respect cultural norms, women should wear loose-fitting clothing and avoid wearing anything revealing. As for men, it is important to bear in mind that it isn’t acceptable to walk around topless.
  • If you’re visiting during Ramadan, you should dress even more conservatively. Also, you won’t be expected to fast, but it is polite to eat, drink and smoke indoors away from the locals who are fasting during this holy month.
  • While you may often see people of the same sex hugging and holding hands in Morocco, this is only a sign of friendship. Public displays of affection between opposite sexes such as kissing are not allowed, while homosexuality is illegal in Morocco.
  • For information on LGBTQ+ travel safety and tips, this LGBTQ+ Morocco Travel Guide has been put together in partnership with EveryQueer to help you stay safe on your trip and enjoy the country to its fullest.
  • If you need to beckon someone, don’t use your index finger to motion a person over, as this is considered very rude in Moroccan culture. Instead, place your palm downward and sweep the hand toward yourself.
  • Morocco has lèse–majesté laws which means it’s illegal to criticize, mock or speak badly about the Moroccan king and the royal family. 
  • Do not expect to get gluten-free or vegan food in remote areas as it is something that is not known by the locals.
  • There is a large culture around tourists and shopping. There will be opportunities to purchase anything from spices to rugs. The local operator only works with shops they've vetted themselves, to ensure fair prices and that goods are shipped safely and on time. That said, it would be good to brush up on bargaining tactics, and remember that the first price is never the final price.

Tipping

Tipping Suggestions: Tips for Guides, drivers and restaurants are not included. Tips provide supplemental income, and, while not mandatory, are greatly appreciated. If the local teams have added to the experience, please reward them.

Guides USD $10-15 per person/per day
Drivers USD $5-10 per person/per day
Restaurants(full service)  10% of total bill (sometimes is automatically added)

 

FAQ

Where can I find information on travel safety? Check out the US Department of State's website for the most up-to-date information on safety while traveling. 

To minimize the risk of pickpocketing it is recommended to be discreet: don’t flash anything of value, keep a firm hand on your camera, and carry shoulder bags slung across your body. Overall it’s a good idea to avoid badly lit areas completely at night and deserted inner-city areas by day.

 

Is the water safe to drink? Tap water should be avoided by travelers. You should also avoid brushing your teeth with tap water when possible. For drinking water, make sure to drink treated water which can be found at all lodging accommodations.

 

Do I need a Visa? For Visa information, click here. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after you return home and has two or more blank pages. Otherwise, some countries may not let you enter.

 

What about vaccines? For vaccination information, click here.

 

Do you recommend travel insurance? While not required, we highly recommend all travelers get travel insurance for their trip to protect themselves from the unknown! Check out travel insurance options from our partner, worldnomads.com or from a provider of your choice.

 

How much should I pack? As we will be using shared transfers and spaces throughout our tour we recommend all travelers pack as lightly as possible. Please review our luggage restrictions below.

 

What does public transportation look like? Morocco has a rail system that connects a lot of the cities in the North. As well as plenty of buses and taxis.

 

Is Uber or Lyft available? No Uber in Morocco. You can take a shared petit taxi or a shared grand taxi.

 

What about Wifi?  Optic Fiber 4G and 5G are available in larger cities but have a weak internet connection when you are in the mountains or in remote areas.

Luggage Restrictions

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