Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q&A regarding flights, documents, visa, and insurance
Do I need a passport to travel to Morocco?
YES. You will not be allowed on an aircraft overseas without presenting a passport. You will not be allowed into Morocco without a passport. And you will not be able to board your return flight or re-enter the US without having a valid passport. ALSO, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR PASSPORT IS VALID FOR 6 MONTHS AFTER YOUR RETURN DATE. For example, if you will return to the US on July 1, make sure your passport is valid until after January 1.
Do you make my flight arrangements?
No, I do not. You are responsible for making your own flight arrangements. I can assist you in finding flight routes and airlines that may work for your departure city.
When should I book my flights?
It is best to book your flights as soon as you know you are participating in one ofmy tours.
Do I need travel insurance?
I highly recommend comprehensive travel insurance, which covers at least medically related incidents and cancellations. If you don’t have it you are assuming the risk of the cost of your trip but also much more should you suffer a medical emergency while traveling. The website I use to shop and compare travel insurancepolicies is https://www.insuremytrip.com
Do I need a visa to travel to Morocco?
US citizens, UK citizens and citizens of European member states do not need tohave a visa to travel to Morocco. If you are a citizen of another country, pleasecontact me or visit https://www.moroccovisa.com/requirements
Q & A regarding weather, what to pack, what to wear
What is the weather like?
Weather is always unpredictable but I have chosen months to run my tours for theagreeable weather in the areas visited. What you can expect overall is pleasant towarm temperatures, except very warm to hot in the desert, in April and October. InJanuary, you can expect cool to pleasant temperatures during the day and cool tocold at night. Please see the information below for average temperatures, humidityand number of days with any rain in the month in the areas we visit in January,April and October.
January
Casablanca: 48-64, 8 rain days, humidity 80%Fes: 39 to 62, 7 rain days, humidity 69%Boumaine Dades: 43-75, 1 rain day, humidity 40%Ouarzazate: 36-63, 2 rain days, humidity 39%Merzouga: 45-63, 0 rain day, humidity 40%Tafraoute; 52-68, 1 rain day, 65%Marrakech: 43-66, 8 rain days, humidity 62%
April
Casablanca: 55-70, 6 rain days humidity 76%Rabat: 52-70, 8 rain days, humidity 76% , breezyChefchaouen: 55-70, 6-7 rain days, humidity 64%.Fes: 46-72, 5 rain days, humidity 67%.Boumaine Dades: 72-88, 1-2 rain days, humidity 48%.Ouarzazate: 54-81, 2 rain days, humidity 26%Merzouga: 52-85, 1 rain day, humidity 29%Marrakech: 54-79, 7 rain days, humidity 54%.Essaouira: 57-66, 6 rain days, humidity 80%, breezy
October
Casablanca: 63-75, 5 rain days humidity 78%Rabat: 55-77, 6 rain days, humidity 79% , breezy.Essaouira: 57-66, 6 rain days, humidity 80%, breezyChefchaouen: 55 -70, 7 rain days, humidity 64%.Fes: 55-79, 5 rain days, humidity 59%.Boumaine Dades: 68 to 93, 1-2 rain days humidity 48%.Ouarzazate: 57 to 82, 3 rain days, humidity 35%
Merzouga: 68-85, 1 rain day, humidity 35%Tafraoute: 67-81, 1 rain day, humidity 74%Marrakech: 59-82, 6 rain days, humidity 55%.Essaouira: 65-76, 2-3 rain days, humidity 66%
What should I pack?
January
Pack layers for January travel as days can be warm and nights cold.For the cities like Marrakech, Fes, or Rabat, you will do a lot of walking. You needto dress well and stay warm. Wear layers so pack layers: Long-sleeve shirts,Sweaters or warm pullovers, Comfortable jeans or loose pants, Jacket for theevening, Scarf for the cold breezeFor the desert areas it will feel warm and dry during the day but when the sun goesdown, it feels very cold. So in addition to the items above, pack thermal shirts andpants, hoodie or fleece jacket, warm socks and closed shoes, gloves and a hat forcamel rides, and a scarf for the cold wind.
April October
Lighter layers are good for April and October. Temperatures will be generally
pleasant to very warm, although at night cooler. Pack lightweight comfortable
clothing. See Suggested Packing List for more details.
Do I have to cover my head, arms and/or legs?
The only place in Morocco that requires your hear, shoulders and knees to becovered is when entering the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. Morocco is aconservative country therefore it is best to wear modest clothing. Generallyclothing that covers the shoulders and that is about knee length is best. Modest tanktops and shorts are acceptable particularly in hot weather or when doing outdooractivities. Avoid revealing/skimpy clothing.
Will I be able to do laundry or have it done?
Along the way there are usually chances to do laundry, either through your hotel oron your own. Best to do laundry either yourself or through the hotel on the firstnight of our 2+ night stays. If you plan to do handwash, please bring travelwash/soap sheets, or individual packets of detergent or any other wash agent youare familiar with.
Q&A on money and tipping
Will I need cash on the trip?
Yes you will. How much varies greatly on you but small souvenir items, meals notcovered in the tour cost, drinks, you will need to pay for in Moroccan dirham. Isuggest bringing some US currency with you (at least a few hundred dollars) andto exchange some of that on arrival at the airport. It is not necessary to exchange itall at the airport as you will find better exchange rates outside the airport howeveryou should have some local cash on you, like $50.DO NOT BRING US$1 bills for
use in Morocco, the banks won’t accept them sothey are useless to everyone.
DO bring new US bills – this means those dated 2017 or later (NOT older than
2017). The bills should not be crumbled, have writing on them or have any
tears or defects as most banks, exchange offices or business won’t accept
them.
Sometimes hotels will exchange some money, usually no more than $100.The cities have plenty of places to exchange money, but rural areas may not so planaccordingly. Also me mindful to reserve or hoard your Moroccan coins and small denomination bills as they are hard to come by but are very useless to have.The exchange rate is approximately between 9-10 dirhams per US $1. At this time,(June ’25) it is closer to 9 dirham/$1.
Do they have ATMS?
Yes, they do but do not rely solely on ATMs as often they are out of money or canbe finicky about when your card will work or not. My advice is to never let yourcash supply get too low.
Can I use my credit cards?
Yes. I know VISA is widely accepted. Mastercard is fairly widely accepted too butof
the 2 a VISA is better. I do not know how many vendors accept American Express
as I have never tried to use it in Morocco. Please note though…it is not like the US
where here we can buy a $1 item with a credit card. Small purchases should all be paid
with cash and you should expect to pay for meals in cash because, unlike parts of the US,
they will not give separate bills.Some places charge a service fee for credit cards, others do not.
Am I expected to tip?
Yes, in most places, tipping is expected. I can advise you about the local customsand give advice on how much is recommended at restaurants or with local guides.However for restaurants, guides and baggage handlers we generally pay them andat the end of the trip divide that total amount up by the number of people on thetour. We found this is much easier for everyone. This usually costs about $50-75for the entire trip depending on length and number of participants and will becollected at the end of the trip so save some cash of any type of currency for this.Our driver should also be tipped. While not compulsory, our driver does so muchmore for you during the tour than just drive. He is very much an integral part of thetours’success and we work as a team. If you are happy with his service, an averagerange is $15-20 per day per person. Of course, it is for you to decide but it is notonly very much appreciated as a reflection of the level of care given to you duringyour travels, but it also inspires continued excellent service. Tips for the drivershould be in cash but can be of any currency and paid at the end of the trip.As a tour leader, there is no need to tip me.
Q&A on food
What’s the food like?
The food is very good and very fresh. Unlike the US it is mostly being grown byold-fashioned methods. The Moroccan diet is most made up of fruits, vegetables,meats (no pork), seafood, olives, eggs, breads and a little cheese. These come inthe form of soups, stews, salads or grilled meats generally. They also have somelentils, pasta and couscous. They drink mostly sparkling or flat water, hot tea withmint, and coffee. Alcohol is available for purchase and at some locations but is notpart of the Muslim lifestyle so don’t expect to find it everywhere. Morocco doesproduce its own wine and beer. There are liquor stores in the main cities if youwish to purchase some. Sodas are available but the only diet soda is Coke Zero orCoke Light.
Is the food spicy?
No, not generally. Moroccans use spices in their cooking but the food is not hotspicy. In fact, it is rather mildly spiced. If you like a little hot spice, add harissa toyour dish.
What if I’m allergic to or will not eat certain foods?
If you have any food allergies or sensitivities, you must document those on therequired Magical Morocco Questionnaire and you will be provided an alternative.Please also note the severity of any allergies you have on your questionnaire.Please note that if there is a long list of food you either cannot eat or will not eatyou should be prepared to bring some snacks you can eat in case options arelimited.
What if I’m a vegetarian?
There is plenty to eat if you are a vegetarian. The fruits and vegetables arebeautiful. Moroccan cold salads come with almost every meal. Many of the tagines(stews) have fruit, nuts or vegetables in them too or can be made without meat.There are a few soups too perfect for vegetarians.Please note on your Magical Morocco
questionnaire any dietary restrictions you have.
Q&A on health-related and well-being
Please see Health and Safety Guidelines under Booking Information for moreinformation on this subject.
Can I drink the water?
No. Do not drink the tap water or even use it to brush your teeth. You want tostay healthy and a bout of traveler’s diarrhea or worse could impact yourenjoyment and your ability to do all the activities. USE BOTTLED WATER
Are your tours suitable for someone with mobility issues?
My tours are suitable for those who can walk unassisted for several hours overuneven terrain. They are not suitable for those in a wheelchair, using a walker orcane or who need assistance from another person. You will also need to be able togo up and down stairs. Elevators are very uncommon in the riads we stay in. WhileI can request on your behalf lower floor rooms, I cannot guarantee you will beassigned one. I have a bone-on-bone knee issue and occasionally on gentle hikers Iuse a walking stick. Other clients have liked using walking sticks for the unevenfooting found like cobblestones. We will pace our walking tours so no one is leftbehind. Tours that require a higher degree of activity, hikes or other physicalactivities will be noted in the tour description.
Do I need to have any vaccinations or special medications for Morocco?
You do not need any vaccinations to enter Morocco. However, if you are travelingfrom a country with Yellow Fever there may be entry restrictions you will need tocheck on.
Are there mosquitos in Morocco?
Yes, there are mosquitoes, and I believe no-see ums, but they are not verycommon. I recommend bringing a mosquito repellant just in case. I have a coupleof favorites but I do like to have the individually-wrapped wipes because they areeasy to carry with you and effective. There is, however, no need to take anymalaria medications as malaria is not a concern.
Is smoking allowed on the tour?
There is no smoking allowed in the vehicle, at meals or during group activities. Inmany riads and hotels you cannot smoke in the rooms. If you are a smoker, youmust request a smoking room if available and amid by the rules. There is not to beany smoking near the group. Also, you will be responsible for any fines/feesassessed if you smoke where not permitted.
Q&A on cell service, communications while in Morocco
How do I use my phone abroad?
Using your phone internationally can incur expensive roaming charges. Check withyour cellphone service provider before your trip to see if they have a travel usageprogram. For example, AT&T has the International Day Pass for $12/day,maximum $120. Many people use an eSim to save the most money. It’s a digital
sim card you can activate during your trip and then use your phone the same as you
would back home! It is a very reasonable so definite savings over phone plans - an
eSim for up to 30 days in Morocco can run around $30. You must have an unlocked phone touse an eSim however. If you want to stay secure while using your phone abroad,
then you might want to consider a VPN. You can guard against viruses and protect your data
whilebanking, booking tours, or simply browsing the internet.
Will Wifi be available?
Yes. While the signal may not be as strong as you are use to most hotels, largerestaurants and even cafes have Wifi available. In more remote areas you may notbe somewhere that offers WiFi or even get an internet signal but this is theexception not the rule.
Should I get Whatspp?
Absolutely! You should install the Whatsapp app on your phone because we willutilize it for communication on the tour. It also makes calling and texting simplebecause you only need Wifi. So if Esims and phone plans don’t work for you, thenuse Wifi and Whatsapp. Just make sure those people you might want to call or texthave the app too.
Q&A about electric appliances, charging and voltage
What will I need to charge my phone?
Your phone will only need an adapter so that the charge cord can be plugged intothe wall. I found on amazon an adapter which has the C type plug but I can plugmy USB directly into it.
For electrical appliances or charging purposes, what is the voltage in
Morocco?
Just like in many former French colonies, the voltage in Morocco is 220 volts andthe frequency is 50 Hz. In the USA the voltage is 120volts and 60 Hz. Therefore ifyou try to plug a hair dryer from the US in in Morocco it will burn up fast unless adual voltage model. Dual voltage means usually with a flick of a switch you canchange from 120 to 220. Things like phone chargers, iPads, camera batterychargers don’t have a switch but are dual voltage these days.
What kind of adapter do I need for Morocco?
In the US are plugs are flat and referred to as A standard type and B grounded type.In Morocco, the plugs are round like in Europe. So you will need an adapter for aC standard type and E grounded outlet types. Amazon, REI and many otherwebsites have them available. Below shows the difference.
Remember a converter converts the voltage, an adapter adapts your US plug tothe Morocco plug/outlet.
Will Wifi be available?
Yes. While the signal may not be as strong as you are use to most hotels, largerestaurants and even cafes have Wifi available. In more remote areas you may notbe somewhere that offers WiFi or even get an internet signal but this is theexception not the rule.
A/B are US plug styles
C is Morocco plug style; Morocco also use E
Type C plugs have two round pins and are not grounded, while Type E plugs alsohave two round pins but include a hole for a grounding pin, making them safer forcertain appliances. Both types can fit into the same Type E sockets, but Type E ispreferred for devices that require grounding.
Should I bring a hairdryer?
No, unless you require a particular kind. Almost all of our accommodations willprovide hairdryers. Bringing will not only take up space in your suitcase, but isnecessary. If you bring your own, please make sure it is either dual voltage or youhave a converter.