Travel to Morocco - read this first!

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This is the basic information you need to know before a trip to Morocco.

Time: Local time is GMT. Daylight saving starts on 1 June and lasts til the beginning of Ramadan - this year around 24 August - when the time is GMT + 1hr.

Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. European two-pin round plugs are standard.

Currency: The unit of currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD), which is divided into 100 centimes. It's a restricted currency, so can only be bought inside the country. ATMs are available in the larger towns, but do read our ATM WARNING.
Cash can be exchanged at banks or official bureaux de changes, which are also widespread in major towns. Dirhams cannot be obtained or exchanged outside Morocco and receipts must be retained as proof of legal currency exchange, as well as in order to re-exchange money when departing. Major credit cards are accepted in the larger shops, hotels and restaurants, but not AMEX. Travellers cheques are not generally very useful; it's best to bring Euros or Sterling.

Currency Exchange Rates are fixed by the government: please check your exchange rates here: EXCHANGE

Language: Modern Standard Arabic is the official language and all TV and newspapers are in Arabic. However, Moroccan Arabic is the spoken language. Berber, French and Spanish are also spoken. English is generally understood in the tourist areas, but French is the more common.

Visas : For New Zealanders, Australians, Canadians, EU passport holders and US citizens, no visa is necessary for a stay of up to three months.

For South Africans, a (free) visa is necessary from the Moroccan Embassy in Pretoria.

Health: Health insurance should be taken out before you leave your home country. No vaccinations are required to enter Morocco. It is advisable to drink bottled water and be selective in the case of street food. Often street food is safer than some tourist restaurants. Medical facilities are good in all major towns.

Tipping: A tip of 10 % is welcome but some places include a service charge. Giving a few dirhams to the poor is a good thing to do, but never give money to children unless they've provided a service, like showing you the way to your guesthouse, when Dh5 is sufficient.

Safety: Violent crime is not a major problem, but there have been thefts at knifepoint in major cities and especially on beaches. Be sensible in dark streets at night. Walk with a friend. Use official (badged) guides only.

Traditions and customs: Morocco is a Muslim country and it is preferable to keep the wearing of swimsuits, shorts and other revealing clothing to the beach or hotel poolside. Women travelling alone will receive less hassle if dressed conservatively. Smoking is practised widely, and it is customary to offer cigarettes in social situations. Religious customs should be respected, particularly during the month of Ramadan when eating, drinking and smoking during daylight hours should be discreet as it is forbidden by the Muslim culture. The giving and receiving of things, and the eating of food, should only be done with the right hand, as the left is considered unclean. Homosexuality is a criminal offence, and sexual relations outside marriage are also punishable by law.

Business: Business in Morocco is based on French customs and is much more formal than in some Western countries. Always check in what language a meeting will be held . Arrange your own translator well in advance. Some businesses are closed on Friday afternoons; most are closed on weekends.

Communications: Internet Cafes are everywhere but the keyboards are often French (non-qwerty!). The international access code for Morocco is +212. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)524 for Marrakech and (0)537 for Rabat. Hotels can add a hefty surcharge to their telephone bills; it is best to check before making long international calls. Three mobile networks cover the the country and SIM cards are inexpensive.

Duty free: Travellers to Morocco over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 400g tobacco; 1 litre spirits and 1 litre wine; and perfume up to 5g.

In-country travel: Note that distances are deceptively far in Morocco, so don't try to see too much in too short a time. CTM is the best bus company, though the website is not helpful. Train travel is easy and inexpensive. See www.oncf.ma for train schedules, though you can't book online. If possible, book a day or two in advance and try to travel first class for comfort's sake.



The following is a list of populations of cities in Morocco.

City	Population (2004)
Agadir	346,106
Aïn El Aouda {Ain El Aouda}	25,105
Aïn Harrouda {Ain Harrouda}	41,853
Aïn Taoujdate {Ain Taoujdate}	22,030
Aït Melloul {Ait Melloul}	130,370
Aït Ourir {Ait Ourir}	20,005
Al Aaroui	36,021
Al Hoceïma {Al Hoceima}	55,357
Amalou Ighriben (Moha Ou Hammou Zayani)	28,933
Aourir	21,810
Asilah	28,217
Azemmour	36,722
Azilal	27,719
Azrou	47,540
Benahmed	21,361
Benguerir	62,872
Beni Ansar	31,800
Beni Mellal	163,286
Ben Slimane	46,478
Berkane	80,012
Berrechid	89,830
Biougra	25,928
Bouârfa {Bouarfa}	25,947
Boujad	40,513
Bouznika	27,028
Casablanca (Dar El Beida)	2,946,440
Chefchaouene	35,709
Chemaïa {Chemaia}	21,859
Dcheira El Jihadia	89,367
Demnate	23,459
El Aïoun {El Aioun}	34,767
El Hajeb	27,667
El Jadida	144,440
El Kelaâ des Sraghna {El Kelaa des Sraghna}	68,694
Erfoud	23,637
Errachidia	76,759
Er-Rich (Rich)	20,155
Essaouira	69,493
Fès [Fes] {Fes}	946,815
Fnideq	53,559
Fquih Ben Salah	82,446
Guelmim	95,749
Guercif	57,307
Ihddaden (Ihaddadene)	25,480
Imzoûrene {Imzourene}	26,575
Inezgane	112,753
Jerada	43,916
Jorf El Melha	20,581
Kasba Tadla	40,898
Kenitra	359,142
Khemisset	105,088
Khenifra	72,672
Khouribga	166,397
Ksar El Kebir	107,380
Laattaouia	20,237
Lahraouyine	47,261
Lamkanssa	33,940
Larache	107,371
Lqliâa {Lqliaa}	38,220
Marrakech	823,154
Martil	39,011
M'Diq {MDiq}	36,596
Mechra Bel Ksiri	27,630
Meknès {Meknes}	469,169
Midelt	44,781
Missour	20,978
Mohammedia	188,619
Moulay Ali Cherif (Rissani)	20,469
M'Rirt {MRirt}	35,196
Nador	126,207
Ouarzazate	56,616
Oued Zem	83,970
Ouezzane	57,972
Ouislane	47,824
Oujda	400,738
Oulad Ayad	21,466
Oulad Teïma {Oulad Teima}	66,183
Rabat	621,480
Sabaa Aioun	21,513
Safi	284,750
Salé {Sale}	760,186
Sefrou	64,006
Settat	116,570
Sidi Bennour	39,593
Sidi Ifni	20,051
Sidi Kacem	74,062
Sidi Slimane	78,060
Sidi Slimane Echcharraa	22,904
Sidi Taibi	19,979
Sidi Yahya El Gharb	31,705
Skhirate	43,025
Souk El Arbaâ (Souk Larba Al Gharb) {Souk El Arbaa}	43,392
Souk Sebt Oulad Nemma	51,049
Tabounte	21,168
Tahla (Tahala)	25,655
Tanger [Tangier]	669,685
Tan-Tan	60,698
Taounate	32,629
Taourirt	80,024
Taroudannt	69,489
Taza	139,686
Temara	225,497
Tétouan {Tetouan}	320,539
Tiflet	69,640
Tinrhir	36,391
Tiznit	53,682
Youssoufia	64,518
Zagora	34,851
Zaïo {Zaio}	29,851
Zaouiat Cheikh	22,728
Zeghanghane (Segangane)	20,181

Source: Thomas Brinkhoff: City Population, http://www.citypopulation.de

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