Morocco is a safe place to travel, even as a woman alone. Common sense is all you need really to get by without problems. Below is a collection of useful information to help you get off on the right foot. We are always happy to discuss these matters in more detail with you by telephone or email. We have many years of experience and have lived in the country for over a decade and will be able to help you with any questions you may have.
Whether travelling in the Spring, Autumn, Summer or Winter one should always bring at least one warm item of clothing for when the sun dips behind the mountains or as it sets. Obviously during the summer months (June, July, August and much of September) you are unlikely to need much in the way of warmth when inland, but on the coast it can become slightly chilly at night (even if only in comparison to the baking daytime temperatures). You may, however, need something to keep you warm in some hotels which tend to over air condition in public areas during the summer.
During the winter months, most of Morocco experiences very cold nights in contrast to the lovely bright sunny days. Once the sun sets below the horizon, behind a hill or behind a cloud, temperatures drop fast and it is wise to always have a warm layer (jumper or jacket) for these moments in order not to get caught out. Night times in the winter are cold, but hotels either heat rooms with fireplaces, central heating or air conditioners which reverse into heat mode - and in some you may be presented with a hot water bottle at you head towards bed!
During the winter months it is good practice to take a thick pair of bed socks as tiled floors can be chilly in the middle of the night.
During early Spring and late Autumn it is also advisable to take similar warm clothes for the evenings.
When travelling around Morocco it is not (contrary to common belief) necessary for women to ‘cover up’ out of respect for local modesty traditions. Morocco is a very mixed society with Moroccans who dress as westerners and more traditional families dressing in a more traditional way.
The only areas of the country where it is advisable for women to cover up their legs and shoulders would be in some parts of the High Atlas Mountains (very remote areas) where the locals are rarely visited by foreigners. It is highly unlikely that you will be visiting these areas on any holiday arranged by Lawrence of Morocco.
In the vast majority of hotels in Morocco today there is no dress code other than not wearing shorts in the evening. The days of dressing for dinner have virtually vanished with a couple of exceptions such as La Mamounia in Marrakech.
Smart casual wear (trousers and a shirt without tie or jacket) are acceptable virtually everywhere and many places will not bat an eyelid should you arrive in jeans and a t-shirt in the evening.
Topless bathing, whilst not forbidden, is a very rare sight in Morocco, unless at a private pool (such as a suite with its own private pool).
It is wise to take shoes with ankle support when planning to go walking in the hills. If you are going on a multi day trek in the Atlas or the Sahara then you should most definitely take a good pair of walking boots with good support. For one day walks in the Atlas Mountains from your hotel it is not necessary to take boots; a sturdy pair of trainers will do very well.
When trekking (multi day treks) it is wise to carry a spare pair of trainers incase you need to enter a river. These trainers can be used to cross the river leaving your walking boots nice and dry for the other side.
It is wise to travel with any medications which you believe you may need (or require from time to time) to avoid the need to visit a local doctor during your trip.
If you do require medication, however, this is not a problem and we can recommend several excellent GPs in Marrakech who will be happy to visit you at your hotel for a consultation and will provide you with a prescription which can be collected from a local pharmacy.
Recommended items to take for any trip to Morocco are: paracetamol, ibuprofen, imodium, sun cream, lip balm, after-sun cream, mosquito repellant, sunglasses.
A traveller's First Aid kit is always good to have on board in case of any injury.
If you are travelling far off the beaten track then you may want to carry a venom pump (incase of scorpion or snake bites in the hot summer months). Closed shoes are recommended in the summer months if walking any distance in order to protect against such bites. Sandals leave one more exposed.
Trip was big success with my daughter!
Hi Max
Thanks for reaching out…trip was big success with my daughter
However:
- driving was too long to the sand dunes from Ouarzazate ( 7h on the Saturday-9 on the Monday)- my fault…had forgotten how long drive through mountains/Draa valley is
- I got food poising ; was very sick ; luckily Dar Ahlam staff was very helpful upon …
Deputy Editor of Harper’s Bazaar, Sasha Slater, travelled with her family to Marrakech and Ouirgane with Lawrence of Morocco in April 2014.
We really know Morocco and have had the pleasure of making many people's dream trips become reality over the years. It has been our privilege to be asked to manage holidays, weddings and productions for so many fantastic and discerning clients. We remain small and dedicated to providing excellent honest advice to enable you to sit back, relax and enjoy the fun bits without having to manage the unpredictability of this fascinating country.
If you want it done right, look no further!
