Basics

Plan up to one year in advance in order to reserve the hotels, private tours and adventures of your choice. And take care when selecting a guide. Ours was with us the entire time and made the trip all the more memorable.

A good time to visit Morocco is early spring, when it is lush and green throughout the fertile inland regions. Midsummer on the coast is especially pleasant, though it can get quite hot inland. With its moderate temperatures, autumn is ideal. And winter is relatively temperate too – you can generally expect warm days and cool nights.

Morocco is in the same time zone as the UK, so set your watch to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), five hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (+5EST). When it is noon in New York, it is 5pm in Morocco. Daylight Savings Time is not observed.

A valid passport is required to enter Morocco. Citizens of the European Union and the United States do not need a visa to enter if the stay is less than 90 days. You must have a legitimate reason to apply for an extension, however.

Generally, Morocco is a safe and peaceful country and should not be stigmatized based on its Islamic heritage and history. Like many places in our modern world, it has experienced limited terrorist attacks. So take reasonable precautions and get the latest travel advisories from your bureau of consular affairs. Check with the U.S. State Department for current bulletins on Morocco.

The most common problems are mild stomach upsets and diarrhea, usually caused by a change in diet as opposed to a problem with the food or drink. But you may prefer to play it safe and stick with bottled water. Should you need it, Imodium is an effective over-the-counter remedy for diarrhea. Vaccinations are not required unless visitors are coming from an at-risk area. Check with your doctor or the World Health Organization for current bulletins on Morocco. Although water in Morocco is mostly safe to drink, the south has been known to have a history of flatworms (bilharzias or schistosomiasis). You might think of packing some purification tablets - especially for the children.

Local Currency

Like several North African and Arab nations, Moroccans deal in dirham (dh) currency, and each is divided into 100 centimes. There are 10c, 20c, 50c, 1dh, 5dh and 10dh coins, while bills come in 10dh, 20dh, 50dh, 100dh and 200dh notes.

Banks and Exchange Offices

Banks are typically open limited hours Monday through Friday and closed weekends and holidays, but are most likely to give you the best exchange rates. Exchange offices often have extended hours. The airport Money Exchange Bureau can be very busy, but there are a couple of ATM machines at the airport located just inside or outside of the bureaus. It is forbidden to import or export dirhams.

Credit Cards and Travelers Checks

Most banks and exchange offices will accept traveler's checks. The most widely accepted credit cards are Visa and MasterCard, followed by American Express.

Tipping & Bargaining

Tipping 10-15% at restaurants and cafés is sufficient. Five or ten dirham should be given to anyone who helps you in some way. Bargaining, especially in the markets (souks), is a fun and respected tradition.

Dialing Codes

When dialing from abroad, dial the country code (212) + city area code + local number
To dial internationally, dial 00 + country code + area code + local number

Country Code
212

City Codes
Casablanca 22
Fez 55
Marrakech 24 or 44
Rabat 37
Tangiers 39

Information & Emergency Numbers

176 International directory
16 Operator (French-speaking)
19 Police
15 Public ambulance

Mobile Phones

Morocco mobile service providers use the European GSM 900 standard and have roaming agreements with most European networks, but check with your own provider before leaving home. Purchasing pre-paid SIM cards from one of the Moroccan network operators for local calls is also an option.

Electricity is 220V at 50Hz. You can also find outlets at 110 volts. If you are bringing any electrical appliances, a European transformer (round two-pin plug) can be used. Once in Morocco, buy them at the airport or in any electrical appliance shop.

Although less traditional than some, Morocco is a Muslim country. Hospitality is a time-honored tradition and refusing an invitation to drink a glass of tea or share a meal may be interpreted negatively. Utensils are not generally used, but only eat with your right hand as the left is reserved for personal hygiene.

Before asking for directions or making any other enquiries, always start with the customary greeting, "Salaam aleikoum." Failing to do so could make you seem overbearing or arrogant. Generally speaking a friendly, polite attitude makes all the difference in terms of service and might even give you a slight edge when bargaining in the souk.

Remember that modesty in dress is appreciated. Although city-dwelling Moroccan women commonly wear Western garb, minis and shorts are out. Pants work, as do dresses and skirts below the knee, but avoid anything tight or revealing. In the countryside and more conservative parts of town, female tourists should also keep their shoulders covered.

Don't enter a mosque without asking permission if you are not Muslim.

Don't take someone picture without asking permission.

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is a period of abstinence that requires fasting from sunup to sundown. Some restaurants may close during the day and shops and museums are likely to shut early. Non-Muslims and visitors are not expected to take part in the fast, though it is courteous to be discreet when eating, drinking or smoking during the day. At sunset, however, restaurants and cafes are abuzz with activity and may stay open late into the evening.

As Ramadan begins and ends with the sighting of the crescent moon (hilal), exact dates are difficult to predict and change from year to year. An approximate guide follows:

2012: July 20 to August 18
2013: July 9 to August 7