Facts of Morocco

Facts of Morocco

Read more about e.g. transport and price levels associated with your trip to Morocco.

  • Language: Arabic and Berber
  • Capital: Discount
  • Population: 33 million
  • Religion: Sunni Islam
  • Currency: Dirham
  • Surface: 458,730 km2

Worth knowing

Time difference

The time difference between Sweden and Morocco varies depending on whether Sweden has summer or winter time:

Summer time: – 2 hours
Winter time: – 1 hour

Transport in Morocco

Bus The
buses in Morocco do not meet the same standard as we are used to in Europe. Of course, we have chosen the best category, with air conditioning where possible.

Price level

You can get a good Moroccan meal for around 90 kronor. When it comes to pocket money, we know from experience that you need about SEK 250 per day. Such a sum can cover drinks and various other necessities.

Tip

On our travels, you come into contact with everyday life in Morocco, including conditions that may not appeal to you, or that you are not used to. Take for example the system of tips. In many countries, tips are a more organized phenomenon than we Swedes are used to, and you are expected to leave some tips to local guides and drivers during the trip. We enter an amount in our travel program so that you can count on this when you make up your travel budget at home. The price of the trip does not include the cost of tips as you decide how much you want to give during the trip. The tip system is part of the culture you visit and something you should therefore follow and respect. However, we would like to emphasize that it is ultimately always voluntary to tip.

In Morocco, the system of tips is practice in the tourism industry. It is normal for a traveler to pay tips to the bus driver “bus boy”, local guides, hotel piccollos, restaurants, etc. In restaurants and cafes, it is customary to put 5-10 percent of the entire bill in tips.

In connection with cruises, other rules apply, see more information in the specific program for your trip.

Currency and credit cards

The Moroccan currency is called the Moroccan Dirham (MAD) 1 SEK = approximately 1.30 MAD and 1 EUR = approximately 11.3 MAD (March 2014).

The use of electronic payment cards / credit cards is becoming more widespread in Morocco and there are ATMs in all major cities. We recommend that you bring some cash in either USD or EUR. The larger banks in Marrakech also exchange Swedish kronor.

Electricity

Morocco, just like Sweden, has 220 volts, although 170 volts can occur. There may be different types of sockets, so we recommend that you bring an adapter set.

Telephone and internet

Morocco’s international country code is + 212. It’s expensive to call home, so feel free to contact your mobile operator regarding coverage and rates for calls from Morocco.

There are internet cafes in all the major cities and most major hotels in Morocco offer internet service for a fee.

Hygiene

Hotels and larger restaurants are of a modern / western standard. Out in the cities and in the country, you can count on going to so-called pedal toilets and that there is a lack of toilet paper. The standard of public toilets or in the countryside can thus be relatively primitive. Bring your own toilet paper, wet wipes and perhaps hand sanitizer (available at Swedish pharmacies, for example), so you will not be as dependent on access to water.

You should not drink tap water, but instead buy bottled drinking water. If possible, also avoid ice cubes.

Customs and traditions

The attire during trips to Morocco is informal but one should show consideration for the locals and the Islamic culture. A rule of thumb is to dress for city life in the city and for beach life on the beach. Women who travel on their own can sometimes experience unwanted attention from local men – this can often be avoided by avoiding eye contact. It is safe to walk around on your own and you always get good service at the restaurants, regardless of whether you are a man or a woman. Visit shoe-wiki for Morocco Travel Guide.

It is expected that the local shrines are treated with respect and proper attire. If you visit a mosque, remember to take off your shoes and place them so that the soles point towards each other. Women should cover their arms and wear a hat or other headdress.

The left hand is considered unclean in Morocco and one should therefore avoid gesturing with the left hand. It is extremely rude to point at someone or something and remember that the Western sign “thumbs up” offends throughout the Arab world- When you sit on a chair you do not cross your legs but make sure that the soles of the shoes always touch the floor as they never may point to any person.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited during all flights and bus transport. You are not allowed to smoke indoors in public places unless there are special smoking rooms.

Facts of Morocco

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