MOROCCO
TRAVEL GUIDE
Get to know your destination via our Jordan Travel Guide.
From weather to culture, mobile phones and what to wear, you’ll find it here.
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Currency
Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
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Power & Travel Adaptor
220 V
Adaptors C & E
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Religion
Approx 99% Muslim
< 1 % Other
1% other
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Language
Arabic (Modern Standard)
Berber (local language)
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Tourism 2024
17.4 million visitors
Culture
Moroccan culture is a vibrant tapestry of local Berber, Arab, African, and European influences, deeply rooted in Islamic traditions.
While Morocco is a modernizing nation, it steadfastly preserves its rich cultural heritage and traditions.
Moroccans are renowned for their hospitality, warmth, and strong family values. You can expect to be greeted with genuine kindness and often invited to share mint tea, a significant symbol of Moroccan hospitality. While alcohol is available in tourist areas and some restaurants, it is not widely consumed by the local population.
Etiquette
Respect Islamic Customs: Be mindful of Islamic practices, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, when many Muslims fast from dawn till dusk.
Dress Conservatively: Especially in rural areas, religious sites, and when visiting homes, it is advisable to dress modestly. This generally means covering shoulders and knees for both men and women.
Public Displays of Affection: Avoid overt public displays of affection.
Photography: Always ask for permission before taking photos of people, especially women & children.
Left Hand: Traditionally, the left hand is considered unclean, so it's polite to eat, pass objects, and shake hands with your right hand.
Weather
Morocco boasts a remarkably diverse climate, influenced by its Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, the towering Atlas Mountains, and the vast Sahara Desert. This leads to significant regional variations in weather throughout the year.
Spring (March – May) – Generally mild and pleasant, ideal for exploring, with blooming landscapes, especially in the north. Temperatures typically range from 18∘C to 28∘C (64∘F to 82∘F), but can be cooler in the mountains and hotter towards the desert.
Summer (June – August) – Hot and dry across most of the country. Coastal areas (like Essaouira, Agadir) benefit from Atlantic breezes, with temperatures around 25∘C to 30∘C (77∘F to 86∘F). Inland cities like Marrakech and Fes, and especially the desert regions, experience intense heat, often exceeding 40∘C (104∘F), sometimes even nearing 50∘C (122∘F).
Autumn (September – November) – Warm and comfortable, making it a highly popular time to visit. Temperatures range from 20∘C to 30∘C (68∘F to 86∘F). The heat gradually subsides, offering excellent conditions for both city exploration and desert adventures.
Winter (December – February) – Cool to cold, with significant regional differences. Coastal areas remain mild, around 10∘C to 18∘C (50∘F to 64∘F). Inland cities can be chilly, dropping to 5∘C to 15∘C (41∘F to 59∘F). The Atlas Mountains receive substantial snowfall, and temperatures can fall below 0∘C (32∘F), making them ideal for skiing.
Money
The local currency in Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD), often abbreviated as DH. It is divided into 100 centimes (or santimat). You'll find banknotes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, and 200 DH.
ATMs
ATMs are widely available in cities, major towns, and popular tourist areas, including airports and bank branches. Most accept international debit and credit cards (Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted).
Daily withdrawal limits typically range around 2,000 DH ($200 USD equivalent). It's highly recommended to inform your bank of your travel plans to avoid any card issues and to check for potential foreign transaction fees.
Preferred Payment Method
Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, upscale restaurants, larger shops, and modern establishments in big cities like Marrakech, Casablanca, and Fes. Cash works well for taxis, local markets (souks), small shops, street vendors, and local eateries.
Mobile phones and internet
Morocco's mobile telecommunications infrastructure is well-developed, particularly in urban and tourist areas. Connectivity can become more challenging in very remote areas
The three main mobile phone companies in Morocco are:
Maroc Telecom (IAM): Generally considered to have the widest coverage, especially in more rural and remote regions, including parts of the Sahara.
Orange Morocco: A strong contender, offering excellent coverage and performance in major cities and tourist hotspots.
Inwi: The third major player, known for competitive pricing and good coverage in populated areas.
Many hotels, riads, and guesthouses offer free Wi-Fi for guests. You'll also find free Wi-Fi available in many cafes, restaurants, however, relying solely on free public Wi-Fi throughout your trip might prove challenging or unreliable.
Using apps such as WhatsApp, Viber, and Facebook Messenger for calls and messages is highly recommended as a cost-effective way to stay in touch with home, as these apps utilize data rather than traditional call minutes.
Staying Connected
Local SIM Card: Purchasing a local prepaid SIM card upon arrival is a very common and cost-effective option for tourists. You can buy these at the airport & official mobile operator stores.
eSIM: For those with eSIM-compatible phones, an eSIM is an excellent alternative.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in Jordan and is a token of your appreciation for a service you have been provided.
Tipping is included in all our group tours.
For private and tailor made tours - we provide guests with a tipping guide before their travels.
Tipping can be paid in USD or the local Jordanian dinar.
Tour Guide – USD 5 to 10 per person per day OR USD 30+ per day per group
Driver: USD 2 to 3 per person per day OR USD $20+ per group er day
Tips for airport reps, city reps, porters, cruise attendants, waiters and more is provided in our client pre departure document emailed to our guests (or lead traveller) closer to departure.
Taxi and Uber
TAXIS
In urban areas such as Amman, yellow taxis are a common sight. It's advisable to either negotiate the fare before starting your journey or ensure that the meter is used to avoid misunderstandings.
Uber
Uber is available in Jordan, primarily operating in the capital city, Amman. Through the Uber app, users can request rides, track their driver's arrival, and pay electronically. However, Uber's availability is currently limited to Amman and is not present in other cities or rural areas.
Careem
In addition to Uber, Careem is a prominent ride-hailing service operating in Jordan. Launched in 2015, Careem was the first ride-hailing service in the Kingdom to obtain full operational licensing. It operates in several cities, including Amman, Irbid, Zarqa, Madaba, and Salt, with plans to expand further across other governorates
What to Buy in Jordan
Dead Sea Products – Skincare items like mud masks, salts, and lotions.
Handmade Ceramics & Mosaics – Especially from Madaba.
Traditional Jordanian Clothing – Like the red-and-white keffiyeh (shemagh).
Spices & Sweets – Zaatar, sumac, cardamom, and knafeh.
Bedouin Jewelry & Silverware – Unique designs with semi-precious stones.
Olive Oil & Soap – High-quality and locally produced.
When to haggle
Haggling in Souks, local markets and tourist shop is normal.
Start Low, Expect a Counteroffer – Offer 50-60% of the asking price and negotiate from there.
What to wear
The following statement comes from Jordan Tourism authorities regarding clothing and dress recommendations.
“Jordan is a relatively liberal country; there is no need to wear headscarves anywhere.
In tourist places, you should wear comfortable clothing and shoes, as you may be spending quite a long time walking while exploring the sites.
Winters are usually not very harsh, but it is wise to have a warm cardigan, sweater or pashmina when it gets chilly. While in down town Amman, it is wise to wear something that is not very revealing, same goes when visiting the churches in Madaba and mosques in Amman. Please don’t forget your sunglasses and sunscreen.”
Food - Water - Allergies
Can you drink the water?
Drinking tap water is not recommended. In Jordan, tap water undergoes treatment and is generally considered safe for activities such as bathing, brushing teeth, and washing fruits and vegetables.
Jordan Cuisine
Jordanian cuisine is a rich tapestry of flavors and traditions, reflecting its geographical position. The food is characterized by the use of fresh ingredients, aromatic spices, and time-honored cooking techniques.
Mansef (pictured opposite) is considered the national dish of Jordan. It consists of lamb cooked in a fermented dried yogurt sauce called "jameed," served over a bed of rice and flatbread.
Food allergies
Awareness and accommodation of food allergies in Jordan may not be as prevalent as in some other countries, even though a nearly a third of Jordanians suffer from allergies or allergic symptoms.
Larger scale hotels (with buffets) and restaurants may be able to cater to a particular food allergy, however we recommend carrying snacks as well.
Medications & Vaccinations
It is important for those bringing medication, prescription or not, to keep in original packaging.
If you need to refrigerate your medication, please let hotel reception know in case your room does not have a fridge or isn’t cold enough. It is also important to speak to us if you need refrigeration’s on the go as well, as not all vehicles will automatically carry a cooler.
It is the responsibility of each traveller to check current vaccination requirements to enter Jordan. Also note, not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in your home country are available in these countries. Consider bringing enough medication to cover your entire trip. Some medications may even be considered illegal. Please seek advice from your local GP if unsure.