1. Time Period:
We visited in July 2022, which is an important holiday period for Muslims worldwide. The celebration is called the “Sheep Party/Feast”, where every married man slaughters a sheep to sacrifice to Allah. In Morocco, many shops and establishments reduced their hours and limited their availability. Despite this, we still had a great time and weren’t tremendously affected.
2. Weather
July is an off-peak season because it is the second hottest month in Morocco, with August taking the trophy. Because of this, tourist traffic was reduced, which worked in our favor. Average temperatures were about 100 degrees Fahrenheit daily.
3. Airport Process
Immigration was seamless. There were about five checkpoints for passport and document verification. At the time that we went, we were required to complete a health form that declared we did not have covid.
4. Accommodations
We stayed in different accommodations due to our explorations within the country.
Our favorite stay was at Palais Namaskar, a luxurious palace that boasted beauty and elegance. The grounds were breathtaking. We were treated like king and queen during the entire time and our private pool suite was the best we’d ever seen.
We also went glamping in the Sahara Desert, which included a shower, toilet, and other necessities. The setup was cozy and set the atmosphere for an unforgettable experience. I will share more details in a separate blog post.
Riads, also spelled riyads, are traditional Moroccan houses. The word comes from the Arabic word “ryad” meaning garden. They are beautiful, unique, and affordable. We stayed at Riad Alibaba Tresor Marrakech, which was only $60 USD per night and included breakfast with a community pool.
5. Transportation & Getting Around
Our driver was named Rabi. He was referred to us by a friend, so we trusted him. He picked us up when we arrived at the airport and brought us back when we were departing home. He also drove us to the Sahara Desert and back. It was very comforting to have the consistency of transportation during the trip.
6. Culture & People
Morocco is a Muslim country, and they abide by a diverse history of traditions and customs. One part of their lifestyle is religion. You can hear their prayer calls on loudspeakers five times a day.
While many people wear modest clothing, we learned it is not required. Tourists are not expected to cover up either. Nevertheless, it is advised in certain areas to avoid unnecessary attention.
Moroccans love to have a good time with music and dancing. Most restaurants had traditional performances and live entertainment. The people are very kind, warm, and welcoming. It was apparent that they were proud of their country.
7. Least Favorite Moment
As we explored, we encountered locals who would purposefully give us wrong information. They would say “the museum is closed for prayer” or “you can’t go down that street. You must go this way”. At first, we thought they were serious. Then we realized they were trying to lead us to their shops. It was very misleading.
8. Overall Cost
Contrary to what people may assume, the cost of living in Morocco is reasonable. I appreciate that they offer both budget and luxury options, while maintaining integrity. Even the most inexpensive accommodations were beautifully designed and well-kept.
Street vendors are affordable as well. Be aware that you must know how to negotiate the prices. Many shops do not have prices on display, simply because they want to swindle clueless tourists.
9. Favorite Activity
Our favorite activity was a $40 per person cooking class that we found through Viator. We met at a local market to buy the ingredients, then walked to the chef’s traditional home to prepare the meal.
While cooking, we also met other travelers and exchanged travel tales as we learned the intricacies of Moroccan cuisine. To our surprise, the food we cooked was better than the food we had at the restaurants. As the saying goes, “there’s nothing like a home-cooked meal”.
10. Food & Restaurants
I expected bold flavors and diverse gastronomy. However, we were disappointed by redundant menu options at restaurants and lacking dishes. We had a few good meals, but most of them were underwhelming.
Nonetheless, the dining experience was always fantastic. We were treated with the utmost elegance and class. You can read about our fine dining experience at Palais Namaskar on our iFineDine page.
5 Key Takeaways for Visiting Morocco
- You don’t have to dress conservatively 100% of the time.
- The food at most restaurants will have similar menus.
- Visiting the Sahara Desert is an unforgettable experience!
- Be aware of street vendors giving you the wrong information.
- Learn how to hustle when buying from the souks/shops.
Do You Want to Visit Morocco? Let us know in the comment section below and share this blog with a friend! Thanks for reading!
