Mistral Travel sarl Mistral Travel sarl Essouira, MoroccoEssouira, Morocco

Information for Tourists Visiting MoroccoInformation for Tourists Visiting Morocco

Morocco is a beautiful country with welcoming people.

Arabic custom is to treat the visitor as an honoured guest

and children as a gift from God (Allah). Morocco is a land of

contrasts, from the Ancient Cities; Rabat, Meknes, Fes,

Marrakech a few of many to the incredible solitude of the

Sahara Desert and the spectacular Atlas and Rif Mountains.

Morocco also has thousands of kilometres of unspoilt

coastline, from the Mediterranean Sea in the north to the

Atlantic Ocean in the west. As a holiday destination

Morocco is almost unique in that the country is only a few

hours from mainland Europe yet thousands of years mainly

unchanged. The pace of life is different in Morocco from

that in most Western countries. It is much slower and less

frenetic. The Arabs have an expression often heard when

arranging meetings or anticipating events –“Inshalla”-(God

Willing). If it happens, it happens, if not, well next time

-“Inshalla”.

The following is some information for you to get the most

out of your visit. It is intended only as a guide.

Health and Safety :

Health : Important: You should ensure that you have

comprehensive Travel Insurance that covers you for any

activity that you may engage in whilst in Morocco. Morocco

does not have reciprocal health arrangements with the

European Union and many other countries. All major towns

and cities have hospitals and medical staff on call.

Merzouga and Zagora (Sahara Desert) have Infirmaries

with Doctor’s and Nurse’s also own Ambulance.

Water: The tour party should drink only bottled water and/or

soft drinks which are readily available and not tap water.

Groups: Groups should buy bottled water in bulk (it works

out cheaper). The Tour Manager can arrange this.

Immunisation: No immunisations are required by the

Moroccan Government for tourists visiting the country. It

may however be a wise precaution to consult a doctor

before leaving your country of origin. for advice.

Stomach ailments: As in most African countries stomach

ailments can cause problems for some people owing to the

different kinds of food and water encountered. Á propriety

brand of medicine e.g. Imodium can alleviate stomach

upsets such as diarrhoea but should only be taken with

medical advice from your local chemist or doctor.

Dogs: It is important that no one should approach or touch

the many dogs that are loose here in Morocco. These

animals are wild and Rabies is endemic in Morocco.

Drugs, Banned Substances: It is a serious offence in

Morocco punishable by long prison sentences to use, carry

or sell drugs such as Hashish and/or Kif. These substances

are readily available despite the penalties so everyone

should be warned that if offered these substances to decline

them and leave at once.

Sex: The age of consent in Morocco is sixteen for both

sexes. Prostitution is against the law as is Homosexuality.

Alcohol: Morocco is a Muslim country where the

consumption of alcohol is officially frowned upon. However,

alcohol is freely available in selected shops, in hotels and

some restaurants and there is no restriction on tourists who

wish to buy or consume alcoholic drinks. You should

however not openly carry and/or consume alcohol in the

streets or public places.

Tea: Tea is very common in Morocco and is consumed in

large quantities. The tea however is very different from

English tea. It can be very sweet, drunk without milk and

brewed with mint leaves in the pot.

Bibles: There is no religious discrimination in Morocco

however the authorities take a dim view of Christian

evangelical activity that actively tries to convert Moroccan

Moslems into Christians. The importation of Bibles in Arabic

is not allowed for this reason. You can of course bring your

own personal Bible if you so wish.

Food: The main dishes in Morocco are Tajine and Couscous.

Tajine refers to the earthenware pot with pointed lid and

also the particular choice of meal it contains e.g. Chicken

Tajine or Meat Tagine and so on. There are many variations

of Tajine in Morocco. but what they all have in common is

that all the ingredients are cooked together in the pot

(Tajine). Many regions of Morocco have their own speciality

food e.g. in the desert region of Merzouga, Kalia (mixture of

meats and herbs) and Mishwi (oven or spit roasted lamb). “

Bstila” is a chicken and almond pie that is a great favourite

with Moroccans and tourists alike.

Couscous: Semolina based, this food is steamed and mixed

with either meats, fish or just vegetables. In the family it is

presented on a large dish or plate in the centre of the table

for everyone to tuck into. The Moroccan way to eat

couscous is to use your hand to roll it into a ball (try it).

Note: You should avoid eating from roadside restaurants

where uncooked meat is un-refrigerated and health safety

standards are poor. Also. In Marrakech do not eat from the

stalls in Djemaa el-Fna square for the same reason.

Safety:

Hotels/Riads/Auberge are inspected for fire safety by the

local authority and have to be approved and registered.

Mistral Travel s.a.r.l. has conducted a risk assessment of all

the accommodation and is satisfied that fire safety

precautions are taken seriously by the management.

In most cases there is just one entrance to the

accommodation with a “Guardian” (night porter) on duty

throughout the night.

You should satisfy yourself when arriving at your

accommodation that you are familiar with the exits and

procedures in the unlikely event of having to evacuate the

building.

Normal safety precautions should be observed when walking

about the cities and towns.

Be extra careful when crossing the road/streets. Moroccans

drive on the right but can come from all directions,

especially the small motor-bikes and cyclists.

Don’t go out alone. Sight-See in groups if at all possible.

In the Auberge and Bivouac a torch would be most useful to

have.

When you go out tell someone when and where you are

going and expect to be back.

Take the telephone numbers given you and if lost telephone

the Tour Leader or Hotel. Do not ask a stranger to help you.

Under no circumstances go with people who ask you back to

their home or anywhere else. It is normal for Moroccans to

ask foreigners to take tea but politely decline.

Do not carry on general view expensive equipment such as

camera’s etc. or show large amounts of money when

purchasing gifts etc.

Sahara Desert: Under no circumstances should you wander

off on your own when in the desert. Distances can be very

misleading. What appears to be just a short distance can in

fact be a long way away. There are no reference points to

help you in the desert, one sand dune is very much like all

the rest so stay close to your companions and camp site and

only venture out with your guide. In southern Morocco the

sun can be very strong. Keep your head covered, stay in the

shade and don’t forget to drink plenty of water. In mid

summer to consume 5 litres of water a day is not

uncommon.

Sahara Desert Bivouac: Things to bring:-

Sleeping Bag (optional). Blankets are provided.

Torch (spare batteries)

Sun Glasses

Anti-Bacterial Wet-Wipes (use after washing,

hands/face etc.)

Light day clothes (ladies, trousers)

Soft Floppy Hat

Warm Pullover (night time)

Toilet Rolls

Insect repellant

Transport:

Mistral Travel s.a.r.l. operates only with modern vehicles. All

our vehicles are serviced every 5000 kms by the

manufacturing agent. In addition, they are inspected every

six months for their roadworthiness by Moroccan Ministry

of Transport inspectors. The vehicles are equipped with

seat belts and with a First Aid Kit and Fire Extinguisher. Our

drivers are employed for their experience and skills in

transporting tourists around Morocco as well as their

knowledge of Morocco, its customs and heritage. Every year

they have to undergo an eyesight test.

Special Conditions:

Photography:

Do not take pictures of the Police, Gendarmerie and/or the

Armed Forces.

Do not take pictures of people at prayer (you will often see

Moroccans praying in the street) this to include the inside of

the Mosques e.g. from the street.

Do not take pictures of ladies and/or girls without their

permission.

Note: Be warned that some Moroccans will ask for money to

be photographed.

Currency: Dirhams

Currently (June. 2010) the exchange rate for European Union

Euros is:-

1euro =11.2 Dirhams

The Moroccan Dirham is divided into 100 centimes. Notes

are 20,50,100,200. Dirham coins are in 1, 5, 10 and 5, 10,

20 and 50 centimes. You can use credit cards to withdraw

money from cash dispensers in most large towns. Only

change money in banks or Bureau de Change offices.

Dirhams are only obtainable in Morocco.

Note: It is illegal to take Dirhams out of the country. Keep

all evidence of transactions to change back any dirhams you

have left at the end of your holiday.

Annual Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit)

Casablanca: December 64º

Rabat: December 64º

Fez: December 61º

Marrakech: December 70º

Dress:

Light casual clothes are suitable for most people visiting

Morocco. In the evening it gets chilly so a warm pullover is

recommended. A waterproof is also useful. Ladies should

not wear provocative dress e.g. short skirts, halter tops etc.

in the streets as this may attract unwanted attention from

young men and censure from older people.

Friday Prayers and Opening Times:

Friday afternoons in Morocco are for attending the Mosque

and prayers. This means that all official offices e.g. the post

office, banks etc. close and most shops. The shops reopen

late afternoon. The faithful are called to prayer by loud

speakers on the top of the Mosque Mineret. You will hear

this call to prayer being broadcast in the cities and towns

during the day and at about 04.30hrs in the morning.

In Morocco the day starts early, 06.00hrs until mid-day when

there is a siesta until around 16.00hrs when it is business as

usual until late at night.

Ramadan:

Ramadan Holy month is round about the second or third

week of September. During this period Moroccans are not

permitted certain things like, eating and drinking during the

hours of daylight (children are excused). The opening hours

of shops, banks and post offices also change. Visitors

should be sensitive to the month of Ramadan in Morocco

and not openly eat or drink in the streets.

General Customs:

The first languages in Morocco are Arabic and Berber. The

second language is French. Most Moroccans speak French

but very few speak English. Morocco is a Muslim country

with Islam as the official religion. Access to Mosques and

holy places is forbidden to non-Muslims, although you can

visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca; the Mohammed V

Mausoleum in Rabat; and the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum in

Meknes. When greeting Moroccans, for foreigners, it is

enough just to shake hands. You will often see Moroccan

men kiss each other either once or twice on each cheek

when greeting each other. This is normal. Also quite often

you will see men and boys holding hands in the street. In

Morocco this is a sign of friendship.

Begging: Morocco is a poor country compared to the West.

There is very little social help for people who cannot support

themselves, especially in the countryside. You will often see

people, old and young asking for dirhams in the towns and

cities. Many will appear to you to be desperate but you

should not give them money.

Shopping: (“caveat emptor”)

Moroccan shopkeepers are amongst the best sales people

you will find. Especially in the souks (markets) they will try

many methods to get you to buy their goods. The art of

bargaining is tuned to a fine art in Morocco. Some useful

hints when shopping in the souks. If you are just window

shopping, keep moving and don’t show any interest in any

particular item. You can come back later.

Do not be tempted to go into a particular shop unless you

are seriously wanting to buy. Many shopkeepers will ask

you to come inside “just to look”. If you do decide to go

into shops, don’t be afraid to leave without buying however

friendly the owner is, they are used to people not buying.

Be sure of how much you are prepared to spend and do not

be persuaded to spend more.

Price: As an obvious tourist you will be charged more than if

you are Moroccan. Ask the price and insist on the

shopkeeper telling you how much. Do not say how much

you are prepared to pay.

In the souks you can negotiate the price always.

Just buy the item you want and not be persuaded to buy

anything you did not originally want.

Try and give the exact money. Check your change.

Telephone Number(s):

Tour Manager :-

Mobile Number: (00 212) 0661397280 (Maroc)

Mistral Travel (Essaouira) :-

Office Number/Fax: (00 212) (0) 24.47.61.29

Mobile Number: (00 212) 0670414809

Police: Tel: 19

Ambulance/Fire Service: Tel: 15

Information: Tel: 16

British Embassy (Rabat): Tel: (00 212) (37)-63-33-33

The Embassy is open to the public from 0800 am to 1615 p.m., from Monday to

Thursday, and from 0800 am to 1300 p.m. on Friday. Visa enquiries are dealt

with from 0800 am to 1200.The Embassy operates on reduced hours during

Ramadan (Muslim fasting month): From 0800 am to 1400 p.m., from Monday to

Thursday, and from 0800 am to 1300 p.m. on Friday.

British Consulate (Marrakech): Tel :(00 212) 024-43-50-95

Updated: June 2010