Morocco is a land of opposites. One day you’re haggling in a vibrant medina, the next you’re driving down mountain roads or out to the dunes. Every step of the way, your phone works hard to translate menus, reserve rides, save routes and upload photos to home. One of the easiest ways to do that is to use an eSIM while visiting Morocco without having to search for a SIM card at the airport. The following is a helpful guide to how it might work on a typical path.
The reason why the usual options fall short
Being on the home plan can be expensive and if you’re on the move, navigating, watching the stream and video calls every day, it’s difficult to know what you’re going to have to pay. Purchasing from a local SIM involves going to a store, standing in line, maybe presenting a passport and replacing the SIM card within your phone. After landing, and when you want to go to your riad, that is not the most welcome errand.
A travel eSIM eliminates both these issues. It is purchased and installed online before you leave, turned on as soon as you land and your plan activates as soon as you phone connects with a local network. Your regular SIM will not leave your phone, meaning you can still use the SIM on your regular line.
What the Journey Looks Like
Popular tourist destinations and landmarks. A good connection can be expected in places with a high level of activity, such as the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, depending on the availability of the local network. This allows for the easy use of maps, transport of books and the uploading of pictures throughout.
The old medinas. The place of Fez is a good illustration of the value of a connection. Very narrow lanes, prone to getting lost, and live maps are a big help. Even so, download an offline map as a precaution, as signals may be affected by tall walls and narrow streets in any old city.
The streets of Chefchaouen are blue. This mountain town is a photographer’s delight and connectivity allows them to share as they go.
Long roads, deserts and mountains. This is where planning ahead is important. Coverage may be lower and less reliable in rural and remote regions, such as mountain areas, desert areas, and in roads that are far from main towns. One such example is known in the Sahara. When travelling out on a desert trip, take copies of maps, download any tickets and confirmations and let others know your route.
The pretty good part of a multi-stop travel: you don’t have to swap eSIMs between regions with the Holafly Morocco plan since it provides coverage throughout the country.
How It Works, Step by Step
- Pick your plan. Choose Morocco and the number of days you need, from 1 to 90.
- Install before you go. You will get the eSIM by email and in the Holafly app right after buying. Install it at home on Wi-Fi, using automatic installation (iOS and iPadOS 17.4 or higher), the QR code or the manual codes.
- Turn on on landing. Activate and configure data roaming on the eSIM line.Activate eSIM line and activate data roaming. Your mobile phone then connects to a local network for which it is compatible. The Morocco plan is in operation with INWI, Maroc Telecom (IAM) and Orange Morocco.
A word of caution from the provider: Once the eSIM is set up, you can generally not transfer or reinstate it onto another device, so make sure to print the QR code or save a copy on another device. Before purchase, make sure your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM.
Unlimited Data, Without the Counting
Many travel eSIMs come with a fixed data allowance, and it is easy to underestimate how much a day of maps, photos and video calls uses. Holafly’s approach is unlimited data for the length of your plan, with 5G where available and 4G or LTE elsewhere. In rare cases, a network operator can apply a fair usage policy that slows speeds for up to one day, after which the usual speed returns.
A few other points worth knowing:
- Hotspot sharing. You can share up to 1 GB a day with other devices. A 7-day plan includes up to 7 GB to share.
- Always On. Each eSIM includes 1 GB of backup data every month, available as long as you keep the eSIM installed.
- Support at any hour through chat or email.
- Same WhatsApp number, so friends and family reach you as usual.
- Refunds for certain cases, such as a cancelled trip or an incompatible device, within 6 months. Please read the refund policy for details.
One important detail: this plan is data-only. It does not include a Moroccan phone number or standard calls and texts, but you can call and message through apps like WhatsApp.
Choosing the Right Length
The length of the plan is dependent on the shape of your trip. The listed prices at the time of writing are about $14.90 for 3 days, $23.50 for 5 days, $32.50 for 7 days, $42.90 for 10 days, $59.90 for 15 days and $86.90 for 30 days. For a classic circuit of cities, mountains and deserts, a week is a popular time frame, and for a few additional days on the coast, a 10-day time frame might work better. Each individual traveller with their own cell phone requires a separate eSIM, so take note of the number of people before purchasing. Numbers may be different from year to year and from plan to plan so please look at the product page for the current numbers.
Small Habits That Save Trouble
- Install the eSIM before you travel, since you need an internet connection to set it up.
- Rename your lines, for example “Home” and “Morocco,” so you never mix them up.
- Switch off data roaming on your main SIM, so your home carrier does not charge you by mistake.
- Remember when the plan starts. It begins once your eSIM connects to a network, and runs for full 24-hour periods from that moment.
- Buy from anywhere. Travelers from the UK and other countries can buy online before flying.
- Note the limits. Travel eSIMs are made for use abroad, so they will not work for everyday use in your home country.
Final Thoughts
Morocco is a place to be curious, and when you can do so without fear of running out of data or getting lost. The eSIM setup in Morocco is quite quick, and takes just a few minutes at home. Then, concentrate on the food, the markets and the landscapes, and when it’s really necessary use your phone. Test your phone and select the number of days that corresponds to your trip, and you’re good to go!