In Marrakech, French is spoken as widely as Arabic. Although most shopkeepers speak passable English, having a French phrase book handy and learning a few simple greetings will help your interactions proceed more smoothly.
Bargain Seriously
Don’t bargain without serious intent to buy—doing so will incite ire and could lead to an uncomfortable situation. As a general rule, try to get the price down by half.
Street Treats
Do yourself a favor and sample Moroccan street fare, which offers some of the country’s most authentic flavors. Most food, especially at the Djemaa el-Fna, is cooked to order, making it safe to eat.
Wake-up Call
Be sure to ask where the nearest mosque is when choosing a hotel. The morning call to prayer takes place in the wee hours, and if mosque speakers are near the hotel, sleep will be impossible.
Rent a Car
Renting a car is a great way to daytrip into the countryside and the Atlas Mountain villages. All the big name rental companies can be found in the Ville Nouvelle, as can local Moroccan rental companies, which are often more affordable.
Muslims Only
Don’t plan on visiting any mosques—in Morocco, only Muslims are allowed to enter these places of worship.
No Visas
U.S. passport holders do not need visas for travel in Morocco, but in order to enter the country, your passport must be valid for six months after the date of your arrival.
Tipping
Tipping is inherent in Moroccan culture, and at Marrakech restaurants 10 percent is standard. Leave a few dirhams for baggage porters, gas station attendants who pump your gas and parking lot attendants. Leaving nothing is considered rude.
Pocket Watch
There’s so much to soak in at the Djemaa el-Fna that many tourists are caught off guard by sneaky hands. Petty theft (cameras, wallets, watches) is rampant here. Visitors who stay alert, however, shouldn’t have a problem.
Taxi Fare
When taking a taking from the airport to Marrakech, ask the driver to use the meter. If he refuses, try to bargain a price of around 60 dirham ($8 USD) for a one-way trip.
