Why can't my taxi take me to the door?

Riads are nestled in car-free zones of the medina.

What is the tourist tax?

A government levy (taxe de séjour) of approximately €2.50 per person per night.

Is there a ride-hailing app?

inDrive is the most widely used. Uber relaunched in late 2025.

How do I get a petit taxi to use the meter?

Say compteur before the car moves.

What's the difference between petit and grand taxis?

Petit taxis are city-only and metered. Grand taxis are intercity and shared.

ONCF runs everything. Al Boraq is Africa's only high-speed rail.

What plugs do they use?

Type C and E — same as France.

High walls bounce GPS signals — errors of 10 to 30 metres.

Why does the bathroom smell?

Dry drain traps. Run the tap for ten seconds.

Why is the riad so hard to find?

The door is designed to blend into the wall.

Why can you hear everything?

The courtyard is a vertical amphitheatre.

Why are the beds so hard?

That's how they're meant to feel in Morocco.

Why are there cockroaches in a clean riad?

Climate and infrastructure, not hygiene.

Why is it so loud at 4:30am?

The call to prayer (Fajr) from minarets.

What was the 2023 earthquake?

Magnitude 6.8, 8 September 2023.

Why are the floors stained or uneven?

Handmade tiles are porous by nature.

Why does the electricity flicker?

Old wiring and shared circuits.

Why are there cats everywhere?

They're the city's pest control.

Can you show affection in public?

Kissing or heavy physical contact is culturally out of place and legally punishable.

Is Morocco safe for LGBTQ+ visitors?

Same-sex sexual activity is illegal under Article 489 — 6 months to 3 years.

Should you remove shoes?

In homes, riad living areas, and mosques — yes.

How does bargaining work?

Expected in souks, not everywhere.

Why does everyone ask where I'm from?

Conversational opener, not interrogation.

How do you eat from a shared tagine?

Right hand, bread as utensil, eat from the section in front of you.

What's the difference between a local and a spa hammam?

Local: 20 dirhams, communal. Spa: 400–800 dirhams, private.

Can you drink alcohol?

Legal, available, but not everywhere.

Why is my stomach upset?

Change in diet, not food poisoning.

Why do the henna ladies grab your hand?

The paste stains in seconds and can't be wiped off.

Should I take a horse carriage?

Look for the blue SPANA band on the horse's ankle.

What is the police touristique?

Morocco's dedicated tourist police unit.

How do I tell a real guide from a fake one?

Official guides carry a large circular brass badge.

Why do the streets look sketchy?

They're centuries old, not dangerous.

The Islamic month of fasting from dawn to sunset.

Morocco's most important religious holiday.

Why are the walls stained or bubbling?

The short answer

Efflorescence — mineral salts pushed to the surface by moisture.

The medina sits on a high water table, and the centuries-old walls wick moisture upward through porous materials. When the water evaporates, it leaves white crystalline deposits on plaster and paint. This is the nature of the building, not a sign of neglect.