Morocco Travel FAQs: Everything to Know Before You Go

Speaker 0:17

We look at the pictures like, yeah, I remember this and I remember the experience. So yeah, it's an incredible destination, just like you said. Uh Ted for the family, they will remember it for a long, long time. Yeah. Yep. Morocco is the next big destination in travel and tourism. If you're a travel advisor who wants to sell Morocco with confidence, you're in the right place. This is the Destination Morocco Podcast. Welcome back to Destination Morocco Podcast. I am your host, Azdean Elmoustaquim. Now, how often do we hear, is Morocco safe? Do I need a guide when I travel to Morocco? Can I bring a drone with me to Morocco? So in this episode, we're gonna get you all the answers you need before you travel to Morocco so you don't make the mistakes that a lot of travelers have in the past. And in doing so, please help me welcome back to the podcast, Ted. Welcome back, Ted. Good to be here. Thank you. It's always a pleasure and a privilege to have you, Ted. It's always fun. So I'm really, really looking forward to this episode. Yeah, yeah. Thank you.

Speaker 1 1:28

Cool. Well, I wonder what you're thinking is uh I I mean, I know you get questions all the time about like the examples you gave there and just kind of practical stuff, right, about Morocco. And uh it tends to get kind of scattered through all of our various episodes, right, of various topics and themes. So we wanted to kind of put a lot of those FAQs together in one place, go through them a bit quicker as a result to try to cover as much as we can. So uh we may not expand on a whole lot of detail, but it certainly gave you the basics of things to expect when you're planning, or hopefully uh are have a trip already set up to go to Morocco. Absolutely there.

Speaker 2:05

Yeah. Definitely.

Speaker 1 2:07

So, yeah, what was the first one? Is I mean, the question everybody asks basically, is Morocco safe?

Speaker 2:13

Well, you know, safety is the number one concern for international travels, and and and and rightfully so. And we get asked this is the number of question I get asked anywhere I go, everywhere, whether it's a conference, uh webinar, presentation, everybody asks me, is Morocco safe? But what nobody else checks is actually the US State Department advisory level for Morocco. It is level two, it's the same level as France, Italy, the UK. It's really, really safe. And those are level two. Those are, you know, it's it's a normal level. It's it's a good level, it's a safe level. So the challenge that we have here, especially being in the West, it's just the education that it comes with what we do because a lot of people don't know a lot of things about Morocco. And recently, United Nations ranked Morocco actually, in terms of safety, number one country in Africa. So those are really, really incredible numbers and status. So uh when you're traveling to Morocco, it is absolutely safe for you.

Speaker 1 3:13

Good. Yeah, that's a good reference there. People can always check that site if it's ever updated, then you'll see it there. So I'll put the link into the notes here too. Yeah. Okay, we're gonna jump around. There's a whole bunch of topics, so it's not like one theme, right, with this episode. Uh is we're gonna kinda gonna be all over the place here, but that's the idea. So uh next one, what should I wear?

Speaker 3:34

This is a good question. Uh it really depends because the weather in Morocco really varies from region to region. The north, the south, the uh the coastal part of Morocco, the southern, the the mountains, the desert. So I would say pack what you would normally pack for a regular season and just pack something else, either for the cold or short sleeves and stuff like that. If you go in for the winter, definitely pack heavy because it's gonna be really, really cold. For example, Marrakesh is gonna be very cold because it is surrounded with the Atlas Mountains. The same thing with Fes, it is surrounded with the Reef Mountains, the Atlas Mountains, so it's gonna be very cold. The the Atlas Mountains are gonna be cold if you do in the southern part of Morocco. The desert, yes, it does get really, really cold. The last time we went there, it was it was uh zero degrees, so it was it was not fun. So zero Celsius, right? Yeah, zero Celsius, yes. So which is yeah.

Speaker 1 4:27

Yeah.

Speaker 4:28

About 32 degrees. Yeah, so just pack, you know, normally as you would if if you're traveling in springtime, pack light, not something heavy, but just have a a a light jacket, a light sweater with you just in case if you get a night cold or two nights and stuff like that, or early morning, yeah. For sure. Okay.

Speaker 1 4:48

Uh and what about like swimwear if you're at a swimming pool, put people there?

Speaker 4:53

I mean, s swimwear, when you're in the at the beach, I mean, uh normally that's how people, you know, go to the beach in Morocco, just like anywhere else in the west. Um, you know, just bathe in suit and and it's good. Now the Atlantic Ocean is a little bit different. The temperature is different, for example, in in Essaouira, it's a little bit warm, for example, Casablanca. A lot of beaches in Casablanca are not recommended, but then you have Essaouira , you have uh Tagazut, you have Imsuan, you have uh Mirlift, you have Dakhla, and and and and the water is really, really nice. Then when you go to the Mediterranean, it's completely different. How's it different? In terms in terms of the waves, in terms of the view, uh you know the Mediterranean, it's a little bit more blue. Then you have the north side, for example, Husema, it's really, really nice. Martyr is very, very nice as well. Then when you go to the southern part of Morocco, it's a little bit more quiet in terms of the waves. It's really nice. Then when you get all the way, for example, to Dakhla, then you'll see some surfing waves, which is really nice.

Speaker 1 5:51

So Yeah, and of course, well, I would think the further south you go, especially to like Dakhla there, it starts to get pretty hot, like very hot, yes.

Speaker 6:00

Tropical kind of thing. Yes. Yeah, it does get really, really hot. So you also want to pack accordingly. I mean, shorts are definitely a must. I mean, you wear you wear pants, you're just gonna be burning. It is gonna be very hot. So in terms of the heat, we're talking three-digit numbers. Um on regular days, yes. It's gonna be very hot. Even in Ouarzazate, it gets really hot. Marrakech is the same, fast the same. So in summertime, you will be dealing with three-digit numbers. So Yeah, yeah, Fahrenheit.

Speaker 1 6:28

Okay. Good. Uh let's see. The next one is do we need a guide?

Speaker 6:33

Oh my god, yes. Now this is uh this is uh it's a really good question, Ted. It really depends on the whether you travel. In this case, we're just gonna be talking. There are so many different ways to explore Morocco and enjoy it. We're gonna be talking specifically if you're booking, let's say with us or a tour company and stuff like that. A guide, they'll make or they'll break the experience. They are really, really a must, in my opinion, especially in two of the major cities. For example, Fes, you will absolutely get lost. And also Marrakesh. I mean, you can just be, you know, just walk in in the Medina and yeah, it's gonna be nice, you're gonna enjoy it, you're gonna have a lot of fun, but then that experience it can be, you know, elevated in so much more immersive experience, if you would, with a local guide or a national guide or whatever somebody with you. Uh I highly recommend that local guides, yes. So a lot of people, they they, you know, backpackers, solo travelers, they think, oh, I'm just gonna do this on my own. Yeah, you can do it on your own. You still have an amazing time. But the local guys, it's the next level for sure.

Speaker 1 7:37

Yeah, you get a lot more out of it. I mean, it's a common thing anywhere you go, you know, Europe or wherever, to have a local guide to do one of those city tours. But um, yeah, it really expands, of course, all of your knowledge and just understanding, appreciation. You come home, you see your pictures, and then you know what those things mean the architecture and the symbolism and stuff like that. So you know.

Speaker 7:59

Yeah, I remember the first time when when when we did Volubilis . Um I mean, even s as kids, we read about it in the history books, we've seen the pictures, the videos, the the documentaries and all that stuff. But then when you're right there and you see, you know, the the tracks from the wheels of the horse carriages and all that stuff, you see it, it's it's just like it happened yesterday. Then they have the museum, then you look at the monuments and and everything and the guide. Literally the city becomes alive because of those stories that he's telling us. And and I remember them to this day because I remember before and after, I I definitely wouldn't do volible beauty on my own because they're just gonna see rocks, you know, just gonna look like rocks. But then when you go inside, you see where those uh you know people lived and the way of life and uh olive oil, the importance of olive oil to them, and and olives to them, and and fish, and where they were used to raise fish, and uh it's just it's just incredible. So that's what really local guides add to your tour.

Speaker 1 9:03

Actually, that uh makes me think of a question in a place that's a little more specialized like Volubilis, do you have to have a guide?

Speaker 9:10

Do they is one of these places it forces you to? No, you don't. Here's here's his this that's a really good question. When you go to Volubilis, there's they have obviously the cashier, it's gonna be by the entrance on the left-hand side. When you go in, tourists, they pay 70 dirhams. 70 dirhams it's equivalent to probably $10 USD, depending on the convention rate. The conversion rate now it's a little bit high, so which is good for US USD travelers. So that's about seven, you know, uh 10 bucks. But then for the locals, we pay $2, the equivalent to $2. Now, if that's that's all you you have to pay to go in. So you pay $10 and you go in, you're on your own. So now, you know, if you're traveling by yourself, you don't have a a travel agency organizing those tours for you, or a tour operator helping you or organizing those tours for you. You can still pay that $10 and go inside. However, in the front, you'll still see some local guides. They'll say, Hey, you know, I'm here if you need help. Okay. Um, and then they'll go with you and they give you the whole tour.

Speaker 1 10:15

Right. So you hire them on the spot. You hire them on the spot. Do you know offhand how much that might cost?

Speaker 10:21

I I don't really know. Um I honestly don't know because I've seen them. And I I put a question mark. It's, you know, use your discretion. Are they legal? Are not they're not legal or whatever? Or just say, hey, you know, just want to help somebody. They may not even have a badge. And you look at them is like, hey, you know what? I uh you know, for me, instead of just giving this guy ten dollar donation, I'm gonna say, hey, you know, come with me, show me. And then you just they'll say, you don't need to tip, uh you don't need to pay me, but just give me a tip. So uh yeah, but but I've seen them, yes. Okay especially in Volubilis, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Because volleyballis, it's it's between city and city, it's not like a city where local guys hang out and like the square Jemaa el-Fnaa, you'll find them everywhere. Like in fast, they're everywhere. But Volubilis, it's very specific. So it's not a really a crowded area. So if if there are no tourists, the place is always empty. So there's really no need for them to be there. So yeah. Yeah, that's a good point too.

Speaker 1 11:24

Okay. Yeah, we've talked a lot about guides, you know, in numerous episodes. So people will will have heard it come up and I'm sure they'll hear it again. Yeah, for sure, yes. Uh okay, let's see what's next here.

Speaker 11:36

Is Morocco family friendly? Oh my god, yes. Yes. Your family, trust me, if you take the kids, the kids will take their kids because of the experience that they have as you have taken them as kids. So that's how fun Morocco is. And you know, you you've taken your family, you've taken Hugo, and I've I I remember the pictures, and he was he loved Chefchaouen and he was wearing everything blue in a reference to the blue city. It's incredible. Those memories, especially with the kids, they really, really stay with them. So uh Morocco is one of those places that you can really build strong bonds with your friends, with your family. I highly recommend it.

unknown 12:12

Yeah.

Speaker 1 12:12

Yeah. Well, I mean, I I can answer this question pretty well because uh yeah, when we went, geez, is uh coming up almost four years ago, and now it's hard to believe. But um early 2023. And at the time the kids were five and seven, uh, which was a good age. I often told people that, and we talk probably talked about at the time, how that was a good age, that they were big enough, old enough, that they could carry their little backpacks, right? And we didn't need strollers, we didn't need like diaper bags and all that kind of stuff. There's a good age to just for logistics, kind of practical reasons, they could handle some walking for sure. Uh Volubilis is a good example of that. And then they're old enough that they can remember, and they still do. And we have pictures around the house, you know, that we printed and stuff that helps remind them. But, you know, as I say, it's kind of weird to think it's been that long because it still feels very vivid a lot of those memories of just being there in the desert, going in the swimming pool in the desert in you know, in the middle of February. It was cool, but it was swimmable, you know, and having like, of course, tagines and the different kinds of food and the mint tea and uh oh yeah, the sights, the smells, the sounds, you know. It's that's all very vivid for all of us. But point is that, yeah, I mean you you kind of have obviously you have to know your kids and their I guess their tolerance for something different and exploration, right? And comfort levels, that kind of thing. But certainly if they're any kind of seasoned travelers, you know, even just a little bit, I think that they will typically uh acclimatize to Morocco pretty quickly. They won't feel kind of totally overwhelmed or anything like that. It's as we often said on the show, you know, it's Morocco is such a fascinating divide between, let's say, West and East, Europe and Africa, Arab, Christian, all these kinds of overlaps and Jewish too, like this really, really neat melting pot of all these different influences, right? So it feels fairly familiar and yet still new and exotic at the same time.

Speaker 14:02

Absolutely, absolutely yeah. And also I remember the first time when we took Imran, uh, he was seven, and we took him to Merzouga because he wanted to ride the camel. That's what he wanted to do for the whole tour. And he did it and it was a lot of fun. But then the next day when we took him, all he wanted to do is do the the uh the quad bike in the desert. And that's what he did. So yeah, he still remembers. Uh we look at the pictures like, yeah, I remember this, and I remember the experience. So yeah, it's an incredible destination, just like you said. Uh Ted for the family, they will remember it for a long, long time. Yeah. Yep.

Speaker 1 14:37

Okay. Uh this is a kind of similar theme. Do I need to speak French or Arabic to get around?

Speaker 14:44

Not really, because the main dialect or language that is speaking in Morocco is not really Arabic. Uh, it's called Darija, which is uh it's a really uh kind of a buffet of m different languages, if you would, and that's really how everybody really communicates. Now the the French language, because of our history, yeah, we we we were taught French in school, universities, the system was in French, I think it still is kind of in a way. Uh but no, that's changing. In terms of tourism, French is well spoken anywhere you go, but English is absolutely spoken anywhere you go. And we've talked about this, me and Ted many, many times. When we talk about local guides, and the experiences that we're going to be talking about, it's as an experience that we are doing actually. So you'll have either a local guide, a tour leader, or national guide, which they speak an average of four to six different languages. Um, so what I tell people traveling to Morocco, when you go to Morocco, they'll speak to you in your own language. And and and if if you're in doubt, just walk in the square, in the Jema Efna Square, and you'll see people talking to you in Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, French, English, and you say no, they got you. That's it. Trust me. They hooked you. They're not gonna leave you alone. So yes, uh it language is not an issue at all in in Morocco.

Speaker 1 16:06

Yeah, it's another fascinating part. It's crazy to think people speak so many languages just you know, almost from birth. You're already up like two or three languages that they're surrounded by. Yeah. Most of the guests you've had, you know, on the podcast over the years and you've asked them, and yeah, oh, I speak four or five languages, you know, and uh a little bit of Chinese, a little bit of Japanese. Yeah, it's great. Yeah. Yeah, and we can say like we uh when we were there, we certainly had no problems in English wherever we went. Yeah, you get some people that might not be quite as strong, but you can always get by. In our case, I mean we speak French as well, and our driver was much more comfortable in French, so we could talk to him in French, and i that's kind of what happens too. You know, it could be Spanish, it could be a different language, but you know, where sometimes you might, if you have that ability, you might make more of a connection with somebody in a different language, but you don't have to, that's the point. You can certainly get by in English.

Speaker 16:58

Absolutely. Absolutely.

Speaker 1 17:00

All right, let's go to the next one here.

Speaker 17:01

Can I drink alcohol in Morocco? Yes. Uh alcohol in Morocco because of you. You're the reason why there's alcohol in Morocco. The locals, uh the 40 million Moroccans, thank you for it. Yes, yes, you can. Um you know, in in the Moroccan constitution, you know, talking about legality and things of it, um, is not really meant for the local consumptions. The it is actually meant for tourists and and tourism. And also we have wineries, there are different wineries in Morocco, some really, really, really nice ones in in Meknes, in Essaouira. And they ship Morocco uh globally. If even if you go, for example, to specs right now, um, you'll find Moroccan wine, uh, different spirits uh that it's made in Morocco. Yeah. So yeah, you can absolutely drink wine. A lot of the hotels they'll have them. Some riads might, some riads may not. Some restaurants might have them, some may not have them. So but it really just depends. In major cities, they're they're they're actually everywhere. Then we talked about this a while ago. Uh we have stores, liquor stores, uh, they're called pattisserie, uh, where you can go and and buy your own alcohol. So uh and in Morocco, there's really uh it's kind of strange, but there's no age drinking limit uh of alcohol. So yeah, we don't have um age limits. So uh for tourists you're okay um if if the authorities see you having or carrying alcohol, but for the locals they may get a ticket or they may get you know um the alcohol taken away from them and stuff like that. Yeah, just behind the scene things, yeah. Okay, yeah. So it's a little different than what people think, yeah.

Speaker 1 18:43

Yeah, yeah. Okay. Um can I use my credit card? And if so, is it accessible everywhere?

Speaker 18:52

I would you you can absolutely use your credit card, you can absolutely use your debit card. So, in terms of the debit or credit card, I always ask you, the traveler, let your bank know, let your credit card know that you're gonna be traveling in Morocco, for example, whether it's a direct flight, which now we have six direct flights from the US all the way to Morocco, um, most of them in Casablanca, uh, two of them are in Marrakesh, actually. Yeah, just talk to them, you can use it. A lot of the uh the the riyads, the hotels, they accept credit cards, debit cards, major restaurants do, a lot of shops do as well because they understand you cannot carry cash with you buying you know a thousand, two thousand dollar carpet or even more. So they understand um, yeah, the credit card, the debit card may not be as used widely in the southern part of Morocco because of the development versus Marrakesh or Rabat City, you know, uh Fes, for example, those major cities. But yes, you can absolutely use your credit card and debit card. The only thing that I do ask, just make sure that it's not swiped more than once. And make sure when you agree on a price, the price that you have agreed upon is in US dollars. Okay. Because they can they can, you know, they can trick you and you're thinking it's 20 dirhams, which is the equivalent to $2, what he's thinking it's $20. So it's a huge difference. So yeah, just when you negotiate, just make sure you negotiate the right currency.

Speaker 1 20:16

Yep. It's a good idea to be aware, kind of as up to the day as possible, of what the exchange rate is with your currency, US dollars or whatever. And you know, write that down uh probably in your phone or at least somewhere. Because when you go to buy something, negotiate. And yeah, unless they give you a calculator or something, which they may or may not, like you want to be sure that you know what the price should be and that you haven't twisted around or anything like that.

Speaker 20:44

Absolutely. You know, a rule of thumb, I I always calculate it this way with obviously a few dirhams, uh a few you know corals difference. One USD equals ten dirhams Morocco. So, but it's not 100% accurate. Just like Ted said, you know, there are so many apps that you can download now. And even with the AI, you can ask the AI what's the exchange currency today. And also when, you know, if you get it's time for you to do the exchange, let's say you have cash and you want I mean US, you know, dollar, you want to exchange it. There are places we would take you to, recommending there are places that we would not want you to go and do that exchange. And one of those places is definitely the airport, the next one is definitely the hotel where you're staying, the third place is definitely not the royal where you're staying. Just ask us that what you're paying, that's what you're paying us for. Uh, we are here to protect you. We're you're your concierge, your assistant. We are an extension of you.

Speaker 1 21:39

Yeah.

Speaker 21:39

So just ask whenever you don't know something, we'll take care of it for you. Mm-hmm.

Speaker 1 21:44

Yeah, that's what you're there for. Yeah. Okay. This leads actually to the next question, which is what is the internet like? Because you may be thinking, well, if I'm about to buy something and I want to know what the conversion price is, uh, you know, during the US dollars or something, but what if there's no internet? So let's talk a bit about coverage.

Speaker 22:03

Okay, that's a really good question. Um Morocco actually has the the the best internet in Africa. Um Royal Air Maroc, which is the local airline, have signed an agreement with Starlink to have that Wi-Fi in the airplanes uh starting 2027. I know Morocco is set up to have Starlink internet in Morocco. It's just the deal is not really finalized yet. Um they're still working to some details. So that should be done probably within a year or so. Then the internet in Morocco, it is 5G in the major cities. Now, when you look at a major city, for example, in Marrakech, yes. But then even within that city, there are areas where the internet is not the best. Um they have fiber internet as well, which is fast. It's not as fast as the US, but it's it's it's really decent in Morocco. The north side of Morocco, the internet is is perfectly fine. Uh, the southern part of Morocco is a little bit of a different story. And also when you go to the mountains, it's a little bit slow. Sometimes coverage may not be there all day. It's it it cuts off sometimes. But then you know, a lot of people use eSim cards, just be aware. Also, to you can use international eSim cards. Some of them work really good in Morocco, some they actually don't. Please do your homework just in case. Uh, some work perfectly in Europe, but not in Morocco. Also, local carriers in Morocco they have their own, you know, Wi-Fi devices that you can take with you. They have eSim as well. So it's it's yeah, just do your homework just in case. But the internet in Morocco generally is it's decent. I have recorded many podcast episodes while in Morocco with Ted, even back then, you know, a few years ago, back when you look at you know the podcast that we did, a lot of them were were were from Morocco and the US. So the quality is really, really good.

Speaker 1 24:01

Um, do you know, I'm sure the changes a lot, but the recent status of public Wi-Fi, at least in the major cities?

Speaker 24:09

I honestly don't know, but anywhere do you go? And again, uh it's a really, really good question. Now, when you go to Morocco, you're gonna notice a lot of people hang out at coffee shops. Uh no, every coffee coffee shop or restaurant or food place, whatever, they have their own Wi-Fi, but they just have the regular Wi-Fi that everybody connects to and it's super slow. In some areas, they will have a fiber internet, which you you'll see that it's really crowded because that Wi-Fi brings a lot of people. Last time, I think the tour that we did back in 2023, I I took with me, I forgot the company that I that I used, but I took with me a device with Wi-Fi. I think I I paid like uh around $100 a month. Um and it worked really well anywhere we went, except for the desert, it was it was a little bit weak. But other than that, you know, it's uh the internet is typically uh good.

Speaker 1 25:03

Okay. Good. Um let's see here. This is somewhat related to um common question, I'm sure. Do I have to bargain when I'm in the souks at the shops? That's the fun part.

Speaker 25:15

You have to, you must. Because if you don't, it's you know, just look at it. It's just it's it's a fun experience. Um, I know people look at it sometimes the wrong way, or hey, they want to take advantage of me. No, they they it's just fun. It's just like somebody invites you and you know they're just having fun with you. It's a it's a good conversation. They're normally gonna say, hey, it's a hundred dollars, but in reality, you can you can you can walk away with it with 40 bucks. So but you just don't walk away at first. Just you know, look at them, uh eye contact and say, hey, you know, $100 that's really, really high. The best that I can do for you is $40. You know, and somewhere you're gonna meet at $50, $55 is and everybody's gonna be happy. Maybe you'll walk away with a cup of minty. Yeah, that's true. Yeah, it's it's it's don't don't don't be offended by it, please. Uh it's just part of the culture. That's what makes you know Morocco fun.

Speaker 1 26:10

Yeah, yeah. Uh it takes some getting used to. I mean, uh well, we we should do a whole episode on how to how to bargain, how to get the right price, you know, how to have those interactions. Because I know it's like sometimes, well, you they suggest a price and then you offer you suggest something that's like half that, and then they respond and they're all offended and oh, it's insulting and all this stuff. But it's all a game, right? It's all just an act. You can't take it personally. But that takes the practice. It's easier said than done.

Speaker 26:38

Absolutely. Yes.

Speaker 1 26:40

Yeah.

Speaker 26:40

You know, you know, this the I I totally agree that and that episode, it the best way really to do it, it it has to be done in Marrakesh, for example. In Morocco. It needs to be done in a live uh that's what you should do when you're there. That'll be fun. Uh it's a it is a great idea. I'm definitely gonna, yeah. I have a few days, you know, to to yeah. And the other thing is uh it's kind of funny because we talk about scams. Um and you know, when I go to Morocco, I always like to take advantage of those two days that I have or three days that I have to create content. I love going to the square. It's something it's it's weird because normally locals in Marrakesh, we do not go to the square. We just don't. That's just that's our nature, that's our culture. We don't go to the square. In the square, everybody's foreigner, everybody from a different city. Yeah, so the thing is now I feel like, oh my god, look at this. This I see the beauty, I see the colors, I see it's just I look at it in the completely different eyes. So I have to go in every night to the square. And when we go, me and Fatah, we definitely create content. And we want to do, as you remember, we have done scam episodes in the past, but that's something we're gonna do. I'm not sure when, but we'll have the script for it, we'll have the characters developed and all that stuff, and we'll film it in Morocco. That way you can see what really happens. You know, when somebody comes to us and and they say, Hey, you know, I'm looking to go to Morocco and I'm looking for this, how many days, da-da-da, and we say, Hey, our tour costs $3,000 per person. They say, Hey, I found it at $800, da da da da. But we're gonna show you the reason why that's $800 versus $3,000. But that $800 tour ends up costing almost $4,000. But our tour is no additional. Poor quality, that's quality too. Yeah. So yeah, it's it's uh and and again, perception versus reality. So whenever there's a chance for me to be in in in Morocco and create content that that educates uh the travelers, it's just an amazing opportunity. And and I'm very grateful for you, very grateful for the listeners, and we get the compliments all the time. Yeah, your podcast saved me from being scammed, or your podcast inspired me to do this or that.

Speaker 1 28:49

So it's you know Well, as far as I know, I haven't checked a little while, but I think this is still the only podcast that's dedicated to travel to Morocco. You see other people do random episodes from time to time, but this is all we this is what we're here for, is what we do.

Speaker 2 29:02

Yes, yeah.

Speaker 1 29:03

So yeah, that's I mean, we're up to a hundred and something episodes, uh, and it'll be five years this coming February since we started.

Speaker 29:13

Yeah. And and you know, Ted, uh, I I I remember I have to say this because I remember we got in touch in 2021, and honestly, the podcast, it's it is at that point was the most difficult thing that I have done because I normally don't I'm shy. Um you know it's funny because when I did the recording in Marrakesh, we did behind the scene, and you can see I stutter, I cannot read, I struggle in so many different ways. You know, just reading a sentence, I can't. Uh so that's why you know I have to do it in certain ways because the letters look kind of, you know, my eyes see the the fourth letter, the second. Uh anyways. So, but you stuck with me from day one and you encouraged me from day one. You did not give up on me for 2021 and you stayed with me for a whole year with no nothing published. Yeah. You know, nothing done. And you said, hey, you know, I think this is the year we need to start, and that's when we did those three episodes. So I'm I'm really, really, really uh grateful for all of that because you know, uh yeah, five years, you know, four and a half, it's just, oh my god, that's just it's it's beyond incredible. We have, I think over maybe we have 130 episodes. Yes, then the ones we deleted, then the ones that we I did a guest episode. So totally probably about 160 different episodes, which is it's uh in terms of content, there's always something to find, whether you're traveling by yourself, with the family, with uh with the girl. That's a good point.

Speaker 1 30:38

So here we are. We're all we're always talking about new episodes we could do.

Speaker 2 30:44

Yeah.

Speaker 1 30:44

Yeah, it's good. Uh all right. Well, let's see. We've got a couple more quick ones here before we wrap this up. Um is the tap water safe to drink?

Speaker 30:53

That's a good one. Oh, that's a good one. Now, I lived in Morocco, born and raised in in the Imperial City of Marrakesh. That's all we drank. Uh tap water. We had no issue with it. My family, my friends still drink tap water. Everybody in Marrakesh still drink tap water. But then other cities, it's not really as safe. So we are fortunate in that regard that tap water in Morocco is good, most of the cities. Now, being here for a while, even the first time when I went back to Morocco, I don't drink tap water anymore. It just does not align with me, with my stomach, with my system. So I always drink uh bottled water. Now, at that time, the choices for bottled water were very few uh companies. Now there's just tons of them. Yeah. So uh I highly recommend the bottle of water versus tap water. You don't want to take a chance because that you know, if your tour is wound, uh, I mean it's just it's it's definitely not worth it. So yeah.

Speaker 1 31:49

Okay, that's good. Um let's see what else here. Can can we visit a mosque?

Speaker 31:55

Absolutely, yes. The biggest one that you can visit it is in Casablanca, it is open to non-Muslims, to all religions, and you can visit it. But the thing is you have to pay attention because the the schedule during the winter is different than the visitation scheduled during the summer. And also during Ramadan, they have a different visit schedule. Also keep in mind Friday is considered a holiday in Morocco, so they have a different schedule just for Friday as well. So those are really things to look at when you're traveling, but then when you travel with us, again you're worried, we we take care of all of that for you. You don't have to pay attention to it. Yes, it is all planned.

Speaker 1 32:37

Well, aside from the big Hassan II mosque in Casablanca, the famous one, uh can you go into other mosques in general in Morocco as a tourist?

Speaker 32:46

As a tourist, I would say yes, you can, um, but pretend to pray. Yeah, yeah, you can. Yeah, so just follow whatever the next guy next to you is doing and do it. You know, when they bowed, you bowed. So I've never seen somebody say, Hey, you cannot go in because you're not Muslim. And that's my experience. So, but but because of the perception again, because of the West is say, hey, I'm not gonna go in. But if you talk to somebody, they'll say, Hey, you need to do this and this, and and you can go in. Um, so if you want to try to pray, you can. If you just wanna, you know, you can walk through, it's it's okay because the prayer times are very specific, and then the rest, it's it's uh it used to be open, so I'm not sure if it's uh normally the mosque stays open throughout, but I'm I think now because of many reasons they close them after the prayers, uh then they reopen again, yeah.

Speaker 1 33:39

Right. Well, it sounds like you know, sound it takes a bit of research, I think, if you if you wanted to do that, but not to say that's impossible. So yeah. Okay. Uh and I know this is another common one. What's the electricity situation? What kind of adapter do people use?

Speaker 33:55

Oh, that's a good one. Morocco is different than the US. I think the voltage in the US is 110 volt. In Morocco is 220 volt. So um I've tried so many things that I took with me from the US because of the you know, you have to have an adapter just in case. Um, yeah. So it's uh the system we have it's similar to to Europe uh as well. Yeah. So it's it's the same with the two uh pins. Yeah, right. And and also I have this is uh very, very helpful. I uh uh I highly recommend it. When I right now I have about five at home and I take them with me and uh I um I buy them again in Morocco because we're doing the tours and I just give them to everybody. They cost me a dollar. In some places you can find them for two dollars, but they're absolutely worth it. You buy this on Amazon, it's gonna be expensive, uh, which I have in the past, and it doesn't really work quite a bit most of the time. But those things just buy them when you get to Morocco. If you need help, again, uh if you're with us, the driver will take care of that for you. Uh you don't need to worry about it. And and and you can find them everywhere. So right, right.

Speaker 1 35:06

So and like you want to make sure that it's both the converter, yes, and obviously the right size. That is correct. Yes.

Speaker 35:13

Yeah.

Speaker 1 35:13

Because you do find some that have the pins, but not necessarily converters. Exactly. That is correct, yes.

unknown 35:18

Yes.

Speaker 1 35:21

Uh okay. Well, let's see. Maybe this last one here, this might seem kind of obvious, but it's good to know what time zone is Morocco.

Speaker 35:29

Oh, that's a good one. Okay. The time zone. Morocco used to change the time depending on the arrival and departure of Ramadan to make it kind of easy in a way for the people who are gonna be fasting. So now that has changed. Morocco got rid of the time saving, if you would. So right now, between I am on Central US time and in Morocco there are five hours between us. So when you compare Morocco, look at it in terms of the Greenwich. It's a greenge plus one hour. So that's the time in Morocco. So we we follow uh, you know, England uh time clock if you would. So it's uh yeah. Plus one hour. So if it's let's say right now, right now it's six forty-four in Morocco and it should be five forty-four in London. Right? Yeah.

Speaker 1 36:21

And that means it's one forty-four in the afternoon where you are. Central time. Central time, yes. That is correct.

Speaker 36:27

Yes.

Speaker 1 36:27

I'm Eastern time, two forty-four, so for me it's four hours from here to Morocco. Now, if so you're saying Morocco does not use daylight savings time or change or anything like that?

Speaker 36:38

Not anymore. They just changed it for you a few weeks ago and they got rid of it for for life. Good.

Speaker 1 36:44

So yeah. Well, the world seems to be catching up on that finally, but you know, it gives you a sense that um I suppose it's gonna be either four or five hours, depending on the time of year, if you live in a place that still does daylight savings.

Speaker 36:56

Absolutely, that is correct. And then it will make it six hours difference between US Central Time and Morocco. Um, right now it's five hours. I love five hours because sometimes it used to be seven hours. It it it puts a lot of pressure. So but five hours is good. Uh six hours is still not bad, but five hours it's it's it's perfect for me. So Yeah, okay.

Speaker 1 37:19

Good. Well, um yeah, that's uh that's good. That's a nice summary of a bunch of uh kind of various random things, which was the idea. It's all those little travel logistics and stuff that it's yeah, it's easy to forget about, you know, until it's like the last minute. And yeah, oops, wait, what kind of plugs do I need? And what time is it there? So it's good to cover these things. And as I say, we want to put it all here in in one place so people can easily refer back to this episode. Absolutely.

Speaker 37:47

And also wanted to add something else, uh, please, Ted. Uh a lot of, you know, for us Moroccans, we use WhatsApp quite a bit. So that's how we communicate really, especially internationally. So when you travel with us, we we utilize WhatsApp. So it's it's if you don't have it installed on your phone, please do have it installed. Um and also when you travel, you have the option to keep your number, uh, your carrier in the US, if it's Verizon ATT T Mobile. They have international plans uh where you can just keep your number. You don't need to change it. If you go to Morocco and you need to have whether it's an eSIM or regular SIM card, then your WhatsApp number is still the same, which is US number that you have, uh you know, just to communicate with your family and and and friends. So just keep that in mind.

Speaker 1 38:29

Yeah. Good. Yeah, that's good to know too. Okay. Perfect. Anything else you want to add?

Speaker 38:35

No, that's it. This actually concludes the the episode. It's been a lot of fun and and we covered a lot of ground. Sometimes we we we veer off the topic, but uh, you know, just part of the conversation and hopefully the content is is it's really good and helpful for a lot of travelers. And if you find this really good for you, just share it with the friends. Yeah, you know, um, give us the review on Spotify. Now we are on video, uh, you can see us uh and watch us actually on Spotify, Apple, uh podcast, and also on YouTube. So give us a review or you know, subscribe to our YouTube channel, which we are really paying a little bit more attention to now. It's it's it's good and updated, it's nice. We have hundreds of videos, a lot of content uh that I promise you you will find really, really helpful. So uh thank you and Shukran, and then I will see you next time. See you next time.

Speaker 39:24

That wraps up today's episode. If your clients are asking you about Morocco, we're here to make sure you always have the answers. We work directly with travel advisors, just personal attention to details and custom itineraries. You can reach me at destinationsmorocco.com and request a quote. I would love to chat with you about all the questions you have about Morocco. And don't forget to leave us a review on Spotify and subscribe to our YouTube channel, DestinationsMorocco. It helps more advisors find the show. Shukran for listening. See you next time.