COUNTRY INFORMATION, FACTS & ADVICE

Morocco

The closest point of contact from Europe to Africa, the Kingdom of Morocco is home to numerous
vestiges of Phoenician, Roman, Carthaginian, Portuguese, and Spanish cultures. A country of
contrasts and diversity it offers a wealth of possibilities from the Roman ruins of Volubilis, Berber
villages and homes, thrilling Jamaa El Fna square in Marrakech, Fez medina (a UNESCO heritage
site) to the tented camp in the desert. Beautiful and varied landscapes display the picturesque
Atlas Mountains, white and blue Mediterranean and Atlantic coast and the remote Sahara Desert.
[Country]
Getting into Morocco

Please note this is a guide only – please check with your nearest Moroccan Embassy for up-to-
date information.

All visitors are required to carry a passport that is valid for six months beyond the intended length
of stay. There should be sufficient blank pages for entry stamps upon arrival.

Visitors from the United States and EU do not require visas to travel to Morocco. On arrival in
Morocco, you will be given an entry number. Please keep it handy as it will be asked for on arrival
in every hotel you stay in during your trip.

Please contact your local Moroccan Embassy to establish whether a visa is required.

Keeping Healthy in Morocco

No vaccinations are required for Morocco. While there is a limited risk of Malaria in some parts of
rural Morocco (remote areas of the sub-Saharan desert), it’s not recommended to take anti-
malarial drugs for travelers following standard city- based itineraries.

Warm temperatures and dry air rapidly evaporate the body’s supplies of moisture. Short-term
dehydration can cause various unpleasant symptoms including fever, headache and nausea.
Fortunately, these disappear rather quickly after a good long drink. We recommend that you drink
as much water as possible while on tour. You should not drink tap water in Morocco and avoid ice
in your drink unless it is made from mineral water. Abundant supplies of clean bottled drinking
water are available in your vehicle. Exercise caution when eating and drinking outside good hotels
and first-class restaurants and avoid eating fruit and vegetables if they have been peeled already.

Some of the places you’ll visit in Morocco are not easily accessible by vehicle. Sightseeing may
require, at minimum, the ability to walk at a moderate pace for a mile or two, and the balance and
agility necessary to climb stairs, enter and exit vehicles, and navigate uneven streets. Some
sightseeing stops do not have elevators or wheelchair access. High altitude may also be a
condition of your journey. If you or any member of your party has high blood pressure or a heart
condition, you should exercise extreme caution and carefully consider your participation in high
altitude activities.

For some activities such as camel riding or horse riding, if you do not feel comfortable doing it,
please let your guide or assistant know. It is also suggested that you bring a smaller traveler’s kit
with remedies for minor stomach ailments or motion sickness. You should include an adequate
supply (in your hand luggage) of any prescribed medication you may require while traveling.

Please advise A&K of any special dietary requirements/allergies at least 6 weeks prior to the
beginning of your journey. Every effort will be made to comply with your request. Travellers with
physical disabilities and those who require frequent or on-going medical attention should advise
A&K of their health situation at the time of booking (or at the time such a situation occurs should
this be after the reservation is made).

We do recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover you in the event of a
medical emergency.

Tipping

Tipping is not compulsory in Morocco. You are travelling on an independent itinerary and the cost
of your program does not include gratuities. Tipping is a very personal matter and should only be
considered when the staff have gone above and beyond for you. Should you feel you would like to
acknowledge their service, please consider the following as a rough guide, per person per day.

Type of Service Group Size (Number of People)

1 2 3 4 5-9 10+
Guide 30 25 20 15 12 10
Driver 20 15 13 10 10 10
Hotel Porters 5 5 5 5 5 5

Please note: Currency is in USD

The above tipping guidelines are recommendations only and are not compulsory. Please use your
own discretion in tipping, based on quality of service.

Restaurants
• Some restaurants automatically add a 5-10% service charge to your bill.
• It is customary to add about 10% to the bill in restaurants, if the service has been
satisfactory.

Taxis
Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped but they appreciate the fare being rounded up.

Local Lingo

Arabic and Berber are the official Languages, although French is widely spoken. In coastal towns
north of Morocco on the coastal towns some speak Spanish and Portuguese, while English is
widely understood in most Moroccan cities.

English French Moroccan Dialect

Good Morning Bonjour Sabah al kheyr
Good Evening Bonsoir Masa al kheyr
Good Bye Au revoir B’ slama
Please S'il vous plaît aafak
Thank You Merci Shukran
Yes Oui Naam
No Non La
Water Eau Ma
Good Bien mezyan
Money Argent F’lous
How much? Combien B’shhal
Where is? Où est Fein
OK D’accord wakha
Weather

Morocco has a diverse geography, from the cooler, wetter Mediterranean, and Atlantic coast in the
north, to the desperately hot, arid deserts and mountains of the south. You can encounter a wide
range of climatic conditions and you should be prepared. Wherever you go in the country, you
should carry bottled water with you, and drink as much as you can to ward off dehydration.

Best Season to Travel

March, April, May, part of June, September & October - perfect warm temperatures (25 to 35
degrees Celsius) in the south, very little chance of rain and warm evenings, except in March and
early April where evenings and mornings can be cooler (13° to 17°C).

Shoulder Season (winter)

Mid November to Mid-February is mostly warm (15 to 25 degrees Celsius) but can be very chilly in
evenings and it may rain but rarely for long periods.

Hot Season (summer)

Mid-June, July and August can be very hot in Marrakech and in the south (up to 45 degrees
Celsius), but more pleasant in the mountains and on the coast. We would suggest afternoons by
the pool or a siesta. Make use of the long days for sightseeing early in the morning and late in the
afternoon and enjoy the long warm evenings.

Getting into [C
y]
What to Pack

• First and foremost, we recommend layers to add and remove according to the varying
temperatures
• Blouses/shirts with long sleeves (even in summer, they will protect you from the sun)
• Cotton t-shirts and tops
• Fleece/jumper for the evening, temperatures drop at night in the desert
• Long trousers for the evenings for the same reason
• Light walking shoes/boots should you want to do any activities in the desert or mountains
• Sun hat, sunglasses, sunblock
• Women should bring a scarf to cover their head and shoulders when entering a Muslim site.
• Plug adapter: Morocco uses 127/220V 50Hz
Religion & Etiquette

Morocco is an Islamic country. The religion is an integral part of the culture. The holy book is the
Koran based on the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed. Each observant Muslim practices the
five tenets, called the Pillars of Islam. These require that the faithful profess their faith, pray five
times a day, practice charity, fast during Ramadan, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca. Morocco is a
land of tolerance, where Jews, Christians and Muslims live together in peace.

The main restriction a tourist will encounter is the prohibition on visiting mosques, unless you are
Muslim. There are certain historic mosques which allow visitors, and you should check for these
wherever you visit. The story of prohibition for non-Muslims to enter mosques goes back in history
to the French Resident - General Lyautey who made that compulsory in 1912 for fear that the
French colons would not respect the rules of the sites.

As in all foreign countries, it is considered polite to adhere to and show respect for local customs.
Urban culture is greatly influenced by Western culture, but in rural areas traditional values and
crafts continue. You should always ask permission before taking photographs of local people as
offence may easily be caused.

If you visit during the month of Ramadan when most people fast each day until sunset, you are
likely to have a somewhat different experience than a visit at other times of the year. However, you
won't be expected to fast and in almost everywhere you'll find places to eat during the day. It is
also a mark of respect to avoid smoking, drinking and eating in the streets during the fasting hours
of Ramadan.

Money

Currency
The local currency is the Dirham (Dhs). Foreign currencies can be converted at most banks, but it's
not wise to carry too much. Pounds Sterling, US Dollars or Euros can be changed into local
currency at any hotel, airport or bureau de change. The exchange rate is fairly fixed and
commission rates low or non-existent. It is illegal to import or export Moroccan currency. Please
keep your exchange receipts to change money back at the airport for your return journey.

ATMs and Banks

ATMs are installed in most towns providing a secure and cost-effective way to retrieve money from
your bank account or credit card (usually up to maximum of 4000 Dhs) - please check costs
involved with your bank or card issuer and stick to debit cards if possible.

It can be difficult to find an ATM machine that takes your card outside big cities so be sure you
have enough cash to carry you until the next major city. Don't put your card in an ATM unless you
see the symbol that matches your card on the machine.

Banks are generally open Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 16:00.

Credit cards
MasterCard, Visa and American Express are widely accepted, even in some shops in the souks,
particularly for carpets. However, it is advisable to have cash for petrol/diesel.

Traveler’s cheques are not accepted in Morocco

Time Zone

Morocco is on GMT+1 and GMT during Ramadan.

Local Food & Drink

Moroccan dishes are flavored with spices with the most well-known dish being the Tagine, a thick
vegetable and meat stew.

The secret ingredients of Moroccan cuisine are spices such as cinnamon, pepper, turmeric,
coriander, cumin and parsley, which are widely used all over the country.

Moroccan cuisine is a blend of flavors, often suggesting sweet and sour dishes such as the
Pastilla, a pie combining pigeon and almonds, prepared with filo pastry dusted with sugar and
cinnamon. Some of the regions have their specialties. Marrakech is well known for its Tanjia,
jugged beef or lamb, cooked very slowly in the embers of a hammam furnace.

The Moroccans love sweet pastries made of almonds, dates, dried fruits. One of the favorite
deserts is Kaab el Ghazal, which consists of almond paste stuffed in a pastry. Another commonly
consumed dessert is Halwa Shebakia, which are pieces of glazed and salted dough, deep-fried
and immersed in honey and topped with sesame seeds.

The national drink is mint tea, locally named Whisky Marocain. Drinking green tea with mint leaves
is an important ritual performed with family and friends. The locals love their tea with bubbles, and
that's the reason they hold their teapots high while pouring tea in glasses. Making tea involves a lot
of precision and technique, which goes a long way in determining the quality of tea.

Shopping

Souks and markets are a major feature in Moroccan life, and among the country’s greatest
attractions. You will find many unique items to shop for in Morocco. Some items to look out for are
locally embroidered clothing and Berber jewelry made from silver and natural stones and beads.
Moroccan handicrafts are made from many different materials, most of them according to
traditional methods passed through centuries. Fes is well known for blue and white pottery and
colorful mosaics. Morocco is famous by its leather goods and especially the bright colorful
babouches (traditional shoes). Moroccan carpets or the Berber kilims are also widely available in
the shops. Blacksmiths make beautiful and diverse lanterns using traditional methods. One of the
other popular souvenirs is the traditional tea pot with painted tea glasses.

You will find quite a variety of food products to purchase, such as tasty olives and delicious, sweet
argan oil. Spices are used in all Moroccan recipes to make it one of the world’s best cuisines.
Particularly, we suggest you look out for saffron and Ras el hanout, a blend of the best spices
featuring up to 25 ingredients and usually used for preparing tagines.

Those seeking authentic pieces of furniture can find painted wood doors, pottery vase or
sculptures dating from centuries. The quality of goods varies. Bargaining over the cost of goods is
an essential part of Moroccan business life and culture.

As a courtesy to our clients, our office will, if requested, help refer you to a shop that carries the
merchandise you are looking for. This is not intended as A&K's endorsement of the shop nor
responsibility for merchandise (or shipping arrangements) purchased from the shop.
Recommended Readings & Movies

Books

In Morocco (Edith Wharton)

In Morocco' is Edith Wharton's classic account of her journey to Morocco in the final days of World
War I. From Rabat and Fez to Moulay Idriss and Marrakech, Wharton explored the country and its
people as research for this book.

The Caliphs House (Tahir Shah)

Writer and film-maker Tahir Shah - in his 30s, married, with two small children - was beginning to
wilt under British city life. Flying in the face of friends' advice, he longed to fulfill his dream of
finding a place bursting with life, colour, history and romance - somewhere far removed from
London. Childhood memories of holidaying with his parents, led him to Morocco and to a
longabandoned residence on the edge of Casablanca's shanty town that, rumour had it, once
belonged to the city's Caliph. And so the story begins.

The Spiders House (Paul Bowles)

Fez, 1954, an American ex-pat Stenham reluctantly accepts a guide for his night-time walk home
through the streets of the Medina. A nationalist uprising is transforming the country, much to the
annoyance of Stenham, who enjoys the trappings of the old city. His path soon crosses with the
young, illiterate son of a healer, another outsider to the newly politicised life of Morocco, in this
brutally honest novel of life in the midst of terrorism, violence and the ugly opportunism that
accompanies both.

A Year in Marrakech (Peter Mayne)

This brilliantly entertaining, insightful classic account of Marrakech captures the rhythm and spirit of
life in the alleyways of the Medina in the 1950’s.

Living in Morocco (Lisl Dennis <Photographer> & Landt Dennis)

Glorious photos bring colorful interiors, distinct architecture and traditional folk art to life in this
celebration of Moroccan style and culture.

Marrakesh, through Writers’ Eyes (Barnaby Rogerson)

A choice collection of travel writing on the Red City by 40 luminaries, including George Orwell,
Winston Churchill, Gavin Maxwell and Peter Mayne.

Films

Casablanca (1942)
Set in unoccupied Africa during the early days of World War II: An American expatriate meets a
former lover, with unforeseen complications. ***About Morocco but not filmed in Morocco

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Epic rumination on a flamboyant and controversial British military figure and his conflicted loyalties
during wartime service. ***Filmed in Morocco but not about Morocco

Hideous Kinky (1999)

Hideous Kinky is the story of two sisters traveling with their hippie mother from London to Morocco.
They encounter many adventures, new experiences, and interesting culture as they tag along on
their mother's search for freedom and love. It is told through the eyes of the youngest girl.
And Now Ladies and Gentleman (2002)
Valentin is a criminal mastermind, but his exploits don't prove much in the way of satisfaction.
Thus, he sets out on a one-man sailing trip around the world in a last attempt at finding meaning in
his life. Meanwhile, in Morocco, a burned-out jazz singer named Jane is trying to forget a fizzled
love affair.

Sahara by Michael Palin, BBC Mini series (2002)

In this four part BBC television series presented by British comedian and travel presenter Michael
Palin. In it, Palin traveled around the Sahara Desert in Northern and Western Africa in four
episodes.