Survival Guide

• Arab Name: Al Maghreb ( “The West” )
• Political Capital: Rabat
• Economic Capital: Casablanca (the largest city in population and physical scale)
• Political Leader: King Mohammed VI; Constitutional Monarchy
• Area: 445,050 km²
• Population: 34 million
• Official Language: Arabic
• Popular Spoken Languages: Darija (Moroccan, Arabic dialect), Berber, French, and Spanish. Many Moroccans can effectively communicate in English, German, Italian and other languages. English was recently added to High School curriculum.
• Religion: Islam
• Money: Dirham
• Calling Code: 212
• Electrical Voltage: 220v, sockets take 2-pronged European style plugs.

• No vaccinations are required for Morocco travel.
• It is advisable to drink bottled water
• It often happens, especially to inexperience travelers that they do get upset stomach while on morocco tour. It generally pass within 24 hours. Drink plenty of water, eat well cook and simple food (rice) and it will pass. You then join the ranks of world traveled experts with a more resilient stomach.
• Most cities have private clinics along with governmental hospitals. It is recommended to come to Morocco with full medical insurance, including cover for repatriation. All services will be charged immediately, except in extreme cases where need is emergency.
• Pharmacies are widely available and sell many medicines and contraceptives. But we recommend bringing stomach settlers, insect bite creams, pain relievers at home and taken with you. No vaccination is required by the Moroccan government for entry into the country.

Morocco has many International Airports:

Mohamed V Casablanca – the biggest airport in Morocco serving many International flights not only from Europe but from around the world. There are direct flights from Unites States (New York) as well as Canada (Montreal) with Royal Air Maroc (Delta). Many daily flights arriving from Europe and Middle East (CMN)

Menara Airport in Marrakech – popular International airport with many low cost airlines arriving from major European Cities (RAK)

Agadir –  major International airport serving major and low cost airlines operating flights from many destinations in Europe

Tangier – another important International Airport

Saiss, Fes International Airport – the growing airport in size and amount of flights receiving.

There are also wide small airports throughout Morocco that offer a great way to get around the country. Among some of the popular once are Ouarzazate, Al Hoceima, Dakhla, Errachidia and others

Other way to arrive to Morocco is by ferry. There are many ports covering the Spain and Morocco section, see www.cemar.it for route details. The most popular route to cross the Gibraltar is between Algeciras to Ceuta or Tanger. There are other options from Tarifa to Ceuta or Tanger.  There are many ferry companies serving the ports and it is not obligatory to purchase tickets in advance but during the summer months might be recommend it. The frequency of ferries is about one for each half hour.

Please note that there are TWO ports in Tanger. The old port is located in the town, about 5 minutes taxi drive to the train station serving ferries arriving and departing from Tarifa. The new port MED is located about 45 minutes from the city of Tangier. It is much busier port as all International ferries are arriving to this port.   There is a bus free of charge that connects both ports.  The shuttle operates every hour from 10:00am until 0:00. The coach is white and all that is needed is your ferry ticket. The shuttle operates in both directions.

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The currency of Morocco is Dirham (MAD). Dirham is not traded internationally and therefore you can not legally obtain Dirham outside of Morocco. The easiest way to obtain Dirham is through ATM machines while touring Morocco, a common fixture anywhere in the country.

There are also plenty of Exchange bureau in all major cities as well as at the airport upon arrival. We strongly recommend to use or sell your dirhams before you leave Morocco as you will not be able to trade them after return to your country.

Euros are widely accept it in Morocco as payment, but the remaining change might be return to you in Dirhams. Credit cards are accepted at main tourist centers with a surcharge of about 5% drawn from Moroccan based businesses.

As a rough guide:

• 1 euro = 10 MAD
• 1 US dollar= 10 MAD
• 1 GBP = 12 MAD
• 1 AUD = 7 MAD

Citizen of USA and European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and others do not need a visa to enter Morocco for a stay less than three months. Visitors on their morocco travel are required to 6 months validity in their current prior to their date of entry. Upon entry to Morocco, visitors are required to fill out a landing card with an address of residence while staying in Morocco Please refer to the relevant embassy for up to date visa information

The geography of Morocco is diverse, from notable seasonal variations on the Mediterranean coast to the hot, arid, desert and mountains to the south. The wet season spans from November to March, but rain is mainly found in coastal areas. Morocco’s mountains have cooler climates year round. In the winter months, the mountains are capped by snow.

Many guide books recommend visiting Morocco from March to May and then again in September and October. We feel that the climate in Morocco offers something for everyone at all times of the year. If you travel to Morocco during hot summer months we encourage visiting the lovely coastal town of Essaouira, Agadir or North Coast. It is also good time to go trekking in the High Atlas Mountains.
The winter months of January and February can be quite cold anywhere in Morocco but it is a good time to travel as there are fewer tourists, sunny warm days in Marrakech contrasting with the snowy Atlas Mountains in the background. For the adventurous, you can even try one of Morocco’s ski resorts.

The desert during the day is warm is well, but since the sand does not hold any heat the nights are cold.

The average temperature for these cities:

Summer:

• Marrakech 84f/ 29c
• Fes 81f / 27c
• Casablanca 73f/ 23c
• Ouarzazate 85f/ 30c

Winter:

• Marrakech 55f/ 13c
• Fes 52f / 11c
• Casablanca 55f/ 13c
• Ouarzazate 49f/ 10c

Morocco is one of the most liberal Islamic countries – but you should respect and be sensitive to their customs and restrictions, as in any country you visit.

The main restriction a tourist will encounter is banned entry into the mosques if you are not a Muslim. This is unfortunate, as many mosques feature beautiful artistry of design. There are a few note-worthy exceptions: the Hassan II in Casablanca, Mohammed V Mausoleum in Rabat, and Moulay Ismail Mausoleum in Meknes are open to all visitors.

During the month of Ramadan, when the believers fast each day until sunset, you will have a few more challenges than tourists visiting at other times as many establishments for food and drink will be closed. Not to worry; you still will be able to find many places open to eat during the day.

In Islamic countries it is forbidden to drink alcohol. As Morocco is a favorite tourist destination, restrictions have been relaxed and alcohol is served in many bars, hotels and restaurants. You should not offer alcohol to Muslim although, many young and westernized Moroccans drink alcohol.

Please also dress respectfully.

Morocco is famous for its cuisine. Tagine, a flavorful dish of either meat or chicken baked with seasonings in a cone-shaped clay cooking vessel is the national dish. Kefta is lamb or beef stew. Couscous is grain-sized semolina wheat pasta served with vegetables or fish or meat.

Salads are very common in Morocco and are usually very good. Be aware that salads and all raw foods can harbor “bad bacteria”, so take care before you partake in uncooked foods. Seafood (calamari, sole, shrimp) served near the ocean is very good, fresh and cooked to order.

The best way to relax in Morocco? Follow local custom and kick back with a refreshing cup of mint tea – served with lot of sugar! Moroccan tea is often referred to as Berber whiskey. Note, it does not contain whiskey!

Also we recommend trying the fruit juices! The most popular is fresh squeezed orange juice, but other juices are equally good and offer an exotic option.

As mentioned before, alcohol is available but it will probably be a little pricey.

We recommend buying bottle water; don’t drink water from the tap.

If you are following special diet restriction Vegetarian, Lactose or Gluten Intolerant or any other, please advice your Morocco tour operator or riad before your travel and there are meals that can accommodate you.

We can arrange lunch or dinner with local families if you are interested on your tour of Morocco. But please note that you will typically sit on the floor and eat from a communal plate, place in the middle of small table. Local people eat by hands and if you do please use your right hand only. However, if you need you can always ask for spoon or fork.

• In spite of Morocco being a Muslim country, alcohol is widely available. You will notice that majority of hotels and riads in the old parts of cities, medina offer alcoholic beverages. In the modern part of the cities bars, restaurants and hotels owned by foreigners or attended by tourists will serve alcohol. That is also true for establishments outside of cities. Most hotels and auberges have bars where they serve alcohol.  You can purchase alcohol in special shops and big supermarkets. Buying in large supermarkets is the cheaper option and the have nice selections too from wines, beers to hard liquor.However, you are not allowed to drink alcohol in the streets and open public places. The Islamic religion prohibits drinking of alcoholic beverages (haram), but there are many young Moroccan men and women drinking alcohol. There is nothing that bans them from buying or selling alcohol.

  You are welcome to drink alcohol on our tours. Many clients are interested in taking beverages for their nights in the desert. Please let your driver know and he will stop at one of the stores for you.

  Morocco produces several local brewed beers, Casablanca and others. It is also known for production of some very good local wines, particularly around Meknes and Essaouria, where you can visit the wineries

Morocco has very unique style of accommodation from riads, auberges to big hotels. They are all matter of choice as well as budget. Morocco has very high end accommodation offering extreme luxury to budget hotels and hostels.

Riads offer an authentic stay during your Morocco vacation. They are located in the old medina of the Imperial cities. Riads have central courtyard and rooms are built along it. Windows are facing to the courtyard instead to the streets. They are usually small about 6 room, charming where meals can be serve in inner patio or roof terrace. Most riads are small to have swimming pool, but some have plunge pools to cool yourself during the hot summer months. Some riads are large as they are the old merchant house or palaces and have lavish rooms and opulent gardens.

Auberges are find the rural areas and small towns built with mud in the Kasbah style. They offer comfortable and pleasant stay.

Gite d’etape are rural bed and breakfast or hostel style of accommodation. They are mainly use in the mountains by trekkers where a good meal, hot shower and roof over their heads is preferred over camping.

On our tours of Morocco we choose traditional riads, auberges, hotels and camel wool tents among the Nomad trails. We select them carefully and each has its own spectacular beauty to enrich your Morocco experience. We can also arrange stay with local Berber family to enrich your Morocco tour experience.

Morocco is safe country and violent crime is not considered a major problem. There have been some incidents of theft in major cities and beaches. Use standard precautions to keep yourself and your property safe. You are best to travel with a companion, avoid badly lit streets at night, and mind your person at all times. Guides offering their services should display an official badge issued by the local authorities.Be mindful of touts on the train between Casablanca or Fes. They initiate general conversation then try to convince you to use them as a guide, to visit their families Riads and shops. They can be very persistent. You are advised not to engage with individual men on this train trip for this reason.