10 Things To Know Before Visiting Morocco

Morocco is a safe, beautiful Islamic country that has earned itself a spot on many bucket lists however, their culture is quite different from the West. So, it is important for you to do your research well beforehand, if you are planning to visit this country. On that note, here are 10 things you should keep in mind before booking your tickets to Morocco

1. It is illegal to take more than 1000 Dirhams in or out of the country.

Morocco has a closed currency so, it is advisable to take a bank card and straight head for the ATM in the airport once you have arrived in Morocco. Most airports in Morocco also have a currency exchange desk for exchanging your currency for Dirhams on arrival.

2. Carry cash with you.

Apart from large supermarkets, there are very few places that accept credit or debit cards. So, carry some cash with you if you are planning to do some shopping in Morocco because it can be quite difficult to find a cash machine if you are staying outside of a major city.

3. Morocco is a multi-lingual country.

You will glad to know that Morrocans can speak one of, or a combination of, Classic Arabic, Berber, English and Spanish. But the major language of Morocco is Darija.

4. Friday is a holy day.

Majority of the shops and businesses in Morocco are closed on Friday, especially after midday. In Islamic tradition, Friday is the day on which Jumu’ah is held and most Moroccans are expected to be at a mosque for congregational prayer.

5. Vaccinations, before entering Morocco is not mandatory.

Many believe that there are certain vaccination required by the law in order in order for you to cross the border but, this isn’t mandatory. You can enter the country without getting vaccinated at your own risk.

6. Left hand is considered unclean.

Islamic countries give huge importance to personal hygiene. They use the left hand only when visiting the toilet, so it’s important to avoid shaking hands with your left. You should also avoid eating with your left hand in public places.

7. Alcohol is expensive and hard to find.

Morocco is a Muslim country so, the purchase of alcohol is definitely frowned upon here but tourists are allowed drink on a holiday. You can directly buy alcohol from supermarkets such as Carrefour, as the prices are drastically lower than the cost of alcohol in hostels, hotels and restaurants.

8. Ask before clicking.

Moroccans are conservative in nature and they become nervous when it comes to getting their pictures taken. So, you should always ask for permission before clicking a local.

9. Carry toilet paper with you.

Most Moroccan toilets have a small shower or tap and bucket but, they don’t have toilet paper. So, you should carry toilet paper with you just in case, you decide to use a public washroom.

10. Consuming or buying hash is illegal.

Hash is easily available on Moroccan streets but you should know that it is illegal to sell buy or consume hash so, keep this in mind if you don’t want to get scammed into doing something that you’ll regret later.