What do Jordanian travellers need to know about Morocco?

Let me give my Jordanian guests honest, careful guidance, because the situation has shifted. Morocco now lists Jordan among the nationalities served by its official e-visa system, which means you should plan to obtain a visa before you travel rather than assume visa-free entry — even though information online is inconsistent. The safe approach is to apply for the Morocco e-visa online (submit your passport, photo and itinerary, pay the fee, and carry the printed approval) or, if you don't meet e-visa conditions, a consular visa through the Moroccan embassy. Keep your passport valid at least six months beyond arrival. Precisely because the rules have been changing and sources conflict, I cannot stress enough: confirm the current requirement directly on the official Morocco e-visa portal or with the Moroccan embassy in Amman before booking — verify it officially, not from this or any informal source.

On flights, the connection is good. Royal Jordanian and Royal Air Maroc have linked Amman with Casablanca, and reliable one-stop routings run via the Gulf — Qatar Airways via Doha, Emirates via Dubai, Etihad via Abu Dhabi — or via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. From Amman, expect roughly eight to twelve hours including a layover when connecting. Casablanca is the main gateway, with fast onward domestic links to Marrakech, Fes, Tangier and the Atlantic coast.

On money, the dirham is a closed currency you cannot buy in Jordan, so plan to draw it from ATMs once you arrive — bring a small reserve of US dollars or euros as backup. Jordanian-issued Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted in city hotels, restaurants and larger shops, and contactless is common; notify your bank you're travelling so the payment isn't blocked, and choose a card with sensible foreign-transaction terms. The desert, the mountains and the souks are cash-only, so always keep small dirham notes for taxis, tips and stalls.

Culturally, Jordanian travellers feel very much at home in Morocco — the shared Arabic language (Moroccan Darija sounds different, but Modern Standard Arabic bridges it), the call to prayer, halal food as the everyday norm, and the warm tradition of hospitality all create instant familiarity. A few notes still help: French is widely spoken in Morocco's cities, which is handy, and a slower pace aids conversation across dialects; tipping is customary but modest; and the friendly bargaining of the souks is part of the experience. Jordanians who love their own desert and the rose-red beauty of Petra will be moved by Morocco's Sahara and its kasbahs. Accept the mint tea wherever it's offered, and the country opens up generously.