On the westernmost tip of northern Africa, the Mediterranean to the north, the Atlantic to the west, lies tantalizing Morocco. This Arab Muslim country, steeped in history and renowned in literature, is immortalized in American cinema by Humphrey Bogart’s Casablanca, Orson Wells’ Othello and Gary Cooper’s Morocco. It is the world’s largest producer of sardines and a major exporter of cannabis. It is a country of geographic contrasts, from fertile plains to the Sahara Desert—and it has incredible beaches.
Morocco’s major cities are its capital Rabat and main port Casablanca on the Atlantic, and Marrakesh at the edge of the desert. The city of Fes is the spiritual center, where the ancient medina market elicits scents and sights of long ago. On the Atlantic coast at Essaouira, winds blow strongly an average of 320 days annually, drawing wind- and kitesurfers almost year-round. But though the sun may be hot, the Atlantic waters are generally much cooler; wetsuits are a must.
Several scheduled carriers serve passengers flying into Morocco’s international airports: Casablanca (CMN), Tangier (TNG), Fez (FEZ), Marrakesh (RAK), and Rabat-Sal? (RBA). The national airline is Royal Air Maroc; others include Air France, Alifalia, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, and SWISS. All major European cities service flights into Morocco as well as many from North America and the Middle East.
Departure tax
None
The climate varies depending on the area: coastal land has a warm, Mediterranean weather style; the eastern coast is largely affected by southwest trade winds. Although the inland climate is hot and dry, the mountainous regions are much cooler. Rainfall is most common from November to March on the coasts.
Country code: 212. Outgoing international code: 00. Mobile coverage is mostly available in the cities in western Morocco. Fax services are accessible in hotels; main post offices offer telegram facilities. Internet is available in many hotels, business centers, and Internet cafes.
Currency: Moroccan Dirham (Dh), divided into 100 centimes. This currency can only be acquired in Morocco; therefore, national currencies should be exchanged at an official exchange booth only. Changing money in the street is against the law.
Some credit cards are accepted, so travelers are advised to check with the credit card companies for merchant acceptability details. Travelers? checks in US Dollars are recommended in order to avoid extra exchange rate charges.
Passport and Visa
Passports are required except for citizens of the following: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, and nationals of Montenegro who travel as an organized group and enter the country with their national ID cards or other documents which replace a passport.
Children aged 16 or older must have their own passports
Children under 16 may be on their parents? passport as long as their picture is included.
Nationals of Commonwealth countries or of the EU do not require visas; however, nationals of Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands do require a visa. Single entry, multiple entry, and transit visas are given.
Morocco operates on a 127/220V/50Hz cycle electric current depending on the location and maturity of the building.
Tap water outside of main cities may be contaminated; sterilization is recommended. Bottled water is readily available and is strongly advised.
Milk is not pasteurized and must be boiled before consumption. Avoid dairy products which may have been made from non-boiled milk. Powdered milk is obtainable, but be sure that it is reconstituted with sanitary water.
- Eat well-cooked meat and fish
- Do not eat uncooked vegetables or unpeeled fruit
- Polio and typhoid vaccinations are recommended
- A small malaria risk exists from May to October in rural areas of these provinces: Al Hoceima, Taounate and Taza.
Official language: Arabic. A large minority speaks Berber, and French is widely spoken throughout the country, except for the northern area where Spanish is more common. English is often understood in the main tourist areas.
Common sense is always the rule. Travelers should be aware of their surroundings at all times; carrying large sums of money or openly wearing expensive jewelry is only asking for trouble. Beware of pickpockets in crowded markets or airports. Moroccans are friendly and open with visitors.
Waiters are tipped up to 12% in restaurants. Smaller cafes have a service charge of 1 to 4 DH per person. Hotel staff and bellmen appreciate larger tips depending on the provided services.
