Beach

Q. Is the beach clean and safe for swimming?

A. Yes, the beach and sea are clean and safe.  It is a popular beach with locals in the summer months and everyone swims. In the peak season there is a life guard on the beach. 

Q. Can you wear a bikini/swimming shorts on the beach? 

A. Yes, wear normal bathing suits on the beach but you cannot sunbathe topless. 

Money

Q. Where can I get money changed in Morocco?

A.Guichets automatiques (ATMs) are now a common sight across Morocco and many accept Visa, MasterCard, Electron, Cirrus, Maestro and InterBank systems. Major credit cards are widely accepted in the main tourist centres, although their use often attracts a surcharge of around 5% from Moroccan businesses.American Express, Visa and Thomas Cook travellers cheques are widely accepted for exchange by banks.

Q. What is the custom with tipping in Morocco and can I bargain in the markets?

A. Tipping and bargaining are integral parts of Moroccan life. Practically any service can warrant a tip, and a few dirham for a service willingly rendered can make life a lot easier. Tipping between 5% and 10% of a restaurant bill is appropriate. A supply of small coins is vital for the payment of taxis, tips and guides. It is a good idea to load up at a bank when you arrive so you are well prepared.

Food and Drink

Q. Can I drink the water?

A. No. The water to the houses is brought in by tanker and stored in huge tanks. In the Blue house this tank is under the patio  a the back of the of the property. In the White Apartment this tank is on the roof terrace. These tanks are cleaned regulary and the water is very safe for washing but we do advise against drinking or cooking with the water. Instead large bottles of water are available everywhere at very little cost.

Q. What is the local food like?

A. Moroccan cooking is good and filling. The main dish is usually a tajine, essentially a stew. Classic tajines include chicken with lemon and olives, and lamb with prunes and almonds. The most famous Moroccan dish – Berber rather than Arab in origin – is couscous , a huge bowl of steamed semolina piled with vegetables, mutton, chicken or fish. Restaurant starters include salade marocaine, a finely chopped salad of tomato and cucumber, or soup, most often the spicy, bean-based harira, followed by couscous, tajine, kebab (brochette), or something like a Western meat-and-two-veg main course. Dessert will probably be fruit, yogurt or a pastry. Restaurants at all levels may offer a set menu, often a bargain at 60–100dh in even quite fancy places.

The national drink is thé à la menthe – green tea with a large bunch of mint and a massive amount of sugar. Coffee (café in French; qahwa in Arabic) is best in French-style cafés. Many cafés and street stalls sell fresh-squeezed orange juice and mineral water is readily available.
 
Q. Do they have food for vegetarians?
 
A. A huge part of the Moroccan diet is made up with wonderful fresh vegetables and many of there dishes contain nothing but veg. However it is worth nothing that vegetarianism itself is not widely understood and meat stock may be added even to vegetable dishes, so please be aware.
 
Q. What if I am invited to eat in someones house?
 
A. If you are lucky enough to invited to eat you will  certainly have a lovely filling meal, the Moroccans are wonderful generous hosts.  It is traditional to bring a small gift , often sweet pastries from one of the many bakeries are given.  You're unlikely to use a knife and fork; copy your hosts and eat only with your right hand. Moroccans often eat many courses over a long period of time and if it for dinner, late into the night. Sit back and enjoy yourself, it is perfectly acceptable to snooze laid out on the bench like seats, while you digest all that cous cous.
 
Q. Can I buy alcohol?
 
A. As an Islamic nation, Morocco gives alcohol a low profile, and it's generally impossible to buy any in the Medinas. Not however in the many shops which have a licence. You can find these shops all over Tangiers, look out for signs for the national beer Flag. The often sell as wide a range of alcohol as you would find in a supermarket in the UK.  Moroccan wines, usually red, can be very drinkable, while the best beer is Flag Speciale.
 
Q. Are there bars and clubs?
 
A. There are bars and clubs to be found in all major cities.Tangiers has a large range of bars and clubs (many of them to be found along the the Tangiers beach front) Most bars tend be male dominated, however if you are female and decide to give them a visit you will be treated with interest but always with the up most respect and can have (in my experience) a wonderful time. In the high summer months the bars and clubs fill with a huge influx of expat European Moroccans who come back for their holidays. Then the they feel like any other bar or night club in Europe, however the prices can be steep.

Communication

Q. Where can I get stamps and how do I send things home?

A. Post offices (PTT) open Mon– Thurs 8.30am–12.15pm & 2.30–6.30pm, Fri 8.30–11.30am & 3–6.30pm. Central post offices in large cities will be open longer hours, except in summer and Ramadan. You can also buy stamps at postcard shops and sometimes at tobacconists. Always post items at a PTT.

Q. How easy is it to call or e-mail home?

A. International phone calls are best made with a phonecard (from post offices and some tobacconists). Alternatively, there are privately run téléboutiques, open late. You must dial all nine digits of Moroccan phone numbers. There are no phone lines down onto the beach, so at this time there is no Internet available in the houses, however in town Internet access is available pretty much everywhere, and at low rates: 10dh/hr is typical.  

Opening Hours and Holidays

Q. What are the shop opening hours?

A. Shops and stalls in the souk (bazaar) areas open roughly 9am–1pm & 3–6pm. Ville Nouvelle shops are also likely to close for lunch, and also once a week, usually Sunday.

Q. What national holidays are there?

A. Islamic religious holidays are calculated on the lunar calendar and change each year. 

 For 2010/ 11/ 12 they (provisionally) as follows:

 The Muslim New Year:                                                                                                                                                                      2010 - 7th December,                                         2011 - 26th November                                          2012 - 15 November  

Ramadan (when all Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset)                                                                                                                        2010, 11th August  - 8th September                   2011, 1st August  - 29th  August                           2012 - 20th July -  18th August

 Non-Muslims are not expected to observe Ramadan, but should be sensitive about not breaking the fast in public. The end of Ramadan is celebrated with Aïd es Seghir (aka Aïd el Fitr), a two-day holiday.

Secular holidays are considered less important, with most public services (except banks and offices) operating normally even during the two biggest ones – the Feast of the Throne (July 30), and Independence Day (Nov 18).

 

Climate and when to go

Q. What is the best time to visit?

A. Morocco is at its best in spring (mid-March to May), when the country is lush and green, followed by autumn (September to November), when the heat of summer has eased. During the summer the North Coast is very popular weather being the same as the South Coast of Spain. However please note the north coast and the Rif Mountains can get wet and cloudy in late winter and early spring, please check with a forcast if you are considering travelling during this time.                                                            Apart from the weather, the timing of Ramadan (the traditional Muslim month of fasting and purification) is another important consideration. For Europeans Ramadan can be a wonderful time to visit the beach as it becomes much quieter as the locals tend not to swim during Ramadan. However as some restaurants and cafés close during the day and general business hours are reduced it is worth thinking about this when you are planning your trip.

Cars and getting about

Q. Do you need a car to stay at the beach?

A. Yes we do think it is advisable to have a car. It is a  steep 15 min walk from the beach to the main road, and another 3 kms to the nearest bus stop at M'nar. However if you really want a week just staying on the beach with only a few trips into town, then you could use the grand taxi's to get in and out of Tangiers. You can always find one (in Tangiers town) who will give you his no and collect you from the beach. The cost should be around 100-150 Dh.

 

Q. Can I take my own car (if driving instead of flying) over to Morocco?

A. Yes all the ferries to Morocco take passenger cars. You will need the registration document (the VIN is required for the forms)Most insurance companies do not cover Africa so check with your policyholder.  The Moroccan offer car insurance at Tangiers ferry port for tourists from 1 day to 3 months. This is an inexpensive and easy way to cover yourself for the duration of the holiday. The office is located in front of the banks.   If you enter Morocco with a vehicle, the registration number will be entered in the immigration computer.  If you are not in possession of the same vehicle when leaving Morocco, you will be refused exit and detained.

 

Q. Can you rent a car in Spain and take it to Morocco?

A. No, as there are different rules of insurance no companies allow you to take rented cars over to Morocco.

 

Q. Is it easy to rent a car in Tangiers?

A.Tangiers offers both large international agencies like Avis, Hertz ect, at the airport and in town and smaller agencies that offer a good price and a good service. Our agent can help arrange a car on arrival.  

 

Q. Do you need a licence to drive in Morocco?

A. Yes any one driving a car (their own or rented) must have a valid full driving licence.  These can be checked by the police at routine checkpoints.

 
Q. What other forms of transport are there if we want to explore Morocco?
 
A. The train network is limited, but for travel between the major cities, trains are the best option. Major stations have free timetables, printed by ONCF, the national train company. Couchettes (90dh extra) are available on trains from Tangier to Marrakesh (9hr 30min), and are worth the money for extra comfort and security.
Collective grands taxis are usually big Peugeots or Mercedes, plying set routes for a set fare and are much quicker than buses, though the drivers can be reckless. Make clear you only want une place (one seat), otherwise drivers may assume you want to charter the whole car. Within towns petits taxis do short trips, carrying up to three people. They queue in central locations and at stations and can be hailed on streets when they're empty. Payment – usually no more than 15dh – relates to distance travelled.
Buses are marginally cheaper than grands taxis, and cover longer distances, but are much slower. CTM (the national company) are most reliable. An additional express service is run by Supratours.
 
Cultural
 
Q. Do I have to dress or behave in a certain way?
 
A. Morocco is a Muslim country, and in rural areas particularly, people can be quite conservative about dress and displays of affection. It's not the done thing to kiss and cuddle in public. Shorts or skirts above the knee are frowned upon, and women are best advised to wear baggy clothes, long sleeves and long skirts.
 
Q. I am invited to someone's house is there any special I should know?
 
A. When invited into people's homes, remove footwear before entering the reception rooms.
 
 
Safety and Health
 
Q. Is healthcare good in Morocco?
 
A.  Moroccan pharmacists are well trained and dispense a wide range of drugs. In most cities there is a night pharmacy, often at the town hall, and a rota of pharmacies de garde which stay open till late and at weekends. You can get a list of English-speaking doctors in major cities from consulates.
 
Q. Do you need any special vaccinations for Morocco?
 
A. Make sure all your normal boosters are up to date and please check with your doctor for specific advice.
 
 
Q. Is it safe in Morocco?
 
A. Yes, Morocco is very safe. There are two main types of police – grey-clad gendarmes, with authority outside city limits; and the navy-clad sûreté in towns. There's sometimes a brigade of "tourist police" too. On the beach there is are guards in military uniform. They are there to make sure the Moroccan boarder is kept secure.
 
Q. Can you smoke marijuana in Morocco?
 
A. Steer clear of marijuana (kif) and hashish – it's illegal, and buying it leaves you vulnerable to scams, as well as potentially large fines and prison
 
Language
 
Moroccan Arabic is the country's official language, with three Berber dialects, but much of the country is bilingual in French.
 
For some useful Arabic words and phrases.
 
English Moroccan Arabic
Yes Eyeh
No La
Please (to a man) Minfadlak
Please (to a woman) Minfadlik
Thank you Shukran
Hello Assalam aleikum
Goodbye Bissalama
Excuse me Issmahli
Where? Fayn?
Good Mezziyen
Bad Mish Mezziyen
Near (here) Krayb (min hina)
Far Baeed
Cheap Rkhis
Expensive Ghalee
Open Mahlul
Closed Masdud
Today El Yoom
Yesterday Imbarih
Tomorrow Ghedda
How much is....? Shahal…?
What time is it? Shahal fisa'a?
I (m) don't understand Ana mish fahim
I (f) don't understand Ana mish fahma
Do you (m) speak English? Takellem iIngleezi?
Do you (f) speak English? Takelma ingleezi?
One Wahad
Two Jooj
Three Tlata
Four Arba'a
Five Khamsa
Six Sitta
Seven Seba'a
Eight Temeniya
Nine Tisaoud
Ten Ashra

 

 

British Consulate - TANGIERS
Georgina BUTLER, HM Consul
Trafalgar House
9 Rue Amerique du Sud
Tangiers 90000 - BP. 1203
Morocco
Tel:  00 212 39 93 69 39/40
Fax:  00 212 39 93 69 14

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