How to best travel in Morocco: what you need to know
Visiting Morocco is an adventure and as any other place, the better always to be prepared. Currency to customs, transport to tipping–everything you need to know to get you on track and make your journey, sojourn and easy and enjoyable are right here on this page.
It is your first visit or your fifth to the place, here is what you should know before you go there.
Currency & Money
Currency Moroccan is the dirham (MAD). ATM facilities are available in the cities and the large towns but it is easy to get cash. Hotels, restaurants, and shops accept widely credit cards but never go without cash in small purchases and when in the countryside.
It is better to get exchange rates at the official exchange offices than airports. An option to download a currency converter application to check prices as you go is also helpful.
Connectivity SIM Cards
Most accommodations tend to offer Wi-Fi, including cafes as well as some taxis are free. To have proper internet when you go walking, it is cheap and simple purchase to get a local SIM card (there are Maroc Telecom, Orange or Inwi). You can just bring your passport to any shop or kiosk.
Transportation Tips
Morocco boasts of diverse mode of transport:
Trains are modern and convenient-perfect when covering a long distance such as Casablanca to Fes.
Other buses such as CTM or Supratours are comfortable with links reaching to even the distant areas.
Taxi: Petit taxi is used in cities (make sure to ask the meter), whereas grand taxi moves between towns. Bidding or requesting the fee prior to the beginning.
Within the medinas, you should be ready to do some walking because cars are unable to reach numerous tiny pathways.
Cultural Etiquette
Hospitality is characteristic of these Moroccans. Always say salam Alaikum (peace be upon you) to the people, cover up well (particularly in the countryside), and also exchange every pair of shoes in case of anybody entering his house.
Eating or smoking in the streets during the day in Ramadan can be considered to be disrespectful, although tourist do tend to be excused.
Health & Safety
Taps water is safe. Hat, sunscreen and a hand sanitizer are a must especially when in the south or the desert. There is no special vaccination that is necessary, yet traveling insurance is always quite a clever idea.
Last Tip: Travel Openly
Morocco is a contrasting country- the centre of modern cities, old villages, mountains, desert and the sea. It will be a different experience to every traveler. At some point, you have to keep your mind open, your interest peaked, and your camera ready.
The Kasbahs is your guide: we will take you along all the way.