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General information
PHARMACIES: Everywhere you go you can find a sign (green circle with a white cross) announcing "Pharmacy". Drugs generally have the same name and are easily available. We recommend however, you travel with some provisions from your own pharmacy.
DOCTORS: In the big cities the medical consultations are good. The majority of Doctors have completed their studies in Europe and speak French or English. Fees must be paid in cash at the time of consultation.
BEGGING and CHARITY: In Islamic countries the act of begging is not dishonorable. That is why, non-Moslems should take consideration of this fact, by perhaps giving small amounts of money. However you should not give money to children, sometimes sweets and chocolate are preferable.
ENTRY: You require a valid passport for a minimum of three months. For entry and exit, you will receive a form on the airplane and/or boat which you must complete. Entry by identity card only is possible for groups.
BREAKFAST: Breakfast (apart from buffet) is very simple: tea or coffee, croissant, butter and marmalade.
PHOTOGRAPHY: It is allowed except for State buildings such as military ports and airports. As the Moroccan people photographed, it will be necessary to ask permission. Sometimes, in the Berber villages, the locals will ask for some money to be photographed.
MONEY: Moroccan currency is Dirham (MAD) which is subdivided into 100 cents. There are 20, 50, 100 and 200 MAD notes and coins from 1, 5 and 10 MAD. Moroccan currency cannot be taken out of the country. Visitors to the country can bring as much money as they want. Cash is more usual than credit cards, or Traveler-Cheques in EUROS.
In hotels and restaurants, generally only cash is accepted as means of payment, in big businesses, credit cards are welcomed. Credit cards issue at the banks via cash machine. Banks and hotels exchange money during the day without any additional commission.
HEALTH PRECAUTIONS: The Moroccan government does not require vaccinations for entry. You should take some precautions: Do not drink water at the hotels or take ice with your drinks; do not eat un-peeled fruits; do not eat salads, particularly in the south of the country.
BARGAINING: The negotiation of prices is necessary in the souvenir shops and the Souks, but it is not required usually for foodstuffs, in hotels, restaurants and modern "stores", these indicate their tariffs.
CLOTHING: Please wear sensible dress. Cotton clothing for the day, a warmer covering is essential for the cooler evenings. Please consider the aspect of Islamic morals: women should not wear provocative clothing. Wear shorts only on the beach.
CLIMATE: The average temperatures in the south of Morocco (Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Zagora, Erfoud): in winter is 19°/20°C, in summer they rise to 40 °C. In the north of Morocco (Fez, Meknes, Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier), where it can also rain in winter, the temperature reaches 15°C. In summer, the temperature at the coast is 30 °C and inland 35 °C. In the desert areas, the temperature drops at night. In winter, your trip to the Atlas can be cancelled by snowfalls. Information on weather forecasts is available on: www.wetteronline.de
CUISINE: In the majority of hotels, you will find the Moroccan, French and International cuisine. Alcoholic beverages are available in the majority of hotels. Fresh vegetables and fruits, aromatic spices, coastal fish and tasty meat are the base of Moroccan dishes. It is one of the best cuisines in the world. Below are some Moroccan principal dishes which we recommend you sample:
Couscous: The official and traditional dish of the families on Friday. You can find it each day in the restaurants. It differs according to the region, the ingredients and the way of cooking.
Tajine : The name indicates the container and the contents: meat, poultry or fish with vegetables.
Méchoui : Lamb barbecue
Pastilla : A very delicious Moroccan dish with chicken and almonds or fish
Mint tea : A very refreshing drink. The Moroccans take it with a lot of sugar
Moroccan Pastries: Pastries with honey, almonds, sesame seeds
MOSQUES: The mosques cannot be entered by non-Moslems. There are is an exception for the tomb of Moulay Ismail in Meknes, and part of the mosque Hassan II in Casablanca. Also, the mosques which are not used any more for prayer (Chellah in Rabat)
BANK OPENING HOURS: Banks and authorities are usually open from Monday to Friday from 08.30h to 11.30h and from 14.15h to 16.30h. During Ramadan from 09.00h to 13.45h, supermarkets are open for more hours and also at weekends
PRICES:
At the restaurant or hotel - more or less:
- Soft drink: Cola or Fanta or Sprite 15,00 MAD
- Beer 20,00 MAD
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- Bottle of wine 100,00 MAD
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- Bottle of mineral water 1,5 l 10,00 MAD
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- Bottle of aerated water, 1 l 10,00 MAD
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- Coffee or Tea 8,00 MAD
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- Stamps to the European Union 6,50 MAD
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RAMADAN:Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic year and for "Muslims" a month of fast. A change accompanies this sacred month consists in being deprived of water, food, cigarette and sexual relations from sunrise until sunset. In addition, the religious life must be intensified by respecting the schedules of prayer and making additional prayers.
RELIGION: The official religion of Morocco is Islam, with 99.0% of the population, about 0.2% is Jewish, and 1.0% belonging to other faiths.
SAFETY: As in other countries, when you travel to Morocco you must be careful. The following indications are advisable to travel safely:
- Mobile phones, video cameras and cameras should not be view
- Precious jewels should not worn
- Large amounts of cash should not be carried
- Lock your car before leaving it
LANGUAGE: Arabic is the national language which is spoken by the greatest part of the population. Berber dialects are the mother tongue of 40-60% of the Moroccan population. Since colonial times, french is the second language. It is also a commercial and administrative language beside Arabic. Spanish is still spoken in many cities of the old Spanish zone of North in particular in Tangier and Tetouan. English and German are little used, though often spoken in tourist centres and stations.
MODE: Constitutional democratic and social monarchy.
HEAD OF STATE: King Mohammed VI.
ELECTRICITY: 220 Volts, generally the same as in Europe.
PHONING: To call Morocco, its necessary to dial the prefix 00212, then the destination number required. To call from Morocco to Germany, it is necessary to dial 0049, to Austria dial 0043, and to Switzerland dial 0041.
The cost of communication from your hotel could be very expensive. You can phone with very competitive tariffs in the phone boxes which are available everywhere.
TIPPING: In Morocco you have to "supplement" each service you ask for. Generally, the tipping in the hotels, restaurant, reception and for the porters are included in the price of your trip. Otherwise it represents 10% of the amount of the invoice.
DAILY BEHAVIOUR: The majority of Moroccans have daily contacts with tourist. Please remain polite and tolerant. Never argue about their religion. Give due respect to the local traditions. Women should not wear provocative clothing.
VISA: Is not necessary for European Union residents
TIME: Morocco follows the same as Central Europe (MEZ) minus one hour. In summer, the time difference is two hours.
CUSTOMS ALLOWANCE: Per person, 200 cigarettes and 1 litre of alcohol are allowed. Plants and animals cannot be exported.
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