Frequently Asked Questions about Morocco
What is the best time to travel?
Morocco has various different climate zones. The Atlantic coast and the northerly hill country, in which Meknes and Fès are situated, enjoy a warm sea climate with limited precipitation throughout the year. The higher mountain areas can get rather chilly.
In summer, the days are hot here, and the nights are nice and fresh. In the south of the country, both Marrakech and the region behind the High Atlas have very limited precipitation, hot summers and large differences in temperature between day and night.
The temperature in the Atlas Mountains is around zero from January till March, while the heat in the desert can reach temperatures of around 50 degrees in July and August.
In general, the spring and the autumn offer a highly pleasant climate and would be the best times to travel.
What are the best festivals and when do they take place?
As the Islamic calendar is based on the observance of the moon, the festive days are on different days each year. In 2008, the Eid al Adha (feast of sacrifice) is on 8 December. The Eid al Fitr, the feast marking the end of fasting, is on the 30th September. These festivals are celebrated all over Morocco.When does the tour start?
All of our tours start at 12:00 hrs at the hotel where we spend our first night .Your room will be available to check-in from this time. If you arrive later, no worries, your tour leader will meet up with you at some point to brief you.Can I pre-book transfers and extra nights?
We are unable to offer airport transfers but we do have the option to book pre-tour/post-tour nights if you have chosen to arrive earlier/leave later. Prices for these extra nights are available on the tour information page.
What about my passport?
You need a passport that is valid at least 6 months from the date of departure. You are responsible for having a valid passport and visa when you travel.Do I need a visa?
UK citizens do not need a visa for Morocco, but these things can change. So please
click here and check out the current situation. You can also check on that website if a visa is required for any other nationality. Make sure you inquire at least a month before departure if you need a visa so you do not run out of time.
If you need a visa, please
click here to find details of the embassy you need to contact unless you use a visa service. Shoestring does not organize your visa. You are responsible for having a valid passport and visa when you travel. You can also obtain the visa through a specialized visa agency like
http://www.travcour.com/. It is a good idea to visit this website in any case, as it provides much more detail on exceptions etc.
Do I need vaccinations or malaria tablets?
Please
click here for questions regarding vaccinations or malaria tablets for this country and contact your local practitioner or a specialized health centre and make an appointment to get your shots and pills. Please make sure that you allow at least six weeks for a full program. People who already have had a few shots might do with two weeks. You are responsible for having the right protection when going on tour.
What is the recommended currency for Morocco?
The currency in Morocco is the Moroccan dirham (MAD). There are cash machines in the majority of places for you to withdraw the local currency. You may also take US dollar or pounds sterling travellers cheques to exchange locally.What kind of clothing and other stuff is practical to take?
You should bring a pair of well worn-in walking boots and a pair of flip-flops - that is all your feet will need. In the months of April to October, summer clothing and a sweater for cool evenings will do perfectly. In the winter months (from December to February), evenings, nights and mornings can be cold, especially in the north, the mountains and the desert. When travelling in this period, take a warm jacket, rain gear and a fleece jacket. Otherwise, remember the following: sun tan lotion and after-sun lotion, a good pair of sunglasses, toiletries, travel first-aid kit, hat or scarf, camera, (spare) camera batteries or film, penlight, pocket knife (do not put in hand luggage during the flight!), lighter, a small amount of snacks or sweets, individually packed, alarm clock, towel, pen and paper, books, valid passport, sufficient cash, copies of passport and travel insurance (keep separately from the originals), air tickets, diary with important addresses and a travel guide.In Morocco, women are not supposed to go out in showy clothes. Better to wear skirts and trousers below the knee and shirts and t-shirts with (short) sleeves. For ladies, a hat or headscarf is also advisable, and it protects you against the sun.
What kind of luggage should I take?
You should pack your luggage in a canvas bag or a backpack, not a hard suitcase, as those are inconvenient to transport. Bring with you a small daypack or a shoulder bag for your daily hand luggage. To keep your cash and papers safe, take a money belt to wear underneath your clothes.Electricity
What voltage and plugs are in use in Morocco? Please
click here to check what voltage and plugs are in use in this country. You could consider taking a universal electric plug.
Travel guides and maps
If you want to take a travel guide or map, we suggest you click on
Lonely Planet.
In what kind of accommodation do we sleep?
Accommodation is in comfortable hotels with breakfast and in tents.How is accommodation arranged if I book alone?
If you book alone you will share your room with a fellow traveler unless you have booked a single room. Sometimes it means that you need to share your room with someone of the opposite sex. In case we go camping, you could decide to take a small tent if you want to sleep alone.This may involve extra camping fees (never very much), your tour leader will tell you and collect the extra fees.What can I expect for camping facilities?
The accommodation will be basic but comfortable. The tents will all be grouped together and have shared facilities in one main, larger tent.Do I need to take a mosquito net?
A mosquito net will not be needed.
Do they cater for vegetarians in Morocco?
The food in Morocco is excellent and for vegetarians there is plenty of choice. ‘Harira’ for example is a very traditional, delicious soup.What kind of transportation is used?
Transportation is in Air-Conditioned minibuses and public coaches (for smaller groups)Can you travel with children?
Yes, children can travel with their families on a Shoestring tour. We recommend the easiest tours which are listed as ‘Category A’ where the distances covered are short and there is a slow traveling speed. But please check with our friendly sales team if you are unsure.
We would define a child as being under the age of 18. They would only be allowed to travel provided they do so with an adult family member or close relative.
Children under the age of 8 we recommend not to travel as they simply would not be old enough to enjoy the experience nor cope with the nature of travel that we provide.
The tour prices are the same for both adults and children however there will be a reduction on the child airfare which will vary depending on the flight selected (Please use the ‘search flights’ facility on the website to check the up-to-date prices).
Is Morocco dangerous?
Morocco is not an unsafe place, however tourists are occasionally affected by crime. Do not leave valuables in hotel rooms; keep money, passport and other important papers in a flat money-belt close to you or ask reception to lock them away. If you are interested what the Foreign Office has to say, please
click here.
What local customs do I need to keep in mind?
Moroccans attach great value to the amount of respect shown. Age receives respect, as do people who serve society, such as teachers, and people who are devout Muslims. Although as a westerner, you are bound to be a Christian, you can still command respect: be well behaved and you will be treated respectfully. If, however, you behave in a ‘haram’ (against the spirit of the letter of the Koran) way, there is a markedly greater chance that you will be mistreated, or ripped off, or robbed. Being sparsely dressed as a woman, being drunk in public, or showing one’s homosexual nature openly are the types of behaviour that are viewed as ‘haram’. It is not allowed for Christians to visit mosques in Morocco.Are there opportunities to swim?
You can swim in the sea at Essaouira where they have floodlit beaches at night.What are other activities and sports I could do?
There is much to see and do in Morocco. You can ride a camel in the desert, visit the small villages in The Atlas Mountains or even attend a crash course in Moroccan cuisine in a beautiful Marrakech Riad.Mobile phone, email and snail mail
Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage is mainly available in the cities in the west of Morocco. Internet access is widely available in business centres, hotels and in Internet cafes.Airmail to Europe takes up to one week and can be unreliable.
Time difference with the UK
Please check the
world clock in order to find out the exact time difference with the UK.
Please mind that the time can change depending if the UK is on day light saving time or not.