If you are planning a trip to Morocco, you have probably already thought about colorful souks, mint tea, and starry nights in the desert. But have you thought about how to get internet in Morocco?
Nowadays, traveling offline can be a major inconvenience: you need to check maps, search for restaurants, book excursions, and, of course, share your adventures on social media.
In this article, you will find all the available options for getting internet in Morocco, from the convenient eSIM to a local SIM card, international roaming, and the importance of using a VPN.
Let’s find out which option is best for you!
How to get internet in Morocco? All the options
eSIM: the most modern and practical option
eSIMs have become the favorite option for many travelers. If your phone is compatible, getting an eSIM for Morocco is the fastest and easiest way to get connected as soon as you land.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is a virtual card that is installed directly onto your phone, with no need to insert or remove anything physical. You can buy it online before traveling and activate it as soon as you arrive in Morocco.
Advantages of the eSIM
- ✅ Simple and 100% online purchase.
- ✅ No need to look for stores or wait in lines.
- ✅ You can keep your regular number if your phone is Dual SIM.
- ✅ Ideal for short trips or if you want total convenience.
- ✅ You can share your data with your loved ones up to a daily limit.
Travel to Morocco with complete peace of mind by getting good travel insurance. With Glutendtrotters you get an exclusive 5% discount.
Where to buy it?
My personal recommendation is Holafly, a secure and very easy-to-use option. We used it on our trip to Marrakech and we didn’t have any issues; we even had a signal in the Ourika Valley.
With Holafly you can have unlimited data in Morocco, and the best part: by using the code GLUTENDTROTTERS or by accessing directly through this Holafly link, you will get an automatic 5% discount on your purchase.
How much does it cost?
Depending on the length of your trip, the approximate prices are:
- 5 days: from €26.
- 10 days: from €36.
- 15 days: around €47.
How to activate an eSIM before traveling
Once you complete your purchase, you will receive an email with detailed instructions and a QR code to activate it.
Although the process is fast and simple, keep in mind that both Android phones and iPhones with iOS operating systems have their own specific steps for correctly setting up the eSIM.
👉 If you need more information about the Holafly eSIM card, we recommend reading this post.
Glutendtrotters Tip
Make sure that your phone is eSIM compatible (iPhone XR onwards and many recent Android models). With Holafly you will have unlimited internet to share your adventures without worrying about consumption.
Moroccan SIM card: ideal for long stays
If you want a more economical option, a local Moroccan SIM card is your ally.
Where to buy it?
You can easily get a Moroccan SIM card at major airports, such as Casablanca, Marrakech, Tangier, or Rabat. As soon as you arrive, you will find stands from the main companies, perfect if you want to start your trip connected from the very first moment.
In addition, you can also buy them at official stores in the city or in shopping malls. Although there are street vendors or kiosks that offer SIM cards, it is always recommended to go to official points to avoid problems with activation or fraud.
Main operators in Morocco
- Maroc Telecom: the largest operator with the best coverage in the country, especially in rural areas and the desert. If you plan to head into the Atlas Mountains or visit the Sahara, this is the most reliable option.
- Orange: very good coverage in urban areas and tourist destinations. Their prices are competitive and they usually have interesting plans for travelers.
- Inwi: the most economical option. Although it offers attractive rates, its coverage in remote areas is somewhat more limited. If your itinerary focuses on large cities, it may be enough.
Requirements for buying a SIM
- Passport: it is mandatory to register the SIM card in your name.
- Unlocked phone: your phone must be unlocked to be able to use a local SIM. If your phone is locked by your current carrier, you will not be able to use it.
Available rates and plans
Local SIM cards are usually very affordable, a great advantage over international roaming.
- 10 GB plan: approximately €10 (about 100 MAD), ideal if you are going to stay for a week and use the internet moderately.
- 20 GB plan: around €20, perfect for longer stays or if you plan to use many apps, upload photos, or make video calls.
- Top-ups: you can add balance or extra data at official stores, supermarkets, kiosks, or even small neighborhood shops.
Advantages of the Moroccan SIM card
- Very economical price: you can enjoy a lot of data for very little money.
- Good coverage: especially with Maroc Telecom and Orange, which reach almost the entire country.
- Flexibility: you can top up data or minutes according to your needs.
Inconveniences
- Change of number: by using a local SIM, you will temporarily lose your regular number (unless you use a Dual SIM phone).
- Purchase and activation process: you will have to look for a store and, occasionally, wait your turn or deal with minor language barriers.
- Restrictions in remote areas: if you are going to very remote places, double-check the coverage before choosing an operator.
Glutendtrotters Tip
If you want to save money and don’t mind changing your number, the Moroccan SIM is the most economical option. Also, take the opportunity to ask at the store how to correctly configure mobile data to avoid connection problems.
On our trip to Marrakech, in addition to purchasing the Holafly eSIM, we picked up a SIM card from the company Maroc Telecom at Menara airport.
International roaming: easy, but expensive
The international roaming is the most direct option, but also the most expensive. Morocco is not part of the European Union or the European Economic Area, so roaming rates are very high.
How does it work?
Activating roaming means you continue using your regular SIM and number. It works instantly, with no need to change anything.
Approximate rates
It depends on your carrier, but in general:
- Data: from €6 to €12 per MB (yes, per megabyte).
- Calls: from €2 per minute.
- SMS: around €1.
When to use it?
Only if you need it for emergencies, or for specific moments where you have no other option (for example, if you lose your local SIM or your eSIM fails).
Glutendtrotters Tip
Before traveling, check with your carrier if they offer special packs for Morocco. Some companies have weekly or daily passes, although they are still quite expensive.
As a personal experience, we had a failure and for a few seconds we had roaming activated. For those few seconds, our phone company charged us €18.
WiFi and the importance of using a VPN
In Morocco you will find free WiFi in many hotels, riads, cafes, and restaurants. However, it is not always reliable or secure.
Why use a VPN?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your connection and protects you from potential attacks or data theft. In addition, it allows you to access restricted content (for example, streaming platforms or websites from your home country).
👉 For more information, we recommend reading our post on how to use a VPN when traveling.
Main benefits
- Protection of banking data and passwords.
- Total privacy while browsing.
- Access to your series or online content without blocks.
Recommended VPN
From Glutendtrotters we recommend NordVPN as a trusted service. It is one of the most highly valued VPNs worldwide for its speed, ease of use, and high level of security.
Advantages of using NordVPN
- Protects your data: it encrypts your connection so that no one can intercept your passwords, banking data, or personal information.
- Access without restrictions: you will be able to access your accounts and content as if you were in your home country, avoiding regional blocks.
- Speed and stability: unlike many free VPNs, NordVPN offers fast and stable connections, ideal for video calls, streaming, or uploading content.
- Easy to use: with just one click you can connect to a secure server, without technical complications.
Glutendtrotters Tip
Install and test NordVPN before you travel to ensure everything is working properly. This way, you will be able to connect securely from the very first moment in Morocco and at any other destination.
Get NordVPN here and start traveling protected.
Quick comparison: which option to choose?
| Option | Ideal for | Approx. Price | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eSIM | Short trips and convenience | €19 – €47 | Easy to activate, no lines | Compatible phone required |
| Local SIM | Long stays and savings | €10 – €20 | Very economical, good coverage | Change of SIM and number |
| Roaming | Occasional emergencies | Very expensive | No changes, your regular number | Very high rates |
| WiFi + VPN | Occasional use and security | Variable | Free (WiFi), secure connection | Unstable connection, not always available |
Coverage in Morocco: does the internet work well?
In general, mobile coverage in Morocco is good in cities and major tourist areas (Marrakech, Fes, Casablanca, Chefchaouen…).
In the desert (Merzouga, Erg Chebbi) or in rural areas, the signal can be weak or non-existent. If you plan excursions through the desert or trekking in the Atlas, keep this in mind and download offline maps (for example, with Maps.me or Google Maps).
Other practical tips for getting internet in Morocco
Download useful apps before traveling:
- Google Maps (with offline maps).
- Translator (Google Translate or DeepL).
- Mobile payment applications (some establishments accept international mobile payment apps).
👉 We recommend reading our post on the best travel apps and websites.
Activate two-step verification on your accounts (WhatsApp, email, social media) before traveling to avoid problems if you lose your phone.
Save screenshots of your bookings and important addresses, in case you ever lose connection.
Conclusion: what is the best way to get internet in Morocco?
If your priority is convenience, the eSIM is the best option. If you want to save money and plan to stay longer, the local SIM card is the most economical.
The international roaming is only recommended in specific or emergency cases, while WiFi can be useful in specific moments, always accompanied by a good VPN to guarantee your security.
Now that you know how to get internet in Morocco, all that is left is to enjoy your trip and let yourself be surprised by the magic of this unique destination!
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