Morocco is depicted as an oasis away from real life with nothing but beautiful swimming pools, hand painted tiles, and camels on every corner. Though there are 100% these findings within the country, you must seek them out. I do not want your experience to be ruined by unrealistic expectations.
It is a developing nation and our tourist dollars go far to help stimulate their economy. Enjoy every moment in this wonderful place. Exploring this country is an experience that, for most, will make you take a step outside of your comfort zone. Let it. Soak it up like the sun. This is the beauty of traveling. It is a chance to submerge yourself into a culture completely different from your own. With that being said, I have compiled a list of 14 things to expect and know while you're traveling.
1. It is a Muslim country, so women are expected to have their shoulders and knees covered
at all times. This is especially true if you are visiting smaller towns where less tourists go. Just remember that you are a guest in their country and should act accordingly.
2. You are going to want to have closed toed shoes while walking around the Medina (the market place). Going to the market is a must do, and one of the main attractions, but it tends to be much dirtier than most tourists expect.
3. Pickpocketing is a huge issue in Morocco, though it is not an unsafe place overall. You just need to be hyper aware of your surroundings. Women, use over the shoulder purses and try to always have your hand on them. Men (or women), if you are bringing a backpack with you, wear it on the front side of your body. If you have a camera with you, make sure to wrap the strap around your wrist. Something else to be aware of is to make sure you are not flashing your money while taking it out to pay. With this being said, there was not a single point I felt unsafe while inside the country, more did I encounter any problems. Just be aware of what's going on around you and you will be just fine.
4. They are on a bartering system. Never accept the first price they give you, because they will try to rip you off as a tourist. You should be getting it down to about half of what they originally offered you. With that being said, please keep in mind that our tourist dollars are really helping their economic stimulation so please don't take advantage of them either. They are trying to make a living and feed their families, so settle for paying what you feel comfortable with. When it comes to taxis set a price with the driver before getting in. Also, try to know the approximate distance from locations so that taxi drivers cannot rip you off.
5. In Marrakech, there are street performers like snake charmers, musicians, and people with monkeys on leashes. They are all doing this for a tip, they expect you to pay them for taking pictures and/or holding the animals. You can look for free, but the second that you take a picture (or they think that you do) they will literally follow you until you give them a tip. A euro or two is sufficient. (1 euro = approx. 10 Durham) Along with the performers, there will be people around you all the time trying to do things for you like carry your bags, give you a tour, and more. If you do accept their help, be aware they only do these things for a tip as well.
6. Be prepared to see many things that you are not used to seeing. While in the Medina, be ready to witness things such as chickens getting their heads cut off, camel heads and other body parts hanging from the store fronts, and so much more. This is a part of their culture and though it may be shocking or nauseating to visitors, this is what you signed up for when you decided to travel to Morocco.
7. Like I said before, Morocco is a Muslim country so they have call to prayer five times a day. For many Western cultures it will be shocking to hear the bells sounds throughout the town. It also can be unexpected to see individuals stop in the middle of their day and drop to their knees and pray. Many shops have prayer rugs in the corner for customers to use if the time comes while they are shopping. Be respectful of their religion and traditions.
8. Durham is their currency. Contrary to popular belief, they are not on the Euro. The exchange rate is about one euro for ten Durham. An easy way to figure out how much you're paying for something in Morocco is to take a 0 off the end of a price. (Say dinner is 100 Durham, it is approximately 10 euros.)
9. Tourist destinations like Marrakech and Fez are not right near each other. They are hours
apart, so make sure you do your research before hand about how/when you will be getting from one place to another. Give yourself enough time (including travel days) to truly see and appreciate the cities you are visiting.
10. Their hygiene is not up to the same standards it is in the United States or other westernized societies. So with that being said, make sure you have the needed things with you, like hand sanitizer (you cannot wash your hands with the water) and packs of tissues because there is not always toilet paper in restrooms. Also stock up on first aid supplies/illness remedies such as cold pills and Advil. For the women, if you are going to be on your cycle, make sure you bring enough feminine products to last your whole trip in Morocco, because finding what you need there can prove very challenging.
11. YOU CANNOT DRINK THE WATER. The water is not drinkable for tourists, even if locals say it is. It will make you very sick. Not only should you not drink it, but do not brush your teeth, wash your hands, or eat food that has been washed in it. To be safe, I would recommend only eating cooked food while you are there. Bottled water is very cheap and widely available, so make sure to always have one with you.
12. Do not have unrealistic expectations when visiting. If you believe all of Morocco looks like it does on Instagram, you are in for a rude awakening. It is a developing country and therefor you should expect to see poverty and homelessness. There is trash littering streets and much less sanitation that you and I are used to. The gems of Morocco that you see on Instagram are just that- gems. The best of the best. And although those places do exist, make sure you do your research before hand to be able to find them.
13. Be aware that even if a hotel or accommodation says that they have wifi, it does not always work. Because of this, I recommend doing most of your research before you enter the country. Have where you want to go and what you want to do written down.
14. Cell phone providers do not always cover Morocco, even with international plans. Make sure you check before hand with your company so that you do not come home to an outrageous bill. If your plan does not cover the area, it tends to be extremely expensive.
With that being said, I loved my experience in Morocco (Fez, Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, & Assilah) and highly recommend it to the brave of heart and the adventurous souls. It truly changed my outlook on my life and I gained a deeper appreciation for everything I have. After exploring this wonderful country, it made me feel like I could go anywhere and do anything. Not only is there amazing architecture, but you will meet some of the hardest working people in the world. Around every corner there is a new adventure (and probably some Donkeys). This country may challenge you, and it will definitely change you.
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