Health, diet & safety
What should I do about traveller's stomach in Morocco?
- First priority
- Rehydrate (water + ORS)
- Eat gently
- Bread, rice, banana, plain couscous
- Typical duration
- 1-2 days for mild cases
- See a doctor if
- Fever, blood, severe or lasting
Quick answer
Most traveller's stomach in Morocco is mild and clears in one to two days. The priorities are rehydration — bottled water plus oral rehydration salts to replace lost fluids and minerals — rest, and eating gently once you can (plain bread, rice, bananas, plain couscous, bissara). An anti-diarrhoeal can help for travel but isn't essential. See a doctor if you have a high fever, blood in your stool, severe pain, or symptoms lasting beyond a couple of days, especially for children or older travellers.
Rehydrate first
The real danger of a stomach upset isn't the discomfort — it's dehydration, made worse by Marrakech's heat. The single most important thing is to keep drinking: bottled or safe water, sipped steadily, ideally with oral rehydration salts (ORS) dissolved in it to replace the salts and minerals you lose. ORS sachets are cheap, widely sold in Moroccan pharmacies (pharmacie), and far more effective than water alone. Weak, unsweetened mint tea and clear broths also help.
Avoid alcohol and very sugary drinks while you're unwell, as both can worsen dehydration. If you can only manage small sips, that's fine — little and often is the goal.
Eat gently as you recover
Don't force food while you feel bad, but once your appetite returns, start simple. Plain bread, plain rice, plain couscous, boiled potato, banana and bissara (plain split-pea purée) are gentle, familiar choices that happen to be easy to find in Morocco. Ease back toward normal eating gradually, and hold off on rich, oily, spicy or sugary food, dairy, and raw items until you feel steady.
A plain tagine of chicken or vegetables without heavy spice is a reasonable step up once you're improving. Pharmacies can advise on simple remedies, and an anti-diarrhoeal like loperamide can be useful for getting through a journey, though letting a mild bug run its course is often fine.
When to get medical help
Most cases are self-limiting, but some signs mean you should see a doctor or pharmacist rather than wait it out: a high fever, blood or mucus in your stool, severe or worsening abdominal pain, persistent vomiting that stops you keeping fluids down, signs of significant dehydration, or symptoms dragging on beyond about two days. Be more cautious and seek help sooner for young children, older travellers, and anyone with a health condition.
Morocco has pharmacies widely available and English- or French-speaking doctors in tourist areas; your accommodation can usually help you find one. This is general guidance, not a substitute for medical care — when in doubt, get it checked. To reduce the chance of it happening again, see how to avoid food poisoning.
Related questions
What should I eat with an upset stomach in Morocco?
Start with plain, gentle foods once your appetite returns: bread, rice, plain couscous, banana, boiled potato, and bissara. Avoid oily, spicy, sugary and raw foods until you feel steady.
Where can I get rehydration salts in Morocco?
Any pharmacy (pharmacie) sells oral rehydration salts cheaply. They're the most effective way to recover fluids and are worth buying — or packing before your trip.
How long does traveller's stomach usually last?
Most mild cases clear within one to two days with rest and rehydration. If symptoms last longer, or you have fever or blood in your stool, see a doctor.
When should I see a doctor?
Seek medical help for high fever, blood in your stool, severe pain, persistent vomiting, signs of serious dehydration, or symptoms lasting beyond about two days — sooner for children and older travellers.