When to go
The inland city of Marrakech in Morocco has a semi-arid climate. If you can't stand the heat, it's best not to plan your trip during the summer, as temperatures in Marrakech exceed 39°C every day. On the other hand, the city is at its best between September and November. In fact, the sunshine rate in Marrakech is excellent in autumn, with an average of only four days of rain during the month. Spring is also an excellent time to visit, with the months of March, April, May and June enjoying ideal levels of sunshine. In addition, temperatures in Marrakech during these periods generally hover around 25-28°C.
Health
There are no compulsory vaccinations, but we recommend that you are up to date with the usual vaccinations. This will depend on your travel conditions, but in some cases vaccinations against typhoid, meningitis and hepatitis A and B may be recommended by your doctor.
Remember to wash your hands well before each meal and try to eat local food. There is less risk from eating couscous, tajines and méchouis, which are cooked en masse and served steamed, than from eating meat in a burger, tartar or other western dish. Remember to drink mineral water; the bottle must be opened in front of you. As for the toilet, there is no risk in brushing your teeth with tap water, but we advise you to use filtered water.
Safety
Marrakech is a relatively safe city, but we recommend that you take a taxi at night to get around the area. Some locals may be very pushy and want to show you the city, take you to your hotel or simply encourage you to buy something - firmly refuse! Despite their persistence, we do not feel unsafe and there is very little risk of aggression. It is important to remain alert without becoming paranoid.
Language
The language of education, administration and the media is classical Arabic; the language of everyday life is dialectal Arabic and Berber, spoken mainly in the Rif, Atlas and Souss regions. Most Moroccans speak French, as well as Spanish and English.
Electrical appliances
Sockets used in Morocco are type C and E, just as in most European countries. You will need an adaptor as they are not the same as the UK!
Currency
The official currency in Morocco is the dirham, abbreviated MAD. As Marrakech is very popular with tourists, it is easy to find an exchange office or even exchange money directly at the hotel; remember to check the exchange rate first. There are also ATMs everywhere. Most restaurants, hotels and tourist activities accept credit cards, so you can choose this method of payment.
Tips
Tipping, or bakchich, is a custom deeply rooted in the country's tradition. For some, it is the only source of income. According to the custom, it is better to tip little but often. In restaurants, expect to give between 10 and 15% of the total amount if the service is not included, 10% for taxis, between 5 and 10 dirhams for the hotel valet and the same amount for luggage. When you leave the hotel, you will be asked to pay a mini-tax, which goes to the Tourism Promotion Fund.
What to eat
Moroccan cuisine is excellent and offers a variety of dishes with subtle and varied flavours. Couscous is, of course, the most typical Moroccan dish, but you can also try lamb, beef or chicken tagines. The pastilla can be sweet, savoury or a mixture of the two. Bricks or chorba are appetising starters. The pastries will delight gourmets. And at the end of the meal, have a mint tea.
