GENERAL QUESTIONS
Arabic and French are considered to be the national languages of Morocco and both are generally used in documentation and street signs. The Moroccan dialect of Arabic, Darijah, is the language most Moroccans speak in their homes and on the street. More and more people are beginning to study English especially in the tourism sector. There are also three distinct Berber dialects – Tamazight, Tasusit, and Tarifit – used mostly among the Berbers themselves.
Morocco has four distinct seasons. Spring: March-May; Summer: June-September; Fall: October-November; and Winter: December-February. Spring and Fall are definitely the most lovely, temperate seasons, climate-wise, to explore Morocco. Summers are usually quite hot (90ºF – 105ºF in the north, hotter in the southeast/nearer to the desert) and the Winters can be quite cold (35ºF-55ºF, colder in the more mountainous regions). Most of Morocco’s rainfall occurs during the Winter, especially near the coast and in the northern region of the country. Need help deciding when to come? Check out our longer post on the best time to visit Morocco.
Important: Travelers should note that the country of Morocco operates on a different schedule during the Islamic month of Ramadan, when Muslims are required to fast during the daylight hours. Month of Ramadan 2019: early May to early June. Month of Ramadan 2020: end of April to end of May. Month of Ramadan 2021: mid-April to mid-May and so on.
Some of the best sites to see while in Morocco include but are not limited to: The imperial cities of Marrakech, Fes and Meknes are where you find wonderful bazaars, palaces and bustling town squares. Some of the best seaside towns include Essaouira, Agadir, Tangier and Asilah. Morocco is also famous for the natural beauty of its Atlas Mountain – people travel across the world to climb the highest of the High Atlas peaks, Mt. Toubkal. The Sahara Desert, with its golden dunes and winding camel trains, is, of course, the renowned favorite of visitors from every walk of life!
Coming to Morocco during Ramadan will affect your trip. There will be less options for restaurants during lunch, as most restaurants are closed during the day. Alcohol will not be served. Shops will open up later in the day, people sleep later after staying up to break the fast. While tourists are not expected to fast, we ask that you be respectful and avoid eating and drinking while walking around on the street. For more about how Ramadan affects your tour, read our post about travel to Morocco during Ramadan.
Morocco has something for everyone! Most itineraries include the Imperial Cities of Fes and Marrakech, where travelers love to experience the ancient medinas: full of souks, marketplaces, artisans and history. The Sahara Desert is another popular destination while in Morocco. Try camping for a night underneath the stars! Other travelers like to add in the smaller towns of Essaouira or Chefchaouen. Chefchaouen, in the north, is a small scenic town in the mountains that is painted all blue. Essaouira is a fishing village on the coast of Morocco, with an interesting medina. If you love the outdoors, you might like to consider visiting the Atlas Mountains.
Clothing: We suggest packing comfortable outfits that are ideal for walking around and sightseeing. You will also want to bring one or two nicer outfits for dinners out or at the riad/hotel. Pack comfortable walking shoes and a swimming suit. Winter specific: Bring a good jacket, long underwear, layering clothes, a scarf and warms socks. Summer specific: Bring light clothing, sunglasses and sandals.
See our full packing list here and more on what to wear in Morocco here.
Yes! Riads and hotels in the main cities will offer laundry services. If they do not, they will outsource it to someone else. We recommend doing laundry in a city where you will be spending multiple nights. Please be sure that you understand the service charge for laundry at the hotel before confirming as working in another currency can sometimes be challenging and present surprises.
Moroccan electrical sockets/outlets follow the design of one of the two European standard electrical socket types (two, round prongs): the “Type C Europlug,” “Type E” and “Type F Schuko.” These types of sockets/outlets are also used in Germany, France, and Russia. If your appliance’s plug doesn’t match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in.
Electrical sockets/outlets in Morocco supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you’re plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need.
IMPORTANT: Travel plug adapters do not change the voltage, so the electricity coming through the adapter will still be the same 220-240 volts the socket is supplying. North American sockets supply electricity at between 110 and 120 volts, far lower than in most of the rest of the world. This being the case, North American appliances are generally built for 110-120 volts. That doesn’t mean that your specific appliance isn’t already compatible with the higher voltage or that you won’t be able to use your appliance in Morocco…you will just need to make sure that your appliance will be able to facilitate 220-240 volts and that you have the appropriate adapter plug.
Yes! Almost all hotels and riads offer free Wifi for their guests. Another option to get online during your trip is to purchase a local SIM card and purchase 3G data for it. You can then use this on your phone wherever you have cell service, and use it as a hotspot for your laptop if needed.
It depends. Check with your phone provider to see if they offer any international services. If your phone is unlocked, you can purchase a local SIM card to use while in Morocco.
Depending on the hotel, you will find some of the upper level hotels with exercise rooms and equipment. Most cities and larger towns are equipped with running tracks and gyms which are generally willing to provide temporary memberships for tourists/visitors. We recommend that joggers have a jogging companion, pay attention to traffic, and avoid jogging in dark or isolated areas. Most traditional riads do not have gyms or fitness rooms.
We advise that you bring any prescriptions that you are taking and pack them in your carry-on to be sure that they do not get lost during your travel. You may also want to bring something for “traveler’s stomach.” While it is generally advisable to pack a small medical kit when traveling in a foreign country (sample packets of Ibuprofen, Benadryl, Pepto-Bismol, Imodium, triple-antibiotic ointment, band-aids, hand-sanitizer, baby wipes, etc), “green cross” pharmacies are plentiful in Morocco. Medical clinics and hospitals with emergency care are also readily available in most cities. You will have the phone number of our American Representative in Morocco if any issues arise – they will be ready and eager to help you.
The easiest way to get the local currency is to bring a bank card and withdraw cash as needed. You will be able to find Banks and ATMs in every major Moroccan city. Morocco is mainly a cash society. Hotels, larger restaurants, and some more touristy businesses in Morocco’s main tourist cities will accept major credit cards, but most smaller stores do not. We recommend that you keep a ready supply of cash, including small change for taxi fare and miscellaneous tipping on hand during your stay in Morocco. If you do pay by credit card, we recommend that you double check the receipt before signing, as working in an unfamiliar currency can allow you to be charged more than you expected, either intentionally or inadvertently.
Traditional Moroccan cuisine uses fragrant spices like cinnamon, ginger, saffron, cumin, and caraway rather than hot spices. In Morocco, meals are an experience! Expect to linger around the table for a bit longer than you are used to and take your time! Moroccans will generally serve a variety of salads (both cooked and raw), arranged on small plates before the main courses, which generally consist of a tagine (a well-spiced stew made with meat, vegetables, and garnished with stewed dried fruit and almonds) and/or cous-cous (finely ground and steamed semolina granules, topped with meat – usually beef – and an assortment of vegetables) and/or bastilla (an elaborate and very exotic meat pie). Dessert generally consists of fresh fruit and “atay,” sweet green tea with mint. Read about some of our favorite Moroccan foods!
International cuisine is available in the major cities of Morocco, if you are looking for more of a variety of options.
Street restaurants/food stalls often do not have running water or refrigeration are not often able to wash plates. Food hygiene can, consequently, fall well below Western standards. That being said, street food can be delicious and many visitors eat it regularly during their travels in Morocco without any problems. We recommend travelers to eat meat and vegetables that have been well-cooked, and to avoid uncooked/unpeeled salads and unpeeled fruit.
We do not recommend that visitors/travelers in Morocco drink tap water. Even in the larger, modern cities or hotels, the water contains higher levels of minerals than the water in North America and can also contain various microbes or amoeba. For Moroccans, these kinds of microbes or concentration of minerals are not a problem as their bodies are used to coping with them. For travelers, however, drinking the tap water often results in illness (upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, etc). Although such illnesses are not usually serious in nature, they can spoil a day or two of your trip. Bottled water will be available in your vehicle.
Please let us know if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions! Here is helpful information for vegans and vegetarians. We will do our best to serve you and will certainly communicate this to your driver and hotels. However, we also want you to be aware of a few things. We have no control over “traces” of nuts or any other allergens in containers, or bags, or kitchens. Morocco does not have the same food standards as the United States and other countries. If you have a member of your tour who has a serious condition, you may want to bring food with you based on the seriousness of the allergies. We also have no control over what insects you may come into contact with. If you are in any questionable circumstances, you will want to be extra careful.
Restrooms are generally to be found in train stations, restaurants, cafes, and some petrol/gas stations. In most tourism areas, Western toilets can be found. If you are traveling with a private driver, he will know where the cleanest places are to stop. Moroccan toilets, often referred to as “squatty potties,” are generally not equipped with toilet paper, so bringing your own roll (available at the local shops or ‘hanuts’) or purchasing small packets of Kleenex is a good idea. When using a ‘public’/restaurant/cafe restroom, it is always appropriate to tip the attendant a dirham or two per person using the facility.
Morocco’s rainy season is in the winter time (November through March). Rainfall is rather rare throughout the rest of the year. Umbrellas are available for purchase in most major towns and cities, especially in the winter. If you have a small travel umbrella that you can throw in your luggage, it would be a good idea during the winter months.
DRIVER
There is a difference between tour guides and drivers in Morocco. Tour guides are licensed to give historical tours of Morocco and they can accompany clients into the major cities. Your driver will guide you throughout Morocco, but we will provide you with a professional tour guide in the major cities. Your driver will be your “eyes” into the culture of Morocco. He is also very knowledgeable about the sights and history of Morocco. If you would like, we can provide you with a professional tour guide for the entire tour, but this will have additional costs.
No. If travelers arrive on the same day, but at different times, the regular tour driver can pick up both or you can arrange for an airport transfer. What we recommend depends on the time between the two arrivals. If you need a traveler to arrive on a different day altogether, ask us how to best arrange the itinerary!
Yes. All of the drivers that we work with are fluent in English, so that they are able to communicate well with you. Contact us if you need a driver to speak French or Spanish!
All of our drivers drive a 7 seater van, something similar to the Hyundai H1 or the Mercedes Vito. They are spacious enough for your luggage and comfortable for long drives. If you have more than 6 travelers, please contact us and we will book you a larger vehicle as needed.
The cost of the private driver is all inclusive, except for his tip. Our tours cover the fuel, lodging, food, tolls, and expenses of the driver during his time with you. We do ask that you leave a tip for his services. Even on the free days, your driver will be available to serve you. We will send you the driver’s name and contact information a few days before the tour, so you are able to contact him if you have any trouble meeting up with him.
POLICIES & PAYMENT
NOTE: We do not do tour postponements. A change of dates is considered a cancelation/ rebook and all cancelation fees apply. We recommend getting cancelation insurance. When deciding, please take into consideration whether your schedule is likely to change due to ill health or family member’s ill health (or other factors) and decide accordingly.
REGULAR TOURS: Tours which are booked 60 or more days before the tour start date.
| Days before tour | Refund per person |
|---|---|
| Cancel 0 – 14 days before Tour | No refund is available |
| Cancel 15 – 30 days before Tour | 25% of total Invoice is refundable |
| Cancel 31 – 45 days before Tour | 50% of total Invoice is refundable |
| Cancel 45+ days before Tour | $300 pp deposit is forfeited |
LATE NOTICE TOURS: Tours which are booked 31 to 60 days before the tour start date.
| Days before tour | Refund per person |
|---|---|
| Cancel 0 – 14 days before Tour | No refund is available |
| Cancel 15 – 30 days before Tour | 25% of total Invoice is refundable |
| Cancel 31 – 60 days before Tour | 50% of total Invoice is refundable |
LAST MINUTE TOURS: Tours which are booked less than 30 days before the tour start date.
| Days before tour | Refund per person |
|---|---|
| Cancel 0 – 14 days before Tour | No refund is available |
| Cancel 15 – 30 days before Tour | 25% of total Invoice is refundable |
| Cancel 31 – 45 days before Tour | 50% of total Invoice is refundable |
| Cancel 45+ days before Tour | $300 pp deposit is forfeited |
Reduction in Group size: If some member or members of a private tour party cancel, the increased per person cost to run the tour for the reduced number of members will be calculated by your Experience It Tours, LLC sales agent. The increase in cost per person will need to be covered by the remaining travelers or the cancelling member(s).
Security & Emergency Cancellations: Experience It Tours, LLC reserves the right to cancel any tour at any time if we feel that the safety of the travelers may be compromised. Very rarely, we may be forced by threatened war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events outside our control, to change or cancel your tour. This is extremely unlikely but if this situation does occur, we will offer a total refund – less non-refundable payments made to the local suppliers.
Further, Experience It Tours, LLC reserves the right to cancel the tour if the client is found to be participating in any illegal activities such as political activism, drugs, or prostitution.
To protect your travel investment, we highly recommend that you obtain CANCELLATION Insurance.
You can send us a CHECK or Bank Draft in US Funds made out to Experience It Tours, LLC mailed to our Finance office at an address we will give you. Bank and E-checks in US$ are accepted.
You can pay by credit card using a secure link that we will send you when you are ready to accept our services. We use the Pay Pal company as our credit card processor. You do NOT need a Pay Pal account to use this service.
In order to begin the reservation process, we require a non-refundable deposit of $300 per person. Once we have received this deposit, we begin the reservations for the hotels and transportation. Once the reservations are complete, you will receive a copy of the hotel information and covered expenses to verify. 45 days prior to arrival, full payment is due. After full payment is received, we send you a packet with travel information and vouchers.