Essential Tips for Trip to Morocco Overview:
Morocco is a country you will want to add to your bucket list. This North African country is filled with a vibrant, rich culture, warm-hearted local and phenomenal nature, snowy paradise, bustling, colorful souks, and old Medina’s with lots to do and plenty of lifetime memories be made. But there are also some things that you should not do and know about when you are in Morocco.
10 Travel Tip for Morocco: Everything You Need to Know:
In this article, I will share with you ten things from them. I hope they come in handy when planning your trip to Morocco.
1- Do not Limit Yourself to Marrakech
Do not limit your holiday in Morocco to just visiting Marrakech, which a lot of people do. Marrakech is one of the most popular destinations in Morocco, and I love it. The feel of Djemaa El Fna square, walking around the colorful market, the smell of the spices, the exquisite architecture, and generally how everything is happening all of the time is just phenomenal. But don’t think that all of Morocco is like Marrakech.
There are contrasting cities like Essaouira and Agadir, which have excellent beaches. There is so much more to this North African country than just Marrakech. Since the red city is well pace, you can choose from a variety of day trips from Marrakech to explore more of Morocco. So, make sure you give yourself a fair amount of time. I recommend a minimum of two weeks, although three weeks would be better. But to be honest, you could spend more time than that if you wanted to as there is so much to do and see.
2- What to Carry for a Desert Trip?
If you did a little research about vacationing in Morocco, then you probably know that going on desert tours from Marrakech is a highlight of your holiday in this North African country. When you embark on a desert trip, do not forget to take sunglasses, scarves, and warm clothes to the Sahara Desert. One of the most popular things to do in Morocco is to visit the Sahara Desert and go on a camel trek. It can be very windy there, so wearing a scarf can protect you from getting sand in your face and down your neck, and the sunglasses will stop it from going in your eyes.
As soon as you hear the word desert, you will be thinking of scorching sun, especially as the Sahara is one of the world’s hottest deserts. But at night, it’s the opposite. So, make sure you have enough warm clothes in your backpack. Because as soon as that sun goes down, you are going to need them.
3- Morocco is Not Only Desert:
Next on our list of essential tips for your first trip to Morocco. As I mentioned, desert for the last one and number three is do not think that Morocco is the only desert. Morocco has many more beaches, mountain ranges, like the green Riff Mountains, the diverse High Atlas Mountains, and the rocky Anti-Atlas Mountains, to name some of them. There are also different climates. I visited Morocco when it was snowing before in the high Atlas Mountains. What an epic experience that was.
4- Do not Be Guided by Unregistered Guides:
Number four, do not assume that the local offering to show you around or guide you to your hotel is doing it out of the kindness of their heart. The chances are they could be trying to profit from you by demanding a tip when they show you to the location. Now, this has happened to me before.
These people are known as hustlers, and they usually operate around the Medina’s in Fes and Marrakech, so bear this in mind. It’s probably better than when someone offers to show you somewhere you say no thanks. I know where I’m going. Or you can ring up your hotel of riad before and get someone that works there to meet you somewhere, and they will be able to show you.
Because the Medina‘s alleyways can be hard to navigate, and the maps don’t always work. These hustlers will spot you a mile off as you’re looking up of both buildings that look the same. So, you’re completely lost, and they’re there in the background, and they’ll spot you coming. If this happens to you, try to get aggressive, you can threaten to call the police because this has happened before. I have been speaking to other travelers about this back, and, sadly, this happens. So, bear that in mind.
5- Chefchaouen is Always Sunny:
Number five, do not think that Chefchaouen is always sunny; it’s not. Chefchaouen, the blue pearl of Morocco, is one of my favorite cities. But if you search for pictures on Google or Instagram of Chefchaouen, you will see most of them are in nice weather and the perfect light for photos. Chefchaouen is located in the Rif Mountains where there are mountains there is a higher chance of rainfall. So, if it’s cloudy and does rain, don’t be surprised.
6- Try Moroccan Mint Tea:
The next tip that I have for you on our ten tips for a better holiday in Morocco has to do with mind tea. Do not forget to try the Moroccan mint tea. I love it. It’s a big part of Moroccan culture, and you will see locals everywhere drinking it and socializing with each other.
The way they pour it is pure entertainment. To release the bubbles, they say it makes it taste better, and strangely enough, it does. So, do not forget to try it, especially if you are a tea lover, just like myself.
7- Do not Be Surprised if the Local Buses Break Down:
Number seven, do not be surprised if the local bus breaks down. There are different classes of buses; first-class like Super Tours, which is nice. It’s a smooth ride even though it’s more expensive. It is more touristy, and you will feel like you’ve just left Morocco. But the times that they run are not as frequent as a local bus.
Their challenges are you would have to take a local bus but do not be surprised if it breaks down. It’s happened to me a couple of times, and locals didn’t warn me of this. The good news is there are other modes of transport you can take, such as collective taxis, which are popular and there.
8- Stay in a Moroccan Riad:
Number eight, do not forget to stay in a riad. When you visit Morocco, you are going to want to get the most authentic experience you can. One of the best ways to do that is by staying in a riad. A riad is simply a Moroccan home with an indoor garden that has been converted into a guesthouse.
You can either get an affordable one or more expensive ones. But they are all stunning inside. Morocco has the best interior designs I’ve ever seen. I recommend that you only stay in riads and don’t bother with any regular hotels you could find in any country.
9- Do not Forget to Haggle in Local Markets:
Do not settle for the first price that you are offered in a souk. There is a haggling culture in Morocco, and to be honest, Moroccans are great at selling. They will try and raise the prices a lot higher than you should be paying, especially in Fez of Marrakech due to those being more touristy.
Try to find out from a local first what prices you should be paying. Typically, you shouldn’t spend more than 25% to 50% of the vendor’s first price. Keep that in mind when you go shopping in the Medina.
10- Do not be Surprise if The Toilet is a Hole in the Ground:
Finally, do not be surprised if the toilet is just a hole in the ground. Now, most countries have a toilet bar with a lid. Morocco does too, but not everywhere. You might have to squat to do your business, but hey, it’s all part of the travel experience!
Tips for Your Trip to Morocco Closing Notes:
I hope these ten useful tips for your first trip to Morocco helped you and that you have a wonderful time in this North African country. If you have any questions or feel that we missed something, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be delighted to hear from you! Now that you know some essential tips for your first trip to Morocco, you can use this handy resource that tells you 10 tips for a perfect Sahara Desert tour.
