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15 Mistakes to Avoid in Morocco

Morocco is welcoming and easy to travel - but a handful of avoidable mistakes trip up first-timers again and again. Sidestep these and your trip gets smoother, cheaper and friendlier.

The Big Ones

1. Not haggling - or haggling aggressively. Accepting the first price overpays; grinding for pennies sours it. Read the bargaining guide.
2. Following an unofficial "guide". "That way is closed" is rarely true - decline politely (see common scams).
3. Not agreeing the taxi fare first. Insist on the meter or fix the price before the door shuts - our taxi guide has the numbers.
4. Over-packing the itinerary. Trying to see everything in a week means living in a car. Pick one loop - see how many days you need.
5. Dressing without thinking. Shoulders and knees keep things easy outside tourist zones - what to wear.
6. Only carrying big notes. Hoard small change for taxis, tips and cafes - money guide.
7. Forgetting to tip small. A few dirhams is expected in many situations - tipping guide.
8. Drinking tap water unprepared. Stick to bottled or filtered - food and water safety.
9. Taking photos of people without asking. Especially women and Jemaa el-Fna performers, who expect a tip.
10. Underestimating distances. Roads wind; the desert is far. Check driving times before booking.
11. Ignoring Ramadan timing. A wonderful time to visit, but daytime rhythms change - Ramadan dates.
12. Public displays of affection / drinking in the street. Both are frowned on - keep drinks to bars and riads (alcohol guide).
13. Not learning a few Darija words. "Salam" and "choukran" open doors - phrases here.
14. Booking a riad deep in the medina blind. Great experience, but confirm how to find it and whether porters help with bags.
15. Rushing the desert. One night minimum - and choose Merzouga or Zagora to match your time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should tourists not do in Morocco?

Do not accept the first souk price, follow unofficial guides, ride unmetered taxis, drink tap water unprepared, or photograph people without asking. And do not cram the whole country into one week.

Is it rude not to haggle in Morocco?

In the souks, yes - bargaining is expected and social. But haggle with humor over crafts, not over fixed-price food, pharmacies or supermarkets.

What is the biggest mistake first-timers make in Morocco?

Over-packing the itinerary. Distances are long and roads wind - choosing one region or loop beats a exhausting dash across the country.