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Useful
Information
Getting to Morocco
by plane
Morocco has 14 international airports: Agadir, AI
Hoceima, Casablanca, Dakhla, Essaouira, Fez,
Laâyoune, Marrakech, Nador, Ouarzazate, Oujda,
Rabat-Salé, Tangier and Tetouan. Royal Air Maroc and
other leading international and charter airlines
provide fast and regular services from major cities
in Europe, North America and the Middle East. For
example: Casablanca is around 1 heur by air from
Madrid, 3 heurs from Paris and 61/2 heurs from New
York.
Getting to Morocco
by car, train or boat
To drive to Morocco, you head for Algeciras in
Spain. You can travel by car, motorbike, coach or
car sleeper. You can cross the Straits of Gibraltar
by car ferry to Tangier (2h30) or Ceuta ( lh30).
Ferries aise operate from Sete (France) to Tangier
(the crossing takes 36 heurs) and from Almeria to
Nador or Melilla. There is no particular formality
required of motorists. However, selling a vehicle or
leaving it as surety are prohibited. lnsurance is
compulsory. Obtain a green card before your
departure or at the frontier. For caravans, trailers
and motor boats, a customs certificate or triptych
is required. You are advised to obtain an
international camping and caravanning passbook. Cars,
caravans and mobile homes are not allowed to stay in
Morocco more than 6 months.
Formalities
Do not forget your passport and check its validity.
If your trip is organised by a travel agent, groups
of more than three people from some countries
require no more than an identity card. Some
nationalities need to have a visa. Ask the Moroccan
Consulate for information. A "tourist" visit is
limited to three months. If you take your pet with
you, obtain a health certificate no more than 10
days old, as well as an anti rabies certificate less
than 6 months old.
Currency
The Moroccan currency is the Dirham (DH) divided
into 100 centimes. There are 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200
DH notes, 1, 5 and 10 DH coins and 5, 10, 20 and 50
centime coins. You can only obtain Dirhams in
Morocco. Do not change money in the streets, it is
illegal. The best place to change it is at a bank or
approved change office (indicated by a golden sign).
No commission is charged and you will be given a
slip which will be required at the end of your stay
to change any remaining Dirhams back into the
original currency. You can withdraw money in banks
with a credit card and a cheque book, or directly
from a cash dispenser in some large towns. Credit
cards are generally accepted in major hotels, shops
and restaurants, and sometimes even in the souks!
Health
Morocco is a safe country, however a certain number
of minimal precautions should be taken, particularly
in the south: avoid water from oueds (rivers) and
itinerant water sellers. Refresh yourself with the
excellent bottled spring water: Sidi Harazem,
Imouzzer and Sidi Ali are still waters, while Oulmès
is sparkling. If you are prone to intestinal
problems, take an appropriate medicine with you.
Make enquiries before swimming in a oued (river) or
a lake. Take precautions against insect bites and
sunburn. If necessary, tourist offices and major
hotels can put you in touch with doctors who speak
English, French or other languages.
Electricity
220 volts in new buildings, 110 in older ones,
sometimes both - make enquiries. Power points are of
the French type. The frequency used is 50 Hz
Telecommunications
220 Public telephones are available in major cities.
Telexes,telegrams can be send from your hotel or
through the main post office.
Useful links:
http://www.toubkalguide.com
http://www.morocco-guide.com
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