F ORMALITIES BEFORE DEPARTURE
PASSPORT
For a stay in Morocco, it is necessary to have a valid passport covering the entire planned stay . The passport is compulsory, including for groups on an organized tourist trip.
Admission to Moroccan territory is no longer possible on presentation of the national identity card alone.
It is advisable to check, on arrival, that the passport has been stamped by the border police authorities (mention of a number during a first visit and entry stamp, under penalty of being, without his knowledge , residing illegally).
MINOR CHILDREN
Minors must have a valid passport. Beyond this period, it is advisable to contact the Moroccan immigration service and request an extension which may not exceed three months.
If the child is traveling with his parents, it is recommended to also bring a document proving the filiation: copy of the birth certificate or the family record book as well as an authorization of one of the two parents if the child is traveling with only one or the other of his parents.
If the child is orphan of father or mother and is traveling with the remaining parent, the latter must be provided with a document attesting to their marriage to the deceased parent, a copy of the death certificate or, in the absence of authorization from the judge responsible for the protection of minors.
In the event of the parents' divorce , it is recommended that the person accompanying the child be provided with a copy of the divorce judgment granting him custody . If the minor travels alone or accompanied by a third person, he or the person accompanying him must have an authorization of his parents.
> Parental authorization to leave the territory - Document Cerfa n° 15646*01
VISA
No visa for nationals of the European Union or for the Swiss, for a tourist stay of less than three months.
For foreign nationals whose countries are subject to visa formalities, their travel documents must be accompanied by visas issued by the Moroccan administration.
The stay in Morocco for tourist reasons is limited to three months for foreigners who are exempt from the visa and to the duration of the validity of the visa for those who are subject to it . In the event that the foreigner wishes to extend his stay on Moroccan territory beyond the validity period of his visa or the three-month period, if he is not subject to this obligation, he is required to request authorization from the competent Moroccan authority ( Direction Générale de Sûreté Nationale ) in order to avoid being in an irregular situation.
> General Directorate of National Security
DRIVER'S LICENSE
Drivers of foreign nationality can drive with a valid driving license issued in their country, for a maximum period of one year from the start of their stay in Morocco.
At the end of this one-year period, holders of a license issued abroad must take the tests to obtain a Moroccan driving license or request the exchange of their foreign license for a Moroccan license. .
Drivers of foreign nationality with an international driving license can drive on national territory during the period of validity of this license. However, this period cannot exceed one year, as indicated above. Holding an international driving license is strongly encouraged : it facilitates in particular the formalities of exchange in the event of permanent installation in Morocco.
CUSTOMS
Vehicle entries and exits are recorded by the customs services. On leaving the territory, it is necessary to ensure that the vehicle is properly seized upon departure, as its owner may subsequently be accused of having sold it fraudulently.
Any vehicle entered for a tourist stay can benefit from a temporary import authorization valid for 3 months (and renewable once).
No owner or driver of a vehicle, on whose passport this temporary authorization has been mentioned, may leave Moroccan territory without his vehicle (even in the event of theft or accident) if the situation of the latter has not has been regularized beforehand by the payment of customs duties. These, depending on the category, range between 17.5 % and 50 % of the value of the new vehicle. It is recommended to check the coverage of these taxes with the insurance companies.
VACCINATIONS
Vaccination against COVID-19 is strongly recommended to travel peacefully. When you have been vaccinated with the 2 required doses, you will then be assigned a QR code which must be presented to all airport customs. Without this code, a PCR test of less than 48 hours will be required before boarding a flight or on a boat, to and from Morocco.
No other vaccinations are required for travel from Europe but some are recommended.
Make sure you are up to date with your usual vaccinations, such as the diphtheria-tetanus-poliomyelitis (DTP) vaccination and the rubella-mumps-measles (MMR) vaccination in children. Vaccination against tuberculosis is also desirable.
We offer excursions that take place in the desert and all our organized tours also take you to the dunes. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends, in addition to universal food hygiene measures, vaccination against hepatitis A and typhoid fever in order to avoid any risk of contamination of diseases transmitted by water or by contaminated food.
For extended stays in more rural parts of Morocco, the World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends that tourists get vaccinated against rabies.
If in doubt, ask your doctor or an international vaccination center for advice.
HOSPITALIZATION COSTS AND HEALTH EXPENSES
In order to cope with hospitalization costs and sometimes very high health expenses abroad, it is strongly recommended to have an assistance contract or insurance to cover all medical expenses (in particular surgery and hospitalization) and medical repatriation , at the risk of not having access to care, including in the event of a life-threatening emergency. Under no circumstances can these costs be borne by the embassy or general consulates of France on site.
Today, prices are moderate. If you fall ill or are hospitalized abroad, you will be very happy that we take care of putting you on the first plane… and that we pay you the ticket! WARNING: most of us already have such insurance without knowing it, with our car insurance, bank card, etc.
You should check the extent and validity in Morocco of the medical coverage you have. Hospital establishments may claim full payment of medical expenses before patients are discharged, subject to legal proceedings.
> Access the portal of the France Diplomatie site to find out all about international assistance
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE DEPARTURE
If necessary, consult your doctor or an international vaccination center to assess your state of health and benefit from health recommendations, in particular on vaccinations.
If necessary, consult your dentist before your departure. Nothing is more annoying than a nasty toothache during your trip!
Set up your personal pharmacy accordingly and carry only the necessary medications ; never take medicines bought on the street (risk of counterfeiting).
Useful advice: keep your vaccination record with you in case of need and the contact details of your doctor.
TRAVELING TO MOROCCO...
WHAT THERE IS TO KNOW !
SECURITY
In general, Morocco is a safe destination, it even represents the safest country in the Maghreb and is part of the Top 20 safest countries in the world!
For several years, the Moroccan authorities have taken measures to deal with a persistent terrorist risk. They communicate regularly on the dismantling of terrorist cells.
Tourism can be practiced without difficulty subject to observing a certain vigilance in public places or gatherings and to avoid moving alone in isolated or remote places.
French residents and travelers are invited to regularly consult the website of the embassy as well as those of the general consulates of France in Morocco .
> Embassy of Morocco in France
HISTORY, CUSTOMS AND TRADITION
MUSLIM RELIGION
Morocco is a Muslim country. Adapt your behavior and dress to local customs which can be very different depending on the region and location. It is recommended in all circumstances to adopt a decent and discreet behavior, and to be respectful of Muslim places of worship.
It is strictly forbidden for non-Muslims to enter Muslim places of worship. Only the high places of tourism can be visited. It is recommended :
avoid discussing sensitive topics of a political or religious nature ;
refrain from comments that could be interpreted as criticism of the King or the royal family ;
avoid drinking alcohol in public ;
to adopt clothing that respects local customs ;
at the beach, to prefer wearing a one-piece swimsuit.
You cannot buy alcohol, much less consume it in public, during Ramadan. It is advisable, particularly during this period, to adopt decent clothing.
MANNERS
Homosexuality is considered a crime in Morocco (punishable by three years in prison) and heterosexual relations outside marriage are prohibited (one year in prison).
BERBER CULTURE
The Berbers would be present in the Maghreb for more than 5000 years. Mysterious people, many historians have tried to define their origins without ever succeeding. Persian, Median, Canaanite, Indian origins. The Berbers are found everywhere… and nowhere.
The word Berber comes from the Greek Barbaros which designated at the time all “non-Greek” people, therefore foreigners. Nowadays the Berbers prefer the term " Amazigh which means "free-man". There are still many Berber tribes, which are so different that it is almost impossible to speak of this people in a uniform way.
Among the best known tribes are the Rifains in northern Morocco, the Chleuhs who are found in the south-west of the High Atlas, the Anti-Atlas, the Souss valley, the Kabyles in northern Algeria, or the Tuaregs in the Sahara.
According to the latest figures, there would be around 40% of Berber speakers in Morocco, out of a total population of 33 million.
CURRENCY, EXCHANGE AND BANKING
CASH
The national currency is the dirham. It is not convertible outside the borders of the kingdom. Remember to exchange your remaining dirhams before you return home!
EXCHANGE
It is easy to exchange currencies anywhere in the country , even in remote places like in the south of the kingdom, there will always be a foreign exchange agency on site, but beware of the somewhat random opening hours! (Cash + - Wafacash - Western Union).
You can also change your currency on arrival at the airport, in some hotels and in most banks. Beware, however, of the exchange rate, which can vary from one establishment to another!
SHOPPING
Most purchases are settled in cash... after careful negotiation! So forget your credit card to pay, it will only be used for a cash withdrawal in the country's currency if necessary.
All major towns have ATMs, otherwise you will find at least the Post Office in rural areas.
POLYGLOTTED MOROCCAN
Discovering a country is also discovering its language. Arabic is the official language of the kingdom of Morocco, brought by the Arab people settled on the lands of the Maghreb since the 8th century.
Morocco has two official languages, which are Arabic and Amazigh , but French is also spoken and understood by almost all Moroccans. Spanish is widespread in the northern and southern regions of Morocco. The Amazigh language, whose alphabet is Tifinagh is the common heritage of all Moroccans and it is an extremely widespread language throughout southern Morocco. Classical or literary Arabic is used in the administrative environment.
The language used orally by Moroccans is the Darijah (Moroccan dialect). It is a mixture of Arabic, Amazigh, French and Spanish. To mingle with the local populations and take full advantage of your stay, these are certain words in Darijah that you need to master. This will allow you to stand out from the crowd of classic tourists and show that you are making an effort in the country.
But don't panic, French is spoken almost everywhere because it has been one of the compulsory languages taught in schools since the establishment of the French protectorate in 1912. You will therefore have no problem making yourself understood in French everywhere. the kingdom, and if this is not the case, you still have sign language, a timeless and always effective method!!
CLIMATE AND SEASONS
Morocco is a land of contrasts. Bathed to the north by the waters of the Mediterranean, to the west by those of the Atlantic Ocean, it is also crisscrossed by the Rif and Atlas mountains and is subject to all kinds of climatic influences.
The coastal regions are prized by the sun. Throughout the year, it pours its rays into it and you can appreciate its benefits whatever the season. Thus, Agadir, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the country's main seaside resort, offers lovers of idleness 300 days of annual sunshine, mild temperatures and light trade winds. Further north, Taghazout, Mogador and Magazan are also worth a visit.
A little further inland, the climate abandons the Mediterranean mildness and becomes continental. The reliefs are more drawn and present sumptuous panoramas. It is the land of wide open spaces, that of backpackers who can engage in treks and hikes in any season.
To the south, the country opens onto the immensities of the Sahara. It is in spring and autumn that you have to venture there because otherwise it is too hot. In the middle of the sands, the sun shines and reflects on the dunes. These desert expanses give off a feeling of the unreal. Ride a dromedary and engage in one of the most beautiful pictures ever composed by nature.
"THE ARABIC TELEPHONE"
MOROCCO INDICATIVE
To call Morocco from France or another country, you must imperatively dial +212 before the number of your correspondent. In concrete terms, you must dial +212 or 0012 then the number of your correspondent without the first 0.
INTERNET NETWORK AND FREE CALLS
Now more than ever, it's easy to stay in touch with loved ones when traveling in Morocco. With a very robust network and 4g cellular capability in major cities and most of the countryside, you should have no problem using popular programs like WhatsApp and Facetime to stay in touch for free. And when 4G is unavailable, a surprisingly fast 3G connection is often found.
There are not many black spots in coverage, only a few in some more remote parts of the country, notably the desert plains of the Sahara, only 3G can be picked up at the highest point of some dunes.
RECHARGE SIM CARDS
You will find local carriers upon arrival at all airports. Not only do they have kiosks and small shops, but often promotions are held where they will have representatives with clipboards containing SIM cards with 20 MAD free credit. The Moroccan operators are: Maroc Telecom, Inwi and Orange. Maroc Telecom would seem to be the most reliable provider with the most robust network, although the speeds offered by Orange are noticeably faster in the desert.
If you don't get a free sim card at the airport, almost any small grocery store (hanout) can top up your phone with a 20 MAD (dirham) sim card that will get you some phone calls, but that's about almost everything.
When you charge your phone with the pre-paid card, make sure your internet is charged (in Morocco, when you charge your phone, there are two options: phone calls only or a mini internet package and it's not charged the same price on the card). Most travelers just top up their internet and use popular programs available online, such as WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook to stay in touch.
FREE WI-FI CONNECTION
Most guesthouses and hotels have free Wi-Fi, although internet coverage in rooms can be very spotty due to the lack of high-powered routers and thick old walls.
JET LAG
There is an hour difference between France and Morocco as a rule. This time difference (-1h) is valid in all cities of Morocco (Rabat, Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir, Fez, Essaouira…) and throughout the year. However, it takes two hours of time difference during the period of Ramadan, because Morocco moves back one hour at this time to stall with the time of appearance of the moon.
The difference is the same from January to December, because Morocco switches to summer time and winter time at the same time as France.
TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
TRUCK TRANSPORT
Highways and national roads serve Morocco, from North to South. In general, national roads are in good condition. The density of traffic, the undisciplined driving of many motorists, the condition of vehicles still too often dilapidated, as well as stray animals, however, make traffic dangerous.
If you wish to use local means of transport, check that the vehicle is roadworthy (taxi, rental cars /ex). If you opt for the rental car, many agencies are at your disposal. Pay extra attention and avoid driving at night outside towns.
To travel in the desert without using asphalt roads, it is recommended to travel only in a convoy of several all-terrain vehicles. For tours of all kinds going through remote areas, be accompanied by a trusted guide who knows the terrain well, including for hiking or biking. We are also at your disposal to drive you safely to the gates of the desert! See you on our desert transfers page to know more !
AIR TRANSPORT
Morocco has a network of 18 airports dispatched on the different axes of the Moroccan territory. The Office National des Aéroports (ONDA) guarantees you a quality of service in the services provided to passengers in accordance with international standards.
RAIL NETWORK
The rail network of the Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF) covers a large part of the country, and the coach company Supratours takes over when your destination city does not have a station, which is the case for come to us in Tagounite for example. ONCF offers you the possibility of plan your trip and buy your ticket online .
The High Speed Train (TGV) serves the Casablanca-Tangier axis in just 2 hours.
COACH
If you choose to travel by coach, the Compagnie de Transport Marocains (CTM) and other private companies offer you all the necessary comfort to make your trip enjoyable. You can buy your ticket online .
TAXI
If the taxi is reserved for the wealthiest people or in case of force majeure in France, in Morocco it is almost a public transport and therefore very accessible. We take the small taxis in the stations, when there is one nearby, or by waving to them. To wave at the taxi in Morocco, you must indicate the ground with your index finger if the taxi is empty, or indicate the direction in which you want to go if there is already someone inside.
Grand taxis , or shared taxis, usually make long journeys, and they are the only ones allowed out of towns. To take the grand taxis, you usually have to go to the departure station, indicate your destination to one of the drivers, who will tell you which taxi is going in that direction. If the taxi is almost full, you're in luck, you'll be leaving soon. If it is empty, you will have to wait for it to fill up, unless you decide to take the taxi just for yourself by paying for the 6 seats.