Offering its visitors rich history, beautiful landscape, and versatile culture, Morocco is like a heaven on earth. From the vibrant red Atlas Mountains to the explosion of colors in the endless markets scattered around the ancient medinas, this place has a unique beauty on its own. Morocco has a lot to offer and it never fails to amaze the tourists. Every year tourists from all over the world visit this country to have the best experience in the world. Many of you are having your first experience of this welcoming land and here are some very helpful tips to make this journey more intriguing for you.
Languages Spoken
English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Berber you find almost different languages spoken in this land. Daily, most people speak Darija, or Moroccan Arabic, while the sizable Berber community follows their own indigenous language. Whatever language you speak people won’t get uncomfortable or reluctant from you. Their welcoming nature will make tourists comfortable from all over the world. You won’t feel that you are in some other country or people are treating you like an outsider. Standard Arabic and French are often termed as lingua franca of morocco. Spanish is also quite popular in the northern areas, while English is gaining popularity in most parts of the county.
Currency Used
The local currency is the Moroccan dirham. One US dollar will manage to be exchanged for 11 dirhams. Prices can vary a lot depending on your travel style and place to place but on average, travelers can spend around $40 a day which includes hotels, food, and other tickets and travel expenses. Most of the transactions here are done in cash so it’s better to have some for daily routine. You can get good exchange rates and withdraw cash from nearby ATMs.
Internet Access
You can manage to get free Wi-Fi at every cafe, restaurant, or hotel. But it’s better to have cellular data as it may come in handy. You can easily buy SIM cards and purchase data networks for cheap rates. This is a wise option because you might not have access to free internet everywhere or signals might be poor because there might be loads of people accessing it. You can easily purchase SIM and data plan for a month for just over $20 and it can save you all the stress.
Major Drawbacks
The vast majority of Moroccans are very friendly and will make you feel at home but few people try to ruin this image. Street harassment is an issue for local women and tourists and you may find yourself in such a spot. The best way to counter this is to just ignore it. If men are catcalling, keep moving because if you try to answer them back it could lead to something awkward.
Some men offer directions and that can quickly escalate into harassment and offer you to get in the car with them. Don’t feel like you have to be polite to these kinds of follies. Be firm in replying with a rude answer to keep such retards away and just walk away, if you’re ever feeling uncomfortable. The police are also unable to overcome this situation. It is sometimes pretty annoying and will ruin your mood.
Perfect Attire For Morocco
Try to wear lightweight, loose-fitting and comfortable clothing. Make sure to always cover your shoulders and knees because of the hot weather and you might get an unwanted tan. Thick shawls and maxi skirts are quite popular there. They’re ideal for warm, sunny conditions and it also shows respect for the culture because it’s a Muslim country and you won’t find locals moving around with intriguing clothes, try to respect their culture which in turn get you respected. Most women carry shawls or scarfs which can easily be bought from any local shop.
Modes Of Transportation
Trains are ideal for city travel and also very comfy as the train network is pretty well structured. You can buy tickets varying according to class but you may even find the first-class tickets pocket-friendly. You can pay a small amount or an upgrade and enjoy a lot of perks like snacks, a pillow, a blanket, and a bottle of water, and comfortable seats, you can also enjoy sleepers if you wish to travel overnight.
Being a Muslim country, it offers an all-girl cabin that is ideal for girls and women traveling alone and not makes you feel uncomfortable. This creates a very relaxed environment for women. The train might get hot especially in the summer because of the weather conditions. Make sure to stay hydrated.
Hiring A Local Guide
You can’t find everything on the internet and hiring a local guide will add to the beauty of your tour. These ancient places have a deep historical background and the tour guide will answer all your questions and provide you sufficient knowledge that will make your visit more interesting. It may also be helpful to get in and out of someplace, interact with locals, follow certain rules and you won’t get robbed by greedy shopkeepers and other scammers. It’s good to accompany someone who knows the city better than you.
Do Visit A Berber’s Village
Hundreds of villages are scattered throughout the mountains that surround Marrakech and these are also known as Berber’s village. This is one of the oldest living cultures and the beauty of it is their famous hospitality. The country also pays a small price to them because they are also a major attraction in morocco.
Places To Stay
You may find some difficulty in finding reasonably priced rooms to stay because most of them are often booked or hotel staffs are desperate for money that they want you to buy them at a hefty cost. Try your bargaining skills and they surely will give you the room at a negotiated price. Look for accommodation a little bit far from the city as these hostels and hotels are quite cheaper and often have don’t have many visitors.
