Morocco

Morocco is a country that located in the north-west of Africa. It’s considered to be the gateway of Africa and it’s balcony to Europe and Latin America hence it’s just an hour’s ride on the ferry from Spain. Morocco is mixed between Arabs and Berbers who settle in the mountains and the desert. Al-Maghreb as the natives spell it, is a country of dizzying diversity, here you’ll find epic mountain ranges, ancient cities, sweeping desert and warm hospitality.

From the Mediterranean coast to the high Atlas Mountains, beyond which the country stretches out into the boundless expanses of the Sahara desert, Morocco forms a gigantic semicircle facing onto the Atlantic Ocean. Its major towns and cities, the focus on the country’s economic and political activity, are located along the Atlantic seaboard from Tangier to Agadir and from Fes to Rabat.

Topography, climate and history have together created a multifaceted country which offers everything from beaches, high mountains, valleys and fertile agricultural land with almond and peach trees to majestic mountains an extensive desert dotted with oasis and palm groves. In secret Medinas (old part of the cities), in labyrinthine souks, or at the foot of Almohad and Merinid minarets, traders and artisans can be seen continuing ancient artistic traditions.

 

Language

 

Linguistically speaking, Morocco has two official languages, Arabic (Darija) and Berber (Amazigh), and French is a second spreaded language.

 

Time 

 

GMT+1 (GMT time in Ramadan)

 

Currency

 

Moroccan Dirham (MAD)

10MAD = 1€

09MAD = 1$

 

Mobile Phone

 

Local mobile SIM cards are a cheaper option for unlocked phones, otherwise GSM phones works on roaming 

 

Money

 

Anywhere in Morocco you can find ATMs, credit cards are widly accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops,

 

Vaccinations:

 

No vaccinations are needed for Morocco's guests. During your sojourn, it is preferable to drink only bottled water, otherwise it is alright to shower and brush your teeth using tap water.

 

Arriving in Morocco

     ·       Casablanca: Mohamed V International Airport

     ·       Tangier: Tanger med ferry Terminal / Ibn Battuta Airport

     ·       Marrakech: Menara Airport

     ·       Fes: Fes-Saiss Airport

     ·       Agadir: Al-Massira International Airport

Home-cooked meals

 

     1.        Tagine

     2.        Tangia

     3.        Couscous

     4.        Rfisa

     5.        Berber Pizza

     6.        Harira

*** and more other meals are awaiting!

 

Important Phone Numbers

     ·       Ambulance: 15

     ·       Fire: 15

     ·       Police (urban areas - inside cities): 19

     ·       Gendarmerie (police in rural areas - outside cities): 177

*NOTE: Try to dial the local four-digit area code even if you are dialling from the same town or code area

 

Opening Hours

 

We, in Morocco, keep the European week, otherwise some businesses may close early or completely on Friday. Exact opening hours may vary:

     ·       BANKS: 8:30am TO 16:00pm - Monday to Friday and some of them open Saturday morning

     ·       Restaurants: 12:00 (noon) to 16:00pm - 18:00pm to 1:00am

     ·       Cafes: 6:00am till later

     ·       Bars: 17:00pm to 2:00am

     ·       Shops: 9:00 am 12:30pm - 14:30pm to 20:00pm (some close in Friday for prayer)

     ·       Government offices (Administration): 9:00am to 17:00pm - Monday to Friday

*NOTE: in Ramadan work hours may be severely truncated.

 

Shopping:

 

You cannot come to Morocco and leave without a souvenir. For travelling to Morocco is a dream come true for shopping enthusiasts as it is a shoppers’ paradise offering hand-blown pottery, Argan oil that exist only in Morocco, inlaid wood boxes, silver, Berber jewellery, brass, bio rose products, hand-made Berber carpets, antiques, leather wear, spices, perfumes, alabaster, embroidered covers, wall hangings and furniture and many other hand-made authentic stuff.

 

Tipping:

 

As many other countries that rely on sharing and supporting, you’ll soon note that tipping is part of our Moroccan culture when you travel around, though you should also take into consideration that it is not compulsory and should only be given if good service is received. Although all tourism workers do get paid decent fixed salaries, they use tips to supplement their income. For, waiters/waitresses, hotel bellboys and porters, 20 Dirhams = 2 Euro or more is customary. In small taxis (their color differs from a city to another), pay according to what you have at the counter on the driving board. Guests should consider tipping their guide, driver on tours, hotel staff, and waiters/waitress in restaurants if they're pleased with their services.