Morocco is a modern country with a long history of welcoming tourists and accommodating the needs of visitors. But it is a developing country, and the very things that make Morocco such a rewarding place to visit – its unique culture, lifestyle, and geography – will best be enjoyed if you make some basic preparations before you leave home.
Personal Preparation
- Be sure to check if you will need a visa to enter Morocco, and any restrictions on the length of your stay.
- You are required to carry medical travel insurance to participate in our tours. Be sure it is valid for the duration of your trip.
- Visit a travel medical clinic for advice about any immunizations you may need before travelling to Morocco. Be sure to get any needed vaccinations well in advance of your trip so that you are protected by the time you travel.
- Are you affected by heat? Car sickness? Changes in food or water? Know yourself, and bring any medications that you find helpful for these discomforts. Many international brands are available in Moroccan pharmacies, but many are not, or are not available everywhere.
- Assume that most tap water in Morocco is safe for brushing your teeth, but not for drinking. (Bottled mineral water is available everywhere.)
- Even if you are not typically affected by diarrhea, we recommend bringing a prescription medication for this common traveller’s problem.
- Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellant, and moisturizing lotion, regardless of where you go or when you go in Morocco.
- Pack appropriately for the areas where you will be going. Check where you’re going and when you’re going as temperatures can vary considerably across regions in Morocco – you may visit several regions in a single day.
- Check that you have the appropriate electric plug converters for any electronic devices like phones or tablets or cameras that you plan to bring.
- Check the daily cash withdrawal limits on any debit or credit cards you bring with you. Not all cafes, restaurants, and hotels accept credit cards, and even if they advertise that they do, they often accept cards reluctantly. Most towns of any size have several ABMs, but sometimes they run out of money. Euros or American dollars are sometimes accepted as payment, but don’t count on it.
Safety
Whether you are travelling alone or with others, you can visit in safety and comfort. Take the same precautions as you would if you were travelling anywhere else: leave your valuables at home, be aware of your surroundings, and manage your activities so that you are not taking any unnecessary risks, or putting yourself in a position where you must trust strangers.
There are snakes and scorpions in the desert in Morocco, but you are unlikely to see them as they tend to avoid contact with humans. You may need to be more aware if you visit in the summer. You may, however, find a few mosquitos, so you should bring insect repellant.
Responsible Travel
The eternal gift of travel is to be enriched by the new experiences that other people and places always offer. Embrace the prospect of being changed by your visit to Morocco! And as a guest in this wonderful country, your presence will also create impressions among the Moroccan people about people from your country and culture. Consider what you will leave behind.
Practice environmental responsibility when you travel just as you do at home. Help to conserve water in this country under constant threat of drought. Don’t litter, and if you can, collect a little extra garbage to dispose of along with your own.
Going to the Desert?
For visitors from the more temperate regions of Europe and North America, the desert will be too hot for comfortable travel from late June to early September. It can also be quite cool during the winter months. Try to visit between March and mid-June, or mid-September to November.
Prepare for heat and sun in the desert: bring a good sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
Morocco’s climate is generally quite dry, but especially so in the desert. Bring extra hydrating skin lotion. It also helps to drink more water: bottled mineral water is available everywhere, and at reasonable prices.
Going Into the Mountains?
If you are planning a trek into the mountains, expect variable weather. Research the seasonal conditions where you intend to go, and pack appropriate clothing for the full range of conditions – not just those you think you might expect.
Pack so you can dress in layers. Bring a day pack so you can carry changes of clothing as well as extra food and water. (These will not be helpful to you if you leave them in the car, and you are up on a trail when it starts to rain, or when you are roasting in the sun.)
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