You need a passport (valid at least another 6 months), but most people don’t need a visa. 

Arab and Berber are the two official languages. But most people also speak French and Spanish. But most people that you will meet as a tourist will also talk English.

Basic words you can use:

In Arabic:

Hello: Salam (Salaam)

Goodbye: Maa Asalama (Ma-a-sa-la-mah)

Thank you: Chokran (Shoo-kran)

In Berber:

Hello: Azul (A-zuul)

Goodbye: Lah ihnik (Lehh hinniek)

Thank you; Tanmirt or Saha (Tanmirt or Sah-ha).

MMR, DTP, HEP A and a Typhoid vaccination are highly recommended ( if you didn't had those as a child).

If you stay longer than 3 months it is advised to get HEP B and Rabies vaccination.

Drink bottled water and watch out with fresh orange juice in the medina. We hear that some tourist got sick after drinking this. We do think it is safe to drink the fresh orange juice in the hotel. We recommend you eat in busy tourist restaurants  because the food is often fresh. If you like to try more local food of restaurants where locals eat; make sure it is a busy restaurant.

Morocco is a Muslim country.  It is best if both genders should try to dress modest. Women don’t have to wear a scarf or cover their hair, but it is would be nice if you can wear skirts/ shorts to the knee, wear t- shirts or tops without too much cleavage.

In Morocco they pay with Dirham, which you can get from most ATM machines.

These machine have a maximum of 2000 dirham per time.

The money traders ask high provisions. It’s better to go to the bank or ATM.

Some hotels/restaurants and  leather or carpet stores accept Euro’s too.

• Drink bottled water and watch out with fresh orange juice in the medina. We hear that some tourist got sick from drinking this. We do think it is safe to drink the fresh orange juice in the hotel. We recommend you eat in busy tourist restaurants  because the food is often  fresh. If you like to try more local food of restaurants where locals eat; make sure it is a busy restaurant.

The Moroccan kitchen is very tasteful. They use a lot of spices, like cumin, coriander and cinnamon. In a restaurant you often will start with a salad made out of cucumber and paprika, followed by a main dish and a dessert. This dessert is often fresh fruit, like orange with some cinnamon (a lovely combination).

They eat bread (which is white, wholemeal is hard to find) and in hotels they serve pancakes for breakfast. Cheese lovers: we are sad to say Morocco has no cheese culture. If you want Dutch or French cheese: you can find this in some bigger supermarkets. They do love soft processed cheeses like La Vache Qui rit.

Popular dishes: Harira (soup), tangine, couscous, kofta kebab and berber pizza.

Popular drink: Mint tea (with lots of sugar).

Most people dont’t drink alcohol. But you can buy alcohol at big supermarkets, most hotels and in some restaurants.

During Ramadan most Moroccans don’t eat and drink until the sun goes down. They'll wait until the Mosque calls for Iftar (the first meal of the day during Ramadan). The last meal is in the middle of the night.

As a tourist you can eat and drink if you want. You also will be able to buy food and eat in restaurants. But stores and restaurants may have different opening hours.

Some dread it, some love it. But buying something in the souk means you have to haggle. Only haggle on things that are not food, most of the time the food is not overpriced.  How to haggle: the best way to do this is ask a price . Only do this when you are really interested.

If you want to buy something let the sales person do an opening offer. Offer half of this price and go from there. It often takes some time to get the deal you are both happy with. You can do the “I am walking away” trick. But salesmen are used tot his trick. It can make or break the deal. If you have an idea what you want to buy; ask our guides what a “normal” price is so you have a guideline to work with. And keep in mind that there is no such thing as “ the right price, it all depends on the day, the haggle, if business is slow etc.

Tipping: tip if you think the service was good. 10-30 Dirham for restaurants and tourguides per day. Or 10% of the Bill. Traveling by taxi; agree on the price on forehand. If the drivers drive per meter: round up the price they ask.

Tip: read our blog about this subject.

Moroccan people greet tourist by shaking the hand. Women should offer their hand first. Moroccan people always greet their friends, relatives and people they know. They shake hands, hug or kiss each other. Kissing (on the cheek) and hugging people of the other gender is (outside from family relatives) not usual. Locals from the same gender do often walk hand in hand. That is considere normal for Moroccan people.

Moroccan people are very generous people. It is not uncommon they will invite you for tea or dinner.

They drink mint tea (with a lot of sugar) and eat together. When they invite you, or you eat with a nomad family in a tour you will see that they eat from 1 plate. You will sit closely so everyone can reach the plate. Most of the time you will sit on carpet or on a low couch. When you eat from 1 plate it is also usual you eat with your hands. The dish often comes with bread that serves likes a spoon. Try to wash your hands before you eat and eat mostly with your right hand. Harira (soup) will be served in a bowl without a spoon. They drink this from the bowl. You can ask your host for cutlery. They would not mind.  In restaurants they will provide you with cutlery and your own plate.

In general Morocco is a safe country to travel.  Morocco receives thousands of visitors a year. Moroccan people are helpful and friendly and have a good sense of humor. In most cities they speak English, French or Spanish so there is always someone who will understand when you need help. Even though it’s a stabile country and the people are very tolerant towards tourist it is also a conservative country. The conservative nature of the local culture does mean that traditional customs should be respected in public in order to avoid less desirable situations. This means that you should dress modest, don't talk to much about politics, don't go into a mosque if you are not a muslim etc,  Mostly just use your travel common sense.  Then there is no need to be afraid of traveling to Morocco,  just keep calm, look confident and smile. The guides of Morocco Round Trips all have positive attitudes and will help you to make your stay in Morocco one you will remember for all the right reasons.

The roads in Morocco are getting better. The cities are often busy and if you would like to drive yourself then keep in mind that not all people took driving lessons here.

The police control the roads when you enter or exit a city. They will decide which car they pull over to check. Just pass them slowly and they will let you know. Make sure everyone is wearing the seatbelt and give them your licence and your car documents.

Our drivers are well trained, they know the roads  by hart : are used to the traffic, road rules and police checks. When you book a tour with Morocco Round Trips you can sit back and relax.

Keep in mind that our roads are winding in the mountains, gorges and valleys.  If you are car sick: please prevent this by taking some medication. 

It is not very polite to take pictures of people without asking. Women often don’t want you to take a picture.

The voltage is the same as in Continental Europe: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.The plugs are the same too.

Morocco is on London time. Morocco has winter and summer time. These dates are different every year. During Ramadan the clock can change too. Pay attention in the airplane or ask your guide what time it is so you can adjust your watch and/or phone.