This is a dual question. Can I use my Visa debit card while in Morocco? It is supposed to be the same as a?

Question

credit card and you know all those television advertisements say they are accepted world wide. Is this true of Morocco? I am taking some cash, but since I'll be there for 90 days I don't want to take that much cash and don't want to pay the fee to have it sent by Western Union if I can avoid it.

Second part: besides my clothes and shoes of course, and shampoo, soap, hair dryer etc. I am also packing wet wipes, pocket kleenexes and hand sanitizer thanks to the previous questions and information about the bathrooms. I've got my mp3 player, dvd/cd player, cds, videos for my long layover in London. I've purchased gifts for his family, taking artificial sweetener(I'm a diabetic) cuz not sure I can get it there. My meds, passport and documents to get married. Can anyone think of anything important I haven't listed that I will need cuz I'm gonna be there for 90 days. Any suggestions are appreciated as long as I can do it quickly cuz I'm leaving on Tuesday, August 28th.

Yes I did mean to use the debit card at an ATM for cash, not to make purchases at stores.

Answer 1

I don't suggest using your card in shops - I have heard too many stories of being charged twice for things.

You didn't mention a Camera :)

Photo copies of all your documents, medical paperwork and debit card.

You can get power converters here or at the airport but I suggest just getting a blow dryer there. Actually, SCRATCH that it is so hot there you will NOT, I repeat, NOT need a hair dryer.

Take some photos of your family to take along...

I can't really think of anything else. --except patience! Maybe a guide book or the book Culture Shock! Morocco to read on the way over to be even more prepared for things.

edit: Don't forget to register with the embassy when you get there and you need to know the address where you will be staying as they will ask you at the airport when you land. They will ask your reason for coming to Morocco and the address and names of the ppl you will be staying with...at least they asked me these things.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 2

I wouldn't count too much on using credit/debit card in stores over there, maybe at Marjam (big supermarket chain) but that is about it. On the other hand, debit card to get cash at any bank ATM is very handy, and what we usually do.
They do have everything in Morocco (well in the big cities for sure) but things can be more pricey and of different quality than what you are used to. For example they have baby wipes, but they are not cheap and I personally don't like the quality. But for 90 days...who cares? Now I would definitely take the hand sanitizer. I think it is a good idea to take the sweetener as the most common there is the liquid and you probably use the powder. My father in law is diabetic and we always take a huge box of Equal for him. As for all appliances, as Zelo mentioned, they are 220 there, so unless your appliances are both or you take a converter with you, they will be useless. Another thing is that the plug there is not square like here but rounded so you will need an adapter as well. I don't know where in the US you live but I am from Chicago, and here we have an Indian neighborhood where the shops sell any appliances 220. They sell really cheap and I have hair dryer, small converter, and other appliances that I use when I travel not only to Morocco but other places where they are 220. That maybe an idea for you since you will probably be visiting Morocco often.
Have a wonderful trip and good luck with everything!

Answer 3

Haven't been to Morocco but a lot of this depends on how you are going about your trip. It is a third world country and are you going to be living like an average person there or are you doing the "American traveling abroad" thing? There IS a difference.

You have already got some great answers but wanted to give you something to think about. You can find everything there (I haven't been but have friends there). You just need to remember, are you always going to have a chance to go to these large stores? Will you have a car to get you around all the time? Is that one of the first things you want to do in the country? I doubt it, and this is why I think it's a good idea that you pack these things you said you packed to be on the safe side.

Keep the sweetener and everything else with you. You don't want to show up at their house for tea and go into a diabetic coma on your first day there.

I would take some good towels. I take them wherever I go and when I say good I don't necessarily mean expensive. I mean a good reliable, large towel. I've always found a need for one in any country I have been to.

edit: Life goes by VERY (I mean extremely) SLOWLY in Morocco (as well as the rest of North Africa). Be prepared! This is also why I mentioned having the oportunity to go to the stores at the drop of a hat. You might say, Hey, let's go do this or that...and everyone can agree and yet it takes them over half the day to do it. I think it could even get worse during Ramadan. I would hate to be a newlywed during Ramadan. But it could be different for you since you will be experiencing a new place. Best wishes to you but be prepared to go through a major culture shock.

Congratulations on your intending marriage.

Answer 4

Just use your atm card once a month for cash and u should be fine. I dont know of that many places i would trust in Morocco with acutally using the card to buy anything.....Cash is always better....and if u need to get money sent, Never use western union, use Moneygram...its less than 1/2 the price and even easier to use....take care

Answer 5

yes you can use your debit card, most places as long as there is a visa or MC logo on it. There are ATM's there. When i used the ATM it didn't charge a fee, which was nice.
i don't know what country your from but if your from the US you will be an adapter to use appliances in Morocco. If you don't have one and you are from the US there sold at Target and Wal-Mart just look where they sale the luggage.
Have a happy and safe trip. Congrats on the wedding.
I will also be leaving on the 28th, but I'm going to see my fiance in Lebanon.

Answer 6

When I went to Israel, I was able to use both my credit card and my debit card. You should call your bank to see if Morocco is a country where your debit card will be accepted as payment. Also, call both the credit card company and your bank to let them know that you will be using these cards in a different country. If they see weird charges, they may cancel or freeze the account, thinking it may be a situation of identity theft.

And I think you have all the essentials that you need. You're pretty much set. Good luck! :-)

Answer 7

My husband and I keep a bank account in the USA open. We use our atm card on a regular basis here. Both at the atm and Marjane, Aswak Asalaam and Metro.

I do know of a person getting deducted twice from their account. I'd suggest, as someone above did, take money out once a month. If you don't have a person in USA who is on your bank account and can deal with any issues like double charge use the card as little as possible.

If you do get a double charge you will be able to get your money back likely. It happened to my husbands cousin and he got it back it just took a couple months.

Good grief....they have deodorant and anti perspirant here and it is commonly available. Same with vitamins. Easy to find and a fair price.

Answer 8

All l used was my debit Visa card in Morocco. Exchange rates are up to the bank that issues the card so be sure to check online what you are getting... should be about 10¢ less than the posted rate (8.26:1 as of right now but fluctuates just like stocks).

You should NOT take your hair dryer UNLESS it is compatible with 220 electricity. You will not find a voltage converter that will accomidate a hair dryer... you will just burn it out as soon as you turn it on. They are relatively inexpensive in Morocco and easy to find in stores like Marjane.

You can now get artificial sweetener in Morocco... in days gone by it was difficult to find now it is not a problem... again head to your local Marjane or other large supermarche (supermaket).

I would take vitamins if you take them. They are incredibly difficult to find and very very expensive. Also anti-persperant is almost non-existant and it would be good to take a few sticks with you as well.

Answer 9

When I was in Jamaica I could use my credit card to purchase goods in stores and draw money from ATM's. My debit card was okay in the ATM's but was not accepted in stores. Most likely it is the same in Morocco.

Answer 10

Some debit/Atm cards can be used in some foreign countries. some cannot...esp. in counties where the card company has had a lot of fraud. CALL the customer service number on your card ans ask to be sure.