Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Travel to Morocco - read this first!



Click on map to enlarge


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.




CityPopulation (2004)
Agadir346,106
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 Aaroui36,021
Al Hoceïma {Al Hoceima}55,357
Amalou Ighriben (Moha Ou Hammou Zayani)28,933
Aourir21,810
Asilah28,217
Azemmour36,722
Azilal27,719
Azrou47,540
Benahmed21,361
Benguerir62,872
Beni Ansar31,800
Beni Mellal163,286
Ben Slimane46,478
Berkane80,012
Berrechid89,830
Biougra25,928
Bouârfa {Bouarfa}25,947
Boujad40,513
Bouznika27,028
Casablanca (Dar El Beida)2,946,440
Chefchaouene35,709
Chemaïa {Chemaia}21,859
Dcheira El Jihadia89,367
Demnate23,459
El Aïoun {El Aioun}34,767
El Hajeb27,667
El Jadida144,440
El Kelaâ des Sraghna {El Kelaa des Sraghna}68,694
Erfoud23,637
Errachidia76,759
Er-Rich (Rich)20,155
Essaouira69,493
Fès [Fes] {Fes}946,815
Fnideq53,559
Fquih Ben Salah82,446
Guelmim95,749
Guercif57,307
Ihddaden (Ihaddadene)25,480
Imzoûrene {Imzourene}26,575
Inezgane112,753
Jerada43,916
Jorf El Melha20,581
Kasba Tadla40,898
Kenitra359,142
Khemisset105,088
Khenifra72,672
Khouribga166,397
Ksar El Kebir107,380
Laattaouia20,237
Lahraouyine47,261
Lamkanssa33,940
Larache107,371
Lqliâa {Lqliaa}38,220
Marrakech823,154
Martil39,011
M'Diq {MDiq}36,596
Mechra Bel Ksiri27,630
Meknès {Meknes}469,169
Midelt44,781
Missour20,978
Mohammedia188,619
Moulay Ali Cherif (Rissani)20,469
M'Rirt {MRirt}35,196
Nador126,207
Ouarzazate56,616
Oued Zem83,970
Ouezzane57,972
Ouislane47,824
Oujda400,738
Oulad Ayad21,466
Oulad Teïma {Oulad Teima}66,183
Rabat621,480
Sabaa Aioun21,513
Safi284,750
Salé {Sale}760,186
Sefrou64,006
Settat116,570
Sidi Bennour39,593
Sidi Ifni20,051
Sidi Kacem74,062
Sidi Slimane78,060
Sidi Slimane Echcharraa22,904
Sidi Taibi19,979
Sidi Yahya El Gharb31,705
Skhirate43,025
Souk El Arbaâ (Souk Larba Al Gharb) {Souk El Arbaa}43,392
Souk Sebt Oulad Nemma51,049
Tabounte21,168
Tahla (Tahala)25,655
Tanger [Tangier]669,685
Tan-Tan60,698
Taounate32,629
Taourirt80,024
Taroudannt69,489
Taza139,686
Temara225,497
Tétouan {Tetouan}320,539
Tiflet69,640
Tinrhir36,391
Tiznit53,682
Youssoufia64,518
Zagora34,851
Zaïo {Zaio}29,851
Zaouiat Cheikh22,728
Zeghanghane (Segangane)20,181

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


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5 comments:

Eco Resort said...

wow, great list and good suggestions!

The Lounsbury said...

A bit of False information there: Moroccan Arabic is NOT the official langauge. Standard aka Classical Arabic is the Official Language.

Moroccan Arabic (a divergent dialect that Standard Arabic speakers rarely can understand) is the most spoken form of Arabic in Morocco (other dialects exists, e.g. Hassaniya in the S. Sahara). Moroccan is typically not written and in any case you would be served to warn readers who may know say Egyptian or Lebanese Arabic that they will not find it easy to understand local dialect.

Fancy Camels said...

Oh dear... pedant alert!

Thanks for the info, really helpful

Danielle said...

Fabulous blog, great information and photographs. Merci!

dining tables said...

My friends are planning to travel in Morocco this coming December. I think they should read your blog first before deciding to go to Morocco. Thank you for sharing your blog.