FAQs

Question

Is Morocco Safe?

Answer

By all standards, Morocco is a safe and stable country. We have traveled to all corners of the country and have always felt safe. However, we always recommend you exercise the same precautions as you would in any new place. Here are our suggestions: - Be aware of your purse/phone/backpack when you are out exploring. Don't put your phone on the table unattended. When you are walking in the Medina, keep your purse and backpack in the front of your body so as to avoid pickpocketers. - Be careful at night. Always walk with another person and avoid walking too much after dark. - Be wary of all people who come and want to help or guide you. This almost always comes at a price so if you really need help, try to go into a tourism spot, hotel or restaurant and ask for help.

Question

What Should I Wear?

Answer

Morocco is a liberal Muslim country so they are very accepting of the way foreigners dress and you will see all kinds of fashion in Marrakech. However, if you want to err on the respectful side, women might want to wear skirts and shorts that cover down to the knee or below and avoid shirts with low cleavage. The sun in Morocco can be very intense so covering up can be better in terms of sunburn protection. We suggestion light fabrics and flowy pants and shirts. Skirts and shorts are nice to have during the day but because the weather can change quickly, bring layers and a change of clothes if needed. Bring hats for protection against the sun and good sunglasses. A light jacket will be good to have for the cooler days. Rain is not likely but having a jacket that is water-resistant can be nice to have. Bring good walking shoes like comfortable tennis shoes for long days in the Medina. Scandals are also nice but just make sure they are comfortable.

Question

How Do I Get A Hold of You?

Answer

WhatsApp is the best option for communication. I will start a group before the events so we can all communicate. You can add me by my phone number 406-927-2278 or ask me to add you. Adil's Moroccan phone number is +212 6 62 60 70 35. WiFi is available most places. You can get a SIM card and phone data for very cheap ($1 per GB). We suggest you find a Maroc Telecom office and they should be able to help you.

Question

What is A Moroccan Wedding Like?

Answer

Good question! We hope it will be super fun for you to see this cultural side of Morocco. There is no ceremony and it will be pretty much a big party from start to finish. There will be good tea, food, dancing, music, Moroccan traditions and outfits. Please be sure to hydrate and there will be many places to lounge or step away if you need a break. We are really hoping to wrap it up early (like midnight instead of all night long). I don't want to give you all the details so you can be surprised but most of all, we hope you enjoy it!

Question

What About Wedding Gifts?

Answer

We are most excited for you to come and join us on this special day so gifts are not necessary. Having you all are special gifts to us! It's likely Adil's family will present us with gifts but please don't feel like it's necessary to contribute (we know there are big travel expenses involved) and would prefer you put your money toward having fun in Morocco!

Question

What Will the Weather be Like?

Answer

The weather in Marrakech in October is usually much nicer than in the summer months until September (which are way too hot). It's still usually pretty warm during the day (average of 82 degrees) and cooler during the night (60 degrees). Bring layers for the nights and sun coverage. The sun can be very intense so wear sunscreen. Essaouria will be cooler so plan for that if you will be joining us. Also, it should be warm enough to use the pools and/or swim in the ocean so bring a swimsuit.

Question

What About Money?

Answer

You will need to pay most things with money (Moroccan dirhams) as many places do not accept credit cards. This can mean even big purchases like hotel rooms. This can be very annoying but there's really no way around it as they often don't even have the credit card terminal (or claim it isn't working, our favorite excuse). The best thing to do is either bring American money and exchange or bring a good ATM card. There are ATM machines everywhere in Morocco so they will be easy to find. Check if your ATM card has transaction fees and consider getting one that doesn't have fees before coming.

Question

What About Drinking Water?

Answer

You should not drink the Moroccan tap water. Most Moroccans don't even drink it and it can mess up your stomach if you're not used to it so try to avoid (even if they give you a glass of water at a restaurant and you don't see a bottle). This means you will probably have to buy bottled water which is easily available, cheap and can be found almost everywhere. If you want to try to cut down on plastic, bring your own water bottle and buy bigger jugs of water or use a water bottle with a filter.

Question

Should I Bargain in the Souks?

Answer

The short answer is yes! The majority of shops in souks are places to bargain unless they are a fixed price store (there will be prices on things). Bargaining is normal in Moroccan culture so you won't offend if you try to go lower on prices and things are usually marked up very high for foreigners. Some tricks are making sure you don't look too interested in an item before asking the price (maybe ask price of other items first), going to different souks and comparing prices (similar items are sold in different shops) and go lower in price than you think is possible so you can work up to a middle price.

Question

Is Food Safe?

Answer

Moroccan food is usually sanitary but since this is a different country, I have found some people can get ill even from nicer places. Bring some medication in case you feel sick. My suggestions are to go to places we recommend, ask us for recommendations or go where the tourists do. If you need to stop in somewhere but don't know if it's safe or not, I would suggest avoiding meat, especially beef. There are many pharmacies everywhere so if you need something, you can go in and get almost anything without a doctor's appointment. For almost all experiences, food in Morocco is wonderful so please explore the local cuisine!

Question

What Do Moroccans Speak?

Answer

Moroccans speak Darija, which is their Arabic dialect. Most Moroccans speak French and French is the second most widely spoken language. English probably comes in third and it is widely spoken in Marrakech, which is a very international city. However you may come across times where English is not spoken and in that case, it would be helpful to know some Darija or French words. For the most part, you will be fine with English.

Question

Where Else Should I Go in Morocco?

Answer

If you want to explore Morocco more, here are some suggestions. The Sahara desert - a must-see if you can put aside 2-3 days as it's a long drive. Ride camels and sleep in Berber tents as well as see some very scenic areas along the way. Arrange for a tour from Marrakech. Chefchaouen - called the Blue City, this is a very scenic city up North in the mountains. Arrange for transportation from Marrakech or take a tour. Fes is also a good stop here. The Atlas Mountains - You can see these mountains from Marrakech but it's really nice to go and explore them more. You can book day tours from Marrakech. Taghazout - A surf town far South. It takes a drive to get there but it's very touristy and has lots of sun and beach.

Question

What Should I Buy?

Answer

Everything! We love all Moroccan products and they can be very affordable. The most common items to purchase are Moroccan rugs, lights and lanterns, pottery and ceramics, leather bags, tea sets, perfumes and spices. Argan is a very exclusive item only grown in Morocco so make sure to get some to bring home. Let us know if you need recommendations for shops!

Question

Should I Tip?

Answer

Yes but a small amount is fine, you can tip less than 10% (or more if the service is great!).