Packing list for Morocco, travel insurance for Morocco, and taking your belongings

To take or not to take to Morocco, leave at home or arrange locally?

Sufficiently insured or not for your activities in Morocco?

Sufficiently insured or not for your trip to Morocco?

What to take with you to Morocco: spotlighted

Featured items:

• Documents: passport valid for at least 6 months upon arrival and copies.
• Money: dirhams for your first few days, after that you can easily top up with your debit or credit card.
• Care: good sunscreen.
• Outdoor and handy items: travel cap or hat and sunglasses. A buff, scarf or bandana for your desert adventure. Earplugs if you sometimes get tired of calling the mosque.
• Protection: light rain gear and possibly a backpack cover for the months of October - April.
• Clothing: very much depends on when you go and where you go. The most practical is clothing in the form of layers. Loose, airy clothing that covers your body is useful if you don't want too much unwanted attention as a woman. In the Sahara, airy clothing and a warm layer for the evening (also for the mountain areas, it can get very cold here!). Covering clothing for visits to mosques or conservative settlements. A swimming outfit if you visit the coast!
• Shoes: comfortable shoes are essential, as you will be walking around the souks a lot! A pair of flip-flops or sandals that are easy to put on and take off will also do no harm.
• Medicines and travel kit: a small first aid kit with plasters, painkillers and ORS (dehydration is a thing). Insect repellent (see also DEET mosquito repellent).
• Technology and equipment: world plug type C & E (see also world plug or travel plug). Power bank for when you go on a road trip.
• Women: scarf or light shawl for religious/traditional visits.
• A travel umbrella for the rainy months (October to April). An umbrella can also be useful against the hot sun the rest of the year.

What are some other options for packing as well?

• Reusable water bottle with filter.
• Quick-drying travel towel
• Dustproof cover or packing cubes – for a visit to the Sahara. Offline entertainment if you are travelling to remote places and do not want to chat with your travel companion all the time.
• Money belt for your money and passport for busy areas.
• International driving license, if you want to rent a car.
• Tissues for the public toilets.

What should you keep in mind when traveling to Morocco with your belongings?

• The climate (warm during the day and quite chilly in the evening) and the season.
• The dress code/culture in certain places you want to visit.
• There is quite a difference between the dress code in big cities and rural areas.

Are there mosquitoes in Morocco?

• Mosquitoes are present in Morocco throughout the year, and the numbers increase significantly from May to October.
• Mosquitoes can transmit various diseases, so it is better not to make friends with them and to stay away from them if you use mosquito repellent.

Are there sandflies in Morocco?

• Sand flies are a problem for local public health in Morocco because they can and often do transmit leishmaniasis.
• They are present throughout the country and are therefore difficult to avoid if you are there for a long time. As a tourist, you are of course at a much lower risk than the local population.
• Sand flies are most active around sunrise and sunset.
• Fortunately, covering yourself well helps and insect repellents are often used against them.

Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in Morocco?

• It is not easy to buy mosquito repellents in Morocco.
• In the big cities, you have the best chance at large supermarket chains and pharmacies.
• The easiest, and probably also the cheapest and most effective, is to bring your own repellent from home.

Can you buy a beer or wine in Morocco, or take it with you to Morocco?

• Alcohol can only be consumed and purchased in certain places, such as hotels, bars and tourist places. Some supermarkets also sell alcohol. Drinking in public is not allowed, and it can get you into serious trouble.
• You are allowed to bring at least 1 liter of alcohol into the country.

Can you buy a joint or weed in Morocco, or take it with you to Morocco?

• Morocco produces a huge amount of hashish. Not for fun, but for medicine and industrial use. The country is a world leader when it comes to exporting cannabis.
• In northern Morocco, cannabis production is even the most important economic activity.
• Cannabis has also been used in traditional rituals for a long time. Majoun, for example, is a traditional form of candy made with cannabis.
• However, cannabis for recreational use remains illegal, as is importing it.