MOROCCO MINI GUIDE

Morocco: General information

Location: Africa

Local time: GMT

Capital: Rabat

Language: Arabic, Berber, French, Spanish, English

Electricity: 110/220V AC 50Hz

International direct dialling code: 212

Driving: Driving is on the right. National licence. International Driving Permit or UK licence required

Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD 1 = 100 Centimes)
Notes: MAD: 20, 50, 100, 200
Coins: MAD: 1, 2, 5, 10. Centimes: 5, 10, 20, 50

Traditions/Mores: Business is conducted in French but many executives speak English and some Spanish. Bargaining is a way of life and it is important to be patient. Care should be taken to respect Muslim and other religious conventions. Laws on alcohol are quite libertarian

Emergency services: Police: 19. Fire: 15. Ambulance: 777

Climate

The northern coast and interior mountains have a Mediterranean climate although the Atlantic coast is slightly cooler than the Mediterranean coast in winter. Inland in the High Atlas mountains the climate is influenced by altitude and winter snowfall can be heavy. Inland at lower levels summers are very hot although winter and spring days can be chilly. The Saharan region has typically hot summers and mild winters

Air Travel

Morocco’s national airline is Royal Air Maroc (AT) (website: www.royalairmaroc.com). Other airlines serving Morocco include Air France, Alitalia, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa and SWISS. There are frequent direct flights from all major European cities, from North America and from the Middle East.

Approximate flight times:

From Casablanca to London is three hours; from Tangier is two hours 30 minutes. From Casablanca to New York is six hours 30 minutes.

International airports:

Casablanca (CMN) (Mohammed V) is 30km (19 miles) south of the city (travel time – 35 minutes). Airport facilities include outgoing duty free shop, post office, banking and bureau de change facilities, restaurant, bar and car hire facilities (Avis, Budget, Europcar, InterRent and Hertz). There are taxi services into Casablanca and train services available to Rabat.
Tangier (TNG) (Boukhalef Souahel) is 11km (7 miles) from the city (travel time – 20 minutes). Airport facilities include outgoing duty free shop, banking and bureau de change facilities, restaurant, bar and car hire facilities (Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Tourist Car). Bus and taxi services are available into Tangier.
Other international airports include Fez (FEZ), Marrakech (RAK) and Rabat-Salé (RBA).

MOROCCO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where to find cheap, possibly non-stop tickets to Morocco? Can I get the best lowest airfare at the last moment? Which airlines fly to Morocco? Which travel documents, passport, visa required, what are health immunization requirements in Morocco.

Recommended immunisations:

*diphtheria, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, polio, *TB, tetanus, typhoid
* recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month

Health risks in Morocco:

Malaria, very limited risk from May-Oct in certain rural areas of Chefchaouen Province. Rabies

Moroccan Passports

Required, but NOT by the following:
1) Holders of Laissez-Passer issued or validated by a Moroccan diplomatic representation abroad

Notes:

Passport validity: Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from date of entry

Moroccan Visas

The following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of Morocco
2) For stays up to 3 months by:
a) Holders of British passports endorsed `British Citizen`
b) Nationals of Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Congo, Cote d`Ivoire, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland Rep, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Kuwait, Latvia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States & Venezuela

Notes:

For stays over 3 months, application must be made to the police authorities within 15 days of arrival

Transit

Required by all except those as noted above and:
1) Persons continuing their journey to a third country by the same or first connecting aircraft on the same day without leaving the airport, provided holding confirmed onward tickets (except natives of Algeria)

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