How do I get internet, a SIM or eSIM in Morocco?

Staying connected in Morocco is genuinely easy and cheap, which surprises people. There are three carriers: Maroc Telecom (the widest coverage, my default recommendation), Orange and Inwi. A local prepaid SIM with several gigabytes of data typically costs somewhere around 50 to 150 dirhams — pocket change for the convenience of mapping the medinas, calling your riad, and ordering a ride. The catch is registration: SIMs are sold with your passport (a legal requirement), so always have it on you when you buy.

On where to buy, you've got options. The arrivals halls at Marrakech, Casablanca and the other main airports have carrier kiosks; it's the fastest way to land already connected, though prices can be slightly higher and queues longer than in town. I often prefer sending clients to an official Maroc Telecom or Orange boutique in the city centre the next morning — staff set everything up, confirm the data is active, and you avoid the slightly aggressive freelancers who sometimes hover near airports. Avoid buying a 'SIM' from a random street stall; stick to branded shops.

If you'd rather not fuss with a physical SIM at all, eSIM is now my go-to suggestion for most travellers with a recent phone. Apps like Airalo (and similar) let you buy a Morocco data plan before you even leave home, then it activates the moment you land — no passport queue, no swapping out your home SIM, and you keep your normal number reachable on WhatsApp. The trade-off is eSIMs are usually data-only (no local phone number) and cost a little more per gigabyte than a local SIM, but for a week or two the simplicity is worth it. Just confirm your phone is eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked first.

A practical note on usage: Morocco runs on WhatsApp. Riads, drivers, guides and tour operators (us included) communicate by WhatsApp far more than email or calls, so data plus WhatsApp covers almost everything you need — messaging, sharing your location, even voice and video calls. Coverage is excellent across cities, towns and main roads; you'll get 4G in places you wouldn't expect. It thins out only deep in the Sahara and remote Atlas passes, where I tell people to embrace the disconnection for a day rather than fight it.