Upon arrival at any Moroccan airport, and after passing through Immigration and Customs, and collecting your luggage, simply follow the signs to the Arrivals Hall. Just outside, you’ll find your driver waiting with a placard clearly displaying your name -many drivers are present, keep your eyes sharp for yours.

1. Citizens of about 70 countries can enter Morocco visa-free for tourist stays of less than 90 days. These include Australia, NZ, the UK, USA, Canada, China, and the EU, amongst many more. All other nationalities should consult their nearest Moroccan Embassy or Consulate to check requirements before making travel arrangements.

2. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your stay.

3. Make photocopies of essential documents (passport, credit cards, tickets, insurance) – keep one copy in your luggage and leave another with someone at home.

4. Keep your passport somewhere easily accessible, as you will need to present it at every property check-in.

5. Before departing each hotel, ensure you have not left your passport in the room safe.

1. Preferred and widely used currencies in the country are Euros and Moroccan Dirhams.

2. Moroccan Dirhams (MAD) are only available within the country, and exporting the currency is prohibited.

3. Reconvert any leftover currency at the airport before departure or leave dirhams with your driver as part of his tip.

4. To exchange cash currency within the country (Euros, GBP, or USD only; AUD NOT ACCEPTED), use banks or official exchange bureaux.

5. Banks are typically open Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm (some close midday Friday), and 10am–12pm on Saturdays.

6. ATMs are widespread and generally reliable. They only allow withdrawals of up to 2000 MAD at a time, but multiple withdrawals are possible.

7. We recommend using ATMs during business hours (Monday–Thursday). Avoid withdrawals on a Friday and outside business hours in case your card gets swallowed; weekends also have a heightened chance of empty ATMs.

8. It is wise to request small denominations.

9. Traveller’s cheques are no longer accepted.

1. Hotel incidentals can be paid in cash (MAD or Euros) or by card.

2. Tipping is customary in the Moroccan culture, and expected:

As a rough guide: €10 = MAD100.

Recommended tipping guidelines for guides and drivers:

Official guides half day

2-3 guests 150MAD

4+ guests 400MAD

Official guides full day

2-3 guests 200MAD

4+ guests 500MAD

Driver for airport or city transfers

50-300MAD depending on the distance

Driver at disposal (in some cases included in the trip, check inclusions)

2 guests 100MAD per person per day

3+ guests 75MAD per person per day

• Riads/hotels: You can leave 20–50 MAD for maids on the bed side table, or give an envelope at reception for a tip to be shared between all the staff (reception, maids, breakfast staff, doorman, etc). Many properties have a box at reception for this purpose.

• Some luxury properties apply a compulsory service charge payable upon check-out, which is a percentage-based gratuity calculated on accommodation, food and beverage and other services.

• Roadside toilets: 10 MAD.

• For group travel, a tip “kitty” works well. Designate a person in your small group to handle the tips maybe.

• Restaurants: Around 10%.

Morocco uses 220V power with two-prong round European plugs. Consider packing two adaptors or a small power board to charge multiple devices.

1. Telstra roaming is NOT AVAILABLE in Morocco.

2. Most guests rely on hotels WIFI, widely available. During the drives, the driver may be open to occasionally let you hotspot his phone.

3. If you require reliable internet throughout your trip, we recommend purchasing an eSIM. Several providers offer data only or data and call packages, compare options to suit your needs; we have found Roamless and Holafly to be dependable choices.

4. Your driver can direct you to a shop to purchase a local SIM.

1. Morocco is very liberal when it comes to clothing, but modest, lightweight, breathable clothing is recommended.

2. No head covering required (unless specifically requested).

3. Avoid sleeveless tops and shorter shorts outside of main tourist areas.

4. Long trousers or skirts, and a shawl or jacket are ideal for evenings or visiting rural or religious areas.

5. Glamorous attire is great for dinners in Morocco’s elegant restaurants.

6. Essential items: sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, good walking shoes (preferably closed shoes for uneven, dusty, dirty surfaces), sandals (for indoors or desert), torch (for remote stays), hand sanitiser, insect repellent, wet wipes, tissues.

7. Zip-lock bags are useful for protecting electronics from desert sand.

8. Most riads offer a paid laundry service, and with the dry climate, clothing dries quickly.

9. Remember to pack your swimmers for hotel pools or the beach.

10. Hint: Leave plenty of room in your luggage –Morocco’s shopping is irresistible!

1. Poste Maroc is affordable and reliable for sending packages. Many larger shops offer international shipping services.

2. For personal mail, packages must be presented unsealed for inspection at the Post Office.

3. Popular souvenirs include carpets, ceramics, and basket-ware. These can often be shipped via FedEx or DHL directly from the shop.

4. BPA is not responsible for the quality of items purchased, nor for the shipping. If purchasing and shipping larger items from a seller, BPA advises to obtain contact details of the seller at the time, to be able to contact the seller directly should the items not be delivered, be delivered damaged, or not be up to expectations in any way -BPA is not responsible for purchases made, and is unable to assist if purchases are unsatisfactory.

5. Australia has strict biosecurity regulations. Dried spices and baked goods from Morocco are not automatically prohibited, however all food items must be declared on arrival and may be inspected; products containing full seeds, meat or dairy are more likely to be confiscated, so we recommend limiting purchases to commercially packaged goods and declaring everything to avoid penalties or confiscation.

1. It is customary to offer a small tip to performers or people you photograph.

2. It is polite to ask permission before photographing individuals.

3. Tripods and artificial lighting at monuments may require permits.

4. Commercial photography requires prior government approval.

5. It is forbidden to photograph military installations, bridges, airports, and all officials including police officers on the road.

6. Drones are strictly prohibited and will be confiscated upon arrival.

1. Morocco is a Muslim country, and the call to prayer sounds five times daily.

2. At mosques where visitors are permitted (e.g., in Casablanca), shoes must be removed before entry.

3. Avoid bringing leather goods or cigarettes inside.

4. Wear modest clothing: no shorts or sleeveless tops.

You are required to have comprehensive travel insurance that covers:

1. Trip cancellation or curtailment

2. Medical care and evacuation

3. Loss of belongings

4. Flight disruptions

Carry a separate copy of your policy. Exercise standard precautions for your safety and belongings.

1. Each traveller is permitted one suitcase, one cabin bag and one handbag. If you plan to travel with a second suitcase, golf clubs or other sporting equipment, please notify BPA in advance, as this may require a larger vehicle.

2. If your driver advises a collection time for onward travel, please ensure you have checked out with reception prior to that time.

1. No vaccinations are required, but it is advisable to be up to date with Tetanus, Polio, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A (potentially Rabies for remote rural areas).

2. Moderate mobility is required -Morocco involves a fair amount of walking, often on uneven ground; be prepared for stairs, 2–4 hour walking tours sometimes on cobbles, climbing into combined shower/baths, embarking or disembarking vehicles unassisted.

3. You must disclose health conditions that may prevent you in taking part in walking tours, standing at sites, carrying luggage etc.

4. Pack all your medicine, keeping some in your hand luggage should your main luggage be lost in transit.

5. Morocco has very competent doctors and hospitals in the main centres should the need arise.

6. Use hand sanitiser before meals –a ‘funny tummy’ often results from touching surfaces, handling cash, shaking hands, rather than food poisoning.

7. As a precaution, you could visit a travel doctor pre-trip, for antibiotics or any other medication you feel is necessary.

8. It is advisable to pack suitable diarrhoea treatment (gastro-stop or the likes if no counter indication) and a basic first aid kit if you like. The driver can stop at a pharmacy if required, but best to plan ahead if shut on weekends.

Some experiences available during your journey, such as camel riding, horse or mule riding, hot air ballooning, quad biking, cycling, sidecar excursions or similar activities, involve an inherent element of risk. These activities are operated by independent, reputable third-party providers and are not run or directly supervised by BPA.

Participation in any such activity is entirely at your discretion. Guests are responsible for assessing their own physical ability, comfort level and suitability to participate, and for following all safety instructions provided by the operator.

Spring (Mar–May): Pleasant and blooming

Summer (Jun–Sep): Very hot, particularly inland and in the south

Autumn (Oct–Nov): Mild and colourful

Winter (Dec–Feb): Cool, especially in the mountains and desert nights

Marrakech averages 21°C in winter and 38°C in summer.

Moroccan cuisine uses a lot of spices but is not spicy hot.

Expect fresh salads and tagines, olives, pastries, lots of mint tea (usually served with a lot of sugar -request less or no sugar if you prefer).

Do inform BPA of dietary restrictions on your booking form.

For variety, try French or other cuisines, readily available at restaurants.

Drink bottled water (provided in the vehicle if you have a driver at disposal, and in your hotel rooms).

Most licensed riads and hotels do not allow guests to bring their own alcohol. If you'd like to enjoy your own bottle, ask reception first –a corkage fee (approx. 55MAD) may apply.

We encourage you to sample Moroccan wines, especially the crisp and food-friendly gris, a unique local rosé-white blend.

Chefchaouen is a dry town –you may want to purchase alcohol on your way to the city (discuss with your driver) and enjoy in your room. Likewise, many Sahara desert camps are not licensed -also ask your driver to purchase on the way if desired.

Hotels policies regarding consumption of alcohol on their premises may change at short notice without BPA being notified in advance. We ask for your understanding if hotel staff requests that alcohol is only consumed in the privacy of your room or designated area.

Ramadan is a significant and spiritual time for Muslims, observed with fasting from dawn until sunset. While Morocco remains a warm and welcoming destination during this period, you may notice a slower pace of life, especially during the day.

Some cafés and restaurants may open later or operate with limited hours, particularly outside tourist zones. Alcohol is also more restricted but still available in all the tourists’ hotels and restaurants.

Travelling during Ramadan can be a unique and enriching experience. As the sun sets, the atmosphere becomes festive with locals gathering for iftar (the evening meal), and streets fill with life. Visitors are always welcomed, and it’s a wonderful time to witness Moroccan hospitality and culture in a more intimate way.

We recommend being mindful of local customs during fasting hours and embracing the rhythm of the season; it’s a beautiful window into Morocco’s deep cultural traditions. You will need to be mindful and respectful of your driver, who will not eat or drink during the day, and as such will need to break the fast at sunset -he will not be available for services at that time, and the itinerary will reflect this.

Guidebooks and novels by Moroccan authors are widely available. Beautiful books on Moroccan interiors and cuisine are sold in hotel shops and bookstores (often in French). Ask us if you’d like recommendations before you travel.