For my new readers, allow me to introduce my current life status. I left my full-time health journalism career at the start of 2023 to focus on teaching yoga around the world. Now, I’m in Morocco to teach yoga for a few months. And yes, I purposely chose to arrive during the start of Ramadan. Yes, the flights were cheaper… but there’s a lot more behind my choice that had nothing to do with economics.
Having grown up familiar with Islam, I wondered what it would feel like to live in a majority-Muslim country when most people are fasting and devoted to prayer, reflection, and community?
In this blog, I’ll discuss Ramadan etiquette for travelers, from my perspective and drawing from personal experiences. Here are 5 things I learned after intentionally choosing to move to Morocco during Ramadan.
First, What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is a sacred month in Islam that focuses on reflection, restraint, and renewal.
It follows the Lunar calendar, which means its timing shifts each year, arriving about ten days earlier than the last. For nearly 30 days, from first light to sunset, Muslims around the world fast, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical indulgences during daylight hours. To reduce Ramadan to fasting alone is to miss its true essence.
Ramadan is about practicing discipline in the body and in the heart. There’s a heightened awareness of hunger, thirst, speech, and intentions, and an emphasis on generosity and compassion.
And at sunset, everything shifts.
The fast is broken with iftar, often beginning with dates, juices, and sweets because they are quick sources of energy, followed by meals that are as much about nourishment as they are about connection.
It’s customary for iftar to include: boiled eggs, soup, tea, cheese, meaty finger appetizers, rice and noodle dishes, yogurt, pastries, and desserts.
In places like Morocco, you feel this rhythm viscerally, almost like a heartbeat returning. The hum of evening, cafés filling, streets glowing, conversations spilling late into the night, and continuing into the early morning hours.
Spiritually, Ramadan commemorates the first revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad, making it one of the holiest periods in the Islamic calendar.
For many, it’s a time of deepened prayer, reading of sacred texts, and reconnection to faith, to community, and to self.
So what does this actually look like for you as a traveler? Here are five things I learned that are important to understand before (and during) your trip.
1. Expect restaurants, cafes, and shops to not be open during standard business hours.
Many close during the day, while some remain closed during the entire month of Ramadan. Even those that stay open will close for a period of time (between 30 minutes and 3 hours) each evening to allow staff to eat since they’ve been fasting all day. Grocery stores and convenience stores are included in this, so grab your snacks, smoothies, etc., either before 6 pm or after 8 pm (generally) if you rely on dining out during your stay.
2. It’s disrespectful to eat or drink publicly (even water or coffee) while walking down the street.
If you need to stop for a coffee in a cafe that is open, I recommend sitting there to drink it rather than taking it ‘to go.’ Note: You may see Muslim women (children and perhaps some men) eating or drinking during the day within the period of Ramadan. This could be because they are exempt from fasting due to old age, illness, or their menstrual cycle. Children generally start fasting after puberty, between the ages of 10 and 16.
3. Appearance & Modesty for Women
Wear pants or long dresses that are loose-fitting (even if you’re a yoga instructor like me, do not wear yoga leggings without covering your bottom). I wore long hoodies and/or a puffer jacket over my yoga clothes while walking to/from teaching at the studio. Wearing your hair all the way down might invite extra eyeballs; My mom asked me to bring scarves, and I told her it was unnecessary. (Spoiler: Mom was right). Even though you don’t need to cover your full head with a scarf, wearing your hair in a bun or ponytail is viewed as a bit more modest and acceptable.
4. If you’re looking for bars/alcohol and socialization, this isn’t the time to travel here.
Single men and women don’t openly socialize in public during Ramadan, and even friendly interactions can be perceived as flirtatious.
5. Shops, malls, and even salons reopen and stay open late during Ramadan.
It’s common to see people eating ice cream at cafés until 1 or 2 am. I made a nail appointment for 9 pm and left at 11:15 pm!
**Note: These are my personal experiences in one city as a female visitor. I have dark features, speak some conversational French, and am regularly mistaken for a local. Remember, men and other foreigners can have entirely different perspectives.
Between the calls to prayer, quiet mornings, and the afternoon buzz of city life, Ramadan offered me a chance to witness devotion and discipline in real time. To be a conscious traveler is to actively participate in the rhythm of life around you.
It’s the difference between showing up from a foreign place to take and consume… as opposed to arriving and asking: ”How can I show up thoughtfully and contribute to the land, the people, and life here?”
A Note on Yoga, Meditation & Practicing During Ramadan
As a yoga and meditation instructor living in Morocco during Ramadan, this time has naturally shaped the way I guide my clients. Our sessions have become slower, more intentional, and deeply rooted in awareness rather than intensity.
So, we focus on breathwork, gentle movement, and grounding practices that support the body while respecting the rhythm of fasting. There’s less emphasis on performance and more on presence, on listening, softening, and conserving energy.
As I’ve already mentioned before, Ramadan creates a unique environment where discipline and stillness are already present in daily life. We continue those themes on our yoga mats. In many ways, it’s been one of the most aligned and meaningful times to teach.
If traveling during Ramadan to Muslim countries isn’t something you’re willing or able to experience right now, you can still create a quiet and steady feeling elsewhere. Many of my yoga and meditation retreats offer a similar pause, with threads of devotion and discipline where you can slow down, reflect and reset.
Final Thoughts on Traveling during Ramadan
Traveling during Ramadan isn’t necessarily convenient But it is unique. My experience in Morocco forced me to embrace a slower daytime pace, to observe more and consume less, and to move through a place with a deeper sense of respect for the people who live here. While at times, it felt limiting, I adjusted to the rhythm and eventually experienced ease within what was once uncomfortable.
There’s something incredibly humbling about adjusting your habits to honor the rhythm of a culture that isn’t your own. You begin to notice a lot more: the anticipation before sunset as traffic builds and people rush home, the warmth of shared meals and community during iftar, and the morning stillness, emptiness and space — to pray, to serve from a place of humility, and to give thanks sans ego or greed.
If you’re willing to lean into that rhythm instead of resisting it, Ramadan can become one of the most meaningful and memorable times to travel.
FAQs
Is it appropriate to travel during Ramadan?
Yes, it’s appropriate to travel during Ramadan, but only with awareness and respect. Remember, you are a guest in a sacred time. Being mindful of local customs and adjusting your expectations can make your experience more meaningful and help you connect more deeply with the culture.
What changes during Ramadan as a traveler?
During Ramadan, as a traveler, you can expect a shift in daily rhythm, slower mornings, quieter afternoons, and lively evenings after sunset. Many local restaurants close during the day, while hotels may still serve food. Cafés and public spaces stay subdued until night, and business hours adjust, with some shops reopening late.
Any cultural etiquette to be aware of?
When it comes to cultural etiquette during Ramadan, travelers should expect to avoid eating or drinking in public during daylight hours, dress modestly (especially in more conservative areas), practice patience as people are fasting, and greet others respectfully.
Can you practice yoga or meditation during Ramadan?
Yes, you can practice yoga and meditation during Ramadan, but it’s best to adapt your practice. Gentle yoga, breathwork, and meditation are more supportive than intense sessions, especially during fasting hours. Many people choose to practice in the evening after iftar, when energy levels are restored, allowing for a more grounded and intentional experience.
Who should (and shouldn’t) travel during Ramadan?
When it comes to who should (and shouldn’t) travel during Ramadan, it’s ideal for slow travelers, culture seekers, and those who are spiritually curious. It may not be the best fit for party-focused trips, daytime food-centered itineraries, or first-time travelers expecting full access to everything.
What are the most practical tips for traveling during Ramadan?
When it comes to the most practical tips for traveling during Ramadan, plan your daytime meals with simple snacks, shift your schedule later when possible, book accommodations that serve food, stay hydrated privately, and embrace the energy and exploration that comes alive at night.
Do Muslim people meditate during Ramadan?
While meditation, as it’s known in yoga, isn’t traditionally practiced in Islam, Ramadan itself carries many meditative qualities. Through prayer, reflection, and fasting, there is a natural cultivation of stillness, discipline, and awareness that closely mirrors the intention behind meditation practices.
Is Ramadan similar to a mindfulness or meditation practice?
In many ways, yes, we can say Ramadan is similar to mindfulness and meditation practice. Why? Well, Ramadan encourages awareness of thoughts, speech, and habits, much like mindfulness or meditation. The focus on restraint, intention, and reflection creates a naturally introspective and present state.
