What to Expect on Your First Visit to Morocco

Morocco remains a fascinating and mysterious country, full of surprises for even well-traveled guests. Its unique geographic location has given it a unique culture, and it has intuitive logic and customs unlike other Arab, African, or European countries. While some aspects of the culture may take getting used to, Moroccans are generally warm and friendly toward outsiders. Following these tips will help you adjust more quickly to some of the more unusual aspects of visiting Morocco.

Currency
ATMs are widely available in Morocco, and you will need them. While high-end restaurants and hotels will often accept cards as payment, most shops, cafes, transport, and daily expenses will require cash. While tourists in Morocco are generally safe from street crime, it’s still a good idea to keep your cash separated on your person, with a smaller amount in a pocket or wallet. It’s a good negotiating tactic to “only have X amount” of money if a street merchant, performer, or guide insists on payment.

“Guides”
If you show up at a tourist site, landmark, or monument, you will often be immediately approached by a local who will step in as your guide and start showing you around. Or, if you are walking and ask someone for directions, they may stop what they are doing and lead you to your destination. These people usually expect to be tipped after they have helped you, so be aware that you should have some cash on hand if you allow yourself to be guided, or quickly and politely decline the help.

Holidays
Fridays are a holy day in Morocco, and many cafes and shops are closed, particularly in less touristy areas. And many shops and cafes are also closed during the day during the month of Ramadan, and many people avoid visiting Morocco during that time. However, Muslims do break their Ramadan fast in the evenings, and the dinner hour is just as busy as any other time, so it may not impede your vacation plans as much as you might anticipate.

Clothing for Women
While Morocco is a liberal Muslim country, and many people are accustomed to Western attire, it’s still a good idea for women to abide by certain standards of dress, to avoid drawing unwanted attention or making anyone uncomfortable (including yourself).

Generally speaking, it’s enough to wear clothing that is comfortable and doesn’t show too much skin, keeping the midriff, shoulders, and knees covered, even in the hottest weather. However, it’s also a good idea to not just cover the skin, but to wear loose-fitting clothing that doesn’t hug your curves tightly, and avoid showy, sparkly fabrics and accessories.

Mosques
As a rule, non-Muslims are never allowed to enter mosques. In Morocco, some mosques have courtyards that are open to visitors, but you should not expect to enter the mosque itself unless it is explicitly clear that non-Muslim visitors are welcome.

Haggling
While many shops aimed at tourists have fixed prices on the merchandise, don’t miss out on the opportunity to haggle with a merchant in the souks of Morocco. Haggling in Morocco is as much a game and a social activity as it is a business activity, and an important part of local culture. If a shop is slow, and particularly if you are making a larger purchase, don’t be surprised if the shop owner invites you to sit down and have mint tea and talk over the deal. Relax and enjoy it, and don’t be in a hurry.

While in some parts of the world, you may expect that the opening number is double the real price, so you offer half, and settle at about 60% of the asking price, don’t be afraid to offer and negotiate for a much lower percentage than that in Morocco. The initial quote is usually wildly inflated, partly because you are a tourist, and partly just to have fun with the game of haggling and the skill of making a profit.

Partly because haggling takes a long time, and partly to get a better deal, it is best to buy multiple items at once. Ask for quotes for everything you are interested in individually, then offer a single price for the whole lot, and then settle in to talk it over. Don’t be afraid to walk away, partly as a negotiating tactic, and partly because chances are very good that another shopkeeper a few meters away has very similar items for a very similar price. Ultimately, you will probably end up paying more money than your souvenirs are worth, but you will have also had a unique experience and possibly made a new friend in the process. If you’ve done well, you will feel as though you’ve gotten a bargain, and the merchant will feel like they have made a profit, and both parties leave happy.