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Practical information Morocco

flag Morocco

In brief

Visa :
No
Vaccinations :
No
Currency :
Moroccan dirham
Capitale :
Rabat
Languages :
arabic

Our expert Morocco

Neil Kreeger Section editor

only a third of the story is completed, watch this space!

map of Morocco

map of Morocco

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Weather Morocco

Morocco : Travel Information before you go!

formalite

Area

105969  sq.mi
langue

Languages

The language used in schools, government services and the media is classical Arabic, though the language which is spoken daily is dialectal Arabic. Berber is mainly spoken in the Rif, Atlas and Souss. Most Moroccans speak French, and some speak Spanish or English.
formalite

Population

32,993,000 inhabitants
vol

Flights

formalite

Required travel documents for Morocco

To enter the Moroccan territory, you must have a valid passport. Be aware that the law prohibits the import or export of the dirham.
religion

Religion

Islam (Sunni) is the official religion. Christians and Jews form a minority.
monnaie

Currency

The Moroccan currency is the Dirham (MAD), which consists of 100 Centimes and is only available in Morocco. Money can be exchanged in banks and in accredited establishments, which are indicated by a golden plaque. Once the transaction is complete, you will be given a slip which you will be asked to present at the end of your stay if you wish to convert your left over Dirhams into your own currency. ATM machines in the cities accept all international credit cards, but you can also withdraw money over the counter at a bank using a credit card or cheque book. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 8:15am to 11:30am and from 2:15pm to 4:00pm in winter, from 8:00am to 11:30am and 3:00pm to 5:00pm in summer, and from 9:30am to 2:00pm during Ramadan. Larger hotels, restaurants, shops and even certain stalls in the souks also accept credit cards.
transports

Transport

The best way to get around Morocco is by car-with the added benefit that you can stop at will to enjoy the landscape. There are several car rentals in Ouarzazate, but you need an international driving license and you should be careful not only of other drivers, but also of cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, carts and even animals. Make sure that your car is appropriate for your itinerary; if your itinerary crosses lots of dirt tracks opt for a 4x4. After checking the wheels and the spare tyre, you can drive on all of the roads, though it's still a good idea to seek advice on the state of the tracks and the footpaths. The bus is the most common means of transportation in the country, and can take you just about anywhere you need to go. Otherwise, there are interior flights connecting Ouarzazate to the big cities as well as 'big taxis' providing a shuttle service between the airports, the cities and the suburbs. Where possible, agree on the price before taking a taxi, particularly if the taxi has no meter.
santé

Health

No particular vaccine is required. Avoid drinking tap water and the water sold by itinerant sellers. Opt for mineral water: Sidi Harazem, Imouzzer, Sidi Ali and Oulmès spring waters are sold in bottles.Find out more information before swimming in wadis. Do not forget tablets for your stomach if it is delicate, and take precautions against insect bites and the sun. No vaccination certificate is required.
electricité

Electricity

Voltage of 220 V in new buildings, 110 V in old ones, sometimes both. Bring an adapter.
frequentation

Attendance

Morocco welcomed over 8 million tourists in 2009.
taxe

Taxes

Tipping, or a baksheesh, is a widely established custom in the tradition of the country. For some, it is the only source of revenue. According to custom, it is better to leave smaller sums, but often. Calculate between 10 and 15% of the total in restaurants if the service isn't included, 10% for taxis, between 5 to 10 dirhams (less than a pound) for the valet at the hotel, and the same amount for luggage. When you leave the hotel you will be asked to pay a mini-tax, which will be added to a fund for the promotion of tourism.
reperes

Landmark

Morocco, 3 Regions :