How Expensive is Morocco to Visit
How Expensive is Morocco to Visit
Is Morocco expensive? Travelers often ask this before deciding to visit. This blog post will share travel tips for visiting Morocco. They will help you make the right decision and know what to expect.
As with most countries, your trip’s cost depends on your preferences. Morocco can be a haven for backpackers, with hostels costing as little as five euros for food and shelter. It is important to bear in mind that Morocco is generally not as dirt cheap as some travelers expect. Many things in Morocco are more expensive than in Europe. This includes cars, electronics, and alcohol. The high prices here surprise many visitors. They are much higher than in their home countries. For example, many companies import products from Spain because they are cheaper there.
Morocco is a country with a big wealth gap. There are a lot of rich people and a lot of poor people. Luxury items and imported goods cost much more than in Europe. 100 g of smoked salmon costs 60 MAD (€6) in Carrefour in Tangier, compared to €2.30 in Carrefour in Málaga. It costs much more in Morocco to maintain the same quality of life as in European countries.
In the markets, vendors can offer you a higher price. This is not a definite result of your foreign status. It is a cultural thing. Haggling over the price is a key part of the Moroccan market.
But Morocco is still cheap for many things. So, it’s a budget destination if you keep these points in mind.
Museums and entry fees
Museums in Morocco are cheap, even by locals’ standards. Even a major tourist destination like Marrakech has very affordable entry fees. Their museum entry fees can cost anywhere between 19 and 179 MAD (Moroccan Dirham), which is roughly 2 to 19 USD. The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is the most expensive and greatest exception to this rule. The only major museum in Casablanca, the Hassan II Mosque, costs 308 MAD (32.67 USD).
Hostels
Finding the right hostel can be rather tricky. If you’re on a shoestring budget, you might not care. The cheapest option will be fine. Yet, you don’t have to have that mindset. Some of the highest-rated hostels in Morocco cost as little as four dollars. The most expensive ones are only eighteen dollars.
Your comfort and safety are key to your enjoyment on the trip. So, it may be wise to spend a few extra dollars on a decent hostel for a good night’s rest. It’s better than waking up in a dingy place and being irritable all day.
Hotels
This list uses updated prices for a single bedroom for two adults. Prices may vary based on your chosen dates and how early you book. Some hotels may cut prices by over 50% if you book much earlier or within a certain period. The hotel prices here are estimates. If you want to know more, you can Google the costs for your chosen dates.
The Palais Namaskar is a luxury 5* hotel in Marrakech. It charges 5,950 MAD (631 USD) per night for a room for two adults. The Movenpick Hotel Casablanca, also a 5* hotel, costs only 829 MAD (88 USD) for the same type of room. This illustrates the huge variety on offer in Morocco. In Morocco, the super-rich have ultra-expensive options in most cities. They are well catered for. But, it is also possible to stay in relative luxury without spending so much money. A 5-star hotel in Morocco is not the same as a 5-star hotel in Europe. But, the prices are lower.
A great hotel can provide amazing services. But spending too much on a hotel may mean skipping a Sahara Desert tour because you are out of budget. Staying at a good hotel is amazing. If a cheaper, reputable hotel in Morocco offers more, consider it before you finish your plans.
Food
Food is the most important expense. It’s cheap if you avoid tourist spots like the Grand and Petit Socco in Morocco. A good measure of meal costs is the average price at a global fast-food chain.
A standard combo meal at McDonald’s will cost around 50 to 60 MAD, which is equal to 5 to 6.30 USD. A restaurant meal can cost from 30 MAD (3 USD) to 150 MAD (16 USD). This is cheap by most Europeans’ standards. To avoid extra costs, avoid tourist-area restaurants. They are always more expensive than average ones.
Food from food stalls or bazaars has no standardized price. The salesman usually decides on the spot how much to charge. It depends on how rich and/or foreign the customer looks. At this point, you will be able to try your hand at haggling over prices, which is usually permitted. It is not considered a business transaction until a buyer tries to get a discount.
How expensive is alcohol in Morocco?
Due to taxes, alcohol in Morocco is very expensive compared to most places in Europe. A small 25cl domestic beer will cost between 25 – 35 MAD (€2.50 – €3.50) in a bar. A 33cl bottle of local Casablanca beer will cost 45 – 60 MAD (€4 – €6) when purchased in a bar. In bars, a small bottle of imported beer, Heineken, costs about 35 MAD (€3.50). You can buy alcohol in the supermarket. It’s cheaper than drinking in a bar, but still more expensive than in Europe. Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal. It will get you in trouble with the police. So, always book through a reputable Moroccan taxi company.
These are some things to consider when planning your trip to Morocco. But there will be some unplanned expenses once you arrive. I hope this list helps you make a budget. It should let you spend.
