Avoid These Cultural Gaffes When Traveling in Morocco

AZDEAN: [00:00:00] Welcome back to another amazing episode of Destination Morocco podcast. In today's episode, this is part two of travel fails and how to avoid them. So welcome back Hiba. Welcome back Sam. So good to have you back.

SAM: Likewise. Thank you.

AZDEAN: Very welcome. So last time we have stopped at the cultural awareness. So that's where we're gonna start [00:01:00] today. In today's episode, we're going to discuss cultural awareness, including inappropriate clothing, disrespecting religious sites, overstepping cultural boundaries, photography etiquettes, and ignoring local customs.

So let's start with the inappropriate clothing. In my opinion, Morocco, it's, it's a really, really diverse country. and it's very seldom that you see somebody dressed inappropriately. So I want Hiba first, if you would give us some examples of inappropriate clothing to wear in Morocco while you're visiting, whether you're a solo traveler, traveling with your friends, family, or with us or a different tour operator.

HIBA: Yeah, sure. Well, it's known that, if you want to, for example, visit the country, you have first to, to know or to search about the country's cultural etiquettes, like what should you do, what should you don't, how to act, so on and so forth. Likewise, clothing, which [00:02:00] is a necessity. This is an essential part of the cultural etiquette of Morocco, specifically.

So, throughout clothing we present our culture. Also, we show appreciation for the country's culture. That's why I suggest for travelers do their research about that, not the etiquette. I, advised them to dress modestly. just to show respect. This doesn't mean like, okay, you're in control or you don't have the freedom to wear whatever you want.

No, totally the opposite. Morocco is an open minded country, so wear whatever you want. Just to show some respect for locals. They will, of course, take it into consideration and appreciate it. So, modestly, what we mean by modestly, wearing, like, or covering knees and shoulders, that's it.

And wear, like, breathable clothes, [00:03:00] so you will take advantage of, the, Moroccan warm climates.

AZDEAN: Thank you. Thank you. Sam, do you have anything to add ?

SAM: Sure. Uh, please. I just want to add is just Morocco is a modern country and it's affected by the European, especially, uh, culture. So As Hiba mentioned, just to show respect, for example, you can say, when you come to Marrakech for the first time, because you have already the idea about Morocco, that's a conservative country, an Islamic country or Arabic country and so forth.

But when you come to Marrakech, you see that it's modern. It's like you are walking in Paris or somewhere in Europe, the way the people, especially for example, we're talking about women, the way they. They dress is the same as Europeans, but you still have to show respect, especially in many other places outside and outskirts of the big cities, especially in the villages and the suburbs of the other of the big [00:04:00] cities.

AZDEAN: Very good point. The way that I see it, and we've talked about this in a few, Um, I always say dress the way that makes you feel comfortable. you know.

SAM: I agree.

AZDEAN: Yeah, for me, that's, that's the right way to look at it. So I want to move to the next topic that we have, which is disrespecting religious sites.

Morocco has quite a few of them and I know probably one, that it's most popular, Hassan II Mosque that I want to talk about, which allows tourists and foreigners to visit. So can you give us some ideas to avoid religious disrespect in Morocco while you're in Morocco?

And we'll start with Hiba, please.

HIBA: Absolutely. Well, what I'm going to say is, educate yourself about the, cultural and religious practices, of, Moroccan, religious sites, including mosques, shrines, so on and so forth. That will help you to cover a general overview about the [00:05:00] significance and the importance of these specific places for Moroccans.

So, I suggest to imitate and observe, locals. before, while, and after entering a mosque, like, covering, knees, and, uh, women might, might have to cover their head. These are etiquettes. Also, enter the mosque, for example, with your right feet instead of the left one.

Remove your shoes before. Consider your non verbal and gesture language, uh, try as much as you can to be quiet, just to show respect for that, place for Moroccans.

AZDEAN: Thank you. Um, Sam, you have any additional?

SAM: Please. Yeah. Beside what you mentioned before, in your question, the only visited mosque in, in Morocco is absolutely the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, but there is others that you can visit from outside. including the Kairaouine Mosque in [00:06:00] Ismail Mausoleum and the mosque next to it. And, in Marrakech, for example, the Qutubiyah Mosque.

What I want to mention and, to advise people here is just people, when they are getting outside from the after prayer, they have to be careful not taking photos for the people, especially for the old. men, especially they don't like to take photos, even if you ask their permission.

Absolutely. They will refuse to take them photos. And, um, don't shout just next to the religious sites and the mosques and shrines as well. what else? Just if you can avoid visiting these places during the prior time in Morocco, it's, uh, it's better.

AZDEAN: Okay. Very good point. Okay. Thank you for that.. Um, the question that I have for you, Sam, if you want to give us a little bit more information, and this is really, really important. When, when he best said respect the local customs and traditions, can you dive in a little bit more deep into the question and give us some [00:07:00] examples, please, Sam?

SAM: Yes. Thank you very much for this question. It's very important. when you go to visit, for example, a village to, uh, to experience the deep Morocco or enjoy your experience with locals. First of all, you have to greet them. You shake hands.

Because it's very important to shake hands with with locals to show them, uh, peace, to show them your respect, respect the elder people as well. It's very important because when you see them, greet them with, with, for example, you say Salaam Alaikum, which means peace be upon you, and for example, say Shukran,

which means thank you especially as, as I said, to the conservative areas in Morocco.

AZDEAN: Okay. Very good point. So now when you said shake hands, I'm just gonna, do we shake our right hand or left hand? Okay.

SAM: Yeah, please, right hand. It's very, it's very mandatory.

AZDEAN: Okay.

SAM: Right hand and also when someone invited you to have, mint tea or to share a meal with [00:08:00] them. you have to wash your hands first and eat with your right hand, not with your left hand. This is how you show respect to the people.

AZDEAN: Okay. Now there's no fist bumps. There's no elbow bumps. There's no, you know, it's, that's just the local culture. And, um, you know, when somebody just to, uh, confirm what Sam has said, when somebody invites you for tea and you say no, it's kind of disrespectful to them. Just say yes, go into the house, you know, take a sip or two and excuse yourself that you have a busy schedule and you have to go on with your day and they'll completely understand.

So, this is really, really important. And also, when we talk about this, we can see it more visible in the outskirts of our city. major cities, the southern part of Morocco, the Berber, you know, areas. it's always good just to bow your head down and, and, and speak, you know, respectfully. no handshaking with women, no hugs. So just, uh, you know, for the most part. So, it's really, really important, um, for the culture and, [00:09:00] and respect it.

And when you do these, I mean, people will be. beyond hospitable to you. They'll, they'll give you literally everything they have, um, to make you, have an amazing experience. So now we talked about this, but the other thing that we have talked about so many times, and I personally have witnessed it. We have witnessed it in our last, tour in Morocco, which is photography etiquette.

You really, really, really have to be careful. And again, it differs. from city to city, and it varies from, you know, village to village, and you really, really have to be very careful. this is very crucial and very important, but I wanted to hear what Hiba has to say first, then we'll ask Sam, then have something else that I would like to add, please.

HIBA: Yeah, I highly recommend from visitors to ask permission first. always seek permission before taking someone's photograph, or portrait. respect their opinion. If they decline, [00:10:00] so just respect it, because this is, cultural, I mean, sensitivity and, uh, their privacy. The other point that I want to add is, before, seeking the permission, it's better, like, to engage. with people to share and exchange your culture with their own experiences and even think about their opinion, their point of view. And believe me, this is going to help you to feel like more comfortable asking for their permission.

And of course, will enhance your experience.

AZDEAN: Thank you. That's really, really important. Thank you for that information, Hiba. Sam, you have any additional? No.

SAM: Yes, please. Because I witnessed many times that the locals broke the camera or the phone for the people. They are, they take in the photos without permission. Many times happened in the Jemaa el-Fnaa Square and many times happened in the villages. because the people, when you take a photo, a picture to them and you didn't ask the permission [00:11:00] first.

I'm sure that's in the villages. Most of them, they will not accept. But if you build a rapport with them and build a good relation with them and you show them your respect, absolutely, they will accept you to take photos for them. Unless, no, they will not allow you. And especially for women. The woman, they will take your camera and they will break it immediately.

And you can't even shoot her. You can't say anything. If the police comes, it's your fault. Absolutely. It's a mistake. It's a big mistake. Yeah. You have to be careful for the visitors that is coming to Morocco. Ask permission first. If a person declined, just go away.

HIBA: Yeah, especially if the woman, I mean, unmarried, so 

SAM: Especially.

Absolutely. Yes. Yes. I agree.

AZDEAN: Thank you, Sam. This is really, really important information. I want to add something to the etiquette of photography in Morocco. It really depends from city to city, from, village to village. Some villages, for example, [00:12:00] Aït Binhaddou, they are very exposed to tourists. versus, you know, 30 minutes drive, a village is maybe not exposed to tourists.

Maybe they are 20 years behind. What Aït Binhaddou is today. So it's very important to respect that aspect of the culture. and also it's different when you're in the market, in the Suks. Uh, just walk, just, you know, through the market, whether Fes or Marrakech. I definitely support what Hiba and Sam said build a report with the shop

person or clerk or whatever. And one of the best ways and say, Hey, can you take a picture with me or can I add you to my Instagram? You know, it makes them feel that you're interested in them versus something else. And just do it as, you know, an icebreaker, for example, and take, you know, Hey, let's post this on my Instagram.

Then say, Hey, would it be okay for me to take some pictures? They're not going to say no, but also, Morocco, it's a tourist country, you know, just tip them. It can be two bucks. It can be five bucks. And, um, They let you take as many pictures and, [00:13:00] you know, don't bother them and they'll, you know, they let you take whatever pictures you need.

Then you move on to the next place or the next shop or the next experience that you want to take pictures of. But it's always build the airport before you ask. the, for the, for the photography. And the other thing is, I know there's a lot of photographers and you know, they, they like to take pictures of animals, especially in Chefchaouen with the cats.

They like to take pictures of the kids, especially in the, in the rural villages, but just make sure that you really ask, uh, because people can really get upset. So, yeah, that's what I needed just to, to add what you guys have mentioned now. Um,

SAM: add something, Azdean. On the square, for example, for the people, snake charmers and, what else? The henna tattoo artists and so stuff. Before you take photos, you have to ask. And if you want to take photo, if you don't want to tape them, just take a photo from, from far. Take it from, few meters, 20 meters or 30 meters before them.

If you want to take photo, else you have to pay for [00:14:00] it. If you don't pay for it, they will just, I don't know, maybe it will insult you or some saying some bad words or some stuff. So that's that you can avoid, by the way.

AZDEAN: Yeah. Yeah. The square is definitely a special place. you don't really want to pull up your phone because you really have to pay at some point. If you don't, they will follow you for, you know, for a little bit, maybe two, three minutes to cost in you and send all kinds of stuff to you like you wasted their time and stuff like that.

So just, you know, um, with the snake charmers, the henna tattoo, all those, the gathering, Uh, which is the circle where you see everybody's gathering. if you pull up your phone, just make sure you need to pay. You really have to pay. I mean, not have to pay, but just to, to make that experience smooth. I mean, this is what we did basically.

when I went to Marrakech, my first day in Marrakech, we spent at me and Sam in the square until I think four, five in the morning. And that's what we did. We went through all of them. Well, I guess, uh, not all of them, but most of them, but we tipped. Then when you tip [00:15:00] somebody really good, guess what?

You become a VIP. They invite you inside and you can do literally anything you want. So that's, that's really my advice, our advice when it comes to photography, just be willing to tip, and it's going to enhance your experience as well. And it's definitely worth it. So, okay, perfect. So we're going to move on to the next topic, which is the communication part in Morocco.

And I know, uh, just recently, we finished the Darija classes. And it's going to help all the travelers that are going to Morocco. small, phrases and how to, you know, start the conversations, icebreakers.

Uh, it's going to be really, really helpful for you. So when we talk about communication, there's definitely a language barrier and Hiba, I would like to go with you first. Can you tell us what are some of those barriers and how they can affect the traveler's experience, please.

HIBA: Absolutely. Well, uh, before your trip, just like take some time and invest it in, uh, learning the basic, phrases, either in Arabic, the Moroccan Arabic, which is [00:16:00] Darija. Uh huh. Again, or French, also, uh, appropriate, of course. locals, by the way, appreciate when you interact with them in their, uh, language.

Uh, so, I personally, I love it when someone, for example, interacts with me in, um, my language. Just the basic phrases like in greetings, that we use in greetings, or in emergency, for example. Also, you can use translation apps, like Google Translate or iTranslation, so that if you haven't invest time beforehand, you can, serve yourself with that.

Uh, other thing is, you can, uh, convey your message using your non verbal language or gestures. it's perfectly fine. and, uh, it's, important, in the Moroccan culture. Uh. What else? I think, uh, avoid, complex language or keep yourself communicating with simple and, [00:17:00] direct language.

AZDEAN: Okay. Thank you for that. I really appreciate it. Sam, do you have any addition?

SAM: Yeah, sure. If you, if you can't, use like verbal languages, non verbal language with your gesture, you just have to communicate with people. I just want to mention something here. When I was in Rabat with Yes Voice, uh, U. S. cultural center, was very happy because someone from United States speaking Darija, Moroccan Darija very well.

So we, yeah, Rachel, absolutely. So directly we are. connected so fast because I said, Oh my God, you're speaking Darija very well. When did you learn that? Yeah, he made it fast, but she speaks Darija, Moroccan Darija very, very well. Yeah. And it helps. And she, she told me that it, helped her many times when she was traveling around Morocco to connect with the locals and with the people both in villages and in the big, in the major cities.

AZDEAN: Okay. That's really, really important. Um, the next [00:18:00] thing that I would like to discuss is misunderstandings. we're still in, in the language part, but, it's really, really easy to misunderstand somebody, especially if you don't, speak the language. But in Morocco, luckily there's a lot of people that speak different languages.

If English is your main language, just say, Hey, speak English or speak French, speak Spanish. They'll pick up what language you speak. And if they need to get somebody to help, they'll definitely, get somebody to help and communicate to you that way. So, how can we avoid some of the misunderstandings when it comes to language?

Hiba, please.

HIBA: I think, it's better to ask locals, especially during your interactions, whenever, for example, you didn't get the idea or the message, just ask, don't hesitate. Okay, so I don't understand that point. Can you please clarify it for me? , be mindful of non verbal language, um, because it plays a pivotal role in the Moroccan culture again.

AZDEAN: Thank you. Sam, do you have anything to [00:19:00] add to what Hiba said?

SAM: yeah, And as you mentioned, Azdean, in the big cities, you are good because most of the people, especially in the markets, in the accommodations, in the restaurants, most of the people speak English, mostly, but in the villages, when you are traveling around and you are on a trip alone in the villages, you have to be careful because learning some few words, as we mentioned, helps you a lot because, for example, you are thirsty and you want to ask for water, however you want to say it.

in case, you know, you are thirsty. Give me, give me water, or just to just say drink, drink, and

HIBA: Yeah.

SAM: it helps. As Hiba mentioned, non verbal language and gestures may help you to solve your, situation where you are.

HIBA: When the verbal language fails, yeah.

AZDEAN: Yes, very good point. thank you for that. Yeah, it makes sense. So now, you know, when people travel to Morocco, there's a few things that we have to go through or do as a process of, visiting a new country. Morocco is no [00:20:00] different. And, and one of the biggest ones, um, is the currency exchange.

And we really have to be very careful. So we get this question all the time. you know, I'm in Chicago. Can I get my, you know, my Moroccan currency in Chicago? you know, I'm traveling through New York and I get it through New York, through DC. I always recommend just wait until you get to Morocco.

There's no rush. If you're traveling with us, there's no rush. also if you're in New York and DC and you're traveling directly to Morocco, the airport, they should have Moroccan currency available even before you get to Morocco. But I want to talk about how it's easy to be scammed when it comes to currency exchange.

And I would like to start with Sam, then we'll go to Hiba. But I also have something to add as well.

SAM: yeah, sure. Uh, what I suggest and what I advise when you come, when I'm traveling to Morocco for the currency exchange, I suggest, when you arrive to the airport, just change small amount of money, like I say, 50, 80, for example, it's maybe more than enough [00:21:00] until you get to the exchange points where you can get good rates exchange your money. And there is everywhere. When you are in the villages outside the major cities, there is like banks. Banks, can say Inwar Zezat, in Tudra, in Merzouga, for example, you can change it from the from the banks, even though the rates is different from the big cities like Fes or Marrakech or Casablanca as well.

And if you travel with us, of course, there is our driver and our tour leader who will show you the best place when you get best rates to change your money, exchange your

AZDEAN: Thank you, Sam. But I just wanted to reconfirm and give more information basically. So what Sam is trying to do, and correct me if I'm wrong, Sam, when you get to, let's The major airports in Morocco, you get to Rabat, you have Casablanca and you have, Marrakech and you have Stangier. when you get to the airport in Morocco, the reason why Sam said, Hey, just get a small amount of your, we're talking USD, today.

The reason is because the exchange [00:22:00] rate at the airport has a lot of fees. So you don't get what, the money is really worth. So if it's 10, they may give you for 9 or something close to it. Then when you go outside, you can get some exchange in the post office. You do not want to do that because they charge the most of the fees in the post office.

It's not worth it. You lose a lot of your money. Then when you go to regular banks now, Banks in Morocco are different than banks in the U. S. then there's ATM. We'll talk about ATM machines afterwards. So when you go to a bank, that bank, if you have an account with them, they give you a better rate.

Obviously, you're not going to have an account with them, so your rate is not going to be the best. But it's definitely going to be a little bit better than the airport. Now, we talk in major cities, now when we talk in the outskirts of Marrakech, for example, when you go to small cities or small or big villages, for example, the rate again is going to decrease and it's going to be less to your favor.

So that's why we recommend, if you're traveling with us, we know the places where you get the [00:23:00] most, for your dollar. worst comes to worst, just a regular bank will do. and get enough, for a few days, unless you need more, because you don't want to be carrying a lot of cash with you.

Also keep in mind that, a lot of places, they, they do accept credit cards. Now, Here's the other thing that I wanted to talk to you about, and it's one of the most common scams or rip offs. let's say you have 500 or 1, 000 that you want to exchange in Moroccan Dirham currency, make sure you count it first, and then make sure you don't give the whole sum to that clerk who's going to give you the exchange money.

Sam, remember what happened to

SAM: Yes, I agree, hundred percent, yeah, yeah,

AZDEAN: basically what happened to me, is when I went to exchange my money, I counted the money and then I gave the whole amount of money to the clerk and then he said, well, you gave me 700. Well, it was 000. And it was a big mess and it was a [00:24:00] big line behind me.

So to investigate, to look and, you know, thinking, Oh, I made a mistake. Oh no, I lost it. No, those guys, they know what they're doing and they have very swift, very quick hands. Trust me. It's, it's like David Copperfield exchanging your money. So, you know, he's going to take some of it. So this does not happen all the time, but unfortunately it happened to me last summer.

So make sure you count your money. in front of the clerk and say, Hey, 100, 200, until you get to whatever 1, 000, 500. because the bigger the amounts, it's easier to scam you because you're not going to pay attention to few few hundred dollars. You're going to question yourself. Oh, it's my bad. It's my mistake.

I made a mistake. This happened to us in the summertime and you know, I hope this helps. I really, really do. So the other thing that I want to talk to, you know, I'm sorry, Hiba, I haven't gotten to you yet. My apologies. Hiba, do you have anything to add to this topic, please?

HIBA: this topic? Yeah, just to elaborate what [00:25:00] you just said guys, and so much for this important point, which is crucial, and tourists should be I advise them to rely on, banks or, uh, currency exchange websites and, try as much as you can to not, as you said, guys, to not exchange currency on the streets with unauthorized and unofficial, vendors because they might be scammed again. and, uh, do your homework beforehand and, research about the currency exchange of your home currency to the Moroccan Dirham.

AZDEAN: Those are really, really good points. The other thing that I want to mention, um, Don't let, local guy and say, Hey, I can exchange the money for you. Be very careful. Because I remember a few years ago, I'm not sure if it was a rumor or if it was actually true. There was some fake currency going around, with the exchange.

So people have fake Moroccan currency and they don't want to be, you know, victim to that scam. That's a complete different episode on its own. Yeah. So you really, really have to be careful. Now, the other thing that I wanted to, to talk about [00:26:00] is, overspending on souvenirs. when we get to Morocco, especially Morocco, because you know, the colors, the variety, the diversity, everything is so beautiful.

you see something, you want to buy it. I mean, it's just, that's how gorgeous things look. And, the souvenirs, you know, whether you're in Essaouira, shopping for, you know, wood items, whether in your Fes, you know, ceramic, whether in Marrakech and stuff like that. So what are some of the things that tourists should prepare for and avoid that way, you know, you go to Morocco, you're traveling, you have a carry on bag, and then now you leave in Morocco and you have three large suitcases with you.

So how can people avoid spending too much money in shops? We'll start with Hiba because I know Sam has a long list. So we'll go with Hiba first, please.

HIBA: Okay. Uh, you know how much shopping matters for us as women, so. Well, what I want to recommend from visitors is to sit a reasonable budget before going to do shopping, because that will enable [00:27:00] them not only to avoid overstepping, but also to ensure themselves that they still have enough money for, upcoming experiences, especially if they are going to do, uh, more than one experience of shopping.

this is from one hand. On the other hand, I advise them to shop around, try, to visit and explore many, shopping stalls and, uh, vendors, because prices might be, might differ from, uh, vendor to another. Like that, you, at the end, you consider. right which is appropriate for you, of course, and to recognize choices.

also, try to negotiate prices. Don't hesitate, because in order to, to avoid being scammed again. research for the current prices beforehand for the most common seven years in Morocco, including, um, rag, uh, [00:28:00] ceramics, so on and so forth. Uh, cosmetics. So that would make you and help you, to have, uh, confidence while negotiating with, uh, vendors.

AZDEAN: Thank you so much, Hiba. That's really, really appreciated. Sam, do you have anything else to add, please?

SAM: Yeah, sure. what I want to hit to add to what Hiba just said about sitting the budget for your, shopping or souvenirs in Morocco, because when you go to a rug shop, I don't know what's happened to you, but you, you, you're going to stay there and you're going to buy, instead of buying one rag, you're going to buy three or four.

And be careful because if you don't see the right budget, you're going to spend all your money there and you will just continue your journey without any money.

HIBA: Yeah.

SAM: Okay, you have just to shop wisely and, to, to be careful from, the things you don't need. Don't buy it. For example, you're gonna, you're gonna buy, some stuff for your home, including, for example, ceramics, like [00:29:00] bowls of, ceramic, or stuff in feds, including small rugs, for example.

You don't need rugs, just don't buy it. Buy what you want. We want you to shop. We want you to take more souvenirs to you and to your friends. But we suggest and we advise you to be rational. to be reasonable when you are shopping and when you are spending your money on the Moroccan shops, because as Azdean mentioned, when you're getting in the souks, everything attracts you to buy because the shops and the colors is just amazing.

AZDEAN: Thank you. Thank you, Sam. I really, really appreciate that. The thing that I would, I would like to add is if you're buying souvenirs, just make sure a lot of people may not like it, but don't spend more than 5 on souvenirs for your friends. for the things that you're going to buy, like, you know, the, the major purchases like ceramic, cause you can go crazy, especially when you go to fast because fast has the best ceramic in Morocco and leather goods as well.

what I always recommend, don't be impulsive buyer, get their business card. make a decision, not today, maybe later, maybe a [00:30:00] week, maybe two weeks. And if you still need it, you can get them to ship it to you because you know already what it is. So they can send it to you because it can, it can really get expensive.

if you go into a Essaouira then you buy stuff, then you go to Fast and Marrakech, it adds up. So the best way to do it is just buy small things, But then for the big ones, just do it afterwards. when you go back, think about it. If it's, if you still feel the same way about it and it's a must have, then go for it.

Because at that time, you're not going to overspend your money. you're going to make the right decision, a better decision then. when you're in front of somebody, plus there's going to be a little bit of pressure maybe from the clerks for you to buy and stuff like that.

So, yeah, that's what I really have to add to what Hiba and Sam

SAM: I want to add. Yeah. I want to add something, Azdean, if you are, when you're traveling with us and you have our local guides. . Just tell him what you want to buy and he will give you more advices and more, tips. How to buy things. How, how to spend wisely your money during your shopping.

Especially our [00:31:00] local guides, they are very experienced and they know where to get best rates and to get good stuff. And shopping, buying what you want to buy. Not eh, eh, just spending money for nothing.

AZDEAN: Yeah. Thank you. I just remembered, We had a client in Fes and she wanted to buy some scarves, but they were expensive in Fes. But then, with the tour leader, when we went to Marrakech, the same scarves, she found them, three bucks, 3 versus 100. In fast. So you really have to do your homework and, and ask around.

So when you, when you have a local guide, when you travel with us, that local guide is for you. When you have a tour leader traveling with you, your concierge, he's your assistant, he's your financial advisor, he's looking out for you, what's best for you, and, and don't hesitate to take advantage of his knowledge, whether it comes to shopping or restaurants and stuff like that.

So, which is really, really, really important. So. the next topic that we're going to talk about, and this is very, very important, which is documents. And we'll start with the visa issues for a lot of people that are [00:32:00] traveling to Morocco. Some, they don't need a visa. Some do need a visa, but you have to, to do your homework where you're coming from.

So Hiba, if you can give us some more information about this topic, please, uh, visa issues.

HIBA: Yeah, sure. There are citizens of several nations who can or are allowed to visit Morocco. for like, uh, short visits, without visa. I think if my, uh, mind serves me lasting for 90 days.

stands for three months. also, don't wait until the last minute to, apply for your visa because, that may, in fact, rearrange your, your travel experience. So, research beforehand and apply for your visa in advance.

SAM: Yes,

AZDEAN: you. Thank you. Sam, do you have anything to add, please?

SAM: No, that's it. I just, um, for the visa, that's what mentioned here. I just, I can add just, for the visa, there is many, many countries, that needs required visa to travel to Morocco. most [00:33:00] of our clients, which is Americans and Canadians and, other English parts, they don't need visa to travel to Morocco, but it's mandatory to check your passports.

because it's less than six months, you cannot travel, you can't enter the country. Make sure of that.

AZDEAN: We'll go back to the passport we'll go back to the passport Sam, but for the visa You're allowed 90 days. We talk in us, uh, we talk in Canada, but for other countries to apply for your visa, it depends on the country. Some countries you'll get an appointment right away. Some countries it takes weeks.

Some countries they may, may be a couple months or so for you to get a visa, approved. so that's why it's really important for you to plan really, really early and plan ahead. That way you don't run into the, the issues of getting your visa to travel to Morocco and experience Morocco the right way.

So now we're going to talk about, expired passports. And I know during the pandemic here in the U S, the offices were closed. So there's no way that passports can be, renewed or processed or anything for [00:34:00] quite some time. And then after the pandemic, there was still some delays, issuing passports and stuff like that.

So, the case in US has definitely improved. It's not, nine months or a year as it used to be, now in some cases it's three to four months, but if it's an emergency, you can still get it the same day. Don't take my word for it, but you got to set up an appointment. when it comes to expired passports, it's very important.

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's best to, to travel to Morocco. while you have a few months in your passport and the best way to do it is, look at it this way. Your passport needs to have nine months. of validity or valid for nine months after you come back, whether to the U.

S. or your country, Canada and stuff like that. So if it does not fall in that period, then you definitely need to renew your passport just to be on the safe side, because you don't want to travel to Morocco and get stranded. And this has happened not just in Morocco during the pandemic, but everywhere.

And you can just imagine what a mess that [00:35:00] is. So Hiba, would you give us some, some examples or what do you think about this topic and what else can you add, please?

HIBA: Yeah, I just want to add an important point, which is, you have to be aware that not all the nations have consulates and embassies, in the big cities, in Morocco, not every place will have like easy access, for access to the consular services. Yes.

AZDEAN: Yes. just to add something else here, but this is, thank you for that. It's a really, really good point. We've talked about this a few times. When you travel into Morocco, it's always good to register with the embassy. I think the program here in the US is called steps. gov or something like that. But register with the embassy.

with your embassy, because it's very important for them to know your whereabouts just in case there's evacuation, there's emergencies, there's another pandemic, there's something happening, and you need to be evacuated from the country. They need to know where you're at. It's really, really, really crucial.

So Sam, you have anything else to add to this,

SAM: Yeah. [00:36:00] Yeah. I just want to add that that's most of the embassies in Morocco are based in Rabat, especially. And when you are when you are in Merzouga, for you to go to travel to Rabat, and make sure when you are in Morocco and your visa is expired, you will pay.

You will pay an amount of, uh, 120 and it's, a lot of documents and you have to wait like two days, three days there and you have to go through the tribunal to pay it. Not directly to the Office of Immigrations, which is in the police station of each city, but you have to go to tribunal as well, where you can pay this amount of money to get out of the country.

AZDEAN: Yeah. and it gets really complicated. I mean, if you're used into things going smooth, here in the U S or Canada, Morocco can, things can be really, really hectic. And if it takes, for example, a couple of hours, it may take a few days, a couple of weeks to get done. Um, unfortunately that just, that's how the system is.

but when you travel with us, we, we make sure that we facilitate [00:37:00] everything for you, and we take care of everything for you. So the next thing that I want to talk about, when you're traveling, to Morocco, there's, a lot of things going on in your mind and you're in, you know, and it's very easy for you to forget some of your documents and stuff like that.

So can you give us some examples and your opinion when it comes to this, incomplete travel documents, please Hiba.

HIBA: Yeah, I propose, verify your papers, or documents from time to time, because that will help you to reduce the chances of, missing or incomplete documents. So you will save money, you will save time, and you will save your energy as well.

you can, like, make copies for These critical documents, including your passport, your visa, also your itinerary, order like to get rid of loose or theft. And you can as well put them separated from the original ones, in a specific wallet [00:38:00] or bag.

AZDEAN: Thank you. Thank you Hiba. Sam, do you have anything else to add to this

SAM: Yes. I just want to add. To what Hiba just said, it's very important and mandatory to have copies of your passport, especially your ID, maybe your travel insurance as well, because maybe you will get robbed, somewhere. And when you go to the consulate or just your embassy to get, a paper to fly back home.

These papers help. And as well, when you go to the police station, they will ask you, How are you? And where do you come from? You don't have any documents, but if you have copies, it helps a lot to get you a solution to get out of the country. It's, it's, it's, uh, yeah,

AZDEAN: absolutely. you really have to be careful when you lose your, you know, whether your ID passport and the procedures that you need to follow, if that happens to you. So it's, it's very crucial to save your information, to save your document, and also. If you can have it somewhere, you know, saved in the cloud, just in [00:39:00] case you can have access to it.

when, like, Sam said, when you're in Merzouga or somewhere stranded, you can still access those documents, uh, just in case you need them for the local offices in, in Morocco. So I'm going to switch a little bit of gear and you talked earlier, you mentioned Sam, the, the travel insurance, and we talked about it on part one of travel fails and how to avoid them.

Travel insurance is very crucial. It's really, really, really important. and I don't really see it as a travel insurance, but I do see it as a travel investment. You're really, you're guarding your, your investment. You're protecting your investment. You're traveling, whether you by yourself, family of two, four, six, and a lot of things can go wrong on your trip.

So we want you to be really, really prepared when that happens. Hiba, what do you have to say? Can you give us some examples? For travel insurance and stuff like that. And also I have something else to add just in case, please

HIBA: Well, unexpected incidents. Such as cancellations, [00:40:00] medical emergencies, um, lose or damage of property, this is where travel insurance comes into play. the travel insurance should cover, all the things that I've just tackled and so on. Of course, there are many. And, insurance offers, easy access to travel.

to services and financial, protection in Morocco. So, you have to be aware of that and to do your homework about these essential points.

AZDEAN: Thank you. Sam, do you have anything additional to add?

SAM: Yeah, I just want to mention here just during Marrakech, many people, I remember there's many people trying to get out of the country and they don't have travel insurance. They stuck here for, for a week, two weeks, even for months, but the people, they have travel insurance. They just evacuated immediately through, flights.

Even sometimes a direct flight from Casablanca directly to New York through their insurances. And it's very crucial and it helps a lot. And it's mandatory during [00:41:00] your travel. Not to Morocco. It's just travel worldwide, wherever you travel, you just must have a travel insurance with you.

AZDEAN: Thank you. Thank you, Sam. The other thing that I wanted to add, this is a really, really, really good example. And I remember during the pandemic, there was a cruise, that, passengers had COVID in the middle of the ocean and they had to evacuate them. So the people that got evacuated first were the ones that had travel insurance.

The ones did not, they had to wait until the last, so it's very important. to have travel insurance. But what's even more important is to ask, ask around, do your homework. There are so many travel insurances, so many good ones, and so many, they are not good, they are different from one to the other and see what's best for you, whether you're traveling by yourself, husband and wife.

If you have kids, are they covered if they are under 18? Some of them are covered. Maybe most of them depending on the coverage, but what you really, really need to look for when you're doing your homework, looking for a travel insurance [00:42:00] is cancel for any reason. This is very important and I know this was very crucial.

cancel for any reason, and it can be literally any reason. They call you, for duty duty, you're covered. Uh, you get sick, before that, you're covered. Something happens, you're covered. And it covers you from door to door. From when you leave your house, let's say in the US until you come back, you know, there's transportation between your house to the airport.

And then when you're back from the airport back to your house, you're covered door to door. I don't have any affiliation with these names that I'm going to mention, but look into it. There's a Safeguard, chubb Insurance. There's Alliance and we have used Alliance. we used Alliance most of the time and I do not, they are not paying for me for this.

This is not an advertisement for them. I don't sell insurance. I am not authorized to sell insurance. I am not given legal advice for insurance. I'm just talking about my personal experience. because [00:43:00] I know Alliance is one of the only companies that have offices globally. So when. Something happens in Morocco and you have to go to the hospital.

no cash or currency exchange happens between you and the hospital. Alliance takes care of it. The insurance company takes care of it and your luggage is protected. Your gear, if you have some, everything is protected for you. so reach out to them, to any of these names.

There's many, many more, but these are the ones that I can really think of, because I have attended some of their webinars and I have met some of them personally. And that's why I have mentioned them. in Morocco, during COVID, you know, people got evacuated. The ones that have insurance and, and the evacuation, from Morocco, it costs between 50, 000 to 80, 000.

to evacuate you from Morocco. It's not a regular flight. So just, uh, so it's, it's emergency. So you really have to do your homework and you have to be very careful. So when you're [00:44:00] spending 20, with the family for a trip, you definitely want to protect that investment. because it really, really is an investment.

This is all I really have to say about travel insurance. We'll try to get somebody to talk to us about travel insurance at some point, but, for now, this is, this is the best that we have, you know, just giving you a little bit of information, hoping that That's going to help you, start your research and, your own homework and see which one is the best fit for you.

and again, these insurances, whether you're very, healthy or you have underlying conditions and stuff like that, and it varies from one person to one person. So it's really, really worth it to look into it. Thank you.

SAM: Yeah, I remember. I just want to, I remember I was in Merzouga once a time, 2017 or something, and the lady got sick and maybe, half an hour, she got an helicopter from the nearest airport, which is Rashidiyah, an army. Army helicopter, military helicopter, and she evacuated her to the clinic in [00:45:00] Rashidiyah, where she got, 

AZDEAN: Treatment.

SAM: Yeah, treatments, right?

Yeah.

AZDEAN: That's incredible. Yeah. It's yeah. Yeah, definitely. Anything else we add, we're coming to the end of this episode. Anything else you want to add to travel fails and how to avoid them? Hiba, start with you first.

HIBA: I'm extremely happy to be a part of this amazing, uh, episode, because we're given pieces of information and, uh, advice for visitors, for the upcoming visitors to Morocco.

Uh, thank you so much, uh, Mr. Azdean and Mr. Sam for this amazing topic. I'm extremely happy and fortunate to be with you.

AZDEAN: Sam?

SAM: Yeah. Want you to avoid. All these things that you just mentioned in this episode and the last episode because we want you to enjoy and experience Morocco and have a nice time and come back again for many times to the country.

AZDEAN: Absolutely. Absolutely. I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna say, you know, book with us because we can avoid all of these things. That'd be nice. [00:46:00] But, we do this for you to enjoy the experiences and we want you to have fun, but also we want you to be prepared and enlightened because there's a lot of information online. There's a lot of information out there that is not really Accurate and it does not, you know, show the real picture of Morocco.

it's a beautiful, gorgeous, very diverse country, with thousands and thousands of layers of, history. And again, we'll, we'll, we'll go back to, to the Yemezir. Chronicle, and we're going to do the language part of it. And you can, you will see that it's just, must be on your bucket list.

So it has to be on your bucket list. So thank you so much. This is the end of this episode, and we'll be back in a week or so with a new episode. Thank you and have a wonderful evening.