Morocco

Entry requirements depend on your nationality, so always confirm your own situation before booking. Citizens of many Western countries — including the US, Canada, the UK, all EU/Schengen states, Australia and New Zealand — can enter Morocco visa-free for tourism for stays of up to 90 days; you simply arrive with a valid passport.

Travellers from countries not on the visa-exempt list generally need a visa, and many can use the Morocco e-Visa, applied for online for a single entry of up to 30 days. Apply only through the official government portal — numerous unofficial lookalike sites charge inflated fees for the same process.

Passport-validity rules vary by nationality, so travel with at least six months' validity to be safe. One practical tip: ask the border officer to physically stamp your passport on arrival, as travellers have had departure trouble without an entry stamp.

The currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD). Importantly, the dirham is a closed currency: you generally cannot buy it abroad and should not carry large amounts out of the country. Obtain dirhams once you arrive, at ATMs and licensed exchange offices, and keep your exchange receipts.

Morocco runs largely on cash. Hotels, larger restaurants and modern shops in cities take cards, but riads, taxis, small cafés and market stalls are cash only. Withdraw from bank-affiliated ATMs and carry a mix of small notes and coins.

Tipping ('pourboire') is customary and appreciated. In restaurants, leave roughly 5–10% if service isn't already included; at cafés, rounding up or leaving a few dirhams is normal. A few coins are also expected for small services such as a porter, or a parking attendant ('gardien') watching your car.

Morocco is a warm, hospitable and predominantly Muslim country. Greetings matter: a handshake is standard, often followed by touching your hand to your heart as a sign of warmth. Use your right hand for greeting, giving, receiving and eating, as the left is traditionally considered unclean.

Modest dress is appreciated, particularly for women and especially away from tourist resorts — covering shoulders and knees helps you blend in. Non-Muslims are generally not permitted to enter functioning mosques (Casablanca's Hassan II Mosque is a well-known exception with guided tours). Always ask before photographing people.

Bargaining is expected and entirely normal in souks and markets — treat it as a good-natured, routine exchange rather than a confrontation; stay friendly and be ready to walk away. Public displays of affection are best kept minimal, and during Ramadan it is courteous to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours.

Morocco's main international gateways are Casablanca Mohammed V (the largest hub) and Marrakech Menara, with further airports at Rabat, Fez, Tangier and Agadir. For intercity travel, the ONCF trains are comfortable and punctual on the routes they serve, and the Al Boraq high-speed line links Tangier and Casablanca in around two hours.

Where trains don't reach — Essaouira, Chefchaouen, the desert towns — modern intercity buses fill the gap; CTM and Supratours are the established, reliable companies. Within cities, 'petits taxis' handle short local trips — insist the driver uses the meter, or agree the fare before setting off — while 'grands taxis' cover longer shared routes.

Ride-hailing exists but is limited and somewhat informal. If you drive, traffic moves on the right, an International Driving Permit is recommended alongside your home licence, and police checkpoints are routine — many visitors prefer to hire a driver for longer trips.

Morocco has solid, affordable mobile coverage in cities and towns. The three main carriers are Maroc Telecom, Orange Morocco and Inwi. A local prepaid SIM with a generous data package is inexpensive — buy one at the airport or an official carrier shop, bringing your passport to register it. Maroc Telecom generally has the broadest rural and remote coverage.

If your phone supports eSIM, several providers offer Morocco data plans you can set up before you arrive. Wifi is widely available and usually free in hotels, riads and cafés, though speeds vary. One quirk: some app-based voice and video-calling services have historically faced restrictions on Moroccan networks.

Morocco is generally a safe destination for tourists, and millions visit each year without incident, but it carries an elevated advisory: the US, UK and Australian governments cite a terrorism risk and advise increased caution, recommending you avoid crowds and demonstrations and stay alert in transport hubs and markets.

By far the more common issues for visitors are scams and petty crime, not violence. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in busy medinas and markets. The classic first-timer hassles are 'faux guides' — unofficial guides and touts, especially in the Marrakech and Fez medinas, who attach themselves to you and then demand payment — and overly 'helpful' strangers who give deliberate misdirections or steer you toward a particular shop. Politely and firmly decline unsolicited help, and use only guides with an official badge.

Do not drink the tap water — stick to bottled water and use it for brushing teeth in rural areas. Medical care is adequate in major cities but more limited elsewhere, so comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. Emergency numbers: 19 for police in cities (190 from a mobile), and 15 for ambulance.

Power: Morocco runs on 220V, 50Hz, using European-style plugs — Type C and Type E (the round two-pin style). Travellers from the US, UK and elsewhere will need an adapter.

Language: the official languages are Arabic (the everyday spoken form is 'Darija') and Amazigh (Berber). French is very widely used in business and tourism, and English is increasingly understood in tourist areas.

Best time to visit: spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are ideal, with warm, comfortable weather across most of the country. Summer is very hot inland — Marrakech and the desert can be punishing — though the Atlantic coast stays milder.

Time zone: Morocco observes UTC+1 for most of the year. Unusually, it falls back to GMT (UTC+0) for the month of Ramadan, then returns to UTC+1 afterward — confirm the current offset if you travel around Ramadan.