Avoid These 17 Mistakes in Morocco
Traveling to Morocco can feel like stepping into a vibrant tapestry of culture, color, and culinary delights (the eggplant tagine was my fave!) But before you pack your bags and jump on a plane, there are a few classic mistakes in Morocco you’ll want to avoid to make the most of your adventure. From navigating bustling markets to embracing local customs, these tips will help ensure your trip is smooth sailing!
In this post, I’ll share some of the most common tourist mistakes in Morocco and what you can do instead. Trust me, learning from my missteps will save you time, energy, and maybe even a little embarrassment! Without further ado, grab a mint tea and let’s get you prepared for an unforgettable Moroccan adventure!
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Visiting Morocco is an unforgettable experience, but there are definitely a number of things I wish I knew before my trip. Here are some of the most common mistakes in Morocco and how you can react instead!
1. Not Dressing Modestly
Mistake: Not dressing appropriately for a conservative culture is one of the most common mistakes in Morocco. Morocco is more traditional than some other tourist destinations, and not dressing modestly can make you stand out in an uncomfortable way, especially if you are blonde like me!
What to Do Instead: Respect local customs by covering your shoulders and opting for longer dresses, pants, or skirts. It’s not only respectful but will also make your interactions smoother and more comfortable.
I learned that the dress varies by location…for example, Marrakech was less conservative, while some of the more rural towns in the Atlas Mountains were very conservative. Overall, I felt most comfortable with longer skirts and dresses to cover my knees. I kept my shoulders mostly covered, though it was not expected at hotels (the ones we stayed at seemed to cater to Western tourists, but this is obviously dependent upon your hotel choice) or at our glamping experience in the Sahara.
I also had one day of uncovered shoulders walking around Marrakech and felt fine that day, as I balanced it out with a long skirt. Some tourists in Marrakech went full shorts and tank tops (which you can do), but they also got a lot of stares, so it is good to be prepared!
2. Only Visiting Marrakech
Mistake: Thinking Marrakech is the only must-see city. While Marrakech is the spot plastered all over your Instagram feed, it only offers one facet of Morocco’s culture.
What to Do Instead: Explore other incredible places like Chefchaouen, Fes, and the Sahara Desert (these are the spots we chose!) for a fuller experience. Each city has a unique flavor, from Chefchaouen’s blue alleys to Fes’ ancient medina and the Sahara’s breathtaking dunes.
Recommended Tour: Day Trip from Fes to Chefchaouen
3. Overpacking for the Sahara
Mistake: Bringing your entire closet for a desert tour. The desert is hot by day, cold (sometimes) by night, and everything will get sandy no matter how hard you try. I did not follow this advice and let me tell you, I had sand EVERYWHERE in my suitcase by the time we left the Sahara! The one bit of good news for me is that we were toward the end of our trip, so I only had to deal with sand for a few days. Learn from my mistake here…
What to Do Instead: Pack light and focus on layers. You’ll want warm clothes for the chilly desert nights and light, breathable fabrics for the daytime heat. You’ll thank yourself when you’re not lugging around a huge bag filled with sandy clothing.
4. Not Negotiating Prices
Mistake: Not haggling at all while shopping in the souks. My husband is the world’s worst negotiator—he’s basically ready to hand over his wallet at the first price mentioned. But here’s the thing: in Morocco, the first price is just a warm-up! If you’re not bargaining, you’re practically paying for the whole shop, not just the rug. This is definitely one of the most common mistakes in Morocco, and with a little practice, you can avoid this pitfall!
What to Do Instead: Haggle and get to know the locals! Bargaining is expected, and if you play it right, you’ll probably end up with more than just a good deal. We bought a belt in Fes, and after some friendly back-and-forth, we found ourselves sitting down for mint tea with the shopkeeper, hearing all about his life. It’s not just about the price—it’s the experience!
5. Expecting to Navigate the Medinas Without a Plan
Mistake: Thinking you can easily navigate the winding medina streets. The medinas are like intricate mazes, and it’s easy to get turned around for hours, wasting valuable time.
What to Do Instead: Hire a guide or use an offline map to avoid spending half your day confused. I decided to get an e-SIM so that I’d have phone service. Overall, the e-Sim worked really well in Fes, moderately well in Marrakech, not well at all in Chefchaouen, and we had no service to speak of in the Sahara. Maps.me offline maps worked really well in Chefchaouen, and I’d highly recommend downloading a map in advance to make your navigation easier there. You’ll save time and avoid frustration, while still enjoying the adventure of exploring the winding streets.
Recommended Tours:
Marrakech – Marrakech Medina Tour
Fes – Guided Tour at Fes Medina
6. Skipping a Riad Stay
Mistake: Staying in a modern hotel and missing the riad experience. Sure, hotels are fine, but riads are where the magic happens—think hidden courtyards, intricate tilework, and enough charm to make you feel like you’ve stepped into a Moroccan fairytale. This was absolutely one of the highlights of my trip and one of the easiest mistakes in Morocco to avoid!
What to Do Instead: Book a riad! These traditional Moroccan houses are beautifully restored and offer a more intimate, authentic experience. We stayed in several riads throughout our trip, and let me tell you, I wouldn’t change a thing about my experience! My riad recommendations are as follows: Riad Melhoun & Spa (Marrakech), Riad Salam Fes (Fes) and Riad Nila (Chefchaouen).
7. Drinking Tap Water
Mistake: Assuming the water is safe for foreigners. Morocco’s tap water can upset the stomachs of travelers who aren’t used to it, potentially ruining your trip.
What to Do Instead: Stick to bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. I’ve heard horror stories from friends that have visited Morocco and had bad stomach reactions…I knew this was one of the mistakes in Morocco I wanted to avoid!
In preparation, we stocked up on Pepto Bismol chewable tablets and Travelan, which we took with each meal. Note that I am NOT a doctor and am definitely not qualified to dole out medical advice, but wanted to pass along what worked for me personally. Another word of advice? Keep an eye out on foods washed with tap water; I steered clear of salads and anything that may have come into contact with tap water without being fully cooked.
8. Not Being Prepared for “Guides”
Mistake: Getting approached by unofficial guides and feeling obligated to follow. These folks can be persistent, and while some are genuine, others just want to lead you to their uncle’s shop. If you do opt for a guide off the street, make sure to agree on a price in advance!
What to Do Instead: Politely decline if you’re not interested, and if you do want a guide, hire one through your hotel or a reputable agency. This ensures you get a knowledgeable guide and a fair price.
Recommended Tours:
Marrakech – Marrakech Guided City Tour
Fes – Fes Guided Tour
9. Assuming Everyone Speaks English
Mistake: Expecting fluent English everywhere. Many locals speak Arabic or French, and relying solely on English can limit your interactions.
What to Do Instead: Learn a few French or Arabic phrases or download a translation app. Even basic greetings will go a long way and show respect, making locals more inclined to chat with you. One of our private drivers spoke very limited English, so we spent our ride (with the help of Google Translate) teaching each other common phrases!
10. Not Having Cash Handy
Mistake: Relying too much on credit cards. Many places, especially smaller shops and taxis, only accept cash. This is one of the easiest to avoid mistakes in Morocco with just a small bit of preparation!
What to Do Instead: Keep cash, especially small bills, for taxis, souks, and tipping. ATMs are available, but not always nearby (and they are sometimes out of money), so plan ahead to avoid getting stranded.
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11. Ignoring Friday as a Holy Day
Mistake: Not realizing Fridays are a holy day in Islam. On Fridays, many businesses close or have shorter hours, which can catch tourists off guard.
What to Do Instead: Be mindful that many places will be closed or have reduced services on Fridays. It is really helpful to check attractions for hours in advance to plan your itinerary.
12. Underestimating the Power of the Sun
Mistake: Forgetting how intense the Moroccan sun can be. Even in cooler months, the sun is strong, especially in the desert, which can lead to sunburns or heat exhaustion. To give you an idea…during our time in the Sahara, we took a two hour camel ride and I had a bottle of water, which seemed reasonable to me. Upon returning to camp, I had never felt so thirsty in my entire life and ended up gulping down two 1.5 liter bottles of water plus a bunch of lemonades.
What to Do Instead: Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Drink plenty of water, and make sure you always have lots of water with you! These small preparations will help you enjoy your trip.
13. Not Knowing How to Handle Taxis
Mistake: Jumping into a taxi without asking for cost upfront or for the driver to run a meter. Drivers may overcharge if you don’t agree on a price or insist on the meter upfront.
What to Do Instead: Always agree on a fare before the ride or ask the driver to use the meter (if it’s working). In my experience, the drivers typically preferred to agree on a price upfront and avoid the meter altogether. When going longer distances in Morocco, we opted for a private driver that we pre-booked – if you have longer stretches, I’d highly recommend this approach!
14. Skipping Local Hammams
Mistake: Missing out on a Moroccan hammam experience. It’s a cultural staple that’s relaxing and rejuvenating, and I’d classify it as a must-do in Morocco.
What to Do Instead: Treat yourself to a hammam experience! Find a local spot and immerse yourself in this age-old tradition. You’ll leave feeling like a new person (with very exfoliated skin). We opted to go to a hammam on our last day in Marrakech, and it was the perfect way to end our trip before hopping on our long flight back to the USA! This is one of the easiest (and most fun) to avoid of the mistakes in Morocco.
Recommended Tour: Marrakech Traditional Hammam Experience
15. Not Tipping
Mistake: Forgetting to tip for services. Tipping is customary in Morocco, and not tipping can come off as rude.
What to Do Instead: Leave a small tip for your server, guide, bellhop, or anyone who helps you. It’s appreciated and part of the hospitality culture in Morocco. It’s important to get familiar with standard tipping practices in Morocco before you go. As an American, tipping culture in Morocco was a bit different…the expectation was for lower amounts, but for more things (like bathroom attendants).
16. Getting Caught Off-Guard by the “Road is Closed” Scam
Mistake: Falling for locals telling you the road is closed so they can redirect you to their shops. This is a common trick, especially in Fes, where it happened to us five times in one morning (in just a 20 minute walk)! Spoiler alert: the road is probably wide open. This is definitely one of the mistakes in Morocco I did not expect, and it was honestly one of the funniest things to happen.
What to Do Instead: Politely ignore these claims and continue walking. At one point, I pretended that I didn’t understand English, and let me tell you, it kind of worked…those persistent charmers kept following us, trying to guess my nationality. At one point, they got so detailed they were even throwing out “Lithuanian.” Honestly, if they were able to throw out some Lithuanian phrases, I may have actually considered visiting their shop!
Recommended Tour: Fez Rampart Tour Including Chouara Tannery
17. Not Planning for Ramadan
Mistake: Visiting during Ramadan without knowing how it impacts daily life. The holy month means altered schedules, closed restaurants during the day, and a general vibe that’s a little different than your typical tourist experience. This is one of the key mistakes in Morocco that you can avoid with a little research. That is not to say that you should avoid going to Morocco during Ramadan, but just that you should be prepared on how it may impact your trip and plan accordingly.
What to Do Instead: During Ramadan, be aware that many restaurants and shops close during daylight hours, but it’s also an incredible time to experience local traditions. If you opt to go during Ramadan, research what is open and how it may impact your trip. One of the unique things to experience is joining in the iftar (the evening meal to break the fast) at sunset. Plus, you might even make some new friends as everyone gathers to celebrate the end of the day’s fast!
Overall, avoiding these common mistakes in Morocco can turn your trip into an unforgettable experience rather than a series of mishaps. By embracing local customs, being aware of potential scams, and venturing beyond the typical tourist hotspots, you’ll truly be able to experience all that Morocco has to offer.
So, as you plan your adventure, keep these tips in mind and you’ll be able to avoid these mistakes in Morocco. With a little preparation and a sense of humor, you’ll be well on your way to navigating the wonders of Morocco like a pro!
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