Morocco was one of the most beautiful and surprising places we have ever visited. But of course with a dash of to be expected culture shock, it was also one of the most disorienting.
We tried to fit in as much as we could in a 10 day road trip traveling across Marrakech, Merzouga, Ait Benhaddou, the Sahara Desert, Fez and Tangier.
And here are some of our lessons learned! Watch or read below to get the most out of your trip:
Best Time of Year
Spring and fall are the best times to go to avoid the super high temperatures because it can get very hot. We went in April and found it the perfect time for comfort the whole trip and plus it was late enough to miss the higher risk of sandstorms which happen more often February and March.
French Is a Common Language
The two official languages of Morocco are Arabic and Berber but French is actually the second most spoken language at nearly 40% usage so if you know some it definitely helps!
Toilet Options Are Available
Many Asian, Middle Eastern and African countries commonly use ground level squat toilets. But if this is a new challenge you’re not quite ready for, don’t fret! Almost everywhere we went there was pretty easy access to a nearby porcelain throne that we’re all used to so. But if you always wanted to try new flushing experience, this could be your chance!
Trains are Cheap and Fantastic
The trains were super easy to use getting around in between cities where available and much much cheaper than if getting a private driver. Also when getting on the train, they automatically sell the tickets in order from the front of the train filling each cabin along the way. If the last cabins aren’t full just sit in there and if they don’t fill up, you’ll have a cabin to yourself with full privacy, air conditioning and a great view of the countryside to relax to.
Request Metred Taxis
When getting into a cab request the metre so you only get charged the local cost of the distance you’re driving. If you don’t you’ll get charged a set tourist rate much higher than needed. The only time we couldn’t get a metre was when we first arrived at the airport in Marrakesh where they have set rates that they all stick to which cost around $25.
When Camel Riding
When riding a camel, go with the ebbs and flows as they walk. If you try to stay stable you’re wear out fast and probably increase chance of chaffing. Also on the major desert treks, there are so many camel trips back and forth that the dunes are COVERED in camel poop so don’t fall off!
Where to Drink Alcohol
Morocco is a Muslim country, so drinking is not an average pastime. In Marrakech there are some nightclubs, but they are super fancy and beers may cost upwards of $15 if they’re selling imports. For a cheaper drink, visit a small hotel bar and order Flag Speciale, a local beer that costs only a few dollars.
Early Prayer Times
Islam prayer times occur five times a day as earlier as 4:30 am sometimes of the year and they get amplified via speakers from every local mosque. If you’re a light sleeper who prefers to sleep in you may want to choose a guesthouse further away from a mosque, but if you can, do your best to enjoy the sounds of Moroccan and Muslim culture. It’s a much better sound to wake up to than a phone alarm!
Drinking Water Safety
We never had a problem drinking the water from the tap in the hotels and guest houses we stayed in. Of course, always do some research about the area your visiting at the time you’re going, but if you can stay hydrated and still avoid constantly wasting money and garbage on countless bottles of water it helps!
Nothing Is Free, So Barter Your Prices First
If someone is offering to help with your bags, put an animal or bug on your shoulder or wants to help direct you somewhere, prepare to pay. Whether you set your price at the start or you know how much you’re willing to tip, DO NOT give in to pressure to change what you’ve already agreed or a tip you know full well is fair.
Avoid Animal Cruelty
A monkey with a chain around his neck may be more obvious to remember or note as obvious abuse. But one example we had not come across before on our travels was snake charmers. The snakes may seem relaxed but turns out that in Northern Africa, it’s a common practice to remove the cobra snake’s teeth and/or sew their mouths shut for safety. The snakes starve to death in days. So something to be mindful and aware of.
Plan Route to Riad
If you’re wanting to get the full Moroccan experience you’ll want to stay in the “Medina” of the major cities you’re staying in. That’s the old city centre. And then best to stay in a traditional guesthouse or “Riad”. But the Medina can be a complexity of winding streets and alleyways and no guarantee of a sensical order of where the riad is located so best to get METICULOUS directions to where it is ahead of time to save the hassle.
Long Wait in Customs
We arrived in Marrakech Airport the Friday night of a long weekend. So of course it would be expected to be busy but the process of each person being reviewed seemed particularly slower than what we are used to. It took two hours to get through customs and then another thirty minutes to get local currency so we didn’t get to our riad until nearly 2am. So best to prepare for how long it could be and keep your riad host updated.
So Much To Learn
There’s so much to take in from visiting Morocco it was one of the most diverse and interesting places we have ever visited and the above is only a topline look into advice we took away. But if you have more questions or if you think we missed any top tips let us know!
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Thanks guys!
Chris and Larry
