Country: Marrakesh is located in Southwest Morocco, and is the fourth largest city in the country.  Marrakesh is known for the souks in it’s sprawling medina which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Capital: (Morocco) Marrakesh

Country Flag:

Languages: Arabic, Berber, French

Currency: Moroccan Dirham (DH)

Passport: Must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned date of departure and have at least 1 blank page. 

Visa Required from United States: Not required for visits under 90 days. 

Current Travel Advisories:  Click here for current travel advisories.

Suggested Immunizations: Click here for a list of suggested immunizations from the CDC.  

Driving Side: Right

Driving Requirements:  You do not need an international driving license, you can drive in Morocco with your passport and driver license from your home country. 

Average Temperatures and Holidays by Season:  Visit the Seasonsyear.com website to see average temperatures and holiday in each season. 

Average Daylight Hours:  14 hours in June, 10 in December.  

LGBQT Friendliness: Homosexual behavior is currently criminalized in Morocco, with a punishment of 3 years in jail.   Click here for more specific information on sexual orientation laws on the ILGA website

Laws, Rules and Customs:

• The Moroccan Dirham (DH) is a semi-closed currency.  You are able to obtain some Dirham at home, but are only able to bring 1000DH ($100 USD) into Morocco so you will need to get most of your money there. 
• Most public toilets have a 1 or 2 DH charge, make sure you keep small change for this reason.  Also bring some toilet paper with you as many times there is none. 
• Don’t use your left hand to point or eat.  The left hand is usually used to clean up since Moroccan people typically don’t use toilet paper and it is considered offensive and unhygenic. 
• Don’t drink the water or drinks with ice unless they have been filtered for fear of sickness.  Stick to bottled water, even for brushing teeth. 
• Eat only fruits or vegetables that have been peeled, washed or thorougly cooked just before eating.  Avoid salads unless you’re sure they have been prepared hygenically.  Hot food is usually safe. 
• When traveling with medication bring a prescription and check the embassy website to ensure medicine you are bringing is not illegal in Morocco.  
• Cell carriers will give out SIM cards for free at the major airports but you will have to provide your passport number.  Data plans can be had 20GB for $20.  Make sure you phone is unlocked or it will not work. 
• Bargaining is a tradition in Morocco.  A good price is usually about 30% of the sellers starting price.  
• You do not need to go out and buy long clothing – tourists are seen in t-shirts and long shorts in many areas with the exception of a mosque.  Bring a camisole to cover up in the evenings.  
• Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter mosques in Morocco, the Hassan II mosque in Casablanca is an exception.  When entering the Hassan II shoulders and knees should be covered. 
• If someone in the square tries to hand you something, do not accept it and small and say no thank you – otherwise they will expect you to pay.  Likewise if you take pictures of the snake charmers and they see you they will harass you until you pay. 
• A common scam in the medina is for someone to offer to give you directions or walk you to your destination and then expect you to pay.   Keep your valuables close to you as there are pick pockets in the area. 
• The Henna women in the square will grab your hand and attempt to draw on it – again, pull your hand back and say no thank you if you are not interested or they will harass you until you pay.  Black henna can cause burns to the skin so if you are interested in henna make sure it is the reddish-brown kind.   
• Supratours is a main bus service in Morocco with nice coach bus and they have a site where you can buy tickets on line.  
• Not all taxi’s in Morocco have meters.  Before getting make sure they are using a meter or establish the price ahead of time.  Grand taxi’s are for going from city to city, while petit taxis are for rides within the city. 
• Medinas are the older areas inside the walled cities where cars are not allowed.  Riads are typical Moroccan homes with an interior courtyard or garden.  Staying in these areas is an authentic experience, but you will need to find a luggage porter to help you bring your bags.  
• Ramadan which typically occurs between mid-March and mid-June may affect your vacation as many stores and things are closed.  Make sure you check to see if it coincides with your dates, and if so what that might mean. 
• Due to it’s proximity to Spain, Spanish is a common language used in Chefchaouen as opposed to the French spoken everywhere else.  
• French is widely spoken in Marrakesh.