What to pack for Marrakech in May

UV index hits 11.4 in May, the highest category on the scale.

Glare bounces off pale sand and reflects off buildings all day long.

Four rain days create standing water where insects breed in the desert.

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

Cuts from sand, minor burns, and dehydration happen fast in this heat.

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.

Day trips into the desert and medina walks demand a pack worn all day.

Medina shopping and day trips into the desert need a pack you can carry all day.

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

Wind gusts to 16 km/h blow sand into every gap, so wrap your neck and face.

Anything heavier than linen is a mistake at 86°F.

Sweat dries fast in 49% humidity, but moisture-wicking fabric keeps salt off your skin.

UV hits 11.4 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.

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

Sand gets everywhere; sport sandals let you rinse your feet without removing shoes.

Thirteen hours of daylight means thirteen hours of direct sun exposure.

The low is only 59°F at night, but days hit 86°F with no water nearby.

Cold water at 3pm is worth the weight.

Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.

Tap water isn't safe here; salts help your body hold fluids when you get it wrong.

Tap water carries bacteria that cause intestinal illness during travel.

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 medinas and busy streets make pickpocketing common in tourist areas.

Luggage moves through many hands in transit and at the airport.

Sand settles into fabrics, so compartments keep clothes separate and cleaner.

Low humidity dries sweat into salt stains that need washing every few days.

Airport noise, crowded transport, and early starts interrupt sleep on the journey.

Highs reach 86°F and the terrain is open desert with no shade for miles.

Lips crack and burn faster than skin in this climate and altitude.

Desert dust and shared surfaces mean frequent hand washing before eating.

Bites swell in heat and sunburned skin can't take normal itch relief.

One outlet at most guesthouses means you choose which device charges first.

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

International travel requires documents checked at borders and airports repeatedly.

Shared accommodation and busy transport hubs mean your bags need locks.

Humidity is low but sand and dust coat everything in your toiletries.

Long flights and early mornings in the heat make neck support matter.