Here you will find some of my recommended resources needed for traveling, learning, or just embracing the Moroccan culture.
Travel
Airbnb – I am a huge fan of Airbnb. I have been using it since 2015 and I plan to use it for the foreseeable future. Airbnb is a service that allows you to rent apartments on a phone app. You basically see what places you like based on your preferences, you send a request to the owner of the property. If they agree you pay with your phone and instructions are given to you by the owners about keys, usage of the apartment, etc… I have always had pleasant communication with the owners, never having any problems with them. The best part is that I usually get apartments for cheaper than a room in a hotel.
When I’m planning to book my flight to Morocco or really anywhere, I use this site. It compares prices from over 600 airlines and displays the flights in order of price. I always end up getting a great price.
Lonely Planet Morocco – If you’re planning a trip to Morocco but have no idea what to do when you get there, then buy this book. This book is the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Explore the medina and tanneries in Fez, hop between kasbahs and oases in the Draa Valley, or catch a wave at Taghazout -all with your trusted travel companion.
While I never needed to use insurance, it’s always comforting that it is available, just in case. You should choose Visitors Coverage for your insurance needs. They provide a free quote and then you can determine your need.
Learning
Moroccan Arabic Phrasebook and Dictionary – I realized I needed a reference to help me in different situations. This book has delivered every time. I looked at other books but they seem to only provide some phrases and most of them are not very well organized. The book is divided into situations you might find yourself in, while in Morocco and from there you can find the most common phrases used. If you are just starting to learn Darija, I highly recommend purchasing this book.
This is the resource I use when trying to find a word in Darija. This Darija dictionary will have all the words you will need on your journey to becoming a fluent Darija speaker.
Eventually, you will need to start listening to conversations in order to build your listening skills. This course provides audio sentences that allow you to practice your listening skills. I highly recommend the Moroccan Arabic audio course if you are serious about learning Darija.
Although this Darija is a dialect of Arabic, most of the words from Darija originally came from Arabic. This is why I choose to keep an Arabic dictionary with me when I study just in case. In the beginning, you will not really need this dictionary. It will come in handy when you reach an intermediate or advanced level.
Travel Accessories
When I travel to crowded areas or places I haven’t been to before, I personally like to hide my cash and passport. But at the same time, I like to keep it with me in case I need it. This belt can be worn underneath your clothing and will not reveal itself to anyone.
If you bring any electronics, you will need this device. It allows you to charge your devices in any country in the world. I really like this universal adapter because it has the USB ports so I can charge my phone and tablet as well.
Before I knew this portable scale existed, I would use a regular scale often getting on the scale with the luggage and then calculating the weight of the luggage. With this device, you just attach it to the handle of the luggage, lift the device which lifts the luggage and the device tells you the price of the item. Best of all, this scale is about 5 grams and is really small, will easily fit in your carry on.
Health
Since I started travelling to Morocco, I have been using Argan oil more and more. I’ve stopped using hair gel and just use the oil in my hair. My hair seems fine, I don’t see any problems with it. Just a word of caution don’t use too much. A little goes a long way.