|
Embassy
of the Kingdom of Morocco
USA-Chancery: 1601- 21st St. NW. 20009 (462-7979 to
7982, inclusive). (FAX 265-0161)
---------------
USA Embassy of
Morocco
2 Avenue de Marrakech-Rabat, Morocco
Consulate General of the United States of America-8
Boulevard Moulay Youssef
Casablanca, Morocco
-------------------
Netherlands,
holland Adresse de la Chancellerie
B.P. 329 - Rabat 40 Rue de Tunis - Quartier Tour Hassan
Téléphone (03) 773 35 12 - Télécopie (03) 773 33 33
Pour des renseignements sur des visas ou des légalisations,
téléphonez au numéro : 09 04 10 44 (6 dirhams par minute)
http://www.mtds.com/nlgovrab/f_explorer.html
Things
you should know
You
are allowed into the country for up to three months
with a valid passport and a hotel booking. If you want
to drive there you will need your driver’s licence
and an International insurance policy.The official language
is Arabic, however most people also speak French.Morocco
is a Muslim country and, particularly in the little
villages, people feel very strongly about their traditions,
thus you should try to respect their habits: never enter
a mosque with your shoes on, if you are invited into
someone’s house and there is a rug on the floor,
also take your shoes off. Never eat with your left hand
and never use it to touch a child or to give a present.
If you want to take a picture always ask for permission
first. During the Ramadan period, try and show respect
by not indulging in food and drink in public places.
How
to get there
There
are flights to Agadir or Casablanca from most European capitals:
See "Useful
links" back on the page.
Train
If
travelling by train, you should try and get to Algesiras
in Spain and then take a boat to Tangiers or Ceuta.
The same if you go by car.How to get around:The ONCF
railway connects all the main cities, the railway and
bus service works better in the southern part of the
country (Essouira and Agadir).
The roads:
Morocco has a good network of roads and people drive
on the right. Avoid driving at night and if you decide
to go into the desert make sure you have plenty of petrol
and water with you. It is easy to rent cars. The road
signs are in two languages in the cities but if you
go into the countryside do not get off main roads unless
you have a very good map.
Climate
The
temperature range between day and night is very significant,
you will always need a sweater and, if you are planning
to spend a night in the desert be aware that it is very
cold and prepare yourself for it.
Money
and banks
The
official money is the DIRHAM.
The currency exange is about: 1 Dollar u.s.a = Dhr 10.853
1 Livre Sterling = Dhr 15.765. Most hotels, restaurants
and antique shops accept credit cards. It is forbidden
to export Moroccan money and it is not possible to exchange
it therefore you should try and spend all your local
money before you leave. There are no restrictions on
the amounts of foreign currencies imported. There are
banknotes of 10, 50, 100 and 200 DH. In the cities banks
have cash points and they are open between 8 and 11,30
a.m. and between 2 and 4,30 p.m. In the summer they
sometimes don’t close at lunchtime.
Do not change money in the street as it is illegal.
Hotels
Hotels
can be the centre of your holiday, the concierge
can organise everything for you: car, official guide
etc.
The cost varies between 300 and
3,000 DH per night.
Restaurants
There
are all types of restaurants and they can cost anything
between 15 and 350 DH per meal, the latter cost
would generally include a show.ElectricityBe careful
because they have sockets of both 220 and 110 volts.
Do ask if you are not sure.
Attention!
Thelephone
All big cities have both mobile phones and fixed lines.
Morocco is part of the GSM network so European mobile
telephones will work there.
Health care
You will have to pay for health care so it is advisable
to take out an insurance. Always drink bottled water.
Should you need a doctor you can ask the hotel you are
staying at or the Consulate for a number. In case of
an emergency, dial 15 which is the number for first
aid.
Money and how to spend
it
the relationship with money is different in Morocco.
Begging is almost a duty and any little favour has to
be paid for, so do give out Bakchich (tips) of a few
Dirham to those who help you in any way.
Also, bargaining is fun and is an occasion to meet and
talk so if you refuse to do it you will look rude and
arrogant. You are on holidays, take your time to talk
and have fun, it will pay back. Of course this is not
the case in Supermarkets and when buying medicines.
Special warnings
If you go into the desert do not forget to take some
snake bite serum and always shake out your shoes before
putting them on in the morning as there might be a scorpion
inside.
Do not forget to take some serious sun protection!
|
