Everything you need to know before travelling to Morocco.
Last updated 2 August 2026 · 28 Q&A
Everything travellers ask us before visiting Morocco — planning, safety, money, culture and life on the road. Can’t find your answer? Just ask, we reply within 24 hours.
01Planning your trip
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the most comfortable, with mild days and cool evenings. Winter is pleasant in the south and cold in the mountains, with snow on the High Atlas. Summer is hot inland — Marrakech and the desert regularly pass 40°C at midday — but the coast at Essaouira stays fresh. The desert is at its best from October to April.
Three days covers Marrakech and a fast desert run. Five to seven days is the sweet spot: desert, gorges, kasbahs and an imperial city without rushing. Ten days or more lets you add Chefchaouen, Fes and the coast at a relaxed pace.
Visitors from the EU, UK, USA, Canada, Australia and many other countries can enter visa-free for up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date. Rules change, so always confirm with your nearest Moroccan consulate before booking flights.
Marrakech (RAK) suits desert tours and most of our itineraries. Fes (FEZ) is ideal if you want to travel north to south. Casablanca (CMN) has the widest long-haul choice, and Tangier (TNG) works well if you are arriving from Spain.
Yes. Pick-up and drop-off at your airport or accommodation is included in every private tour, at any hour — including late-night arrivals.
02Booking and payment
Send us your dates, group size and what you would like to see. We reply within 24 hours with a suggested itinerary and price. Once you are happy, a small deposit confirms your booking and we take care of the rest.
A modest deposit secures your vehicle, guide and accommodation. The balance is paid at the start of your tour in Morocco — in cash (EUR, USD, GBP or MAD) or by prior arrangement.
Yes. Cancel more than 30 days before departure and your deposit is refunded in full or held as credit. Changes to dates or routing are usually free if requested at least 14 days ahead. Full detail is in our Terms & Conditions.
Yes — the price per person falls as the group grows, because the private vehicle and driver-guide are shared. Tell us your numbers and we will send an exact quote.
Every tour is private. There is no minibus, no strangers and no fixed departure. Your driver-guide stops when you want to, for photographs, mint tea or an unplanned detour.
03Safety and health
Morocco is one of the safest countries in North Africa and tourism is a national priority. Petty theft exists in crowded medinas, as in any busy city, but violent crime against visitors is rare. Our guides are licensed and know which areas and roads to avoid.
Yes, and many of our guests travel solo. Expect some attention in the medinas — a polite but firm response works well. Travelling with a private driver-guide removes most of the friction, and you are never left to navigate unfamiliar places alone.
No vaccinations are required for entry. Routine immunisations should be up to date, and some doctors recommend hepatitis A and typhoid cover. Speak to your doctor or travel clinic before you leave.
Stick to bottled water, which is cheap and available everywhere. Use it for drinking and brushing teeth. Ice in established restaurants and hotels is normally fine.
Yes — comprehensive travel insurance is a condition of travelling with us. Make sure it covers medical treatment, repatriation, cancellation and any activities in your itinerary, such as camel riding or quad biking.
04The desert and accommodation
You arrive by camel or 4x4 in the late afternoon, watch the sun set over the dunes, then eat a tagine dinner under the stars with Berber drumming round the fire. Tents have proper beds and blankets; our luxury camps add private bathrooms with hot showers.
Camps run on solar power with lighting and charging points, usually available in the evening. Wi-Fi is limited or absent — most guests enjoy the disconnection. Mobile signal is patchy but often works on the dune tops.
Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) has the tall, classic Sahara dunes and is worth the longer drive from Marrakech. Zagora is closer and cheaper but the scenery is stonier and less dramatic. For a first visit we almost always recommend Merzouga.
We use small, family-run riads, kasbah hotels and desert camps chosen for comfort, cleanliness and character rather than size. Where an itinerary names a property "or similar", we may substitute an equivalent or better option if it is unavailable.
Not at all. The camel trek is usually 45–60 minutes across the dunes at sunset, and you can travel by 4x4 instead, or simply walk out to the camp. Just tell us in advance.
05Money, packing and connectivity
The Moroccan dirham (MAD) is a closed currency, so bring euros, pounds or dollars and change them on arrival. Cards work in city hotels, larger restaurants and shops, but carry cash for souks, rural stops and tips.
Tipping is customary but modest. Around 100–150 MAD per day for your driver-guide is generous, 10 MAD for a café, and rounding up in restaurants is normal. Tip only if you are happy with the service.
Layers. Days are warm and desert nights cold, especially from November to March. Bring comfortable walking shoes, a scarf or hat for sun and sand, sunscreen, a light jacket for the desert, and a power bank. A plug adapter for European two-pin sockets is useful.
Yes. Coverage is good in cities and along main roads, weaker in the mountains and desert. A local SIM or eSIM from Maroc Telecom, Orange or Inwi is inexpensive and easy to buy at the airport with your passport.
06Culture, food and etiquette
Morocco is relaxed but modest. Shoulders and knees covered is a good rule for both men and women in medinas and rural areas, and it also protects you from the sun. Beach and pool wear is fine at resorts. A scarf is useful for women visiting religious sites.
Yes, in licensed hotels, tourist restaurants and some supermarkets, though it is not sold everywhere and rarely in rural villages or desert camps. Drinking in public places is not acceptable.
Tagine, couscous on Fridays, harira soup, fresh bread and mint tea are the essentials. Vegetarian food is easy throughout the country. Tell us about vegan, gluten-free, halal or allergy requirements at booking and we will brief every kitchen in advance.
Always ask first, particularly with women and in rural areas. Some people will decline, and some performers in Jemaa el-Fna expect a small tip. Photography is prohibited inside most working mosques.
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