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MOROCCO - INFORMATION FOR TOURISTS

LANGUAGE

The language used in Moroccan schools, government services and the media (Newspapers,TV,Radio) is classical Arabic, though the language which is spoken daily is dialectal Arabic. Berber is mainly spoken in the Rif, Atlas and Souss regions. Most Moroccans speak French language, and some speak Spanish (mostly north Morocco) or English.

POPULATION  2,993,000

REQUIRED TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

To enter the Moroccan territory , you must have a valid passport . Be aware that Moroccan law prohibits the import or export of the dirham (MAD=Moroccan Dirham =Moroccan currency).

RELIGION

Islam (Sunni) is the official state religion. Christians and Jews form a minority. You can read more about Islam here.

CURRENCY

The Moroccan currency is the Dirham (MAD), which consists of 100 Centimes and is only available in Morocco. Money can be exchanged in banks and in accredited establishments. Once the transaction is complete, you will be given a slip which you will be asked to present at the end of your stay if you wish to convert your left over Dirhams into your own currency. ATM machines in the cities accept all interna tional credit cards. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 8:15am to 11:30am and from 2:15pm to 4:00pm in winter, from 8:00am to 11:30am and 3:00pm to 5:00pm in summer, and from 9:30am to 2:00pm during Ramadan. Larger hotels, restaurants, shops and even certain stalls in the souks also accept credit cards. ou can check the exchange rate for your desired currency.

HELATH

No particular vaccine is required. Avoid drinking tap water and the water sold by itinerant sellers. Opt for mineral water: Sidi Harazem, Imouzzer, Sidi Ali and Oulmès spring waters are sold in bottles.Find out more information before swimming in wadis. Do not forget tablets for your stomach if it is delicate, and take precautions against insect bites and the sun. No vaccination certificate is required.

ELECTRICITY

Voltage of 220 V in new buildings, 110 V in old ones, sometimes both.

TAXES

Tipping, or a baksheesh, is a widely established custom in the tradition of the country. For some, it is the only source of revenue. According to custom, it is better to leave smaller sums, but often. Calculate between 10 and 15% of the total in restaurants if the service isn't included, 10% for taxis, between 5 to 10 dirhams (less than a pound) for the valet at the hotel, and the same amount for luggage. When you leave the hotel you will be asked to pay a mini-tax, which will be added to a fund for the promotion of tourism.

CULTURE

Islam sets the pace of the day with its five calls to prayer. This is done by the muezzin from the minaret. The Moroccans fast and abstain from drinking, smoking and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan. Religious life in Morocco strictly adheres to the Muslim calendar: the Hegira, the day Mohammed left Mecca for Medina, marks year I. The Hegiran year has twelve lunar months of 29-30 days and is therefore shorter than the solar year by an average of eleven to twelve days.

FLIGHTS

Morocco has three main international airports: Casablanca, Tangier and Agadir. You can also fly direct to Fes, Marrakech and Oujda from Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin and other European cities. Most long distance flights will arrive in Casablanca. It's a modern airport with plenty of transport options to take you in to the center of town or to other destinations in Morocco. You can take a train to the city center or grande taxi (about 250 Dirhams).

Most major European airlines fly to into Morocco including British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, Alitalia, Sabena and Swissair. There are also several budget and charter airlines operating from Europe to Morocco including Atlas Blue North Africa's first low cost airline.