What to pack for Marrakech in July

UV index hits 12.3, which burns exposed skin in under 15 minutes.

Glare off sand and buildings causes eye strain and headaches by midday.

Mosquitoes breed in desert water sources and carry diseases in this region.

Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night.

Heat exhaustion and dehydration turn minor cuts into serious problems quickly.

Tap water isn't safe here. A filter bottle beats buying plastic twice a day.

This country runs on Type C or E. Get one with USB-C so you're not fighting over the single outlet.

Set it up before you land. Signal drops for long stretches outside cities.

Overhead bins fill fast on flights to popular destinations, so carry everything on.

Market days mean you need a bag to carry purchases without returning to the hotel.

Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.

Sand blows at 15 km/h across open terrain and gets into everything.

Anything heavier than linen is a mistake at 102°F.

Sweat soaks through fabric in 102°F heat within minutes of walking.

UV hits 12.3 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.

For temples, mosques, and churches that check at the door.

Desert sand and rock are rough on skin, so feet need cushioning.

Fourteen hours of daylight means the sun beats down relentlessly on your head.

Sweating heavily in dry air depletes electrolytes faster than water alone replaces them.

Cold water at 3pm is worth the weight.

Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.

Tap water isn't safe, so when diarrhea hits, you need salts to rehydrate.

Unfamiliar water and food cause digestive problems that need fast treatment.

One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.

Hotel and cafe wifi is shared with everyone else in the building. A VPN keeps your banking and email to yourself.

Crowded markets and transit hubs are prime spots for pickpockets and theft.

Luggage gets lost in international airports and gets separated during transfers.

Packing cubes compress clothes in heat and humidity to save space in tight rooms.

Dust settles on everything, so clothes need washing every few days in this climate.

Long flights and crowded markets make silence a tool for rest and focus.

Legs need protection from sun and heat while staying cool enough to move.

Lips crack and blister from intense UV exposure and low humidity.

Tap water contamination means hands carry pathogens to your face all day.

Insect bites itch intensely in heat, and scratching spreads infection in dust.

One outlet per guesthouse means devices compete for charging time constantly.

A few phrases go a long way. Ten minutes a day before you leave is plenty.

Border crossing requires your passport, and losing it strands you in a foreign country.

Shared guesthouse rooms mean your bag needs a lock on the zipper.

Humidity isn't high, but sand gets into every pocket and fold of your bag.

Sleeping in unfamiliar guesthouses is easier with something familiar under your head.