Morocco Tours & Holidays

Health and Vaccinations 

There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Morocco though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Please note we are not medical professionals and so we highly recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments. 

Currency 

In Morocco the official unit of currency is the Dirhams. This is a closed currency and can only be exchanged in country. 

To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com. 

Cultural Sensitivity 

On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.  

Morocco is a Muslim country and travellers should respect local sensibilities. People, especially in rural areas, may be offended by shorts or revealing dresses and these can attract unwelcome attention.  It is best for both men and women to cover their legs and shoulders, although in most tourist frequented areas Moroccans are used to seeing western men wearing shorts.  Women should cover their heads if entering a mosque or sanctuary although these are often closed to non-Muslims. 

Language & Religion 

Morocco’s official language is Modern Standard Arabic although its distinctive dialect is Moroccan Arabic. Roughly 60% of the population speak Berber, either as a first language or bilingually alongside Arabic. French is Morocco’s unofficial second language and is taught universally and serves as the language of commerce and economics. 99% of the population comprises of Arab and Berber stock. Most Moroccans practice Sunni Islam. 

Time 

Morocco is on GMT  

A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.  

Food and drink 

The country is known as the culinary star of North Africa, in the doorway between Europe and Africa. Unlike European ‘herb based’ cooking, Moroccan cuisine is characterised by rich spices, influenced by the country’s long imperial trade history. Cumin, coriander, saffron, chillies, ginger, paprika and cinnamon are all commonly used, as is harissa, a paste made from garlic, chillies, olives and salt. There is a wide variety of food from simple, fresh market stall food to French influenced cuisine.  

Few Moroccans drink alcohol, although it is possible to buy it in some hotels. The main drink of the country is tea, served very sweet with mint. Drinking tea is very much part of any Moroccan social (or business encounter) and you will always be offered several cups. Soft drinks and coffee are also widely available as are freshly squeezed fruit juices. Morocco does produce some very palatable red and rose wines. Please note that it is not possible to obtain alcohol in the Atlas Mountains, therefore, should you wish to have some we suggest you purchase it in advance.