Formalities

Do I need a passport?

Morocco Like A Local give you all the advice to travel to Morocco. You will not be able to enter Morocco with only an identity card. A passport is requisite. This applies even to residents of countries in the Schengen Area.
If you reside in a country outside the Schengen Area, we advise you to contact your country’s embassy in Morocco for information about entry into Morocco.
Make sure you check your passport’s expiration date!

How does a reservation with Morocco Like a Local work?

You will fill out an enquiry including as many details and specificity about your trip as possible. You should also feel free to ring us on Skype or on the telephone. Nothing beats direct contact. You’ll save time and effort and we speak English, French and Spanish! We won’t think twice before ringing you either.

Once the details of your trip are solidified and agreed upon, we will send you a detailed quote with your itinerary and prices. If approve of it, we will send you a bill and you will make a deposit of 35 % of the total cost of the trip ( see: sale terms).

The rest of the payment is due 35 days prior to your departure, either via secure online payment or bank transfer. For last minute reservations (less than a month before the trip), the entire cost of the trip is due upon reservation.

Before your arrival, we will send you your travel folder by mail. It will include your accommodation vouchers, unless you purchased a circuit and are meeting your guide at the airport. He will then hand over all your travel documents in person. A road map will also be provided when your rental car is dropped off.

And during my trip?

During your stay in Morocco, you’ll have a telephone number that you can call us on 24/7. In the even that you loose your accommodation vouchers, all you need to do is contact us as soon as possible on this number. If one of your services doesn’t correspond to the service you paid for, you can also contact us on this number so that we can get in touch with our suppliers. If you’d like, we’d also be more than happy to receive you at our offices in Marrakech to hear your feedback.

Know that we will be by your side, discreet but efficient the whole time you stay in Morocco!

After my Trip…

We welcome all constructive criticism and value it as a resource to help us improve upon our services. We will examine all demands for compensation resulting from dissatisfaction as long as we receive them shortly after the trip. We would love to have you share some of the pictures you took during your trip on our Facebook page!

What are Morocco Like a Local’s cancellation fees?

If you should cancel, the following conditions apply:
– More than 60 days before the departure date: 35% of the total cost of the services.
– From 60 to 31 days before the departure date: 40% of the total cost of the services.
– From 30 to 14 days before the departure date: 45% of the total cost of the services.
– From 13 to 7 days before the departure date: 50% of the total cost of the services.
– Less than 7 days before departure: 60% of the total cost of the services.

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing (e-mail, letter or fax) with acknowledgment of receipt.

Meanwhile, know that in the event of a major disruption of your travel plans (international context, a political situation, a serious meteorological event…) we will do all that we can to minimize and even cancel these fees.

Is Payment with my Credit Card secure?

Yes, in order to offer our clients a reliable and widely recognized method of payment, we use the electronic payment services of PAYBOX, Europe’s leader in secure online payment.

Where to exchange currencies?

The currency in Morocco is the Dirham. There is no limit to how much money you can bring into the country but it is forbidden to export. You’ll be able to change your currency on location. Rate: 1 € = 11 DH approximately. The exchange rate is almost identical everywhere and there is no “black market”. In all big cities, you’ll find distributors where you’ll be able to take out money with your credit card.

Can you insure us?

Our local agency cannot directly supply you with travel insurance; meanwhile, in order to better meet our clients’ needs, we have developed an agreement with the renowned European insurance company, GAN so that you can travel in Morocco without worry. The travel insurance contracts offered by the GAN comply with our own terms and conditions.

For vehicle rental, the insurance is automatically included in the rental price.

Finally, online payment with your credit card through Paybox often includes travel insurance. Simply check what is covered with your back.

Ramadan in Morocco

Not a simple formality but a crux of Moroccan life. This year, Ramadan is in August and lasts 30 days. Ramadan is practised by all Moroccan Muslims. Here there are our advice to travel and the basic rules: from sunrise to sunset you can neither drink eat or smoke. During this period of fasting, it is important to respect the population by not consuming food, beverages or cigarettes in public during the day. More conservative outfits are also recommended during this sacred month, so leave the short hemlines at home.
> During Ramadan, the country’s daily rhythm is a bit different: having stayed up later than usual, locals will generally sleep in a bit. The day goes by in slow motion until the middle of the afternoon when housewives flood the souks to buy all the ingredients for the night’s meal.

This year, with Ramadan being in August, the hottest time of year, expect even slower daytime activity, especially in Marrakech and Fes. An hour before the sun sets, the cities are suddenly deserted…All their inhabitants are at home preparing to break their fast. This first meal of the day is called “Ftour”. The fast is broken with a harira, a rich soup of lentils, meat, tomatoes and coriander, chebakiyas (lacy honey cookies), hard-boiled eggs, fruit juice, milk and dates.

> The real dinner only comes a few hours later: salads, tagines, dessert, the works…

> After this feast, life goes back to normal: locals swarm to the city gardens and terraces with their families, to mingle and enjoy the fresher night time temperatures. The festive atmosphere is intoxicating…

How does all this affect travellers?

The souks, like most shops open late, but also close later…

There is a tiny bit of edginess in the air due to the lack of sleep, hydration, and for smokers, nicotine! Many terraces forbid alcohol, especially in Essaouira, more traditional than Marrakech!

As a general rule, tourists and most non-Muslim Moroccans will not be affected: they are allowed to eat and drink normally. In hotels there is no difference except perhaps more languid service than usual…understandable considering the heat!

Some hotels offer traditional Ftours for their clients, a perfect opportunity to live like a Moroccan!

Otherwise, there is nothing more enjoyable than breaking the fast with the Moroccans themselves in a little café: tea, harira, chebakiya, hard boiled eggs and a very convivial atmosphere!

Protection of Natural Sites

The ecological balance in the regions that you will cross during treks is very fragile. Visits from outsiders, even in small groups, affect it. Each individual is responsible for the state of the places they see and camp and their cleanliness. The fight against pollution is everyone’s problem.

As a general practice, we ask that your respect these simple rules:
> Try to conserve water.
> Never soil the water of wells or springs
> When travelling in bivouac, a waste bin will be set up each night. You’ll be able to throw all your degradable waste in the bin and then it will be burned. The rest will be brought back to your departure point (plastic, metal and glass).
> Bring home toxic waste (batteries, aerosols…).
> When going to the bathroom in natural settings, burn all hygienic paper.