MOROCCO

Let’s Moroccan roll!

SOUND ON! Best Must-Do’s In Morocco: Part 2

There are 36 million people living in Morocco. The capital city is Rabat, while Casablanca is Morocco's largest city.

Morocco goes by CET – Central European Time Zone, UTC/GMT +1 hour. So it’s an hour ahead of London.

You can stay up to 90 days if you hold a passport of a North American or European country. But check with Moroccan embassy’s website to verify if you need further details. Save one blank page in your passport for entry stamp at customs. Here are some basic documents you’ll need:

  • A valid passport up to six months.
  • A visa if you’re not from a country listed below.
  • Ticketed documentation of your return flight.
  • An International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever if you’re coming from an infected area within 5 days.

For most travelers, you can visit Morocco without applying for a visa if your trip isn’t longer than three months. Make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of six months from the time you enter Morocco. If you plan on staying longer than three months, then you can possibly extend it at a Moroccan police station within 15 days of your arrival.

If you’re not a citizen of the countries listed below, then you need to download a visa form from the Moroccan Consulate’s website. You can stay up to three months if you hold a passport from these countries: Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, Chile, Congo (Rep), Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Guinea (Conakry), Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Kuwait, Libya, Liechtenstein, Mali, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela

If you’re transiting in Morocco and stopping by in less than 24 hours, then you need to provide a plane ticket documentation and you can’t leave the airport.

International visitors must complete a health form, either by downloading it online before boarding or obtaining a copy at the airport or port, before entering Morocco.

Source: Visit Morocco

Uber only exists in Casablanca, but most hotels will also be able to order a taxi very quickly. For more tips on transportation throughout Morocco, read Transportation Tips! The Best Ways To Get In & Around Morocco.

Morocco, in general, is a safe place for travelers. Even for female solo travelers. In Marrakech’s Medina, however, is a different scenario (look at our Marrakech destination guide for more details.)

As a rule throughout Morocco, regardless of which city you’re in, try not to stay out too late. Especially for female solo travelers, it’s safer this way. If you’re traveling with a group or with someone else, then it’s okay.

In cities like Marrakech, you may encounter cat calling or sexual harassment. The worst case of sexual harassment can involve men asking you for sex, commenting on your breasts (as we have encountered.) This is due to the fact that some (not all) Moroccan men do not understand Western culture’s code of conduct towards cultural and sexual innuendos. The best way to avoid this is by your dress code, which should be conservative. Also, do look confident, avoid eye contact, and keep walking. Know that Moroccan women would never tolerate being spoken to as such in public, so act like them. When speaking to locals, stay formal and be polite, since any physical contact between the opposite sex may be taken as a sexual invite. Not all local men are like this, but you should follow your gut and know when to put your guard up.

The best way is to keep the number of your hotel for emergency, in case anything happens the concierge usually is available throughout 24 hours.

Females should stick to wearing dresses or pants that cover your knees. Tight clothing or semi-see through is not recommended. Bring scarves for entering mosques. When going out at night, you should still dress conservatively.

May and October are the best months to visit Morocco since the weather is literally perfectly mild and absolutely delightful. Spring and autumn make sightseeing a breeze, even hikes in the mountains and road trips along the Atlantic coast are lovely. Winter months aren’t snowy, but can be chilly at night so pack winter jackets nonetheless. Southern cities may be warmer but can still be windy.

Summertime in Morocco is literally like living in an oven, the temperature may surpass 83°F.

There are two widely spoken languages in Marrakech: Classical Arabic and French. Most people also speak English due to a huge influx of tourists.

Hello = As-salam alaykom (Arabic), bonjour (French)

Good morning/Hello = Sabahu Al-khair (Arabic), bonjour (French)

Good afternoon/Good evening = Masa’ alkhayr (Arabic), bon soir (French)

Goodnight = Tusbih ealaa khayr (Arabic), bonne nuit (French)

Goodbye = Wadaeaan (Arabic), au revoir (French)

Yes = Nem fielaan (Arabic), oui (French)

No = La (Arabic), non (French)

Please = Raja-un (Arabic), s’il vous plaît (French)

Thank you = Shukraan (Arabic), merci (French)

You’re welcome = Ealaa alrahab w alsiea (Arabic), de rien (French)</