.

For information on the climate of Morocco, together with a six-day forecast, visit our Morocco Weather Page.

Telephone

Public telephones are found in all the cities of Morocco. You can also use the telekiosques or teleboutiques. These are privately operated telephone offices. International subscriber dialling, though expensive, is available all over Morocco. If you have many international calls to make, however, head for the Spanish enclaves of Melilla or Ceuta, where the rates are reasonable. All outgoing international calls need to be prefixed with 00.

Useful Numbers

It is advisable to remember some numbers when you visit Morocco.
- Police: 19
- Fire Services: 15
- Highway Emergency Services: 177
- Information: 160
- International Information: 120
- Telegrams and Telephone: 140
- Intercity: 100.

Mobile telephony in Morocco operates on the GSM network. Maroc Telecom (www.iam.net.ma) and Meditel (www.meditel.ma) are the major mobile operators. Prepaid cards can be bought from any of the numerous shops carrying the Maroc Telecom sign. Do look up GSMWorld for more information on coverage, roaming partners and other mobile facilities. A prepaid SIM card on the Jawal Carte plan costs 3 Euros (30 DH) with an airtime of 1Euro (10 DH). Local calls cost around 3 DH to 4 DH while SMS are charged at 3 DH. International calls to Europe are charged at 10 DH. The SIM card is valid for a period of six months.

Post

The postal service in Morocco is reliable. Major cities offer postal restante facilities for a nominal fee. But do carry your passport or some other identification when collecting your mail. The postal authorities in Morocco inspect all freight before it is despatched, so do not seal your packages before this formality is completed.

Post Office working hours:

Monday - Friday: 8.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon; 2.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Saturday: 8.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.

Email and Internet

The Internet is widely used in Morocco. Its connectivity and speed are comparable to international standards, especially in North Morocco, but rural areas have a slightly slower speed. Internet cafés are found aplenty in all the major cities as well as in small towns that are frequented by tourists. Located near the telekiosque offices, these cafés operate late into the night and charge around 4 to10 dirhams per hour. You can also take printouts and burn your CDs here at a nominal extra cost.

The currency of Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham, which is denoted as MAD or DH.

1 Moroccan Dirham = 100 centimes.

Notes are available in the denominations of Dh 10, 20, 50,100 and 200. Coins are minted in the denominations of Dh 1, 5 and 10 and 5, 10, 20 and 50 centimes.

Currency Exchange

Moroccan Dirhams are available only in Morocco. You can exchange them at the official exchange bureaux, which are demarcated by their golden sign, or at banks and exchange desks at the Casablanca airport. Major post offices, which function till late in the day, also exchange currencies. If you are really strapped for cash, step across to the closest ATM, which also exchanges currency at the official rate. The only drawback of exchanging through an ATM is that there are limits to the amount that you can withdraw in a single day. Official exchange establishments do not charge any commission for exchange. They, however, furnish a receipt which is necessary if you wish to reconvert the Moroccan Dirhams into the original currency.

Exchanging currency at unauthorized agents or on the street is illegal.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

Larger hotels, restaurants, guest houses and some shops in the souk accept some credit cards. Banks have installed ATMs all over Morocco, but it may not be easy to find an ATM that accepts your card as many ATMs accept only Moroccan cards. Do not insert your ATM card unless you have matched the symbol on your card with that on the machine or you may lose it! Also, do not use the ATMs at the post office.

Traveller's cheques

Do carry your travellers' cheques in US Dollars or Pounds. Cheques in other currencies attract an additional surcharge.

Currency Restrictions

There are stringent restrictions that apply on currency brought in and taken out.

Banking Hours

Monday - Thursday: 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.; 3.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Friday: 8.30 a.m. to 12.00 p.m.; 3.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.

Do carry as much small change as you can and keep the larger notes hidden away in a separate place.

Electricity in Morocco is 110/220 volts AC, 50Hz, depending on the age and location of the building.

To view a list of Morocco embassies around the world, including foreign embassies within Morocco, click on this link to EmbassyWorld.com.

Population - 33.8 million people
Total Area - 710,850 sq km
Capital - Rabat (1.6 million people)
Time Zone - Standard time zone: GMT

To view the current time in Rabat, click on this link to TimeAndDate.com.

Morocco is divided into three natural geographical regions: the fertile coastal plains, the semi arid areas and the lowlands and the rich plateaus.

The coastal plain lies along the Mediterranean Sea. Er Rif, the range with mountains of varying elevations up to 8,000 feet, lies in this region. 

The rich plateaus and the lowlands lie between the Atlas Mountains. These mountains stretch in three parallel ranges from the Atlantic coast in the south western region to the Mediterranean coast and Algeria in the north eastern region. Some of North Africa's highest peaks are found in these mountains, which have an average altitude of about 11,000 feet. Mount Toubkal, with a height of 13,665 feet, is the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains. The Anti-Atlas Mountains lie to the south of the Atlas Mountains. Mt. Siroua, the 10,000 foot high volcanic mountain, is found in here.

The semi arid area of eastern and southern Morocco merges into the Sahara Desert.

Morocco has the most widespread river system in North Africa. Most of its major rivers flow southeast towards the Sahara or northwest to the Atlantic. The Gheris and Ziz flow to the Sahara. The Sous, Draa, Tensift, Bouregreg, Sebou and Oumer rivers flow into the Atlantic Ocean. The Moulouya is the only river that flows from the Atlas Mountains to the Mediterranean Sea.

The ports of Melilla and Ceuta lie along the northern coast and are governed by Spain.

Inoculations

Inoculations are not mandatory for travellers entering Morocco. However, it is advisable to check with the CDC's web pages for recent outbreaks of diseases and take necessary precautions accordingly. A tetanus injection is always recommended and so is a course of Hepatitis A vaccinations if you are planning to experiment with food! Sometimes, travellers are advised to inoculate themselves against Hepatitis B and even tuberculosis.

Food and Drink

Water in areas other than in the main towns and cities is likely to be contaminated and needs to be sterilized. Do stick to bottled mineral water. It is the safest for short term travellers. Milk is not pasteurized and must be boiled before drinking. Stick to hot and freshly cooked fish and meat. Ensure that the vegetables are properly cooked and fruits washed. Most of the food in Morocco is grown organically, without fertilizers and pesticides.

Shoes

Do use footwear that covers you feet completely because the Moroccan roads double up as garbage dumps and you will otherwise find your feet raking up parts of a chicken or fish. Tevas and sandals are best used at the beaches.

Malaria

Some coastal areas and regions in the north have witnessed outbreaks of malaria. It is advisable to use long sleeved clothes and carry a mosquito repellent cream. If you are really worried about this, do consult a doctor for a course of anti-malarial medication before you leave.

Health Care

The medical facilities in Morocco are adequate. There are many day and night pharmacies. Clinics around important hotels function beyond normal working hours and government hospitals provide inexpensive and sometimes free emergency care.

The Imazighen or free men or Berbers have lived in Morocco for thousands of years. There was a time when they controlled the entire region between Egypt and Morocco. Although they are divided into many tribes and clans, the Berbers as a whole have aggressively safeguarded their independence. In the seventh century, armies from Arabia conquered many territories and Islam gained importance and prominence. Many dynasties came and went. In the 1630s, the Alawite family gained power and has clung to it to this day. The sensible and realistic Alawite family has succeeded in retaining Morocco's independence for over three hundred years, against all odds.

By the 1800s, European traders had discovered Morocco and paved the way for colonial domination. Germany, Spain and France all tried to capture Morocco for its strategic location and rich natural resources. By 1912, France had occupied almost the entire country. Thus began Morocco's long war for independence from the French; this ended only in 1956 when Tangier, the international city, was given to Morocco. Though the King still holds the reigns of power, political reforms led to the setting up of a bicameral legislature in 1997. In the late seventies, Morocco captured Western Sahara. Western Sahara continues to be a disputed territory till today, though the Moroccan government goes to great lengths to hide the issue. All the maps of Morocco show Western Sahara as an integral part of Morocco!

The press in Morocco is reasonably free. It is subject to censorship only when it criticises the government or deliberates on the West Saharan issue.

The predominant language spoken in Morocco is Arabic. If you do not speak Arabic then even French will do as it is widely spoken, except in the north where Berber and Spanish are the preferred languages. Those who don't speak French or Arabic are at a distinct disadvantage with the guides and merchants. Other than hotel managers and some shop owners, it is mostly touts and dubious guides who speak Spanish or English in the areas frequented by tourists. So do carry a dictionary that translates from English to French.

Moroccan Arabic is derived from Maghreb Arabic and differs from the Arabic that is spoken in the Middle East. It carries shades of French and Spanish depending on the region.

The Berber people of Morocco speak Berber or Amazigh. The people in the Northern Mountains of Morocco speak Tarifit while those in the south speak Tachelheet. Tamazight is the dialect in Central Morocco.

Moroccans are generally warm, friendly, open and humorous people. They are very hospitable and ever ready to help, be it on the road, in the bus or in a restaurant. A kiss on the cheek or in the air is very common, especially among friends. If you have patience (because some interactions can be really long!) and enjoy people then Morocco is the place for you.

Non-Muslim tourists are prohibited from entering mosques. This is sad because these mosques are full of aesthetic beauty and artistry. Certain mosques of historical significance do allow non-Muslims to enter - do not give them a miss!

Despite being an Islamic country, Morocco is very liberal. While consumption and sale of alcohol is not prohibited, it is strictly regulated and alcohol licenses are very expensive. Alcohol is served very discreetly on terraces and inside houses. Bars, restaurants and hotels also serve alcohol. Do not offer alcohol to a Muslim unless he is already having one or if you are in a bar. Also do not drink in the vicinity of a mosque. Smoking is quite common and permitted in Morocco. Do take care to use the smoking sections of restaurants and hotels if you are a smoker.

Muslims are always conservative in their dress. Both women and men cover their bodies completely unless they are at the beach or engaged in heavy manual activity. Do take care to dress decently so as not to offend the Moroccan sensibilities.

It is safe for women to travel alone, provided they are decently dressed. There is always somebody to help them, befriend them and even propose marriage!

If you are offered tea, politeness demands that you take a sip.

Do watch out for people who approach you out of the blue and offer an experience of a lifetime. Invariably, such people finally take tourists to those shops where they will get a commission. Some others are out only to rip off the tourist. If you are planning to use the services of a guide, beware, for he too will take you to only those shops where he will get a commission of almost 40%. Tipping the guide is an established practice.

Do not approach the sellers in the souk for information.

Follow the link to view a current list of public holidays in Morocco.

Morocco is primarily an Islamic country. It is, however, very liberal in its practice of Islam. Religion is woven into the very fabric of existence. The devout Moroccan follows the Koran, which is based on Prophet Mohammed's teachings. He/She also practices the Pillars of Islam or the five tenets of Islam. These include praying five times a day, practising charity, fasting during the month of Ramadan, professing their faith and making a pilgrimage to Mecca. A visit to Morocco during the Ramadan, when the Muslims fast every day till sunset, is an entirely different experience altogether.

But Morocco is home to Hindus, Christians and Jews as well. Its culture is an amalgam of Mediterranean, Jewish, African, Arabian and Berber influences.

Citizens of South Africa, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Belgium require a visa to enter Morocco. Citizens of other countries do not require a visa. Instead, they are issued a permit on arrival, which is valid for a period of three months.

The charge for a single entry visa is £ 17 while double or multiple entry visas carry a charge of £ 26. The double or multiple entry visas are issued only at the discretion of the Moroccan embassy. Visas are valid for a period of 90 days.

In order to process a visa, you must submit the application form duly completed, along with four passport size photographs that are not more than six months old. You must also submit a valid passport with one empty page, with photocopies of other relevant pages, photocopies of flight and hotel reservations and the visa fee, payable only by postal order. All these documents must be sent to the Moroccan Embassy, which will then take about 5 to 6 working days to process them and issue a visa.

Extending your visa is a time consuming and frustrating exercise. It is easier to slip into Melilla and Ceuta, which are under Spanish control, and re-enter Morocco!