How to Rent a Car in Essaouira: What You Need to Know

Not sure how to rent a car in Essaouira? Well, never fear because I know all about it.

I have lived in Morocco since January of 2023 and have spent the majority of my time in Essaouira. So, I know a thing or two about renting cars here.

Generally, driving here is A LOT easier than in Marrakech and Casablanca. There is a lot less traffic and people tend to be a bit less aggressive.

There is also ample parking whether you want street parking or want to keep your car in a paid lot near the Medina.

So, driving here is a piece of cake. However, Essaouira is a very small city and is VERY walkable. TBH, you could probably walk from one end of the city to the other in about 30/45 minutes.

As a result, I would NOT rent a car in Essaouira if you just plan to stay in the city. The Medina is car-free and the city is small enough that you can walk everywhere (you can even take bus #2 from Bab Doukkala to Sidi Kaouki).

When you do feel tired, a taxi will only cost you 8 Dirhams regardless of where you go in the city.

Therefore, I would only try renting a car in Essaouira if you plan to do day trips into the countryside or want to do a cool Morocco road trip to Agadir.

If you want to go to places like Imsouane, Taghazout, Had Draa Market, Visit Domaine du Val d’Argan Winery, and Hôtel Domaine de L’Arganeraie (they have a nice pool) then a car is super handy since public transportation is limited.

Now that you know whether you should or should not rent a car in Essaouira, let’s look at the specifics of renting a car and some of the different car rental agencies in Essaouira.

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Best Place to Rent a Car in Essaouira

If you decide to rent a car here then you’ll want to know about the best place to rent a car in Essaouira.

Well, whenever I rent a car in Essaouira, or rent a car in Marrakech, I always use Discover Cars. I love this company and always use it for a couple of reasons.

First of all, they have an amazing, well-priced, full-coverage policy. It’s extremely comprehensive and covers most of the damage that I could do to a car.

Yeah, I definitely dinged up a few cars in the past and their full coverage policy came in mighty handy.

Secondly, I love that they are like Skyscanner and compare rates from local and international companies in the city. This way you can get the best deal possible.

Finally, you have the option to cancal your car rental up to 48 hours before you pick it up. Seriously, how awesome is that?

However, let’s look at Discover Cars a bit more and see if they are right for you!

How to Rent a Car in Essaouira with Discover Cars

As I previously mentioned, I have been living in Morocco since January of 2023. The majority of my time has been spent in Essaouira.

So, I have rented cars many times to travel from Essaouira to Agadir and to enjoy cool day trips from Essaouira.

I like renting a car since it gives me more flexibility and allows me to travel to more offbeat places that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Whenever I rent a car 🚙 in Essaouira, I use Discover Cars. I can count on them, they offer the best rates, and I can even cancel my rental up to two days before my trip.

However, let me share my experience with Discover Cars so that you understand just how awesome they really are.

Reserving a Car Online with Discover Cars

To start, visit the Discover Cars website. Input your travel dates along with your preferred pick-up location; for most people, this will be Essaouira airport or Essaouira city center.

Just do whatever is more convenient for you since driving in downtown Essaouira really isn’t all that difficult.

⚠️ ONLY RENT FROM HIGHLY-RATED PLACES. I usually apply a rating filter (found on the left side of your computer screen) and apply it so that I can only see agencies with ratings of 7.5 stars or higher.

Although some lower-rated companies may seem more affordable, cheaper doesn’t always mean better service.

I would much rather spend more money on a better car/better customer service than save a few dollars and risk having a terrible vacation because I got an awful car.

Moreover, these lower-rated companies tend to add hidden fees to the bill that add up quickly, making them very expensive when you return your car rental.

Local Tip: When booking through Discover Cars, ALWAYS change the website to reflect the flag of the country that issued your driver’s license. Failing to do so could invalidate the price you paid on the website.

Get Full Coverage with Discover Cars

I always opt for Full Coverage when renting a car with Discover Cars due to their exceptionally competitive rates.

According to their website, 85% of customers select a Full Coverage Policy for peace of mind while renting a car in Essaouira, and I completely understand why.

For just $11.00 a day, Discover Cars will cover up to 53,700 Dirhams (approximately $5,370 USD) of damage in the event of an accident.

This comprehensive coverage includes everything from body repairs and dents to scratches, window cracks, tires, towing, and lost keys.

With Full Coverage, you won’t have to worry about unexpected potholes or accidentally hitting a tree sicne all of those damages are covered by their policy.

So, if you’re looking for a stress-free vacation then opting for full coverage is the right choice

What Is and Is Not Covered By Their Full Coverage Policy?

Before renting a car with Discover Cars, it’s essential to do your homework and understand the specifics of their Full Coverage Policy.

Sure, it offers excellent protection. But, it does not include everything. There are certain exclusions that you should be aware of before making your reservation.

Additionally, it’s important to know that by law, car rental companies must accept the Discover Cars Full Coverage Policy.

In my experience, local companies have consistently honored this policy without any problems. This reliability contributes to the appeal of renting from reputable companies that prioritize customer service.

It’s important to note that whenever I’ve rented a car through Discover Cars, the local rental company has tried to upsell me their insurance when I pick up the vehicle.

I always decline since my Discover Cars policy meets Morocco’s legal insurance requirements. Also, be prepared for a hold to be put on your credit card, usually between 8,000 and 10,000 Dirhams ($800 and $1,000 USD).

Provided the car is returned without damage, you’ll get your deposit back with no problem. If there is any damage, they will deduct the repair costs from your deposit, and you will need to file a claim with Discover Cars.

This isn’t a huge deal since they typically process claims within 48 hours (mine was processed in a day).

Just remember that as long as the damage is under 53,700 Dirhams ($5,730) then you should receive full reimbursement according to their Full Coverage Policy.

How to File a Claim with Discover Cars

Fortunately, submitting a claim to Discover Cars is a straightforward process. Simply log in to their website with the details from your confirmation email to file a claim.

You can expect a response within 48 hours and will benefit from their Full Coverage Policy. To be honest, the Discover Cars Full Coverage Policy is significantly less expensive than what many private car rental companies try to charge you.

I’ve noticed that some rental companies in Esssaouira charge as much as $30.00 per day for their policies. In contrast, Discover Cars offers a policy for only $11.00 per day.

However, if you prefer to obtain insurance from a private car rental company, that option is certainly available. Just book your vehicle through Discover Cars and pay for the insurance when you collect your car.

DISCLAIMER

The insights I’m providing are based on my personal experiences renting cars in Essaouira. I have used Discover Cars many times without any problems. However, I cannot guarantee that you will have a positive experience.

My goal is simply to help you plan the best trip to Essaouira possible. If you DO decide to book with Discover Cars, I recommend renting from a highly-rated company to ensure that you have the best experience possible.

My experience has always been positive but that is probably because I specifically select vehicles from reputable providers.

Should you have any further questions or concerns, please reach out to Discover Cars directly.

Additionally, consider reading actual customer reviews on TrustPilot, where the company has a rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars from over 169,000 users.

How Much Does it Cost To Rent a Car in Essaouira?

The cost of renting a car in Essaouira varies based by season and based on how far in advance you book your car. If you rent a car in the off-season and book four months in advance then you can rent a car for as little as $11.00 per day.

However, it is more likely that you will probably pay around $40.00 per day for a 4-door Dacia or Logan. They are not the best cars in the world but they get the job done.

Generally, I like to rent from Discover Cars since I know how much my rental will cost. Local agents sometimes try to charge you more because you are a foreigner and are unfamiliar with the price of car rentals in Essaouira.

Additionally, most car rentals in Essaouira are manuals. So, if you want to rent an automatic then you will have to pay more and book well in advance since automatics are hard to come by.

Finally, remember that gas is measured in liters and costs around $5.50 per gallon or 15 Dirhams ($1.50) per liter. Diesel tends to be cheaper and the cheapest gas I’ve found is at ZIZ.

When filling up, try to have cash since many gas stations do not accept credit cards. You also won’t be able to pump your own gas and will have to wait for an attendant to do it for you.

Local Tip: English isn’t as widely spoken in Morocco as it is in other countries. TBH, most Moroccans speak better French than they do English. So, don’t be shocked if people at the agency don’t speak English.

Also, I would not go from Essaouira to Casablanca by car unless you plan to drop the car off outside the city since driving in Casablanca is a nightmare.

Do You Need an International Driver’s License?

No, you do not need an international driver’s license when renting a car in Essaouira or renting a car in Morocco.

All you really need is a valid driver’s license from your home country and a credit card. This way the rental company can place a deposit on your credit card to cover any potential damages.

Don’t worry; your deposit will be refunded when you return the car in good condition. If the car is damaged, however, the company will use the deposit to cover the costs.

Should you purchase a Full Coverage Policy with Discover Cars, you can file a claim with them, and they will reimburse you for any expenses related to the damages.

It’s important to remember that no one should keep your passport until the car is returned. This is not standard practice in morocco and is a HUGE red flag.

Additionally, I recommend taking pictures and videos of the car at the time of pickup. This can help protect you in case the agency attempts to charge you for pre-existing damages.

Is It Safe to Rent a Car in Essaouira?

Yes!! It is very safe to rent a car in Essaouira. First of all, the roads aren’t nearly as congested as in cities like Marrakech or Casablanca.

So, you won’t have to worry about crashing into a rogue motorbike that randomly darts out in front of you like you would when driving around other parts of Morocco.

The roads in and around Essaouira are also super well maintained with plenty of signage in English.

Therefore, you probably won’t hit a random pothole and totally destroy the bottom

Additionally, Essaouira is a safe city with ample parking. As a result, you don’t really have to worry about break-ins or parking your car since there are plenty of paid lots and ample street parking.

The only time parking is an issue is when roads are closed and big events are happening in the city, like the Gnawa Festival in June.

However, I would still be extra careful and store any valuables in the trunk when you park your car. I would also avoid driving at night since the roads around Essaouira aren’t well-lit at night.

Yeah, it’s pretty hard to see at night and it’s not uncommon to have donkeys, kids, and camels dart out into the middle of the street.

Do You Need to Be an Experienced Driver to Drive in Essaouira?

Essaouira is much smaller and more relaxed than other major cities in Morocco. So, you don’t need to be an expert driver since there isn’t that much traffic on the road.

The roads in and around Essaouira are also pretty well-marked and fairly quiet. So, even inexperienced shouldn’t have too many problems if they go slow. You might even be able to drive to Agadir so you don’t have to choose Agadir or Essaouira.

Local drivers can be aggressive though. So, if you are moving slowly, don’t be surprised if someone tailgates you, honks at you, and eventually passes you.

The one road that can be a bit tricky is the road from Essaouira to Agadir. It is well-maintained but it is definitely curvy as you drive along the coast and enjoy beautiful views of the ocean.

Just take it slow and you should have no problem on this road or any other road in the area. After all, this is a great road trip for anyone traveling to Essaouira with children.

Also, if you plan to drink alcohol in Morocco then do NOT drink and drive. There is a zero-tolerance policy and you will get in big trouble if you drive with any alcohol in your system.

Conclusion

I hope you found this article useful and now know how to rent a car in Essaouira. I like to rent from Discover Cars since their prices are great and I have always found them reliable.

However, please only rent from a company that you feel comfortable using. I would also look at your Essaouira itinerary and make sure that you actually NEED a car.

After all, Essaouira is small and very walkable. So, if you are only planning to stay in the city then a car is not necessary, especially since you can easily take the bus to Essaouira from Marrakech.

Other than that, just make sure to book your car rental a few months in advance to save money and to ensure you get the car you want, especially if you need an automatic.

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