Morocco FAQ

A SaharaTrek private tour of Morocco is a tour that is exclusively for you and your travel companions. This means that you will not be sharing the tour with people you don’t know. The tour can be tailored to your interests and preferences, and you will have the flexibility to adjust the itinerary as needed.

• You will have the flexibility to customize the itinerary to your interests and preferences.
• You will not have to share the tour with any other strangers.
• You will have the attention of a dedicated driver and city guides who will be able to answer all of your questions and help you make the most of your trip.
• You will have a more intimate and personal experience of Morocco.

If you are looking for a unique and unforgettable way to experience Morocco, then a SaharaTrek private tour is the perfect option for you.

Tourist visas for American travelers are not required for stays less than 90 days, but your passport must have at least six months of validity at the time of entry and at least one blank page necessary for an entry stamp. *US Dept of State

Following the decision of the Moroccan authorities, COVID health restrictions (PCR or Vaccine Pass) are lifted. Travelers must only present a completed health form that can be downloaded online or available at the airport.

Apart from universal vaccinations (tetanus, polio, whooping cough, diphtheria, hepatitis B), no additional immunization is recommended to visit Morocco. *Moroccan Government

Clients often ask why the drive times in Morocco seem so long. The short answer is Morocco is the size of California, but the roads are equivalent to rural Arkansas.

The long answer is:

• Road conditions:

  • Limited highways: Compared to some countries, Morocco has a smaller network of high-speed highways. Many journeys involve national and regional roads which are single-lane with much lower speed limits.
  • Windy landscapes: Morocco’s beautiful mountain ranges, like the Atlas Mountains and Rif Mountains, often lead to winding roads that necessitate slower driving for safety.
  • Police: Random checkpoints are everywhere. Some you stop at, some you slow down at. The important part is not to stop at a slowdown, or slow at a stop. Fortunately, your professional driver knows how to handle it.

• Traffic considerations:

  • Sharing the road: You might encounter livestock, pedestrians, and slower-moving vehicles along the way, all of which can impact your travel speed.
  • Passing through towns: Frequent towns and villages often have lower speed limits and can add to travel time.

While these factors can extend travel times, they also contribute to the scenic beauty of Moroccan road trips! While we do our best to break up the drives with stops along the way at points of interest, our tours are private tours, so you can have your driver stop anywhere as often as you want to stretch your legs, have a snack, or hit the bathroom.

SaharaTrek is a certified Veteran-Owned Business that is committed to providing our service members with the best possible travel experience. For current and past military members, we offer a 5% discount for your entire group for any ground tour at any time.

We know that you have served our country with honor and distinction, and we are proud to offer this discount as a way of saying thank you for your service.

No, we don’t, and for a good reason. Morocco is a popular destination served by multiple airlines departing from numerous cities with different prices. So instead of having to fly to a city that may not be close or convenient to your home to start your flight to Morocco, you have the freedom to choose the best departure time and city for you and the best price.

The Moroccan Ministry of Tourism used to have the slogan “Morocco, a feast for the senses!” And they were right. Food is everywhere in Morocco, and the best meals can be found in the most unlikely places. From street vendors with incredible grilled saffron chicken to luxury restaurants serving the finest French cuisine. That’s why our tours only include breakfast, so you’re filled and ready for the morning, and an occasional dinner at the end of a long drive or when meal options are limited by location. Our included “Taste of Morocco” street food sampling will give you just a taste of what Morocco offers, so once you find that exceptional dish that you want more of, you’re free to indulge whenever and wherever you choose. So bring your appetite for adventure, and you’ll discover why Morocco still is a feast for the senses.

The currency in Morocco is the Moroccan dirham, abbreviated as MAD. It is illegal to export dirham out of Morocco so you won’t be able to purchase any before you leave the US.

We recommend our clients carry four forms or payment with them.

• ATM cards: You can generally use your ATM card in major towns and tourist areas, especially cards with Visa or Mastercard logos. Be sure to check with your bank about international withdrawal fees before you travel. ATMs in Morocco typically dispense dirhams.
• Credit cards: Visa and Mastercard are again the most widely accepted credit cards, particularly in tourist establishments. It’s always a good idea to let your credit card issuer know you’ll be traveling to Morocco to avoid any issues with potential fraud flags. Although common in big cities, don’t expect wide acceptance in more rural areas.
• US Dollars: Easily exchangeable into dirham and accepted throughout Morocco.
• Moroccan Dirham: cash is always king.

The exchange rate for US Dollar to the Moroccan Dirham is anywhere from 1:9 to 1:11. Easiest way to think is 1:10. So if you tip someone 20 Dirham, you’re paying $2 USD.

For the best experience, you’ll have a local guide at each city you tour.

We know the best way to experience a new city is with a local guide. That’s why we pair our guests with a knowledgeable, professional, and licensed guide in each city they visit. Our local guides are experts in their city’s history, culture, and cuisine. They can take you to the hidden gems that most tourists never see and help you avoid the tourist traps.

Whether you’re interested in visiting historic landmarks, sampling local cuisine, or simply exploring the city at your own pace, our local guides can help you make the most of your city visit.

• They can help you make the most of your time and ensure you don’t miss anything.
• They can give you insider tips on the best places to eat, shop, and sightsee.
• They can help you avoid tourist traps and get the most authentic experience possible.
• They can help you communicate with locals and learn about the culture.

So, if you’re looking for a truly memorable travel experience, book your tour with us today and let our local guides show you the best of each city.

Clients always ask about tipping, and that’s a good thing. We pay our guides and drivers better than most so you won’t encounter the “Moroccan Cousin.” You’ve heard of them from every traveler that’s been to Morocco, “I have cousin that owns shop, much better price.” But Morocco is very service based, so tipping, although not mandatory, is culturally expected.

So how much do you tip?

A good rule of thumb is $20 (USD) for your group for a full day of service (more if you enjoyed the service).

• Driver – $20/day payable at the end of your tour.
• City Guide – $20 for a full length tour payable at the end of your city tour.
• Waiter at a Café or Small Local Eatery – 5% to 10% of bill
• Waiter at a mid-range or Upscale Restaurant – 10% to 15% of bill (Check to be sure that a tip is not already included.)
• Bellhop – $1 to $2 per bag.
• Hammam – $2 to $5 per attendant; depending on whether simples or upscale. Luxury package deals might include exfoliation, massage, henna, etc. so there will be more people to tip.

So all in all on a busy day with a driver, city tour, waiters, bell hop, etc., expect to spend around $50/day in tips at most (about the same you’d spend on tips for a cruise).

Being a Morocco tourist gives you many passes on dressing appropriately for the culture. In big cities, you’ll see tourists in tank tops, booty shorts, and flip-flops like they were strolling on a Florida beach. While tolerated, it marks them as a tourist with everything that comes with it. If you want to “fit in” and be able to better experience Morocco, its culture, and its people, you’ll want to leave the booty shorts at home and dress for the culture. Long pants or long dresses are a great place to start. Tops that cover up to the neck and upper arms are also respectful. And please, don’t wear flip-flops! A pair of sturdy walking shoes or low hiking boots over uneven (and often really dirty) streets will save your feet from damage and all sorts of icky.

Some people travel using SpaceBags, while others fold their clothes neatly. But rest assured, airport security and customs don’t care how organized you are. Everything could get dumped on a table then just tossed back in. From experience, what works best for us is packing using a “Ranger Roll.”

Morocco is in the Northern Hemisphere, so it has the same seasons as the US at the same time. The closest comparison would be to Arizona. Hot in the summers, cool in the winters (right down to the snow). If you’re traveling in winter, spring, or fall, bring at least fleece you can put on when the temperatures dip.

• Prescription medicines: in their original bottle and labeled with the traveler’s name

• Anti-diarrheals: Morocco can and will send you running to the bathroom at least once. The change in climate, spices, and food gets everyone, so bring some Imodium or similar.

• Pain killer: Asprin/Advil/Aleve/etc.

• CBD/THC: DON’T BRING THEM! Even if you have a prescription

Maybe. It depends on several things:

• International roaming: Check with your US cellphone provider to see if they offer international roaming in Morocco. If they do, you’ll need to activate the feature and understand the calls, texts, and data usage rates. Be aware that international roaming can be expensive, so setting a budget and monitoring your usage closely is a good idea.
• Unlocked phone: Make sure your phone is unlocked, allowing you to use a local SIM card in Morocco. If your phone is locked to your US provider, you may need to request an unlock before you travel.
• Local SIM card: You can purchase a local SIM card in Morocco for your unlocked phone. This will allow you to make local calls and access local data networks at a lower cost than international roaming. You can purchase a SIM card from one of Morocco’s mobile operators, such as Orange, Maroc Telecom, or Inwi.

• Coverage: Check the coverage of the mobile operators in Morocco to ensure that you have service in the areas you plan to visit. You can check the coverage on the mobile operators’ websites or ask locals about the coverage in the areas you plan to visit.
• Data speeds: Morocco has a relatively developed telecommunications infrastructure, and you can expect average data speeds of around 10-20 Mbps in urban areas. However, data speeds can be slower in rural areas.
• Power adapter: Morocco uses Type C and Type E power sockets, which differ from those used in the US. You’ll need to bring a universal power adapter to charge your phone.
• Language support: Using a Moroccan SIM card means support will be in French and Arabic.
• Some Moroccan telecommunications companies have blocked the call feature on internet calling apps like Skype and WhatsApp, so you might also need a VPN to use those services.

To avoid the hassle of new SIM cards or Wi-Fi hopping, all SaharaTrek vans have unlimited portable Wi-Fi onboard, so Wi-Fi-enabled calling and apps such as WhatsApp will work without changing your phone or SIM card. So go ahead, post, surf, or call home and tell them what a great time you’re having in Morocco with SaharaTrek!

Officially, same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Morocco and can be punished with anything from three to five years imprisonment and a fine of 1,200 MAD. That said, LGB tourism is often tolerated as long as travelers avoid showing affection in public (the same goes for opposite-sex couples). The drivers and accommodations we work with are professional and welcoming when working with LGB clients and are devoted only to creating a positive experience in Morocco. Fun fact: two men holding hands while walking in public isn’t unusual and is only a sign of deep friendship or family bond. However, trans-travelers may experience harassment and, in some cases, physical violence.

NO! And don’t try. They may appear tame and even take fruit from your hand, but they’re wild animals with a mouth full of razor blades and a massive inferiority complex. If you want to pose for a picture with a Barbary Ape, go to the Jemaa el-Fnaa Square in Marrakech and negotiate a price with the handlers before posing for pictures.

To call Morocco from the US, follow these dialing steps:

1. Exit code: Dial 011 to signal you’re making an international call.
2. Country code: Then, dial 212, the country code for Morocco.
3. Local phone number: Finally, dial the 9-digit Moroccan phone number.

Here’s the complete format:

011 + 212 + Local phone number

Mobile numbers: If you’re calling a Moroccan mobile phone, the number might start with a 6. In that case, just include the 6 after the country code.

Example: To call a Moroccan landline number 555-1234, you would dial:

011 + 212 + 555-1234

Tip: Always double-check the phone number before dialing to avoid any extra charges.

Here’s how to make calls from Morocco to the US:

1. Exit Code: Dial 00 (This is the most common exit code in Morocco, but it’s always a good idea to confirm with your phone carrier if unsure.)
2. Country Code: Then, dial 1, the country code for the United States.
3. Area Code + Phone Number: Finally, dial the 10-digit US phone number. This includes the area code (3 digits) and the local phone number (7 digits).

Here’s the complete format:

00 + 1 + Area Code + Local Phone Number

Example: Let’s say you want to call a US landline number in the Chicago area (area code 312) with the local number 555-1234. You would dial:

00 + 1 + 312 + 555-1234

Alternative Ways to Call the US:

• Calling Apps: Consider using calling apps like Viber, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger if you have a good internet connection. These apps often allow free calls to US numbers when both parties have the app installed.
• Calling Cards: You can sometimes find calling cards in Morocco that offer cheaper rates for international calls to the US.

Things to Consider:

• Cost: International calls can be expensive, so check with your phone carrier for their rates before making a call.
• Wi-Fi Calling: If your phone supports Wi-Fi calling and you have a reliable Wi-Fi connection, you can use it to make calls to the US for free (depending on your plan).

While the the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) is US law, Morocco has its own legislation on disability rights but full accessibility isn’t nearly widespread. Morocco is making strides in accessibility, but it’s not yet on par with countries like the US. Public transportation and historic areas have extremely limited accessibility due to narrow streets, stairs, and historic buildings. So be prepared for uneven terrain and obstacles.