Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best period to travel in Morocco ?
The ideal times for a Moroccan journey are Spring, March, June and Autumn/ early Summer, September/early December. Avoid midsummer, July/ August unless you enjoy 40*C daytime. Winter is cold in Morocco, however it is a wondrous travel time especially in and around the Alps.
Two busy periods are the Christian Easter period and Christmas holiday period.
Is morocco a Safe country ?
The tourism industry is very important to Morocco. Accordingly, the Moroccan authorities actively promote tourist safety. There are tourist police offices in every major city. Nevertheless, you should check government travel alerts and warnings before departing to Morocco.
Do i need a travel insurance for my Moroccan trip ?
It is mandatory to have complete and current Travel Insurance which must include full medical cover.Morocco Journey Planner is unable to accept a booking unless there is, in writing, a statement of complete and current travel Insurance. We cannot recommend any Insurer, it is the traveler’s responsibility to undertake that task.
Should I exchange money before arriving in Morocco?
It is not easy to get Moroccan Dirham outside the country as it is a closed currency. Those who succeeded have paid heavy commissions for banks. There are ATMs everywhere in the country, exchange points, banks, and many businesses/shops/restaurants nowadays accept cards mostly with a 5% transaction fee. Currency exchange for USA dollars or Euros is available at the major airports OR ask your guide. Travelers’ cheques are not recommended in Morocco.USA dollars and Euros are readily accepted in Morocco.
Climate
The predominating climate in Morocco is the Mediterranean one, temperate in the West and in the North because of the Atlantic Ocean. Inland, the climate is rather continental with significant temperature differences. the area of the Atlas is damp, snow cover is frequent there. The South has a desert climate The temperature can reach 40*C to 45*C, occasionally.
The language
Arabic and Tamazight (Berber language) are the country’s official languages. French is relatively widely spoken in business and in tourist areas, Outside of hotels, restaurants and shops catering for tourists, English is not widely spoken but is increasing in the larger cities.
Religion
Islam is the official religion in Morocco and peacefully co-exists alongside other religions. Each day is marked by five calls to prayer and the muezzins announce prayer times from the minarets on top of the mosques. Mosques in general are closed to non-Muslims however the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is open to non-Muslims if they pay to join a walking tour.
Dress code
You can relax and wear whatever is familiar and comfortable on the street. Morocco is very tolerant and welcoming to visitors, you are not expected to act or look like a Moroccan. Longer shorts and shirts are fine for men. For women, it is a good idea to bring a scarf to cover bare shoulders and arms in rural villages.
Electricity
The electricity throughout Morocco is 220V .You will need the European style adaptor that has a rounded cylinder with two-cylindrical prongs
What is the Essential packing to bring with us?
- Passport : 6 month expiry date
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Cash (euro, USD and other major currency notes, debit or credit card. Australian dollars and travellers cheques are not accepted
- Driving licence (not required unless you plan to rent a car)
- Alarm clock to wake up (or use your phone)
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Travel adaptor – 3 into 2 prongs
- Medicines e.g. eye drops (air is dry), painkillers, plasters, Imodium, motion sickness pills and bug spray just in case
- Cosmetics to include sunscreen and lip balm
- Bum-bag for valuables
- Small denomination notes and coins for tips along the way
Food & water
Moroccan cuisine is delicious and intrinsically healthy, based on salads, vegetables, fresh and dried fruits, herbs, meat, fish, nuts and honey. Spices add a vibrancy and fragrance to everyday ingredients and even Moroccan cooking methods are nutritious – tajines, in which ingredients are slow-cooked in a conically shaped pot, retain the food’s goodness.
Moroccan tea, which is not to be missed, is a type of green tea often blended with fresh mint and always with a lot of sugar. Morocco produces excellent red wine which tourists can freely purchase from liquor stores in larger cities and towns. Larger hotels and tourist restaurants generally serve alcohol.
Internet & Mobile Telephone
All of the major Moroccan telecommunication carriers offer pre-paid SIM cards you can load with pre-paid credit for mobile telephone/data access.
Most Moroccan hotels, riads and kasbahs offer wifi internet access for guests, but signal strengths and download speeds can vary.
Health Care & Hygiene
We recommend you only eat freshly cooked food ,always drink bottled mineral water. That said, you can eat salads in good restaurants and riads where the food is freshly prepared – use your intuition and taste your food i.e. if it does not taste right don’t swallow it; ensure eggs and meat are cooked through and not runny/raw. Remembering to wash your hands before eating can go a long way to keeping you healthy.
Taking photos
Photographing landscapes or crowds in general poses no problem. If you want to photograph people (e.g. portraits), you are advised to ask permission first ; sometimes you will be given the go-ahead, sometimes you will be asked for money in return and sometimes the answer will be no. Taking photographs of people can be very sensitive, so please be aware to act with caution and respect!
Shopping
A great experience and one not to be missed, is a visit to the souk (market) where the merchants will do their utmost to catch your eye with cries of ‘Just Looking’ or an offer of mint tea. When buying a large item like a carpet, take your time and be aware of the cost in your own currency.
Your driver guide will show you the best places where to buy souvenirs.
Tipping
Although Morocco has a tipping culture and Moroccans tip each other, tips are at your discretion. Tipping is part of Moroccan culture and the norm is to tip for acceptable service received from all service provides, for example, drivers, local guides, hotel porters, café waiters, restaurant waiters, taxi drivers and toilet attendants.
Do i need a tourist visa to enter to morocco
If you hold a passport from the following countries, USA, Canada, Australia/New Zealand, Europe, malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong, NO VISA required. If in doubt, please contact your home country Embassy for advice. although for some countries (i.e. Australia) your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond your intended stay. But the rules change all the time so it is best to check in any case before you travel.
Ramadan
In Ramadan, people abstain from food, drink and intimate relationships from sunrise to sunset. Officially, the first day of the fasting month would start according to moon sighting.
Many local cafés and restaurants remain closed during the day. However tourists are not expected to fast and there are cafés and restaurants that stay open to cater for non-Muslims.
During Ramadan you are encouraged to show your respect by not walking around in public eating, chewing gum, smoking or drinking ; it is ok to do so in your hotel, in a cafe/restaurant that stays open and in your vehicle.
During the month you will find that tourist sites often close early to allow staff to return home in time to break their fast. Shops often open late and close early, hotel staff may disappear for around 30 mins at sunset and your driver/guide will need time to break their fast if you are travelling at sunset.
Drivers & Tour Guides
Guides in Morocco carry badges from the Ministry of Tourism that allow them to do this job after completing the training course. Drivers hold a professional driver’s card besides the driving license, they are not allowed to act as guides, our drivers are selected for their knowledge of foreign languages, Morocco and off course driving skills, so all of them speak at least English and French besides Arabic and Berber. When you book a tour, an English-speaking driver accompanies you while we hire local guides for the medinas guided tours in Marrakech & Fes.