Morocco Travel information
General Travel Information
Passport & Visas
European and British people must have a 10-year passport with a minimum of 6 months validity to enter Morocco. No visas (or vaccinations) are required although a tourist visit in Morocco is limited to three months.
Other nationals should contact the Moroccan Consulates Visa sections in their respective countries for advice.
Currency
The national currency is the Dirham DH, (approximately 1 Euro=10 DH and 1 GBP=16DH ). The import or export of the Moroccan Dirham is prohibited so spend your dirhams before you leave.
You can check current dirham exchange rate here.
Cash
The best place to exchange money is at a bank or approved exchange office. You can withdraw money in banks or directly from cash dispensers in the towns with a credit card or international debit card. Credit cards are generally accepted in many hotels (although do check in advance), shops and restaurants, and increasingly even in the souks.
Banks
Banks in Morocco are generally open from 9:00 to 15:00 in summer. In winter these times change to 8:30 to 11:30 and from 14:30 to 16:00. During the month of Ramadan (in September to November), banks are open from 9:30 to 14:00.
Post
Delivery of letters to and from Europe and the UK to Morocco takes approximately one week.
Time
Local time in Morocco is GMT throughout the year and 1 hour behind the UK in summertime.
Shops (including pharmacies)
Most are open from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 14:30 to 19:00. Many are closed on Sundays.
Electricity
Power points use French plugs so if you are coming from other countries you will require an adaptor.
Telephone
Outgoing access code to the UK is 00 44, then drop the first ‘0’ of landlines and mobile numbers.
The international dialing code for calls to Morocco is +212 and then drop the ‘0’ at the start of the internal number. i.e. if you want to call the local Morocco telephone number of 04 33 22 11, then dialling from outside Morocco you would call 00 212 4 33 22 11.
Local Morocco telephone numbers beginning 06 and 07 are mobile numbers.
Mobile-phone coverage in Morocco is generally good even in remote desert-edge locations such as Erfoud and Rissini but do check with your provider before you travel that your mobile phone can operate in Morocco.
If you need them, public phones are easily found in “teleboutiques” in most villages.
Disabled Travelers
Although many hotels in Morocco are getting slowly better in accommodating disabled travelers, unfortunately there is still a long way to go. For each of our hotels, we indicate whether a hotel is adapted for disabled guests although we recommend that you ask hotels for more details before you make a reservation.
Taxis
There are 2 categories of taxis in Morocco. Petits taxis are small to medium sized cars which travel limited range within a town or city. Officially they run a metre and they will charge an initial fare followed by distance-based increments in addition. However some taxis though are not metered so ask check this before getting in. If there isn’t a meter, ask for an estimate charge for your journey first and refuse if it feels too high. As a rule of thumb, short city centre journeys costs between 10-16DH (i.e. €1). Even for those of us who find Europe and UK taxis expensive, taxis in Morocco are a good value, time-saving small luxury to enable you to move around quickly and freely.
The other category of taxi is the Grands taxi, long distance taxis that run over fixed routes between cities and towns. These charge a fixed amount for specific routes and may wait until they are full of other travelers before they set off (up to six persons a car). You can ask for a price for the sole occupancy if you do not wish to share (actually, many people who choose to share a taxi find it an interesting opportunity to experience Moroccan life).
Whenever using a taxi in Morocco, please use a safety-belt as the standard of driving is not like as high as in other countries. If a taxi does not have a safety-belt, politely decline the driver and find another taxi.
Driving
Hiring a car is a wonderful way to see the Morocco, which has a very good road and petrol station network. See our advice notes under Car Hire section of the site.
When you are driving in Morocco, we recommend that you generally exercise more caution than you do in your home country as the standard of driving remains poor (although this is improving following a number of government initiatives). It is also advisable to always drive slowly through villages as there are often children wandering around.
Consult Marocou for route planner and distance information in Morocco.
It is also useful to know that:
- The speed limit is 75 mph or 120kmph on the motorways, c.60 mph or 100kmph on normal roads, and 25-40 mph or 40-60kmph in built-up areas
- Driving in the dark can be dangerous as other vehicles may not have all lights working
- Seat belts are compulsory
- Red and white lines on a kerb mean no parking
Trains
Morocco has a vastly improving train network particularly between the major cities. Tourists often and quite comfortably use the trains. Consult the Morocco National train service ONCF for times and fares.
We also recommend the excellent train site Man in Seat 61 for more information on train travel in Morocco.
Language
Morocco’s official language is Arabic although a large portion of the population speak French and/ or a Berber dialect. However most visitors find that they are never far from an English speaker wherever they are in Morocco (or at least someone who has enough English words to assist).
Religion
Islam is the official religion of Morocco although the country is famous for its relaxed liberal form of Islam, particularly where alcohol is concerned.
Internet access
Internet access in Morocco is proliferating fast and there are many internet cafes in the cities where you can pay a for an hour’s access. Your hotel front desk will know the latest and best cafes. However if you just want to check the news or email during your stay, your hotel will tend to oblige.
Useful Telephone Numbers
- Police: 19
- Directory enquiries: 160
- Gendarmerie Royale (for road assistance): 177
- Tourist Information Office: 022 22 15 24
- S.O.S Médecins Maroc (Emergency Medical Assistance): 022 82 82 82
- UK Embassy in Morocco (Rabat): 037 731 403 (from the UK, you would dial 00 212 3 7 731 403). Address is 17, avenue de la Tour Hassan, Rabat.
- Moroccan Embassy in the UK: Tel: 020 7581 5001/4 or fax 020 7225 3862 (49 Queensgate Gardens London SW7 5NE, opening hours: 10.00am-1.00pm Monday-Friday)
Public Holidays
- 1 January: New Year’s Day
- 11 January: Manifesto of Independence Day
- 1 May: Labour Day
- 30 July: Coronation Day
- 20 August: Anniversary of the Revolution
- 21 August: National Youth Day
- 6 November: Anniversary of the Green March
- 18 November: Independence Day
Ramadan, a month of day-time abstinence from food, drink, smoking and sex occurs some time in September to November.
Health Information
Health
No inoculations are officially required for visiting Morocco although it is always safe to be up-to-date with polio and tetanus. Malaria pills are only necessary for travel in the deep south of the country. Beware of altitude sickness when trekking in the higher regions of the Atlas Mountains, and of heatstroke or dehydration in the desert or arid areas. You should consult your local doctor about your travel to Morocco before your journey.
Naturally you should have travel and health insurance during your travels. And do be aware that E111 forms are not valid in Morocco. If you do get ill, don’t panic; ask your hotel to contact the local doctor who will speak French and usually English. Alternatively, go to one of the pharmacies in the towns and the pharmacist will give you provide you with relevant products or refer you to a doctor. The same applies to dentists.
Drinking water and food
Officially tap water is safe in the larger towns and cities of Morocco although in mountain and desert areas there is a risk of various nasties in the water. However, our advice is to always carry and drink bottled water (which is very cheap, particularly Morocco’s Sidi Haruzem brand, and available just about everywhere, even the remotest areas), avoid having ice in drinks from bars, and avoid eating food such as salad that has been washed in tap water. Some people say this is too cautious but, in our experience, the risk and effects of food poisoning means it is not worth taking any risks.
For food, apply sensible precautions by opting for hot, freshly cooked meals and avoiding raw or stale-looking fish or meat. Avoid fruit that you have not peel yourself and try and wash you hands before eating. Always use your common sense and if in any doubt about what you are being offered, play it safe and politely refuse.
A good rule of thumb, to avoid anything nasty in food, have a look at the cleanliness of an eatery and its staff before you order. If it is grubby at the front of house, it isn’t going to so different where the food is prepared!
To play it extra safe against water or food poisoning, it is worth buying some anti-diarrhoea pills before you travel in case you get 'the dreaded runs' while in Morocco. Pharmacies will give you some relevant pills which will mean you are well prepared in advance. If you don’t take any out with you, there are pharmacies in all towns and cities in Morocco.
For online guidance in the UK, we recommend:
Safety
Nuisances
For visitors in the major cities, a nuisance can be the unofficial guides who can be persistent in wanting to guide you through the shops of the Souks for a fee (though in reality they will cause you more expense by being in cahoots with the traders). In Marrakech, stricter policing and a tough vetting of the official guides have improved the situation although we say that guides are still vest avoided. To avoid the nuisance, a purposeful, emphatic, and polite 'no' will usually do the trick.
Most people do not need a guide for shopping and are even happy to feel a little lost in the Souks as part of the experience. If you do ever want to get some more direction or general advice, you can always ask your hotel or indeed another tourist (who looks like they know their way around)
Women
Many women travelers feel some trepidation in traveling to Morocco because of stories they have heard about being hastled. These tales are often generally overstated although if you are inappropriately dressed, you may well attract some degree of (relatively harmless) attention. If, however, you dress more sensibly and respectfully to the Moroccan culture (i.e. covering shoulders and at least some of your legs) most women find that there is little issue.
Culture
Religion
Travelers should be prepared for the daily presence of Islam, particularly the amplified early-morning prayer calls. Again, respectful behaviour on the part of us visitors is the recipe for getting on well with your hosts.
Tipping
Taxi drivers do not really expect a tip so only give on if you feel they have in some way gone beyond the call of duty for you. Waiters in restaurants should be tipped up to 10% of the bill. At informal cafes, the tip is normally 1-2 DH per person in the party. Hotel porters will appreciate 5–10 DH, as will anyone else who genuinely helps you out.
If you (like us!) dislike the western 'always-tip' culture, please don’t take a stand on the issue on the people of Morocco. 5DH can often mean a great deal more to them than it does to us and so, if they have done you some sort of service, then why not just offer a tip.
If venturing into the rural areas, it can be a good idea to carry with small presents such as sweets and crayons for children who will be interested to approach you.
Photographs
Always ask if you want to take photos of people in advance of doing so (even if they are part of your background shot). Women will usually turn away but men or children may ask for money. Keep small coins in your pocket as it is easier to smile and give them one than argue the toss.
A final request on culture
When you stay in Morocco (as in all overseas countries), the way of life and the local customs are naturally different to what we are used to. Hopefully this is what makes a visit to the country so memorable and enlightening. Sometime it is difficult for all of us to adjust instantly but please do not be too quick to expect your home standards of service and speed. Raising your voice or being overly-demanding at the first sign of a delay, in Morocco (as in almost everywhere else in the world), rarely gets you what you need or makes you feel any better. As a people, Moroccans are gentle and dignified and well-meaning - so smile and be respectful to them and enjoy the differences in culture. In our experience this is by far the best way to enjoy your time in Morocco.
Also, if you are travelling to Morocco, please do spend some moments reading our policy on responsible tourism and the environment. These are twovery important issues to us and we are always keen to promote them and to protect a country that we love. If you would like any further information on these issues, please do get in contact with the Morocco Gateway Team.