Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about travel to Morocco. We loved our family trip to Morocco, but there are definitely some things that took us by surprise. If you’re planning to visit Morocco, be prepared for these culture shocks!
Your First Balak Moment
Balak means head’s up or pay attention! You’ll hear it a lot and you’ll eventually get used to it, but the first few times you get yelled at while visiting Morocco are shocking. There’s a lot going on in Morocco, so it’s easy to get distracted and step out in front of a car or a donkey.
Negotiating for Everything
You will get used to haggling very quickly in Morocco! Bargaining for prices is just part of the culture in Morocco; they’re not trying to rip you off, it’s just how they do business. The price they first offer you will be about 25-50% higher than what you end up paying. Yes, it is time-consuming and can be annoying after a while, but it’s just how they do things here. The best approach is to have a price in mind that you are willing to pay and stick with it. (Tip: Always have exact change because the vendors and taxi drivers miraculously never seem to have change for you.)
Your Medina Experience
Your first trip to the medina is unforgettable and shocking. These are the old town areas with winding streets and alleys of shops and vendors. You WILL get lost, and that’s half the fun. Don’t worry about getting lost; someone will help you find your way out. The whole experience is sensory overload. There are people, animals, and you can buy almost anything you can imagine, from beautiful rugs to butchered animals.
Helpful and Kind Locals
Despite the frenetic pace and the haggling, the locals in Morocco are truly kind and helpful. We had no qualms about asking for directions or asking for help in any way. Moroccans are very kind so don’t be afraid to chat with the locals or ask for help. It’s also a very multicultural country, so you will hear several languages spoken as you wander the streets of Morocco. That said, be prepared with a lot of small bills, as you will be tipping a lot of people frequently in Morocco.
Moroccan Bathrooms
As you travel through Morocco, it’s always a good idea to have a few packets of tissues on you as most public bathrooms do not have toilet paper in the stalls. Sometimes, there is a bathroom attendant who will sell you a bit of toilet paper, but we always have some of our own…just in case! If it’s not an emergency, we will either return to our hotel room or stop into a nice restaurant to use the restroom, as they are typically much cleaner and they have toilet paper!
Morocco Weather
The weather in Morocco can be shocking, to both extremes. It’s extremely hot in the summer, and it’s fairly common to exceed 100 degrees. The best thing you can do is to cover your skin with a lightweight fabric to protect it from the sun. Even more shocking is the fact that it gets cold in Morocco in the winter. You will need a sweatshirt or a light jacket at the very least for the mornings and evenings.
The Size of Morocco
If you look at a map, Morocco doesn’t seem extremely large, but because it’s close to the equator, Morocco is often shrunken down on maps. Morocco is actually quite huge, and it would be difficult to see the whole country in one trip. I recommend choosing one or two regions to focus on from the four main regions of Morocco. They are pretty far apart and you don’t want to spend your whole trip in transit.
- The Moroccan Coast which is developing quickly as a beach destination
- The Plains, where you’ll find Fez and Marrakech
- The Sahara Desert
- The Atlas Mountains
Moroccan Architecture
What’s most shocking about Moroccan architecture is the difference between the interiors and the exteriors. Most exteriors in Morocco are bland stucco and not particularly exciting or photogenic. However, once you step inside, you’ll be blown away. Interior design in Morocco is so beautiful; whether it’s a riad or someone’s home. There’s a reason why so many people want to bring home lamps and rugs from Morocco. Of course, there are some beautiful exteriors in Morocco as well, but don’t always judge a book by its cover.
Moroccan Mosques
The mosques in Morocco are beautiful, but you can’t go inside unless you are Muslim. There is one mosque in Casablanca that allows tourists inside, but in general, you will not be allowed to peek inside these beautiful buildings.
Stray Cats
You’ll notice a lot of stray cats in Morocco. Interestingly, you don’t see a lot of stray dogs, though. Even though the cats, and especially the kittens, are very cute, you don’t really want to pet them. They likely have fleas or any other disease so it’s best to leave them alone.
Moroccan Wine
You may think that alcohol will be hard to come by in a Muslim country like Morocco. We were surprised that you can actually find great wine in Morocco. Most riads we stayed at had wine on the menu, and we tried some really good local wines during our trip.
Moroccan Hashish
Another surprise is the number of men we saw and smelled who were smoking hashish out in public. Don’t think this means it’s legal; you can get arrested for it, especially as a tourist.
The Most Common Reasons that Tourists Get Arrested
Scams in Morocco
The positive Morocco culture shocks far outweigh the bad shocks of a trip to Morocco, but there are some things to be wary of. As in any city, keep your wits about you in crowded places like the medinas. Taxis can also be challenging, so make sure you agree on the price before you get in the car or you might get scammed. If you want to take any photos of people, it will cost you. Make sure you ask before taking anyone’s photo and be prepared to pay them a fee. This also applies to the various tourist situations, like the snake charmers. Allowing photos is how they make their living.
How to Avoid Travel Scams & Rip-Offs
Female Travelers in Morocco
Despite all of the positive experiences we had in Morocco, female travelers should prepare themselves to be treated differently than their male counterparts. From negotiating in markets to having conversations with locals, the women are frequently left out. Our guide recommended that Jocelyn let Mark do all of the negotiating to get a better price. If you are a woman considering going to Morocco solo, make sure you read up on other solo female travelers’ experiences. Maroc Mama is a great website to peruse before your Morocco trip!
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
We had a wonderful experience in Morocco and we highly recommend that you visit Morocco as well. Visiting Morocco with kids was so much fun, and our kids loved it. The people and the food of Morocco are fantastic, as well as the incredible things we got to see and experience. Most Morocco culture shocks were positive for us. Want more tips on visiting Morocco with kids? Check out these blog posts!