Practical Pre-trip Information 

Visas:

EU citizens, Australian, Canadian and US citizens do not need visas to enter Morocco for holiday purposes. You can remain in the country for up to 90 days as a tourist.

Passports must be valid for at least six months after the end of holiday and have at least two blank pages available.  Children travelling on their parents' passports must have a recent photograph affixed to the passport

Keep your passport with you at all times while traveling as there are many police checks on national roads.

Money, Banks and Bureau de Change:

Morocco's official currency is the dirham (MAD or dh). The dirham is a restricted currency and can not be taken out of the country or converted back to Euros/GBP.

You will need to purchase your dirhams on arrival in the country at banks or bureaux de change which are easily located in main cities, hotels and at airports.

Morocco is still very much a cash society and throughout the country it is very difficult to use traveller's cheques or credit cards.  

It's best not to rely on your credit card in Morocco and bring with you enough cash to see you through your holiday or have a couple of valid ATM cards. ATMs can be very temperamental. Always keep a reserve of cash that can see you through a couple of days.

If you would like to get an idea of current exchange rates Click here

Health Requirements:

No compulsory vaccinations are required to enter Morocco. However, it is always wise to be up-to-date with your immunisation status for tetanus, polio, diphtheria, typhoid, rabies and hepatitis A. If in doubt, check with your doctor before travelling.

Water:

We recommend drinking only bottled water which is available everywhere (approx 6-10 dhs per 1.5 litre bottle).

Travel Insurance:

All clients must possess personal travel insurance for every member of their party.  Your travel insurance must cover accidents, medical expenses including any related pre-existing medical conditions, emergency repatriation including helicopter rescue and air ambulance, and personal liability.  We also recommend that you include cover for loss of luggage and personal effects.

Morocco Climate:

Spring: March - May
Summer: June - September
Autumn: October - November 
Winter: December - February

The climate in Morocco varies according to the area and the altitude. Generally the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts enjoy a mild climate with hot summers cooled down by the breezes coming from the Sea and the Ocean; with wet and rainy short winters. The weather becomes more extreme in the interior with very hot summers and cold winters. Winters are dry and bitterly cold in the Moroccan Sahara, due to the cold breeze off the Atlantic coast, while summers are extremely hot, even though the heat can be eased by the breeze.
Temperatures can fall down to below zero in the Atlas Mountains, at high altitudes snowfalls are heavy and the peaks stay snowcapped well into the summer.
The average winter temperature in Marrakech is around 21 degrees centigrade during the daytime, while in summer the average is about 38 degrees.

For more detail about the weather and climate in Morocco we recommend the BBC Weather Morocco Guide

Customs and Local Etiquette:

See also our Kit List for more information on what you need to bring with you.

Dress Code:
Morocco is a Muslim country, so it goes without saying that you should be mindful of your public behaviour and the way in which you choose to dress. Generally, in heavily populated tourist areas Western casual wear is tolerated, although it is best to dress modestly. Both men and women should aim to cover their shoulders and women’s dresses or skirts should fall at least below the knee. However in the hotel nightclubs and the city of Marrakech - anything goes!

In the more remote or rural areas, modest clothing should always be worn, with both men and women covering their shoulders and legs. If entering a mosque, shoes should be removed and women should cover their heads with a scarf.
Beachwear is accepted in tourist beach resorts, however you should not change your clothes on the beach. Instead, use a beach-side changing cabin. 

Smoking and Drinking:
Many Moroccan people smoke and drink alcohol despite the rules of Islam. As a tourist we recommend that you observe the behaviour of those Moroccans whom you are with and smoke/drink alcohol dicreetly and in moderation. It's  no bad thing to ask your host or guide for permission or guidance in order to show respect. Never smoke inside a private home unless you are invited to.

During Ramadan (the fasting month), tourists should avoid smoking or drinking while in the company of Moroccans.

Taking Photographs:
Before taking photos of people, always ask their permission first. Women in rural and conservative communities will often not allow you to take their picture and say "pas de photo".  Some may allow you to take a photo and may want to be paid for the privilege.

Meeting & Greeting in Public:
When introductions are made, it is quite customary to ask after your counterpart’s family or friends. The most common way to greet a person in Morocco is to either offer a light handshake to a person of the same gender. 

Men and women greet in a slightly different way. The woman should always offer her hand first to initiate a handshake. Women who wear a full veil will often refrain from any physical contact, so in these instances it is customary for the man to simply give a slight bow and allow the woman to retain some personal space.

If you have become well acquainted with your Moroccan counterparts, the proper greeting etiquette is to initiate a handshake whilst simultaneously kissing both cheeks, kissing the left cheek first. This should only be done with a person of the same gender.

In public, you should be aware that it is considered good manners for men and women to leave space in between one another. Handholding is only usually seen as a platonic gesture between the same sexes.
Public displays of affection (even between Westerners) are not really acceptable or respectful to local traditions.  

For a woman to sit alone in a bar or cafe is socially unacceptable, unless it is a frequented by tourists. Women shouldbe very alert to the possibility that they may seen as prostitutes! If female and planning to venture out alone, avoid male-dominated local cafes and bars. it is best to attempt to go out in a group or be accompanied by a man.

Social Events and Dining Etiquette:
You may find that during your stay in Morocco, you will be invited into the family home for a meal. It is always customary for a Moroccan to offer food whenever you visit, and it would be seen as quite rude to refuse this offer. Likewise, if you are offered a present when invited into the home, you should always graciously accept. You do not have to open your gift in front of your host – equally you shouldn’t expect your host to open your present either. Gifts should be relatively small - sweets, pastries or flowers are all popular gifts. Bringing a small gift for any children in the home would also be well received.

In more conservative households, men and women will dine separately, so if planning on bringing a spouse or partner, you should always find out beforehand if this is the case. 

In Morocco, it is proper etiquette to dress conservatively, remove your shoes and cleaning your hands before each meal. Because eating is often done with your right hand (although bread can be taken with the left), a small basin will usually be provided before the meal. You will be expected to hold your hands out whilst a jug full of water is poured over them. Dry your hands and wait for your host to invite you to begin eating. This ritual is also performed at the end of the meal.