Morocco Travel Guide

Country Profile

The full name of Morocco is the Kingdom of Morocco (Arabic: الملكة المغربية, The Kingdom of Morocco, Le Royaume du Maroc), a coastal Arab Country in northwest Africa. It borders Algeria to the east and southeast, Western Sahara to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and Spain and Portugal across the sea to the north. The capital is Rabat, with a land area of 459000 square kilometers (excluding Western Sahara, which is 266000 square kilometers). The Country is divided into 12 regions (including Western Sahara) and has a population of 36.67 million people (as of 2022), with Arabs accounting for about 80% and Berbers People account for about 20%.

Morocco is a member of major International Organizations such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, as well as important regional organizations such as the Arab League, African Union, and Maghreb Union.

Travel Season

Morocco is a diverse country that can meet the various needs of travelers, with romantic and pure "white" Casablanca, vibrant and enthusiastic "red" Marrakesh, serene and lazy "blue" Shefshavan, and charming "colorful" Fez..., Traveling in Morocco is like stepping into a kaleidoscope, with every frame rich and tempting. Generally speaking, the best time to visit Morocco is in the country's Spring (mid of March to May) and Autumn (September to November). In these few months, the climate is neither too hot nor too cold.

If you plan to travel to the Sahara Desert, the most comfortable time is in autumn or early spring. In this way, you can avoid dry terrain and hot temperatures in summer (June to August) (with an average temperature often exceeding 40 degrees Celsius), as well as cold nights in winter. At any time of the year, the temperature drops after dark, so it's best to bring a warm jacket whenever you plan to travel.

Weather

Spring: From mid March to May, the average temperature ranges from 15°C to 35°C, which is a good time for tourism throughout the year.

Summer: June to August is the hottest month of the year in Morocco, with daytime temperatures reaching around 40 ° C. Therefore, it is best to explore and sightsee in the morning and evening.

Autumn: September to early November is also one of the best months to visit Morocco, as the temperature is cool and comfortable, making it more suitable for outdoor sightseeing.

Winter: From mid to late November to February, this period is the coldest month of the year in Morocco, especially at night. It is recommended to prepare warm clothing.

Visa

Morocco is Visa Free for many countries. All EU countries, the United States, Canada, Chinese Mainland, Macao of China and Hong Kong of China citizens can enter Morocco visa free with passports, and the maximum stay time is not more than 90 days. However, when leaving the country, airlines and customs usually require proof of round-trip tickets and an approximate itinerary to avoid illegal detention. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase round-trip tickets before departure to avoid customs inspection affecting the itinerary.

Vaccination

Morocco does not have any mandatory vaccine policies, and individuals can choose whether to receive vaccines such as rabies and hepatitis (A&B) based on their individual circumstances.

Outbound Insurance

It is recommended to purchase relevant outbound insurance before departure to ensure worry free overseas travel.

Official Language

The official languages of Morocco are Arabic (Moroccan) and French

Most locals in Morocco are proficient in Arabic and French, but English is not commonly used in Morocco (road signs and restaurant menus rarely have English). Only service personnel from scenic spots or high-end restaurants may be able to communicate in English. If language communication cannot be guaranteed, it is necessary to bring or install translation function apps on your phone. It is recommended to book language accompaniment or tour guide services in advance when traveling to Morocco.

Time Difference

Morocco is located in the East Zone time zone, with a standard time zone of UTC/GMT+1 hour

Currency

The circulating Currencies in Morocco are: Moroccan Dirham (MAD), Euro

It should be noted that Morocco is a cash flow Country, and only some scenic spots or high-end venues may accept credit card payments. Most merchants conduct cash transactions, especially handicraft shops or old town shops, as well as restaurants. Bank ATM withdrawals can also be cumbersome and incur transaction fees. Therefore, it is recommended to exchange suitable Euro cash before going abroad and exchange it for local currency MAD at the airport or major foreign exchange offices in the city after entering Morocco (a large amount of coins may be generated during Moroccan travel, so it is recommended to prepare coin bags in advance: -)

Morocco is a country with foreign exchange controls, which explicitly prohibit the import and export of its own currency, the dirham. A maximum of 2000 MAD worth of cash can be carried abroad. Therefore, when leaving Morocco, the excess amount must be exchanged for foreign currency or transferred through other legal channels in advance. If carrying foreign exchange cash worth more than 50000 MAD, one must hold the declared currency in order to carry it out of the country.

Baggage Check

The Moroccan customs stipulates that the quantity of alcoholic drinks carried shall not exceed 1 bottle, the quantity of cigarettes that can be carried is 2, and 150 ml of perfume and 250 ml of make-up water can be carried. Each liquid or gel item in hand luggage shall not exceed 100 milliliters, and the total capacity shall not exceed 1 liter. It should be noted that even if the above standards are strictly followed, liquid items such as Forrest Gump oil may still be refused to be taken out during security checks. Therefore, to avoid unnecessary trouble, it is recommended to include liquid items such as argan oil in checked baggage or consult with airlines and customs in advance regarding relevant carrying regulations.

It should be noted that Morocco is an Islamic Muslim Country, and it is strictly prohibited to carry any alcoholic beverages in checked baggage on flights operated by Muslim airlines (such as Moroccan Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, etc.).

About Power Supply

The local voltage in Morocco is 220V, and the power plug is a European standard plug with two round heads (German standard, as shown in the picture above). Prepare the conversion plug before traveling. If there are many devices that need to be charged, it is best to bring a power strip.

Regarding Food

As an international tourist city, Morocco has a wide variety of delicious food, rich and diverse. Overall, the local cuisine in Morocco is also very healthy, with fresh meat, vegetables and fruits, and natural seasonings. Moroccans like to use fruits instead of various exquisite seasonings. Even in large food stalls or small restaurants, the quality of ingredients can be safely consumed.

About Tips

Due to being under French jurisdiction in history, Morocco has inherited the tipping culture of Europe and America, which has been used to this day. Regardless of the service used, there is a habit of tipping (such as hotel luggage service, parking guidance service, coffee drinking, dining, beauty and hairdressing, room service, refueling, etc.). Therefore, it is recommended to prepare some change in advance to facilitate tipping. Tipping in Morocco is not high and coins are acceptable. Tipping for restaurant consumption is generally around 10% of the total amount costs.

Internet and Telephone

Although the Moroccan network has been upgraded to 5G, it is not fully covered. The vast majority of areas are still 4G, and not all restaurants or scenic spots have wireless WiFi. Therefore, for tourists who need to surf the internet all the time, it is recommended to carry portable WiFi devices or purchase a local SIM card with internet access when arriving at Moroccan airports

Morocco country code +212, when making local calls in Morocco, you need to add 0 before the phone number

Other Notes

In Morocco, cats are considered sacred animals and are respected and protected by people. Therefore, Morocco can be considered as the kingdom of cats, a paradise for cats. Whether in bustling streets and shops, secluded alleys and green spaces, or even empty imperial tombs, the figures of these little elves can be seen. They have become accustomed to living in harmony with people, so please respect and treat these little creatures kindly when you see them. If you are allergic to cats or fur, please prepare in advance.

Moroccan Muslims account for 95% of the population of the country. Islam has a deep historical and cultural foundation here, so please respect the local culture and customs during the travel (for example, Moroccan people worship God and need to worship and pray several times every day, should go to the mosque to pray every Friday, Islam does not eat pork, National prohibition of alcohol during statutory holidays, Fasting during Ramadan from sunrise to sunset, etc.)

Hope you have a Pleasant Journey in Morocco!