Tips and useful information for your travel in Morocco

Traveling to Morocco

Whether you are a simple tourist, a professional or a businessman, Morocco will no longer have any secrets for you! This section gives you simple and practical information to understand the customs and daily life of Moroccans, have an idea of the cost of living and the currency used, know the essential addresses, transport infrastructure and useful numbers..

Climate and seasons

Morocco is a land of contrasts. Bathed to the north by the waters of the Mediterranean, to the west by those of the Atlantic Ocean, it is also criss-crossed by the Rif and Atlas mountains and is subject to all sorts of climatic influences. 

The coastal regions are popular with the sun. Throughout the year, it pours its rays and you can enjoy its benefits whatever the season. Thus, Agadir, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and main seaside resort of the country, offers to the amateurs of idleness 300 days of annual sunshine, mild temperatures and light trade winds. Further north, Taghazout, Mogador and Magazan are also worth the detour.

A little further inland, the climate abandons the Mediterranean mildness and becomes continental. The reliefs are more drawn and present sumptuous panoramas. It is the land of wide open spaces, the land of adventurers who can go trekking and hiking in all seasons.

In the south, the country opens onto the immensity of the Sahara. It is in spring and autumn that one must venture there. In the middle of the sands, the sun shines and reflects on the dunes. These desert expanses exude a sense of unreality. Ride a camel and engage yourself in one of the most beautiful paintings ever composed by nature.

Formalities

Do I need a visa to enter Morocco? What are the passport requirements? Get some essential information to make traveling easier.

VISA AND PASSPORT

The need for a visa depends on your nationality. For all nationalities, the maximum duration of the tourist trip is 90 days. A request for an extension can be made at the nearest police station to stay an additional 90 days.

For foreign nationals arriving in Morocco as part of an organized trip, a valid passport must cover at least the duration of the stay in Morocco.

To avoid any inconvenience upon arrival in Morocco, make sure you have a valid passport.

MEANS OF PAYMENT
The exchange rate

In airports, in some hotels, in banks, in cities exchange offices are available to facilitate accessibility. The counters will require your passport for the transaction. 

International credit card

Your bank will tell you where you can withdraw your money. ATM bank machines are widespread throughout Morocco. International credit cards Visa or MasterCards are accepted by most hotels,

Language and essential vocabulary

Visiting a country, is also learning a new language.

Morocco has two official languages, Arabic and Amazigh. French is also spoken and understood by almost all Moroccans.

Spanish is widely spoken in the northern and southern regions of Morocco.

The Amazigh language, whose alphabet is Tifinagh, is the common heritage of all Moroccans.

Classical or literary Arabic is only used in administrative contexts. Darija (Moroccan dialect) is the oral language used in Morocco, which is a mixture of Arabic, Amazigh, French and Spanish.

There are certain words in Darija that you need to know in order to communicate with local inhabitants easily. With this vocabulary you’ll no longer be a novice visitor, as you’ll prove that you are making an effort to make the most of your stay.

Here are some expressions and words that will help you throughout your stay in Morocco :

Most common words
ENGLISH Darija
Hello / Good evening Salam / Msa Lkheir
How are you ? Kidayr, Labas ?
Fine, thank you, and you ? Labas hamdollah, o nta ?
Excuse me Smahli
Welcome Marhba
Good bye Beslama
Thank you (very much) Chokran (bezzaf)
Yes / No ah / La
What’s your name ? Chno Smitek
Commerce
ENGLISH Darija
How much is this ? Bch’hal afak?
That’s a good deal Tamane mezyane
That’s less expensive! R’khiss
That’s too expensive! Ghali bezaf
Can you lower the price ? Nkass tamane Afak              
Money Flouss
I like it / I hate it Aâjabni / Maâjabnich
I am browsing Ghir Tanchouf
Directions
ENGLISH Darija
Where is …? / How to go to …?    Fin kayn …? / Kifach namchi li …?
Bank Banka
Station Mahatta
City centre Ouasst lamdina
Hospital Sbitar
Straight on Nichane
Left / Right Lissar / Limane
North / South / East / West Chamal / Janoub / Charq / Gharb
Road Triq
Schedules / Dates and hours
ENGLISH Darija
What time is it ? Ch’hal f saâa
When ? Fouqach?
Yesterday / Today / Tomorrow Lbareh / Lyoum / ghedda
Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday Tnine / Tlat / Larbaâ / Khmiss     
Friday / Saturday / Sunday Joumouâ / Sabt / al Had
Health / Emergency / Safety
english Darija
I need to see a doctor Bghit nchouf Tbib 
Call a doctor / ambulance Âayat l Tbib / lambilance            
Danger Khatar
Help ! Âatkouni
I’m lost Tlaft
Toilets Mirhad
I feel sick Ana mrid

 

Health and well-being

Apart from universal vaccinations (tetanus, polio, whooping cough, diphtheria, hepatitis B), no additional vaccination is required to visit Morocco.

Some vaccines are nevertheless useful for individual protection of the tourist. In case of extended rural stays, it is strongly recommended to be vaccinated against rabies.

In order to avoid any intoxication or illness, it is recommended to :

  • Wash hands before eating
  • Wash and peel fruits and vegetables
  • Make sure that meat is well-cooked
  • Avoid too long exposure to the sun

In case of diarrhea containing mucus, pus, blood or accompanied by a fever, it is strongly recommended to consult a doctor. For simple loose stools, you can use an antibiotic that slows down the intestinal transit. Moroccan pharmacies are often well stocked and doctors are well trained.

In case of a medical emergency, please call the single national toll-free number “141”.

Morocco has all the assets to become a privileged destination for medical tourism. Having a considerable worldclass know-how, the medical staff apply very competitive rates of care which can reach up to 50% compared to other countries.

Morocco’s first “medical city”, called Marrakech Healthcare City, was inaugurated in December 2016.

This medical-hotel complex includes, in addition to a clinic, a 5-star hotel with 40 rooms and a village with 56 apartments with swimming pools and private gardens.

Marrakech Healthcare City covers several specialities such as ophthalmology, neurosurgery, orthopaedics, genetics and maxillofacial surgery, and also has a beauty centre, spa, balneotherapy and hammam to complete the offer.

Can I use my mobile phone and is there Internet access in Morocco?

Mobile phones work in most places in Morocco, but using your home network for calls and texts can cost you a small fortune while roaming. Check with your operator if they offer a special rate for Morocco. You can buy a local SIM card at the airport and in most cities. Connections speeds vary greatly throughout Morocco.

WiFi is generally available in the airports and in most lodging facilities and cafes, but the connection speed varies considerably and may be nonexistent in the desert. WhatsApp is available for text messages and phone calls, but can only be used on WiFi unless you have a local SIM card.

You should consult your airline and/or the authorities in your country for any restrictions on traveling with electronic devices that may apply to you.

Currency in Morocco

The official currency unit of Morocco is the Moroccan dirham (DH) which is abbreviate (MAD).

Tickets : you will find tickets from 20-50-100-200 DH

The coins : The coins in use are 0.50-1-2-5 and 10 DH and 1-5-10-20 centimes.

HOW TO PAY?

In Morocco, like most countries in the world, you can pay by cash or credit card. When paying by credit card, the exchange rate applied is the current rate. The maximum commission depends on each issuing institution, it is generally 1%.

WHERE TO CHANGE CURRENCIES?

In establishments that don’t give the possibility to pay by credit card, it is preferable to pay in dirhams. The best places to change your currency are the exchange offices that are located in the tourist squares of each city in Morocco. You can change your currency at the airport or in hotels as well.

EXCHANGE RATES

You can find out the value of the exchange rate in real time by clicking here.

Time zone and calendar

Morocco is on Greenwich Mean Time. The same time zone as France, and 5 hours ahead of New York most of the year, unless there are changes for daylight savings time.

During the sacred month of Ramadan, Morocco apply GMT and GMT+1 the rest of the year. It is very easy to adapt to this new schedule and you’ll enjoy every moment of your wonderful stay!

Means of communication

PHONE CALLS :

To make calls from your mobile phone number, don’t forget to contract the “International” option with your telephone operator.

The network is generally well covered in Morocco.

It is also possible to buy a Moroccan SIM smart card provided that you have unblocked your mobile phone beforehand. You can also find refills in all kiosks.

INTERNET :

Generally, all hotels in Morocco have a high-speed connection, and many establishments offer free WI-FI connection: restaurants, cafeterias, airports, etc.

How is the weather in Morocco?

Due to a varied geographical relief (sea, mountain, oasis, and desert), Morocco benefits from all climates. December and January are typically the coldest months of the year, and  July and August are the hottest.

Summer temperatures in the desert can be above 120 ° F (49° C) during the day and winter temperatures can be as low as 35 ° F (2° C) at night.

The temperature can vary everywhere by several degrees from sun to shade at all times of the year.

What does shopping in Morocco look like?

Shopping is one of the main attractions of Morocco. The souks are traditional markets where you can buy almost anything, and it’s an exciting experience. Bargaining and price haggling is a typical art form in Morocco.

All you need to have is time to know the value you place on the product you are interested in, and the price you are willing to pay. In these situations, local guides will be of great help to explain how to do it.

Also remember that the price you are willing to pay for a product should be reasonable with respect to the seller.