Bustling souks filled with colorful textiles and exotic spices, ornately tiled buildings, and stunning desertscapes make Morocco the dream of many travelers. However, there is a lot more to the North African country than is usually captured in the picture-perfect photos you see on Instagram. While Morocco is beautiful, exciting, and enticing, it is also busy, hot, and can be difficult to navigate as a new tourist. Here are 5 things to know before your vacation in Morocco to stay safe, travel comfortably, and make the most of every moment. 

Clothing

Morocco has a majority Muslim population, and the strong religious background is evident in the way locals dress. In the cities, local men commonly wear trousers and short sleeved shirts while the women often wear traditional Djellaba (long sleeved traditional robes that are also worn by some men), long tunics over pants, or other modest outfits. Many modern young women wear less conservative t-shirts, tank tops, and pants.

As tourists, modest outfits are recommended to blend in. Men will be comfortable in short sleeved shorts and either knee-length shorts or trousers. For female tourists, it helps to avoid tight, short, or revealing outfits. Instead, long skirts, flowing pants, or jumpsuits can be combined with tops that cover your midriff, chest, and shoulders. If tank tops or strapless tops are preferred, bring a light scarf with you so that you can cover up if needed. Long, light dresses are also great for the heat. Of  course, you are free to dress however you feel comfortable, but remember that conservative outfits will help you avoid a lot of unwanted or uncomfortable attention. 

Remember that Moroccan summers are hot, so outfits made from light, breathable material are best. Additionally, whether you prefer sandals or closed-toed shoes, wear shoes that are sturdy and comfortable for long days of walking around winding streets and desert landscapes. 

Language

Standard Arabic and Tamazight (Berber) are the official languages of Morocco, with Moroccan Arabic (darija) being the most widely spoken language. While French is losing popularity among younger generations, it is commonly spoken in business and government and is the go-to language many locals use when speaking to foreigners. English is gaining popularity and use in the country, but is still uncommonly spoken by locals. 

With this in mind, an at-minimum basic Arabic and French language ability will make your travel experience both easier and more enjoyable. Take some time before your trip to study useful phrases in both languages so that you can ask for directions, order food, ask for prices (and bargain for a better price), and get any help you may need. Additionally, the better your language ability the easier time you will have connecting with the local people and culture; there are few things that can improve a trip as quickly as learning about the people you meet!

Money

Morocco has a cash economy, and you should be prepared to pay in cash at smaller establishments, while all larger retail chains and supermarkets accept both VISA and MAESTRO debit and credit cards. Cards are also useful for  online bookings and reservations. When you arrive, be sure to withdraw (or exchange your currency) for Moroccan Dirhams (MAD). 

You can easily find ATMs in major cities, so you can withdraw extra cash as needed throughout your trip, though not all ATMs work with foreign cards or allow large withdrawals. Be prepared to try multiple ATMs, especially if withdrawing a large amount of cash. You can also avoid this hassle by bringing cash from your home country and exchanging it for dirhams at the various money exchange stations found throughout the city. 

The amount of cash you should have on you at once will depend on what you want to do and where you want to go, but having MAD 500-1,000 on you when you go out each morning is a good place to start (this will be more than enough unless buying more expensive souvenirs). 

Also keep in mind that while souvenirs, restaurants, and public transportation are relatively cheap compared to prices in the US and most of Europe, frequently spending small amounts of cash adds up fast – keeping a record of how much you spend will help you avoid accidentally going over budget. 

Traffic

Traffic is another thing to be aware of while in Morocco. This is especially important as a pedestrian. Roads are typically busy in the city, and drivers rarely stop for foot traffic. Nor do pedestrians wait for traffic to stop before crossing the road. People cross busy roads one lane at a time, sometimes waiting in the middle of traffic while cars pass on all sides before crossing completely. 

While for bigger roads you should wait for the next crosswalk and traffic light, the best advice for crossing smaller lanes of traffic is to follow the people around you. If locals start to cross the road, walk with them to get across. Of course, there are times when locals may cross at a time that seems more dangerous than what you’re up to, at which point trust your gut and don’t risk it. 

Additionally, you may find yourself dodging a fair amount of motorcyclists when walking through the winding medinah streets. Situational awareness is key here: Pay attention to your surroundings, be ready to react to what traffic may throw at you, and you’ll be dodging traffic like a local before you know it! 

Transportation

In order to truly enjoy all that Morocco has to offer, traveling to and around different cities is recommended. Luckily, public transportation can get you almost anywhere you need to go. 

For travel around a city, many locations can be reached on foot. However, for harder to reach locations, public transportation will be convenient. Larger cities such as Rabat-Sale, Marrakech, and Casablanca have tramway systems that are cheap, comfortable, and user friendly. It is important to note that the ticket machines typically take coins and may not be able to return change, so the more coins you have the better.

Petit taxis are also available for travel within a city. These small taxis can be used for point-to-point transport within city limits and can sit three people. Prices are based on distance, and can be tracked by a meter visible on the taxi dashboard. Some taxi drivers may try offering a set price before your ride, but this amount is likely higher than the meter-price. In this instance, insist on using the meter and, if they refuse, find another cab. 

Inter-city public transportation includes the popular CTM bus system, the ONCF train network (which connects all major cities with both normal and “fast” trains), and grand taxis. Rental cars are also available, though unnecessary for travel to the popular tourist cities. Bus and train tickets can be purchased either online or in person and you should buy tickets a day or two before you need to travel, if possible. Buying ahead will help you avoid long lines and the risk of missing your ride!