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Morocco is one of those types of destinations that can be visited year-round. You have to understand the geography of the country in order to choose the best time to visit Morocco. Taking into account that you have vast desert regions, probably those should not be visited during the peak summer months such as July and August.
Also, knowing that Morocco has most part of its territory with mountains above 10.000 feet and up to 14.000, you will surely encounter snow in highlands above 4200 feet. So, expect snow during the months of November until February. Overall we can say that Morocco is amazing and can be visited from January until December, but the ultimate best times to visit Morocco are during April, May, September, October, and November.
Tourists have been visiting Morocco for years and Moroccans have well-earned reputation for warmth and kindness toward visitors. Moroccan cities are generally very safe, especially in area where tourists frequent. Morocco is very well secured, Police in every location, there is so many checking points, this is what makes Morocco safe and 100% secured to make sure everybody are safe and comfortable in Morocco. Morocco generally has a very low crime rate. Travelers will be safe in Morocco if they take sensible precautions that would apply to any tourist destination around the world.
Travel insurance should be obtained before leaving your country of origin. It is not compulsory to purchase it. Local hospitals have limited diagnostic capability. Private clinics can be expensive, evacuation can cost a lot, luggage can disappear, so insurance is a good idea.
You can relax and wear whatever is familiar, comfortable, and best suited for you during your holidays. Morocco is very tolerant and welcoming to visitors, and you’re not expected to act or look like a Moroccan. Longer shorts and shirts are fine for men. Concerning women, it’s a good idea to bring a scarf to cover bare shoulders and arms in rural areas.
It’s 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. The best place to exchange money with high rate is the touristic areas.
The Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is the currency of Morocco. Made up of 100 centimes per unit, the currency is issued by the Bank Al-Maghrib (Morocco’s central bank). Historically, the Moroccan Dirham originates from the Byzantine Empire’s Drachm, and was used in Arabia and the Levant in pre-Islamic times. The name “Dirham” stems from the Roman word “denarius” .
Credit cards are widely used in Morocco in hotels, many shops, restaurants, and cafes. Most stores in markets accept credit cards. The most common types of credit cards used in Morocco are Visa, Master Card, and American Express.
Visitors to Morocco must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the scheduled return date to enter Morocco and you can obtain a visa from Morocco Consulate before departure. Also, entry visa is available upon arrival Morocco airports against USD 27 per passport for specific nationalities and need to check before.
Some nationalities don’t need a visa to visit Morocco for the purpose of tourism for up to 3 months such as United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, and Switzerland. For more info and details on entry visa to Morocco please check with the Moroccan consulate or embassy at your country
It is always recommended for travelers who wish to have their own supply of cigarettes and alcohol with them in Morocco to purchase them upon arrival.
There are duty free shops in the airports in Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, Fez, Tangier and Rabat. Tourists are allowed to purchase up to 3 liters of alcohol and up to 200 cigarettes on arrival.
English and French are studied in school all over Morocco. This is why most Moroccans, who live in the cities, speak or understand at least some English words or phrases, and most of Moroccans are speaking French well. Fewer Moroccans can speak Italian, Spanish, and German; however, professionals in the tourism sector are accustomed to visitors who cannot speak Arabic. They speak enough English and many other languages to fulfill the needs of most travelers. Many travelers enjoy their stay in Morocco without learning a single word of Arabic; however, it is always good to learn a few Arabic words to expressing greetings or thanks. If you are planning to visit some places other than popular tourist destinations, it is advisable to learn some Arabic phrases. Generally, Moroccans are friendly and are happy to help anyone, especially foreigners and tourists, even if there is a language barrier.
Many people in the tourism sector depend on tips, as a major part of their income. Therefore, tipping is considered customary in Morocco. It is a customary attitude for expressing ones satisfaction of good services rendered to him by staff on duty with him. We advise if you are willing to offer it, this would be great and if not, you are not obliged to do it.
– The same as many hotels all around the globe, the check-in time in most hotels in Morocco is around midday, 1 or 2 PM. If you arrive in the hotel late at night or in the early morning, you may have to pay for an extra night to get to your room immediately without having to wait until the normal check-in time.
Accommodations for travellers in Morocco fall across a broad range—everything from world class luxury to simple hostel accommodations are available. The nicest hotels compare well with luxury hotels anywhere, coming from international hotel chains like Movenpick, Hilton, Four Seasons, and Sofitel. A step down from these is a variety of local hotels that ranges from luxurious to simple. Moroccan hotels have their own rating system that loosely classifies them on a 5-star scale; however, this scale is different from international standards used elsewhere.
Moroccans are well known all over the world for their tolerance and hospitality; however, it is always polite to ask permission before taking a photograph of people, especially women, and stores or products. Photography is non-permitted around army bases, airports, dams and bridges. In most places where photography is prohibited there will be signs to notify you.
Non-Muslims are generally welcome to visit and access Hassan 2 mosques in Casablanca except when they are being used for prayer, on Friday and during the five prayers of the day. Tourists are not allowed to enter any other mosque at any time. Only outside visit is possible.
Most of the monuments, historical sites, and museums in Morocco open from 9 AM until 6 PM. During Ramadan, the holy month of the Islamic calendar, be aware that these hours will change significantly.
Most of the shops in Morocco open from around 9 AM and stay open until 10 PM; however, many shops, cafes, and restaurants especially in main cities like Marrakech, Casablanca, Fez, Agadir, and Rabat stay open much later and some facilities and shops are open 24 hours a day in touristic areas. During Ramadan, the holy month of the Islamic calendar, opening hours may change significantly with shops closed during the middle of the day and staying open much later. Medina Souk in Fez closes Friday Morning.
There is a public transit system in Morocco that uses a rail to link the main towns and buses for inner-city trips. Small private and group tours will typically use large vans and sedans. Medium to large motor coaches is used for larger group holidays.
In order to find out whether the company is legal & accredited, here are a few tips:
In Morocco, tour guides and drivers have distinct and separate roles, and this is actually regulated by the local government. Your private driver will be with you throughout your stay in Morocco and will facilitate your entire trip.
Our private drivers are proud of their country and love to share their knowledge with travelers. They are multi-lingual (English is a must!), out-going, friendly and professional. Drivers are not legally allowed to act as tour guides to accompany you throughout the medinas or within cultural, historical and/or religious sites. The best way to discover these are with an officially licensed tour guide, which we can definitely help to arrange. We usually recommend a driver if the party is only 4 pax and less. Whereas we use local guides for every city tour. However, when the number is 5 pax & more we use a national guide for the whole trip.
Apart from a recommended tip for your private driver, all expenses associated with your private transport are covered. This includes things such as parking, fuel, mileage, tolls and a per diem for the driver.
To secure your booking you have to pay an upfront portion – a deposit. The remaining balance can be paid in cash during pick up day once you meet up with our staff, in the currency, you Favor either MAD, EUR, or USD. We do prefer being paid in Moroccan dirhams – MAD as it is our local currency, but it is up to you to choose. The best exchange offices are in the medina. You also have the option of paying the remaining balance with a credit/debit card, PayPal account a few weeks before. In order to pay with a credit card, we’ll need to generate a link for you to do so. All payments via credit, debit cards, and PayPal are subject to an additional 4% charge as a transaction fee.
You can use this website to check currency rate: www.xe.com.
Morocco Has a unique geography and culture, with some of the best experiences to have on a journey here highlighting Morocco’s timeless cities, spectacular landscapes and amazing locals. Start with visits to: Marrakech, where you will not only experience its vibrant medina and souks (markets), but also a great cuisine with a privately arranged culinary feast with a traditional family cook; and ancient Fez to experience Fez el-Bali, the largest living medieval city and cultural heart of Morocco. Exploring the vast Sahara is a must and favorite experiences here include cresting the vast red dunes on a camel and in a private and expertly driven 4×4, and finishing the day under the stars at A&K’s Private Desert Camp. Our experts also recommend an Atlas Mountain adventure, where you may trek through beautiful scenery, witness daily life in local Berber villages and even soar over the Atlas foothills on a hot-air balloon ride.
When deciding on what to pack for Morocco, choose versatile, casual clothing that can be layered if the weather (or level of air-conditioning) requires. Smart casual attire is appropriate for evenings and formal clothing is not necessary. While there is no strict dress code in Morocco, it is relatively conservative country and appropriate for both sexes to cover their arms, legs and shoulders (women should pack a scarf for this purpose). This is especially true when visiting temples, mosques and other religious sites, which require conservative dress. We also recommend wearing or carrying a pair of socks when sightseeing, since shoes must be removed when visiting certain religious sites. Most importantly, if you enjoy shopping, be sure to leave space in your luggage for Moroccan souvenirs, gifts and keepsakes.
Coming to Morocco during Ramadan will affect your trip. There will be less options for restaurants during lunch, as most restaurants are closed during the day. Alcohol will not be served. Shops will open up later in the day, people sleep later after staying up to break the fast. While tourists are not expected to fast, we ask that you be respectful and be cautious about eating and drinking while walking around on the street. For more about how Ramadan affects your tour, read our post about travel to Morocco during Ramadan.
Please let us know ahead of time of any dietary restrictions. We will work closely with your driver or guide to ensure your diet is respected.
While there are few Moroccan vegetarians, there are definitely vegetarian options available. Your driver or guide can help you in this area.
Breakfasts are typically continental-type with rolls, jam/butter/honey, yogurts, cheese, etc. Salads are mostly made of vegetables but sometimes have tuna or egg. Lunches/dinners: ask for vegetarian tajines (stews) or couscous. There might be veggie soups, but harira typically has some meat in it. One local favorite is an avocado smoothie and can be enhanced with dried fruit and nuts.
If you’re in the south, they serve “Berber pizza” or medfouna, stuffed with onion and almond. Mssemen is also a local favorite and is best described as folded fried dough, which can be eaten salty or sweet, and is sometimes stuffed with caramelized onions.
Moroccan electrical sockets/outlets follow the design of one of the two European standard electrical socket types (two, round prongs): the “Type C Europlug,” “Type E” and “Type F Schuko.” These types of sockets/outlets are also used in Germany, France, and Russia. If your appliance’s plug doesn’t match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in.
Electrical sockets/outlets in Morocco supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you’re plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need.
IMPORTANT: Travel plug adapters do not change the voltage, so the electricity coming through the adapter will still be the same 220-240 volts the socket is supplying. North American sockets supply electricity at between 110 and 120 volts, far lower than in most of the rest of the world. This being the case, North American appliances are generally built for 110-120 volts. That doesn’t mean that your specific appliance isn’t already compatible with the higher voltage or that you won’t be able to use your appliance in Morocco…you will just need to make sure that your appliance will be able to facilitate 220-240 volts and that you have the appropriate adapter plug.
Pack travel documents and any medication you take. We suggest packing comfortable outfits that are ideal for walking around and sightseeing. You will also want to bring one or two nicer outfits for dinners out or at the riad/hotel. Pack comfortable walking shoes and a swimming suit. Winter specific: Bring a good jacket, long underwear, layering clothes, a scarf and warms socks. Summer specific: Bring light clothing, sunglasses and sandals.
