WELCOME TO R!NEWS: Explore Africa: 11 things you must know before visiting Morocco

Morocco

Morocco is a beautiful country and more and more people are visiting every year.

However, there were also downsides to visiting especially as a woman. If you plan on going, here are a few pointers to help you prepare for your trip.

Dress Appropriately – Guys can dress however they like, but women need to dress more conservatively. Although you see many tourists wearing whatever they want, it is best to cover up as much as possible to avoid unwanted attention. Even if you’re traveling with a group of guys, you may still get harassed. When visiting mosques, you need to cover down to your wrists and ankles. For the ladies out there, it really helps to have a shawl / scarf handy in case you need it.
Currency and Cost – More established shops will take credit card, but smaller markets, street vendors, and cabs will not. Be ready with the local currency. Also keep the correct change with you at all times as Moroccan cab drivers rarely “have change” when you need it. The dilemma with keeping change though is that you will not be able to exchange it back when leaving the country. You want to keep correct change while you’re in the country, but you also want to spend it all before leaving.
Learn to Haggle – If you’re shopping in the markets or medinas, you will have to learn how to haggle. Know what you’re willing to pay before you start the haggling process and walk out if you can’t get the price you want. They may call you back in multiple times. Also, you may want to bargain with your cab drivers before you get in the cab. If you’re looking to buy a carpet or anything with a higher price tag, do your research before you head to Morocco. People get tricked into buying them as “an investment” to sell later all the time. Don’t fall for their sales tactics and the local guide’s added pressure to buy.
Stay Away from Strangers Offering Free Tours or Directions – Even if you don’t hire a local guide, there will be a lot of locals offering you tours while you’re walking around the markets and medinas. If you go with one of them you may end up completely lost and pressed to spend money. Most of the time they will ask for a tip afterward too. This is the same with asking for directions. A lot of them will offer to walk you to where you’re going but then ask for a tip. If you’re so inclined, always have money to pay them off or just plan ahead and ask your hotel or pull up some maps when you have WIFI.
Fridays are Holy Days and Prepare for Holidays – Keep in mind that it is a Muslim country, so pay attention to their holidays otherwise you might be there when everything is closed. Also, most shops and attractions are closed on Friday since it’s their holy day.
Careful What Water You Use – To stay on the safe side, drink bottled water and even use it to brush your teeth. Also, be careful to avoid using any ice when you’re out. If you don’t mind constantly buying bottled water, you can also use a soft bottle for easy use on the go.
What Language Do They Speak? – Moroccans speak a mixture of Arabic, Berber, English, and French. You’ll be fine with English in most of the larger cities, but you’ll probably need a translator in the rural parts of the country. These basic Arabic words will come in handy:
Visiting Mosques – If you’re hoping to visit Mosque in Morocco, you might be out of luck unless you’re Muslim. Most mosques are off-limits to non-Muslims, with the exception of the massive Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. They are still beautiful to take photos from outside though!
Have the Right Converters – Don’t get stuck in Morocco without a way to charge all your electronics. Pick up a universal adapter as this will save you the stress anytime! If you have something that works in Europe, then it will be the same.
Ask before Taking Photos (And You May Have to Pay) – When you’re walking through the markets, be careful about taking photos of people and shops. Unless you are purchasing something, they may get angry at you and even demand money for the photos. It’s good to first establish a price before taking a photo.
Souvenirs to Bring Home – Leather and carpets are well known in Fez. Fragrances, oils, and spices (like saffron) are famous in Marrakech. If you’re buying saffron, make sure you’re buying the real thing. You can ask them to do a demonstration in water. If it colors the water yellow, it’s real, if it turns reddish, it’s the dye coming out from the artificial saffron.