Need to Know Before Traveling to Morocco

So you're planning your Morocco travel! As they say in Arabic, Mabruk! (Congratulations). Now what? Well, before you get on the plane, there are some things you probably want to know.

Morocco, Morrocco, Morroco? Which is correct?

In English, we spell the word: Morocco. But in Arabic, there are no vowels, so it's really anybody's guess. If you can pronounce it, that's more important than if you can spell it correctly. Let's go to Morocco for Morocco Tours and Camel Trekking tours.

Do I need any vaccinations before I go?

While this is always a personal choice, the answer about mandatory vaccines in Morocco is NO. For many people, they prefer to err on the side of safety (and the CDC recommendations), and get inoculated against such fun things as rabies and hepatitis (A & B both!), but we've had folks in-country before and no one has had trouble with health issues.

What's the local currency? Do they take credit cards?

The Moroccan Dirham (DEE-rahm). It's been worth between 11¢ and 13¢ since about 2010, so it's a good bet's about 12¢ per Dirham.

Relatively speaking, the rate of the Dirham is good, and it's steady, so there shouldn't be a lot of surprises. Granted you can pay western prices if you go looking for them, but for the most part, Morocco is a great travel bargain.

Remember that you will get money out of an ATM in dirham, and that you will often be charged a foreign transaction fee of about 3 percent by your bank, whether you get cash out or use a credit card. This dirty little secret can add up, so make sure you budget for it. Note that some credit cards have no foreign transaction fees. Also, if you want your debit/credit cards to work in Morocco, or any foreign country, call your bank before you leave! Many times, we have had guests calling back to their home country because their transactions were declined. It's a fraud concern for the banks, so they are all pretty careful. Most larger places will take credit cards; the souks (open-air markets) and smaller shops will probably still want cash, and especially if you want to bargain for something, cash is still king!

What language do they speak?

The Moroccans speak a fascinating mixture of Arabic, Berber, English and French - a patois for which we have perhaps only Creole in the US as a comparison. In a single sentence, you are likely to hear several languages, as in, "Mabruk! Welcome, haltu redu café e thé?"

While English will likely be understood by many in the larger cities, you may have language trouble in smaller or rural areas. In this case, Arabic and French are probably equal fallbacks for the intrepid traveler. Of course, if your Arabic was learned somewhere else (like Egypt) prepare for some polite snickers!

What customs could get me in trouble if I don't follow them?

There are probably two big things you should be concerned about here. One is the idea of using your left hand to do anything socially important, like eat or shake hands. Muslims, Moroccans among them, feel that it's unclean. Especially in public, be aware of this important cultural distinction.

The other thing is that women often dress modestly in Moroccan culture, and the Western tendency to want to run around in tank tops and short when it's hot (it's usually hot!) is outside their custom. While you can do it, I always like to err on the side of consideration of local tastes, even when it's inconvenient. So airy, flowy things that don't constrict but still cover the female form would be appropriate, as well as one-piece bathing suits. It also depends on where you are, with smaller places in the countryside being more conservative than big cities where they're more used to seeing a variety of people in variety of clothes. You can always buy clothing locally, which will also give you some fun souvenirs!

Do they drink/do drugs/party?

Moroccans, though most are devout Muslims, seem to do all of the above. Hashish is quite common in Morocco tours, and it's easy to get alcohol at many bars despite the Muslim stricture against it. In bigger cities, like Casablanca or Marrakech, you can find bars and nightclubs where they like to party until the wee hours.

There is also a sacred musical form of party called an Aissawa, which is basically a Sufi rave. Sufism, an ancient mystical branch of Islam focused on elevating the spirit, is still practiced throughout the world. The famous poet Rumi was a Sufi, and many Westerners have come to know Sufism through Rumi's writing. Camel Trekking tours can make your journey happy. Spinning and dancing is one of the most common practices at the Aissawa, with the desired effect to create an altered state of the mind. It's a great opportunity to get out of your comfort zone if you get the chance to participate.

Should I buy travel insurance?

These days, with things going haywire with world weather, it's probably a good idea. But remember you probably don't need a million dollar evacuation clause; you can probably see a local doctor in Morocco for whatever ails you locally, at a fraction of the cost of what it would be in the States. Almost all hotels these days have a doctor on call; just remember that the in-room visit may be a little pricy. But think of the travel story you will have! Medical insurance will often reimburse you, but note that if you are really concerned, get a policy that covers medical issues fully so that they will send a nurse. Note that the travel insurance you buy for a few dollars with your plane ticket may not cover you fully for your trip, especially if you're not on a tour. So read the fine print -- you have a short cancellation period once you purchase the insurance.