Travel tips: Morocco

Heading out from home? We’ve gathered some tips to make sure your trip is the smoothest it can be.

About Morocco

Morocco, a North African country bordering the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, is distinguished by its Berber, Arabian and European cultural influences. Marrakesh’s medina, a mazelike medieval quarter, offers entertainment in its Djemaa el-Fna square and souks (marketplaces) selling ceramics, jewelry and metal lanterns. The capital Rabat’s Kasbah of the Udayas is a 12th-century royal fort overlooking the water.

Using debit and credit card

Do I need cash in Morocco, or can I use my card everywhere?

Cards are accepted, but small vendors may only take cash, especially in markets

Not all payment terminals work well with mobile wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.

What currency do they use here?

The currency here is Moroccan dirham. The symbol is د.م. or MAD.

Which ATM’s can I use for free?

Free withdrawals at these ATMs.

• BMCI (BNP Paribas)
• Credit Agricole
• Al Barid Bank

If I want cash, how much should I take out of an ATM?

1 000 MAD should be enough for a few days.

Should I choose local currency or Euros when paying?

If you’re asked to choose between local currency and Euros, always choose local currency.

Staying connected

Can I roam, or should I get a local SIM?

Most EU mobile plans will charge you for roaming.

Wifi is readily available, especially in coffee shops.

If you want to get a local SIM card, you can learn about your options here.

Useful things to know

How does tipping work?

The service fee is sometimes charged to your bill. If this happens there’s no need to tip on top. Otherwise, leaving a few dirhams on top of the bill is appreciated.

How much does a 0.5L beer cost?

€ 2,60

How much does an average meal cost?

€ 2,80

What’s the emergency number?

There are different numbers for the different services here.

• Police: 19
• Ambulance: 15
• Fire: 15

What type of plug do they use?

This one! It’s the standard two pin plug.

What side of the road do they drive on?

They drive on the right side of the road here.

How do I navigate my way around?

Google and Apple Maps both work well.

Otherwise, we recommend Rome2Rio as the best way to find out how to get anywhere. It even tells you the cost of each option.

Any other good tips?

• Visit Chefchaouen, a refugee camp back in the days. Most of the buildings are painted in blue. Go find out the reason!
• DO NOT BUY A ROAMING PACKAGE, get a free sim at the airport and top it up. When topping up, you need to specify whether you are getting internet, calls or text. The price for 1GB is 10Dh, extremely cheap. (11/2019)

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If you’ve been to Morocco share your experience! The following would be really useful for others to know:

• Which ATMs are free to use or was there a fee? 
• Any other info you think may be useful.

Check out our latest travel tips from here!