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Wolrd Morocco tours : Morocco Travel Information
- True to its reputation for tourism and its tradition of hosting, the Kingdom of Morocco is one of the most open nations. Citizens of 70 countries (as of 1 July 2017) can visit Morocco for a maximum of 90 days with no document other than their passport valid for at least 3 months on the date of arrival.
Example: If you land at Mohammed V Casablanca Airport on March 1st, your passport must still be valid until at least June 2nd. - Nationalities subject to visa: citizens of all other nationalities can obtain their visa in embassies.
- There are no special vaccination regulations for Morocco. Advisable are the usual vaccinations (hepatitis A / B, tetanus, polio and diphtheria). The danger of malaria infections does not exist in Morocco, accordingly no medical prophylaxis is necessary.
Even a basic vaccination against rabies is not necessary, but may be useful for risk groups (eg hunters). Who is not vaccinated against rabies, should in case of an animal bite (dog, cat, etc.) to see a doctor immediately and carry out the subsequent vaccination against rabies!
Consistent mosquito repellent in wetter seasons and areas and prudence with food intake and own hygiene protects against many infectious diseases
- The medical care in the cities is good and also designed for the needs of tourists.
In rural areas, the density of doctors is low, so a first-aid kit with intestinal therapeutics, disinfectants and painkillers should be part of the equipment. All larger places have a pharmacy, in the cities also night pharmacies. Generally, private hospitals are preferable to the state because they have a higher standard (better medicines, more hygiene, etc.).
- The official currency in Morocco is the Dirham (MAD). A dirham has 100 cents.
The import and export of the national currency is only allowed up to 1,000 dirhams in cash and should be declared. Already at the airport, as well as in all cities and small towns in the countryof morocco , debit cards (with a Maestro sign) make it easy to withdraw money from banks or ATMs.
Cash is to change at each bank to the current course. Common credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, Switchcard or Cirrus are widely accepted by banks, hotels, restaurants, riads and larger stores. Sometimes you can pay directly in euros, which often leads to a worse exchange rate.
- Morocco’s international code is +212.
Private phone booths are everywhere in Morocco, even in every village.
You can make local and international calls, but you need a lot of coins. Alternatively, there are the card-operated, public phones that are cheaper and more widely used.
The mobile network is very well developed in Morocco, by the way also in rural areas.
Prepaid cards cost about 50 dirhams and are the uncomplicated alternative to our German providers.
- The official state language is Arabic and amazight, the second official language is French.
In tourist regions and in big cities English is also more and more common. In the north, people often speak Spanish.
- The time is as GMT, whereby the change between summer and winter time can be made to different dates.
Since Morocco lies further west than Central Europe, the clocks must be reset at the beginning of the trip.
- Islam forbids believers to consume alcohol. International restaurants and hotels often serve alcoholic beverages. Only during the month of fasting Ramadan and three days before and after, there is no alcohol in Moroccan run restaurants. Supermarkets keep the liquor department closed before, during and after Ramadan. Generally you should pack your alcoholic beverages opaque. Often it is allowed in the accommodations on polite requests to take wine or beer in the accommodation and to drink there.
- Generally it is recommended to wear light cotton or linen clothing when traveling. These are breathable and provide protection from the sun. Short shorts are inappropriate outside the beaches and bathing promenades. Women who walk through rural settlements with shorts and tops are considered “naked.” Young Moroccans sometimes dress very sexy in the big cities, but foreigners should not use that as a benchmark.
- The overall crime rate is very low and violent crimes, as we often see in Europe, are rare in Morocco. Nevertheless, there are of course a few rules of conduct to consider. On the way no expensive electronic devices (laptop, iPhone etc.) or jewelery should be displayed openly. Opportunity makes thieves!
Purses and valuables are best stowed away in inside pockets or rucksacks, which you can wear when needed. After dark you should avoid dark neighborhoods and alleys, especially as a solo traveler.
The threat of terrorist attacks has increased worldwide in the past decade.
Also in Morocco, security measures have been significantly increased throughout the country since the Casablanca attack in 2003. Abductions of Western nationals by Islamist terrorist groups did not exist in Morocco until today. The Federal Foreign Office does not recommend traveling to the western Sahara annexed by Morocco. We do not offer travel to these regions.
From our own experience, we personally value the security level as very high.
- Alone travelers Women can move about safely if they observe some basic rules of conduct.
Foreign films, magazines, as well as eye contact, open hair, tight-fitting, tight clothing and bare skin, interpret many Moroccans as an invitation.A little restraint can be of great help here.
- The souks are a must. Many goods are still produced by hand in the backyards – eg tannery and pottery in Fes, leather, ceramic reed work in Rabat, as well as fabrics in Tangier.
Mousseems in the countryside, such as the carpet markets in Khemisset and Taznakht, are also very attractive.
With the exception of the “Maisons de l’Artisant” haggling is part of shopping. Tip: Start at 30% of the price quoted. In general: 10% less than the first price is always in it, 25% frequently and 50% possible. Overall, the range of handicraft products in Morocco is of good quality. Leather articles and ceramics may be chemically contaminated.
- Winter: Monday to Friday 8.30-11.30 and 14.30-17.00
Summer: Monday to Friday
30-14.00 In Ramadan: Monday to Friday 9.00 -15.00
On Friday and Sunday some shops may be closed.
- In Morocco there are three climatic regions: the coasts are characterized by the Mediterranean climate, the interior of the steppe climate and the south of the desert climate. From northeast to southwest there are four mountain ranges: Rif (highest peak 2456 m), Middle Atlas (3340 m), High Atlas (4165 m) and Anti-Atlas (2531 m). The Anti- Atlas is preceded in the northwest by a 200 km wide highlands (700 m), which gradually falls to the Atlantic coast and is bordered to the north by the Rif coastline. All year round, coastal areas have subtropical climates where average temperatures fluctuate only slightly.
- In the winter months of November to March, the average daily temperature is about 16 ° C and it is partly very rainy. The average daily temperature is 24-38 ° C in summer, more in the desert.
The area of Morocco, at 459,000 km², is a quarter larger than the area of Germany.
In addition, there is the West Sahara with an area of 252,100 km², which Morocco annexed in 1975.
The population is about 39 million and divided into about 70% Berber and 30% Arab Moroccans. 99% of Moroccans are Muslims.
The illiteracy rate is just under 40% and gross national income per capita per year is approximately $ 2,389. The unemployment rate is 10%.
- Major Islamic Holidays:
Breaking the fast at the end of 30-day Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) and the Eid al-Adha, as well as numerous local saints Mousses, are subject to the lunar calendar and are postponed by 10-11 each year days. During the time of Ramadan, believers are forbidden to eat, drink, smoke, or have sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk.
Please bear in mind that the burdens of fasting can be very high, especially on hot days.
In Ramadan, life is slower during the day, but Muslims are up late at night. Many restaurants open late, but stay open longer.
Every night is celebrated, which makes a trip to Ramadan a special experience.
Most sights are also open during Ramadan. ifno Morocco
Not all religious holidays are automatically “free days”.
- New Year: 1 January
- Declaration of Independence: January 11th
- Labor Day: May 1st
- Throne Festival: July 30th
- West-Sahara-Tag: 14. August
- National holiday: 20th of August
- Birthday of the King: 21st August
- Day of the Green March: 6 November ifno Morocco
- Independence Day: 18th of November.
- Please inform yourself before departure which souvenirs may or may not be exported. ifno Morocco
Often at the latest at the customs memorabilia seized and their attempted execution punished even criminally. Please keep in mind that for you the uniqueness of a souvenir is often justified by its rarity, its endangered stock. Many animal and plant species from which such souvenirs are made are threatened with extinction. These souvenirs are subject to strict import regulations. ifno Morocco
Please distance yourself clearly from the illegal and harmful trade in wild animals and plants. So you do not harm the flora and fauna of Morocco.