Morocco independent travel

Many people choose to take a group tour in Morocco because it's easy, social and the tricky parts are all taken care of. However, Morocco is a great place to travel independently by hire car in combination with local buses and trains. Don't be intimidated - go for it! It gives you maximum flexibility and you can set your own pace, stopping whenever you like. Travelling independently also makes it a lot easier to meet the locals. More information on transport in Morocco can be found at the bottom of this page.

Travelling safely in Morocco

Talking about independent travel in Morocco, people often raise questions about safety. It’s often based on pre-assumptions and the unknown, not knowing what to expect. Morocco is without a doubt a safe country to travel, even when you’re ‘girls-only’ group. Moroccans are very friendly, hospitable and helpful. As you would in any other country, you’ll still need your good old common sense and keep your wits about you. Don’t do anything irresponsible like wandering down deserted alleys in the medina after midnight, and don’t leave valuables or money in your hotel room. You can also avoid a lot of trouble by abiding by local rules and customs.

We do advise our female travellers to cover your shoulders and not wear short skirts and skimpy tops. In our eyes it may be old-fashioned, but gay couples are advised to avoid any ‘PDA’. It’s not really accepted in Morocco yet, and could lead to unnecessary and unwanted tension. Before you travel to Morocco you might want to read more about local values and customs, so you know what to expect. The Morocco Rough Guide, Footprints or Lonely Planet have good information. If you have any specific questions feel free to give us a call or drop us an email.

Practical information

Language
The French weren’t in Morocco for very long, but long enough for 80% of the population to speak French besides the official language Arabic. Not many of us are proficient in Arabic but you might speak a bit of French. Even if you don’t, you’ll still be fine because English is becoming common throughout Morocco, though you might need a bit of hand and footwork. In most hotels there’s someone who speaks, or at least understands English.

Ramadan
According to their Islamic faith the Moroccans have one month of fasting, the Ramadan. During the Ramadan service in the hotels may be more limited than usual, and alcohol scarcely available. Opening hours of shops and tourist attractions may be altered. During the Ramadan month the street life after sunset is noticeably livelier, with lots of food stalls popping up everywhere. Even if you’re not fasting yourself, try to consider the local Moroccans who are and refrain from openly indulging in a large meal in public during the day. The Ramadan shouldn’t hamper your holiday in Morocco, and the lively atmosphere after sunset is certainly an added experience. In 2009 Ramadan is from 21 August – 19 September, in 2010 from 11 August – 9 September.

Time difference
Morocco is at GMT+0, which means the same time as UK.

Voltage
Voltage in Morocco is 220V, with two-pin round plugs so bring your travel adapter.

Clothing
Out of respect for the locals, avoid wearing short skirts and skimpy tops. You don’t need to cover up but a knee-length skirt and t-shirt with shoulders covered is fine for women. Try not to dress too provocatively; the Moroccan’s aren’t used to it and you’re likely to attract lots of (unwanted) attention.
If you're travelling into the desert light clothing will suffice during the day, but bring a warm sweater for the chilly evenings. More information on the Morocco climate can be found in the travel information above.

Our local representatives

Morocco Travel Plan works with a local partner based in Agadir. The owner is Dutch by origin and all the staff speak English. You can always get in touch with them if you have any questions or problems during your stay in Morocco. They also have a 24-hour phone number in case of emergency.

Travelling with Morocco Travel Plan

Morocco Travel Plan is an organisation for independent travellers. We’ve personally visited all the places we currently offer in our modules and itineraries, and we know the easiest and most fun way to get there. Our website includes comprehensive information and tips on building your independent Morocco trip. We’ll also help you choose where you want to go and what you want to do. Most travellers plan around 2 weeks for their Morocco holiday. That will give you enough time to see the highlights of Morocco and travel at an easy pace. But if you want to spend less, or more time in Morocco that’s fine, we’ve got the perfect itinerary for you.

Whether you’ll be spending one, two or three weeks in Morocco, you’ll need to make a plan. We’ve made it easy for you with our selection of Morocco travel modules, short travel experiences that cover the various highlights and lesser known areas of Morocco. By picking and choosing our travel modules you can put together your own unique Morocco itinerary. If you need inspiration, we also offer a number of suggested itineraries through Morocco, or get in touch with one of our experienced Morocco specialists to discuss your ideas.

What's included in your Morocco travel plan?

Our Morocco modules and itineraries always include the following:

-an information pack included in your travel documents
-all local transfers by train, local bus, minibus or private car
-transfers on arrival at a new destination, e.g. station to hotel (unless within walking distance)
-all accommodation in hotel, riad, Bedouin tent including (basic) breakfast. In the desert and on our multi-day treks lunch and dinner are also included.
-excursions as described in the modules. These are pre-arranged on request, leaving you plenty of free time afterwards.
-assistance by our local representatives