Some Useful Things To Know

EASE OF TRAVEL

Morocco is accessible to most travelers. Citizens of the U.S., Canada, China, Japan, and many European nations do not need a visa to visit. Additionally, Morocco is easily accessible by direct flight from nearly every major European city. In North America, direct flights are available from New York, Miami, Washington D.C., and Montreal. 

LANGUAGE

Arabic is the official language of Morocco, however, the Moroccan dialect (Darija) differs from modern standard Arabic. French is also widely spoken, and many signs and menus can be found in both French and Arabic. Further south, there are more Berber tribal dialects, and you may see signs in Arabic and Berber. The residents of the southern regions are exposed to many different languages through tourism, and most hotels and restaurants will have staff that speak and understand enough English to conduct business. The guides often speak five or six languages!

RELIGION

Morocco is a Muslim country, but the religion is not mandatory. However, it is still a good idea to consider which religious holidays might occur during your travel. Please keep in mind that the dates for the holy month of Ramadan and subsequent festival of Eid changes every year. During this period, most Moroccans will be fasting and abstaining from water from sunrise to sunset, and praying several times a day. This can occasionally lead to locations being closed during the day. It is also considered polite to avoid eating, drinking water or smoking outside during this month.

CLOTHING AND ATTIRE

When it comes to dress, Morocco is a conservative country. While many women in Morocco choose to wear traditional djellabas and hijabs, there are also women who wear contemporary clothing, with or without hijab. In general, visitors should keep their shoulders covered, skirts should be kept around knee length or longer, and clothing should not be excessively tight or low cut overall. This holds especially true as you go further south and into smaller cities, where none of the women wear Western clothing outside the house. If you are in one of the larger cities and heading to a nightclub or discotheque, high heels and revealing attire are more commonly seen.

MONEY MATTERS

The Moroccan dirham is a closed currency, and can only be obtained in Morocco. There are places in every city where you can exchange currency, including large hotels. The exchange rate does fluctuate slightly, but it is generally in the range of 8-9dh to $1US. Credit cards can be used in hotels, as well as large restaurants and shops. In smaller stores, only cash is accepted. Try to ensure you always have some coins, as they come in handy for tipping!

Please Note: the best practice for exchanging USD (or any currency) is to ensure that the bills are of the most recent design and in good condition (not torn, marked or otherwise damaged). Older versions of bills in fair to poor condition may be rejected by the currency exchange office.

Whether it’s someone serving you in a restaurant, carrying your bags in a hotel, or showing you around the city, tipping is expected. For smaller services, 1-20dh is appropriate. Many restrooms have attendants who should be tipped 50cents to 1dh - in some places, it is required for using the facilities! For guides and drivers, 50-100 dh per day per person is recommended. For performers, anywhere from 10-200dh is appropriate. The amount largely depends on the type of performance. If it’s a street performance you just want a snapshot of, we recommend the lower part of the range, while a bigger tip should be given to Gnawa musicians hired for a private party.

SAFETY

When traveling, most people want to know about the overall safety of a location. Morocco is a safe destination, and violent crime is quite rare. The country takes great care to ensure residents’ and tourists’ safety. However, you should still be watchful of petty thieves. Tourists are seen as easy targets for pick pocketing and bag snatching, particularly in crowded, urban settings, with the highest threat being in Marrakech. Simple steps can keep you from being a target: don’t carry open bags, don’t keep your money or valuables in a backpack, and be aware of your surroundings. Traveling in groups can also help deter would-be thieves. In addition, your guide will be with you wherever you are and will keep an eye out on your behalf. In Marrakech, Rabat and Casablanca, like in any other major city in the world, you should be alert and cautious of theft.