Our Frequently Asked Questions

Find the answers to these questions on this page:

When is the best time to visit Morocco?

How should I dress?

Morocco is a Muslim country but there is no requirement for a Muslim or non-Muslim woman to wear the hijab. Morocco is a tolerant country that's used to foreign visitors. Men and women should make it a habit to cover their chests, upper arms and upper legs as a general rule of modesty. You can wear almost anything, but you may attract unwanted attention. It's best to opt on the more conservative side of exposing too much skin. You should cover yourself completely and women should wear a head scarf if visiting a religious site. It is acceptable to wear swimwear including modest bikinis on the beach or at the poolside. The climate varies; you may find that you need to pack clothing to suit both desert and mountain climates. Morocco sees scorching temperatures alongside rain and snowfall in some regions. You'll need good quality footwear to get around in Morocco.

Are drugs and alcohol legal?

Morocco welcomes responsible and respectful drinking, although many Moroccans abstain from alcohol because of their Muslim beliefs. Alcohol can be purchased in bars, nightclubs, supermarkets and 'under the counter' in some private premises. It's not as readily available as it is in the UK. You may be offered an alcoholic drink and it's fine to accept. Drugs are illegal in Morocco, the same as in most of Europe, the UK and the USA, despite the sale of hashish and kif on the black market. Hashish goes relatively unnoticed, but the use of some harder drugs can be highly frowned on. If you choose to use drugs in Morocco, you should be fully aware of the risks before you do so.

Is smoking permitted in Morocco?

Cigarettes are readily available in Morocco at highly discounted prices. You should be aware of any limitations to tobacco products when returning to your home country. Smoking rules are not as strict in Morocco as they are in the West, but pay attention to non-smoking areas in cafes and always be courteous to others around you. In general, you can still smoke in most restaurants, cafes and bars. Do not smoke at religious and heritage sites though.

Will I be safe?

Travel inevitably involves some level of risk, no matter where you go. Morocco is generally a safe place to go for Western visitors, even lone females, to enjoy some liberty, although it can feel a bit intimidating for a lone female to be walking alone late at night. Generally speaking, if you're in trouble, Moroccans will come to your aid, but you should be careful about who you can trust, not talk to everyone and to avoid eye contact and conversation if harassed by anyone. The main thing that travellers need to watch out for are thefts: pick-pocketing, distraction theft and bag-snatching (sometimes committed on a moped). Valuables should be hidden from sight. The road safety record in Morocco is poor, so pay attention when crossing the road and use seatbelts when travelling by car if available. We recommend that you take out a suitable travel insurance policy before travelling with us.

Do I need a visa?

If you hold a passport from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada, Japan and the EU, you are entitled to a 3 month tourist visa, provided free upon entry into the country, providing your passport is valid for at least 6 months. Make sure your passport is stamped correctly so that you can get out again. If you think that your stay will extend beyond 3 months, you'll need to cross the border into Spain by entering the Spanish enclaves on mainland Morocco (Sebtah and Melilah) and spend some time there before crossing the border.

Holders of other passports may need to apply for a visa at the Moroccan Embassy in their home country. The first document you need is a Morocco Visa Application Form. You can download the form online from the website of the Moroccan embassy or consulate in which you apply, or you can get it in person at the embassy/consulate.

The application form has around 30 questions, including:

Your name, sex, and age
Your nationality and place of residence
Passport information
Your profession
The details of your travel
Whether you have had any previous visas for Morocco
Contact information

What money do I need?

Morocco's currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). You cannot exchange the currency outside the borders of Morocco, but you can easily change Pounds, Dollars and Euros on arrival into the country. You also cannot take out large quantities of MAD, so you should exchange any notes back before leaving the country. ATMs are freely available all over Morocco so it's not necessary or advisable to carry large quantities of cash on your person. Check with your bank about withdrawal costs abroad before you travel. Contactless and card payments are not readily available in Morocco, unless it's a large firm or business. Try to carry some small change so that you can tip waiters, taxi drivers and other service providers (2-5 MAD is acceptable). Be prepared to barter in Morocco - it's expected. If the price sounds the same or a little more than it would cost at home, you're probably being scammed. Always ask petit taxi drivers to start the meter when you embark and always agree a price with a grand taxi driver before you travel.

What about COVID?

Morocco has reopened its borders, however, if COVID restrictions cancel your plans, you'll be fully refunded. Check out our COVID page for up to date information here.

Do I need any vaccinations?

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Morocco. The National Travel Health Network and Centre and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Morocco: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, polio and tetanus. Read the full details here.

When is the best time to visit Morocco?

Morocco is accessible and open for business 365 days a year. The most comfortable months to visit are the Autumn and Spring, however it depends on your holiday expectations, as to when the best time is to visit. Temperatures in the summer can be unbearably hot in the south, and you can expect some rainfall or snowfall during winter months in northern and high regions. Summer holidays necessitate a stay by the beach, so some holidays are more seasonal than others. Visiting Morocco during Ramadan doesn't mean that you have to fast. Morrocan hospitality extends all year round. Ramadan can be a wonderful time to experience Morocco.

Do I have to pay a single supplement?

A single supplement is an accommodation charge which is payable to the hotelier in order for you to take a room alone, as a lone traveller or part of a group with an odd number of people (assuming that most accommodation is priced for double occupancy). It's always more cost effective to travel in even numbers and to share a room. At Morocco 365 we believe in keeping the cost of single supplements to a minimum. We do this by negotiating a fair rate with our Moroccan partners and passing this saving onto you.

Are the tours suitable for children?

Morocco is an amazing place for children and they are most welcome and held in high esteem by Moroccans. Morocco is a demographically young country with 27% of its population under 15. The younger population in larger cities are likely to speak some English and French, but language has no barriers for kids. The best way they can overcome the language barrier is by kicking a football about in the street with Moroccan children. There are so many activities for families and children to enjoy, from beach holidays to waterparks and swimming, through to film studios and other activities that only dreams are made of. Morocco appeals to all the senses and children will feel amazed, as though they are part of the film set of Aladdin. The tours have no age limits, but it is recommended that children wishing to join the Adventure Tour are 8 years and over, or able to walk 13km.

Be aware that when travelling with children who do not share your surname, you may be asked to produce their birth certificate to prove you are the parent or a letter from the child's parents authorising them to travel. This is in line with international human trafficking laws.

What's the food like?

Moroccan food is world renowned, diverse and delicious. On Fridays, Moroccans traditionally eat couscous with 7 different types of vegetables, served with a drink of leben (a sour yoghurt-like drink). Breakfasts are a mixture of French and Moroccan cuisine: croissants, baguette, harcha (semolina bread), msmen (Moroccan pancake), eggs and fruit, and our favourite; eggs with dried beef (khlii in Arabic.) Meat is halal meat, so that excludes pork, although this is available for a hefty price. Traditionally Moroccans eat a shared meal with their hands, using the bread in place of cutlery, which is also very widely used. Street food varies from 1-30 MAD, chawarma (kebab meat) is available for around 20 MAD. Try the Moroccan beans or lemnt. You can eat out in a restaurant from about 50 MAD onwards, depending on type. McDonalds and KFC operate in Morocco but should be avoided in favour of traditional Moroccan cuisine. Lebanese food is very popular in Morocco too. Moroccans tend to drink mint tea (without milk) and coffee. French pastry products are popular. Moroccans can cater for vegan and vegetarian diets too. Bread is served with almost every meal.

What about my food on the tour?

On each tour, you'll have breakfast provided, but not lunch or dinner. The only dinners provided are specified in the itinerary for each tour. This gives you some freedom to sample the diverse Moroccan food according to your budget and tastes. Your guide will be able to recommend places to you and arrange a booking if required. Eating out is really inexpensive in Morocco and there's something to suit every palette, budget and dietary requirement.

How can I use email/internet/phone in Morocco?

When you switch on your phone in Morocco, it will tell you that you have joined Maroc Telecom. Check roaming charges from your mobile provider before travelling. The best and most cost effective option is to buy a Moroccan SIM card on arrival in Morocco. For as cheap as 50 MAD (£4/5 Euros) you can have enough data to last you a month! Internet cafes and phone booths are plentiful all over Morocco. Cafes and restaurants provide free wifi and many Moroccans use Facebook to keep in touch.

How do I get to Morocco?

Morocco is best accessed by air and is easily accessible from many international airports. You'll need to arrange your own flight and should you miss your flight you should try to book yourself onto the next available one and inform Morocco 365 immediately. Marrakech is the most popular destination, but you may wish to fly t0/from Fez, Agadir, Tangier, Rabat or Casablanca, then travel to Marrakech by train, coach or grand taxi. Airport transfers for arrivals/departures from/to Marrakech are included in the price of the organised tours.

How do I get about in Morocco?

For large groups on our tours, you will travel around in our chauffeur-driven, fully air-conditioned 17 seat minibus with fitted seatbelts for your safety. Our Marrakech tour operates minibus/minivan airport transfers and 4X4 transport for excursions out of the city. When you visit Marrakech, you should try travelling about by calèche (a horse-drawn carriage). Why not take one from Jemaa al-Fna to the Majorelle Gardens? Each city in Morocco operates petit taxis, or small taxis (usually a Fiat but more commonly now a Dacia Logan) and the colour of the taxi will vary according to the city. Petit taxis are only for short distances within the city. For longer intercity journeys, a grand taxi (white Mercedes) is preferable. You may find yourself sharing a taxi with other passengers. Make sure the meter is set or the price agreed before you travel, and tip the drivers around 2-4 dirhams. You can also travel by train (ONCF) and bus (CTM) if travelling large distances. If travelling across the Sahara Desert, a camel or 4 wheel drive vehicle is highly recommended - it's difficult walking on dry, deep sand in the blazing heat.

What if I get ill?

We recommend that our customers take out adequate travel insurance and check they have received any relevant vaccinations for Morocco and Coronavirus before travelling. It's recommended that you take a small first aid kit containing insect repellent/insect bite cream, diarrhea tablets, rehydration capsules, plasters, and pain killers. There are lots of very modern pharmacies in Morocco, but these tend to close for around 2 hours at lunchtime and may not stock familiar brands. If you fall ill, Morocco 365 have a duty of care to get you to a doctor or hospital. We always recommend that you buy bottled water, wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly and remove the skin from them as the skin may contain harmful pesticides used in agriculture. The key to eating out is, if Moroccans are eating there then it's good enough. Most restaurants and takeaways will have a certificate of registration on the wall. Try to avoid touching animals as Morocco is one of many countries where rabies is prevalent around stray animals. Always check boots and shoes in the desert or mountains for any scorpions/snakes. Please let us know immediately if you have any health concerns or accidents, and advise your tour guide of any chronic medical conditions.

Do I have to pay VAT/tax on my tour?

The good news is no, not currently. Because Morocco 365 is a new business, we are exempt from paying VAT/tax, and this means that we can pass that saving onto our customers. The tours that we provide however, have been established for over 6 years, giving our customers peace of mind that their tour is fully compliant with both international and Moroccan legislation.

Why is Morocco 365 not ABTA registered?

Morocco 365 is not within the threshold that requires ABTA registration, due to its status as a tour operator and not a travel agent. We offer a full money back guarantee if your tour is cancelled due to COVID, and we have a cancellation policy that can be applied in exceptional circumstances, judged on a case-by-case basis.