There are usually 1-2 places in each major city to find the best exchange rate. The airport is usually not the best place to exchange money.

In Marrakech, the best place to exchange money is near Hôtel Riad Omar on rue Bab Agnaou off the Jemma el Fna. The exchange rate is about 10.9 per euro, about 30 points better than most banks and at the airport.

There are several other places around Marrakech and in other cities to exchange money for a decent rate.

There are plenty of (ATMs) in Morocco. You can also withdraw money in all the major cities.  It can be difficult to find ATMs in more remote areas and small villages. Many of the banks providing the ATMs charge significant fees, so it is a good idea to check with your local bank if they have any agreements with a Moroccan banking institution for no or lower fees. There are also bureaus du changes at the airport and in the major cities.  If you arrange for a taxi or other transfer from the airport to your accommodations, you can avoid changing money at the airport where there may be long lines and the exchange rate may not be optimal. (You can usually pay your transfer and/or tip your driver in your currency if necessary). Please note, you are not allowed to take more than 1000 dirhams, per person, out of the country upon departure, so make sure not to change or withdraw too much money.

Cash is king in Morocco. Most places prefer if you pay in cash, including for accommodations. Of course, many accommodations, restaurants and goods many be purchased with credit cards. However, you will often have establishments inform you that their internet is not working and they cannot process your credit card. It is always best to have some cash on hand. You can also conclude better bargains when dealing in cash. Most places will accept dirhams, dollars, euro and pounds. If you pay in dirhams, you are less likely to get cheated by a faulty conversion.

The salaries in Morocco are incredibly low. The average worker makes only makes about $200 to $300 per month. (Yes, per month.) Accordingly, tips are extremely appreciated, even where it is indicated that the tips are included. Always best to give the tip directly to the person that you want to receive the tip. Some establishments may not pass along tips to the workers. In some places, the workers will share tips amongst themselves. 10% is the norm. Suggested tips: At a standard accommodation, 100 dirahm (10 dollars or 11 euro per day), upscale/luxury accommodation 200 dirhams (20 dollars or 22 euros per day). This amount is typically shared amongst the staff (cleaning person, front desk, dining staff). For your driver, a minimum of $15-20 dollars/euros per day is suggested. Of course, more, less or no tip is at your sole discretion, unless otherwise indicated.

When you go into the Souks (shops in the Medina (Old Town)), or other shops, while traveling in Morocco, you will find that there are seldom prices marked on the goods. The locals will give you a random price, generally based upon how much they think they can get from you. Typically, this amount will be at least twice the price a local would pay for the same item. The art of bargaining is to have loads of time, and know what a product is really worth. However, figuring out the real worth of an item is tricky and time consuming. One of the arts of negotiating is to look utterly disinterested.  When entering a shop, do not show how much you like something or exclaim its qualities. Asking for a final price to avoid bargaining is often useless – the locals are just hardwired to bargain. One tip when shopping is it to avoid buying things on your first day in Morocco or your last day.  Take your time and ask different vendors the price for the same or similar item. Fortunately, prices in Morocco are relatively pretty low, so ultimately pay what you are comfortable with and don’t regret it if you paid more than you should have.  While your guide or driver may have some advice on an item’s price, don’t rely upon them for bargaining. It is a very delicate situation for your driver or guide, as the vendors may put pressure on them and we advise them to stay neutral and not to pressure our clients. If there are specialty items that you are interested in purchasing, please let us know so that we can assist you with locating the best vendor.

There are loads of wonders for children in Morocco and the locals are very accommodating to children.  All the colors, sights, sounds and natural wonders are fabulous for children. Depending on their ages they can engage in a lot of activities, from swimming, climbing, riding camels (dromedaries), horseback riding, quad rides in the desert, sand dune surfing, surfing, windsurfing (kitesurfing), skiing and snow play in the Atlas Mountains.  The food in Morocco is fantastic and for the picky eaters, a chicken or beef brochette and some rice or plain pasta should satisfy them. There is also plenty of fresh fruit and an array of snacks that you will recognize from home to keep them. Make sure to stick to bottled water for kids and adults who are not accustomed to the local water.

It is not advised to drink the water in Morocco unless you are a local. There is plenty of bottled water available wherever you go. We recommend that you use bottled water for brushing your teeth as well. In addition, take care not to eat any uncooked vegetables or fruits that may have been washed in local water, especially in more remote areas.  In big cities and at upscale establishments, most places will take proper precautions to avoid discomfort to their guests, but it is always a good idea to ask. It is also always good to ask whether ice is made from mineral water as well before ordering something with ice. I would also err on the side of caution and always ask if fresh fruit juice has been mixed with local water. If you doubt, don’t eat/drink it. It is not worth it.

Yes. Although alcohol is generally considered forbidden in Islam, Morocco also produces its own alcohol and imports alcohol.  In fact, there are several lovely wine growing regions to visit. Many restaurants, bars, clubs and hotels that cater to tourists are licensed to sell alcohol. There are also stores that are licensed to sell alcohol to the public. In Marrakech and Ourzazate, the major vendor selling alcohol to the public is Victoria.  During Ramadan and other important Islamic observances, tourists can often purchase alcohol with their passport, whereas locals may not. When going to more remote areas, especially in the South, it is more difficult to locate and purchase alcohol. We can assist you with locating and purchasing alcohol in various regions.

The road over the Atlas Mountains and through other mountain passes includes quite a few bends. If you suffer from car sickness please remember to bring your motion sickness pills. It is also advised to travel in a larger vehicle to avoid feeling the bumps and bends as much. Some people feel better if they sit in the front seats.

Fortunately, most venues in Morocco are by now accustomed to the many dietary restrictions that many guests have traveling from the US and other countries. However, it is important to immediately alert your travel coordinator, hotel, guide, driver, restaurant of these restrictions, so that your needs can be addressed. Most Moroccan meals revolve around some sort of meat and vegetables, except for breakfast which usually revolves around carbohydrates. Thus, if you do not eat meat or carbohydrates, for example, you should let your travel specialists know immediately. We have a lot of experience working with our vendors and partners with these concerns, including making sure that the customary tea that is offered to guests at almost every stop, does not contain the customary copious amounts of sugar. Similarly, if you have allergies, notify your travel coordinator immediately and be sure to bring any medicine that you might need to treat your allergy.

The electrical current in Morocco is 220 voltage, like continental Europe. To use your electrical appliances, purchased in the US, bring a converter (if not dual voltage) and an adapter. Wall outlets take the two-pin plug found in continental Europe. Many outlets are of the recessed variety and it is better to have the large round adapters with the two-pin plug and the grounder. Power surges do occur.

Western style toiletries and food items (including specialty food items) can be found at the US equivalent to Target or WalMart called Marjane or the French owned Carrefour, both found in larger cities, from mid-Morocco to North Morocco. You can also purchase alcohol at Carrefour. Generally, you purchase medicine at the local pharmacies. Many items can even be purchased without a prescription. All the medicines are not necessarily the same or bear the same names. Good to research before you leave the name of a medicine you might need before traveling here. There are a few Western style clothing stores for men, women and children, should you need to pick up something that you forgot. For example they have H&M in Marrakech for inexpensive, Western style clothes.

Many guests benefit from having a local guide and/or a translator.  In the large cities, only local, authorized and licensed guides may be used. These guides have special training in history, culture and language to enhance your experience.  In addition, many guests feel more comfortable with a local guide, as they serve as a kind of intermediary between you and the vendors and the locals. This is especially true for female guests traveling alone. Depending on your itinerary and extent of information that you would like while traveling, you may also want to hire a guide/translator to travel with you throughout the country. Your driver will provide basic translation services and local information during your trip.

It is probably a statement of the obvious, but the sun is hot in Morocco. Bring a hat and sunscreen, and drink loads of water. You will likely find that you will not be able to do as much as you planned, especially during the hotter months. It is best not to push yourself too hard. Enjoy your time here and relax.

There are hospitals and medical clinics and private doctors in all of the major cities. In the smaller towns and villages, there is usually at least a nurse or healthcare worker that triages local problems and refers more grave issues to medical practitioners in the larger towns. The local pharmacist is often useful in assisting with minor medical problems. In the larger cities, there are foreign trained doctors of a variety of backgrounds who speak English, as well as other foreign languages.  A private medical visit is usually quite inexpensive, about $20.00 for a visit. In an emergency, there are local hospitals and private clinics. In an extreme emergency, an evacuation is recommended. We can assist you with locating an appropriate medical provider in an urgent or emergency situation, who speaks English or find a translator if necessary.

We strongly recommend that you take out your own medical and evacuation insurance.

You can access the Internet in many places. The strength and reliability differs location to location. Some places you may be able to download your email, but not be able to surf the Internet.  Depending on where you are staying, you may have Internet in your room or just in the lobby area. Remember that most US plans are going to charge you huge roaming charges to roaming and data. Good idea to purchase a local SIM card if you are going to use your phone in Morocco. You may also want to purchase a small disposable phone, while you are in Morocco for as little as 20 dirham (approximately $20.00). Travel tip: Often the local mobile carriers (e.g. Orange, Morocco Telecom or INWI) will give out free SIM cards at the airport when you exit the baggage area. There usually is a small amount of credit on the SIM to get you started, however you will have to add credit for continued use.

Morocco is known as a destination for the LGBTI community within the Arab world and beyond.  However, homosexuality is still frowned upon within the local culture and there are laws against homosexual activity, especially as it applies to locals. People are prosecuted here for homosexual activity from time to time. However, if you are discrete, you should be able to avoid difficulties and have a thoroughly enjoyable stay while in Morocco. Our agency prides itself on welcoming people of all backgrounds and work we with our vendors and partners to ensure our guests feel welcome and comfortable.

You can use your mobile phone in Morocco. However, US plans are going to charge you huge roaming charges to access roaming and data. Good idea to purchase a local SIM card if you are going to use your phone in Morocco. You may also want to purchase a small disposable phone, while you are in Morocco for as little as 20 dirham (approximately $20.00). Travel tip: Often the local mobile carriers (e.g. Orange, Morocco Telecom or INWI) will give out free SIM cards at the airport when you exit the baggage area. There usually is a small amount of credit on the SIM to get you started, however you will have to add credit for continued use.

It is undoubtedly a logistical challenge to fit all the things you want to do into your schedule. Based upon the amount of time you have and your tolerance for travel each day, prioritize the places and/or activities for your trip and save the rest for your next trip. We are experts in making the trip as logistically efficient as possible, so please do not hesitate to ask if you would like any help.

Many of the public toilets found in local restaurants, gas stations and sightseeing stops, are Turkish-style squatters; a hole in the ground that you squat over. Often these toilets do not have toilet paper and you are instead invited to wash your private parts with water found in a bucket or spigot. Some of the local public toilets will have the traditional toilet we are accustomed to in the US and toilet paper is available for purchase. It is generally expected that you “tip” 1 dirham to the bathroom attendant for toilet paper. We recommend that you carry tissues in your purse or backpack and few dirham while traveling for your toilet needs.  If you are with one of our drivers, tissues and hand sanitizer will be available in the vehicle. In the larger cities, in places that cater to tourists, you will be able to find full toilet facilities.

Taking a taxi in Morocco is not like taking a taxi in the US. To begin with, there are a couple types of taxis. There is the petite taxi for local rides and the grand taxis for traveling in between towns or regions.  Also, whether you take a petite taxi or a grand taxi, be prepared to share the taxi with other passengers (sometimes many passengers), unless you arrange for the exclusive use of the taxi beforehand. Many of the taxis are in very poor repair and are quite dirty, but can get you from place to place. The taxi drivers will often fail to turn on their meter when they pick up a foreign passenger and then quote a random fare to pay upon arrival.  It is best to either negotiate the fare before taking the taxi or insist that they turn on their meter for the trip. Good idea to ask your hotel or a local to give you an idea of how much your ride should beforehand. They also collect double fares by picking up additional passengers. Fortunately, the fares for taxis are very inexpensive ($2.00 to $5.00 for an average local ride and $15.00 to $25.00 each way for a local airport transfer). Private transfers can also be arranged to meet your needs.

Fortunately, Morocco is reported to be one of the safest places to travel in the Arab world. The last reported major incident involving tourists occurred in 2011. At that time, 17 people were killed and 25 injured in an explosion at a restaurant in Marrakech. We are not aware of any other attacks since then within Morocco. Morocco is a monarchy with a strong monarch. It is generally perceived that the King of Morocco rules the kingdom with the objective of mitigating threats to foreign guests and maintaining a peaceful kingdom that is safe for all. There is significant police presence in the cities and on the roadways, which you will see as you travel throughout the country. You will observe check points from time to time by the police, who are charged with maintaining safety on the roads and within the kingdom.

A woman traveling alone in Morocco should take the same precautions she would take traveling alone anywhere. It is also a good idea to take extra care when traveling in the evening, in remote areas of a town or in a rural area.  It is best if you dress modestly, but that doesn’t mean you have to cover yourself up entirely. Most local women in the cities wear the same skinny jeans and t-shirts that women wear in the States. The difference here is that the local woman will wear a hijab (scarf covering her head) and will take care that her breasts and her backside are not exposed. In some cases, vendors can be quite aggressive (with men and women alike) and some women have complained of men being aggressive towards women walking or traveling alone (not unlike New York City or Rome, Italy).  On the other hand, many women report traveling alone without any incident at all. In any case, it is a good idea to take care and exercise good judgment. Often hiring a local guide can be invaluable for a woman traveling alone to avoid any unpleasantness. We can assist with planning an itinerary and activities to make your trip comfortable, safe and most enjoyable, regardless of your gender.

The standards of dress for Westerners are different than for the locals. The expectations for how you dress in the larger cities are reasonably relaxed. It is advised though, out of respect and to avoid unwanted attention, women cover their breasts and dress reasonably modestly. Reasonable length shorts, skirts, dresses and t-shirts are fine.  It is best to wear something on your bottom half that at least goes to the knee. Comfortable clothing is recommended for sightseeing.  Some people do dress up for cocktails and dinner in the cities.  It can get quite chilly in the winter months, especially on the coast, in the mountains and the desert at night. Make sure to bring layers, including sweaters and seasonal outerwear. Comfortable footwear is essential while sightseeing. The cities have old cobblestone and broken concrete streets and sidewalks. The villages often have gravel or dirt roads. Of course, the mountains, deserts and the coasts require comfortable footwear as well. Fancy footwear is also recommended if you intend to go out to clubs, bars, restaurants or casinos at night.