If you are thinking of a holiday to Morocco and Marrakech here are a few things we discovered or wished we had known before we went.
It’s safe:
Well it’s as safe as visiting any other city. In some ways it’s a bit safer because it can be so unfamiliar that you are certainly more on your guard. There is still the risk of pickpockets or people stealing your bag but again no more than any other city.
Closed monetary system:
You can’t exchange Sterling for Moroccan Dirham outside of Morocco. This means it’s a bit more difficult to find the best rate. It is possible to exchange at the UK airport after you pass security and check in. DO NOT DO THIS. Fortunately I had looked to see what the exchange rate was before we left and was only offered 8 to the pound at the bureau de change when it should have been 12. The best place to change seemed to be at Marrakech airport in arrivals. Their exchange was better than that offered at the hotel. They can also put money on a bank card for you but will charge you about £30 to do so. The card can be used to withdraw from cash tills or pay at businesses like any other bank card but can only be used in Morocco. You can exchange what's left on the card for the same rate you bought at otherwise you can only exchange notes back to sterling at the end of your holiday and the rate is fairly poor so you might as well spend it all.
Con men:
Or rather people who want to show you around for a price and will then take you to their mates shop. These are everywhere. They will often wait in the places where the hotel shuttle buses drop off claiming to be associated with the hotel. They may also claim to be a member of staff at your hotel and just want to ‘help’. They know what hotel you are staying at because of the ubiquitous wrist band. Just say ‘la shukraan’ (no thank you) and move on.
Haggling:
Some people like haggling and others don’t. I am firmly in the second group. However it seems to be the favourite sport in some countries. Personally I believe it’s only ‘fun’ if both parties actually know the worth of what is being bought and sold. To this end go to Complexe D’Artisanat BEFORE you venture into the markets. This place is government run and everything has a price tag, no haggling. So you can either buy what you want there, stress free with no hassle or venture the short distance to the markets armed with knowledge.
Ask permission to take pictures:
Firstly its polite. These are people at work trying to do their job or run their business or just trying to survive. If someone came into your workplace and shoved a camera in your face and started taking pictures without asking you'd be, quite rightly, very annoyed. Secondly use some of the coinage to tip afterwards. There is no social security, no old age pension, no compulsory education. Don't behave like a self entitled idiot.
Taxis:
These are actually a good way to get around. There is no meter and the price should be arranged before you start your journey, so know the price beforehand. A taxi from our hotel to the Médina was 100 MAD (5 miles, about a 15 minute drive). We got this information from the hotel. When we got a taxi back they tried to say it would be 150 MAD... as long as you know what the price should be just stay firm (haggling again). Try and plan ahead and ask the hotel staff how much you should be paying from one location to the next.
Download Google Maps:
A good tip not only for Morocco but anywhere really, especially outside the EU when your phone company doesn’t provide inclusive coverage. You can download an area in Google Maps, such as Marrakech itself, for offline use. It doesn’t matter if you have no data connection it still knows where you are and can provide directions if lost in the Médina or the full city. How to download google maps.
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