Tips for Travelers
Time: Local time is GMT.
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. European two-pin round plugs are in use.
Language: Arabic is the official language, but eight other languages are also spoken including Berber, French and Spanish. English is generally understood in the tourist areas, but French is the most widely spoken.
Communications: The international access code for Morocco is +212. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code. City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)524 for Marrakech
Travel Health: No vaccinations are required to enter Morocco. It is advisable to drink bottled water outside the main cities and towns and avoid street food. Medical facilities are good in all major towns. Health insurance is essential.
Visa Information
Entry requirements for Americans: United States citizens require a passport, but no visa for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British citizens require a passport, but no visa for a stay of up to three months, providing the passport is endorsed British Citizen, British National (Overseas) or British Subject, with the right of abode in the U.K. In all other cases a visa is required.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian citizens require a passport, but no visa for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australians must have a passport. No visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans require a passport and must apply for a visa in South Africa, for travel to Morocco.
Entry requirements for New Zealand nationals: New Zealand nationals require a passport, but no visa is necessary for a stay of up to three months.
Passport/Visa Note: Proof of sufficient funds are required for visa and entry approval.
Visa requirement web-site: http://www.maec.gov.ma/en/default.html
Places to visit
Marrakesh is a cultural and historical center, rich with monuments and museums, namely :
- The Koutoubia (the bookseller’s mosque) built in the 12th century is contemporary to the Giralda in Sevilla (Spain) and the Hassan Tower in Rabat.
- The Medina with its intricate alleys and its lively souk (market).
- The El-Badi castle dating back to the 16th century and host of the National Folklore Festival.
- Dar Si Saïd which harbours the Museum of Moroccan Arts.
- The walls of the medina and its numerous doors like Bab Doukkala, Bab El Khemis.
- The Menara built in the 12th century and its surrounding olive plantation and the central water reservoir.
- The Bahia Palace built among 2 acres of exotic gardens with many luxurious rooms.
- The Majorelle Garden, built in 1920, characterised by luxurious vegetation belonging to Yves St Laurent.
Touristic sites
http://www.ilovemarrakech.com/
Marrakech travel guide from Wikitravel http://wikitravel.org/en/Marrakech
Official site of the city of Marrakech (Arabic, French) http://www.ville-marrakech.ma/
Currency
The unit of currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD), which is divided into 100 centimes. Currency can be exchanged at banks, official bureaux de changes, and hotels.
Weather
The weather in Marrakech is sunny nearly all year round, with hot summers and mild winters. The hottest months of the year are July and August, but there is no humidity so temperatures are generally bearable. Winter can bring heavy downpours of rain and winter nights can be cold. In November temperatures range between 12oC at night and 26oC during the day.