Redpoint Destinations

Morocco

Traveling to Morocco: What to Know Before You Go

Essential Information for Travelers to Morocco

Some destinations ask you to choose between rich culture and outdoor adventure. Morocco is not one of those places. One day you can meander through the ancient souk in Marrakech — which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and the next be exploring the incredible Erg Chebbi sand dunes in the Sahara Desert. And don't forget the Atlas Mountains, the sandy beaches of its Atlantic coast, and the Mediterranean hotspot of Tangier.

Of course, before you visit Morocco, you'll want to take out travel insurance in case anything goes wrong on your trip. Medical facilities can be limited in places like the Sahara desert or in the mountains, so it's important to be covered in case you encounter emergency medical expenses or you require evacuation to more advanced healthcare facilities. Read on to find out more about travel insurance in Morocco and other top tips for planning your trip.

Health & Safety in Morocco

Medical Care and Hospitals

Private clinics and hospitals in Morocco’s major cities like Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech offer visitors a decent quality of care, and are frequently used by foreigners. Public clinics — especially those in rural areas — will have more limited facilities and longer wait times. In addition, French and Arabic are the most commonly spoken languages in medical settings, so you will be more likely to find English-speaking staff in a private facility. While costs in private facilities will be lower compared to the U.S. medical system, you will still be charged up front for emergency medical expenses. That’s why it’s essential to purchase travel medical insurance to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs for medical treatment. Your medical coverage from your home country will not cover you in Morocco.

In addition, if you have a medical emergency while you’re doing adventure activities in Morocco’s more remote or underdeveloped regions, you may require emergency evacuation. This will help you access the urgent care you need in a more advanced private facility. However, these evacuations are not free and can be extremely expensive. This is why emergency evacuation coverage is also essential for your Morocco trip.

Health Risks and Vaccinations

While no vaccinations are required to enter Morocco, the CDC recommends that, in addition to being up to date on all routine vaccinations, U.S. travelers are also vaccinated for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, typhoid, and measles, which is on the rise worldwide. Travelers should also be very careful around stray dogs and wild animals, which commonly carry rabies in Morocco. If you are bitten by a dog or animal during your trip, the CDC notes that rabies vaccines are typically available throughout the country.

Food and waterborne illnesses are also prevalent in Morocco, and travelers can experience gastrointestinal illness from consuming contaminated food and water. Stick to bottled water, especially in rural areas, and try to eat food that’s properly cooked from trusted vendors. It’s also wise to carry a basic medical kit with common over-the-counter medication, as well as spare prescription medication or copies of your prescriptions. This is especially true if you will be visiting or hiking in remote areas.

Insurance Benefits and Coverage for a Trip to Morocco

What does Morocco travel insurance cover?

When considering travel insurance coverage for Morocco, you will want to make sure your travel insurance policy covers all the areas below so that you’ll be prepared, no matter what happens during your trip.

Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance:

Unexpected trip cancellation insurance reimburses your non-refundable trip expenses if your trip to Morocco is canceled or cut short due to a covered reason, like illness, severe weather, family emergencies, or certain government advisories. Flights to Morocco experience frequent delays or disruptions due to transport strikes and other issues, so it’s wise for your trip to be covered in case you have to cancel or delay your travel due to unforeseen events.

Travel medical insurance:

Travel health insurance covers unexpected medical expenses incurred for any injuries or illnesses that happen during your trip. Most U.S. visitors who need medical attention while in Morocco visit private clinics, rather than public ones. These clinics will all require payment up front, but if you buy travel medical insurance, you’ll be able to make a claim for any out-of-pocket costs you incurred while accessing care. In addition, if you have pre-existing medical conditions, don’t forget to apply for a waiver when you purchase your policy.

Emergency medical evacuation insurance:

Emergency evacuation coverage reimburses you for transportation to the nearest medical facility or back to the U.S. in extreme or emergency situations. Morocco has plenty of adventure travel opportunities, but medical facilities in remote regions outside of cities will be more basic. If you need urgent care in one of these settings, you may need to be evacuated to a more advanced medical facility. These flights can be extremely costly, so it’s vital to have this coverage as part of your travel insurance.

Lost luggage and personal belongings insurance:

Baggage coverage is a benefit that covers loss, theft, or damage to your belongings should they go missing during your trip to Morocco, thanks to petty theft or airline error. Petty crime can be common in tourist areas such as Jemaa el-Fnaa in Marrakech, so this is essential coverage to have.

Trip delay insurance:

Trip delay insurance compensates for additional expenses if your travel is delayed before it starts or during any connections or transfers.

Optional add-ons:

There are several additional policy benefits you can add to your travel insurance, depending on the nature of your trip. These include cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage, if you think you may need to cancel for a reason not covered by the typical cancellation policy; extra protection for specialist or expensive gear; adventure sports travel insurance if you plan to do any extreme or dangerous activities; and car rental protection.

Choosing the Right Plan

Ripcord has a variety of plans suited for different trips to Morocco. For travelers seeking adventurous activities like climbing the Atlas Mountains or trekking through the Sahara desert, Ripcord is an extensive plan with high coverage limits and enhanced coverage, such as emergency evacuation and repatriation, perfect for trips to remote or rural destinations. Cavalry is suited for urban or business travelers who are seeking luxury and cultural experiences while staying in Marrakesh or in one of Morocco’s upscale beach resorts on the Mediterranean or Atlantic coasts. Meanwhile, Harbor offers robust coverage to the budget-minded leisure traveler who may be backpacking through North Africa. You can compare all of Redpoint’s comprehensive plans and figure out which one might be right for your trip here.

Entry Requirements & Practical Information

Entry and Visa Requirements

All visitors to Morocco must have a valid passport with six months’ validity beyond the arrival date, as well as one blank page for an entry stamp. A visa is not necessary for business or tourism-related stays of less than 90 days. The U.S. State Department warns that if you overstay in Morocco beyond the permitted 90 days, you may need to appear before a judge and pay a fine before being allowed to leave.

What To Do in an Emergency

If you have an emergency in Morocco and require assistance, emergency services can be contacted by dialing 19 for police or 150 for ambulance. In addition, Redpoint offers 24/7 support on its helpline to travelers who have an emergency or need assistance. If you are having trouble locating help locally, Redpoint’s associates can help connect you to the help you need on the ground.

The U.S. Embassy is located in Rabat, and there is also a consular office in Casablanca. If you need help with passport issues, legal trouble, and other emergency assistance, you should head to the Consulate in Casablanca, as the Embassy does not provide services for members of the public.

8, Bd Moulay Youssef
Casablanca
Phone: (212) 522-64-20-00

Popular Activities and Adventure Travel in Morocco

Morocco’s desert-meets-coastline landscape is unique and offers no shortage of options for adventure travelers. After you’re done exploring ancient medina, head out for camel-riding in the Sahara desert’s Erg Chebbi area, surf the Atlantic coastline, tour remote Berber villages by bicycle, or trek through the Atlas Mountains up to Mount Toubkal, which is North Africa’s highest peak. Just make sure you have adequate coverage from an adventure travel insurance policy before you go.

FAQs for Morocco Travel Insurance

Is travel insurance required for Morocco?

Travel insurance is not mandatory to enter Morocco but it is always a risk to embark on overseas travel without adequate coverage. Should anything go wrong during the course of your trip, such as a medical emergency or a disrupted itinerary, your out-of-pocket costs can easily exceed the price of a travel insurance policy.

Will travel insurance cover mountain or desert emergencies?

Yes — if you choose Ripcord or a plan with adventure and evacuation coverage, then you'll be covered if you have a medical emergency or require a search and rescue effort while in Morocco's Atlas Mountains or the Sahara Desert.

What if I get sick from food or water in Morocco?

Food and waterborne illnesses tend to be prevalent in Morocco, particularly for travelers. The good news is travel insurance typically covers emergency treatment for these conditions, including IV rehydration, and even hospitalization in serious cases.

What if I lose my luggage en route to Marrakech?

Baggage loss, theft, or delay are all common inclusions in most travel insurance plans. Your travel insurance for Morocco can reimburse you for any additional costs due to lost luggage, such as temporary supplies while you wait for your bags to arrive.

How much does travel insurance cost?

Your travel insurance provider will price your policy based on a range of factors including trip length, cost, age, and activities. Most of Redpoint's insurance plans range from 6% to 15% of total trip costs. You can also opt to buy an annual multi-trip policy if you are planning multiple trips in the year.

Protect Your Trip With Redpoint Travel Insurance

Protecting yourself on your trip to Morocco requires comprehensive travel insurance, and Redpoint Travel Protection has a global reputation for providing high-quality policies to fit every traveler. It also offers 24/7 support — even if you’re trekking through the Atlas Mountains or crossing the Sahara desert — to give travelers peace of mind and help them enjoy their trips. Explore Redpoint’s policies here, which can support backcountry adventurers and city hoppers alike