Beach

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.

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.