I love Morocco, but it’s unlike other places I’ve visited. In short, what I saw online while doing my research was completely different from what I experienced on my trip.
I’m here to set the record straight with some tips on how to make the most out of your trip.
Haggle!- Haggling is a part of the culture; it’s almost like a sport. In Morocco, it’s common for items not to have a price listed.This can shock American tourists who are used to paying the sticker price.
So what’s my point?
If you want a souvenir, a taxi or even a bottle of water…Gotta Haggle!
You’ll be broke or thirsty if your haggle game isn’t strong. If haggling scares you, then practice before the trip, go on a guided tour, or bring a friend with good negotiating skills.
Lack of Ride-Sharing Services - Ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft used to exist in Morocco, but there was “tension” with the local taxi drivers.
Okay, I lied.🤥
Ride-sharing services exist, but only in a few non-touristy cities like Rabat. And even my driver would drop me off two blocks from the train station because he didn’t want any trouble from the local taxi drivers.😬
Language Barrier - Most locals only speak French and Arabic, so English-only speakers will have difficulty navigating around.
However, I could’ve sworn that some allegedly “French-only” speakers actually knew English, but didn’t want to speak it.🤷🏽♂️
FYI: Unlike most locals, the taxi drivers and merchants do speak English.
NOTHING is Free - If a local helps you in any way, expect to pay a tip. If not, you’ll be pressured into giving one.
Need help finding the Badi Palace?…expect to pay a tip
If you’re lost and a local offers to be your unofficial tour guide...you’ll need to tip.
Nightlife? - Morocco is an Islamic country, so drinking isn’t common.
What does this mean?
Don’t go to Morocco expecting to party because you’ll be disappointed. You can drink in some places, but prepare to pay U.S. prices for weak drinks.
So, for all my party animals out there… be sure to BYOB 😉
Carry Cash - Cash is king in Morocco, so don’t expect to use your credit card for most purchases. When you arrive in Morocco, I recommend going to an ATM first to get cash.
P.S. Remember to break up your bills for tipping!
Be Careful Crossing the Street! - Before crossing any street, look both ways…AND THEN LOOK AGAIN.
Pay attention to the sounds around you because it's common for people to ride scooters and mopeds in pedestrian areas.
Larger vehicles have the right-of-way, so beware…don’t walk in front of a bus! The bus will win.
Ask Questions - If any service is “included,” be sure to ask whether it’s free. This may seem tacky, but do you know what really sucks?...
Getting asked to pay for shuttle service at the airport when you’re on your way home and have spent all your cash.
Bring Toilet Paper - Some public restrooms expect you to bring your own toilet paper and cleaning supplies, so don’t be caught unprepared!
Tipping - Please don’t tip like you do in the states. Locals tip between 5 and 10% max.
Also, be on the lookout to see if gratuity is already included. It’ll appear as a service fee on the bill. Paying a tip on top of a tip isn’t fun.
Dress Appropriately - Right or wrong, people in Morocco dress more conservatively.
Use common sense; no one is saying to cover up completely.
Just leave the crazy outfits at home when going to a Holy place.
Quick Currency Conversion - Doing the conversion is easy; just divide by 10. For example, if something is 100 Dirham, that would cost around 10 USD.
Limited Mosque access - Typically, only Muslims are allowed to enter mosques, but some mosques are open to everyone.
With all that being said, I recommend a trip to Morocco. The architecture and customs are different from what you’re probably used to, but it’s worth it!
Are these tips helpful? What do you think?