MOROCCO

This information has been compiled for your reference in good faith but please use this only as a general guide. We advise you to check with relevant authorities with regard to the latest requirement for passport, visa, travel advisory, entry restrictions, health requirements, local currency etc as these are subjected to change with without prior notice and our information given below may not be as updated.

Best time to go: The country is at its most beautiful in spring (Mar – May) when the landscape is green and lush, making for spectacular mountain hiking. Morocco is also lovely in autumn (Sep Oct) when temperatures are very pleasant. Morocco's summertime (Jun – Aug) heat should be taken into consideration when planning your trip. The country's vast coastline is a magnet for locals and visitors alike during summer, with long, sunny days that are cooled by afternoon sea breezes. The higher reaches of the High Atlas, Middle Atlas, and Rif mountains are also pleasant escapes from the heat down on the plains. Travelling inland during this time, especially in central and southern Morocco but also Marrakech, Fes, and Meknes is extremely uncomfortable. Central and southern Morocco, as well as Marrakech, offer crisp, sunny days during the colder months (Nov-Feb), but be warned that the nights can be exceptionally cold. Mountain trekkers should also be aware that Morocco's mountainous regions are susceptible to flash flooding during winter from rainfall and spring from melting snow.

Often called the “Red City”, Marrakech requires sun protection and headgear all year longeven during winter.

Visa: New Zealand citizens do not require a visa for stays of up to three months. Visiting areas

outside of recognized tourist areas isn't recommended for safety reasons. Travel regulations are known to change without notice to the public. We recommend before you travel, to check the current regulations.

Morocco is the only African State which is not a member of African Union

Currency: The currency used in Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham, often abbreviated as DHS or MAD.

The exchange rates fluctuates, one NZD is worth approximately 7 Dirham. Dirham is divided into one hundred centimes (c). Please be aware that centimes may also be referred to as francs or pesetas in certain parts of the country. This money is available in10c, 20c, 50c, 1dh, 5dh, 10dh (all coins) and 10dh, 20dh, 50dh, 100dh and 200dh (all notes).The Moroccan Dirham is a closed currency, so by law you are not allowed to import or export Moroccan Dirham. Foreign currency may be exchanged at the Bureau de Change at the airport on arrival, at a bank or a small amount at your hotel. There are many ATM machines both at the airports and in larger towns for cash withdrawal. Almost all hotels normally exchange money at the same rate as banks and do not charge a commission. Most hotels and reputable shops will accept major credit cards. VISA and MasterCard and debit cards can be used in ATMs (found in the larger cities) and in some, but not all, hotels, restaurants and shops.

Please note that it is now difficult or impossible to change Travellers Cheques in Morocco.

Health: As with most destinations in Africa you have to careful about what you drink and eat in order to avoid stomach upsets. Buying food from street vendors carries some degree of risk and tap water should not be drunk. There is plenty of bottled water available throughout the country. Luckily Morocco is basically malaria-free. There are a few areas near the border with Mauritania that can harbor malaria but it's an unlikely destination even for the hardiest of travellers. No vaccinations are required by law to enter Morocco but Typhoid and Hepatitis A are two vaccinations that are recom

Cities of interest:

Marrakech Marrakesh, a former imperial city in western Morocco, is a major economic center and home to mosques, palaces and gardens. The medina is a densely packed, walled medieval city dating to the Berber Empire with mazelike alleys where thriving souks (marketplaces) sell traditional textiles, pottery and jewelry. Built in the eleventh century, the Jemaa el Fna has become a symbol of Marrakech and enjoys protection since

1922, under the artistic heritage of Morocco. It offers a unique concentration of traditions, such as the tales of storytellers, traditional medicine and various forms of entertainment as well as commercial.

Fes: Fes is the second largest city of Morocco, with a population of 1.1 million. It is a north eastern Moroccan city often referred to as the countrys cultural capital. Its primarily known for its Fes El Bali walled medina, with medieval architecture, vibrant souks and old-world atmosphere. The medina is home to religious schools such as the 14th-century Bou Inania and Al Attarine, both featuring elaborate cedar carvings and ornate tile work.

Meknes: Meknes is one of the four Imperial cities of Morocco and its name and fame are closely linked to thaof Sultan Moulay Ismail. The sultan turned Meknes into a impressive city in Spanish-Moorish style, surrounded by high walls with great gates. While Meknes is an imperial city with a lot of historical monuments and natural sites it is also the nearest city to the Roman ruins of Volubilis.

Casablanca: Casablanca is Morocco's largest city with a population of almost 4 million and also boasts the world's largest artificial port but no ferry service of any kind. Casablanca is also the most liberal and progressive of Morocco's cities. It is commercial hub in western Morocco, fronting the Atlantic Ocean. The city's French colonial legacy is seen in its downtown Mauresque architecture, a blend of Moorish style and European art deco. Standing partly over the water, the enormous Hassan II Mosque, built in 1993, has a 210m minaret topped with lasers directed toward Mecca.

Chefchaouen: Chefchaouen (or Chaouen) is a gorgeous mountain city in northeastern Morocco. The picturesque medina, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Rif Mountains, is filled with white-washed homes with distinctive, powder-blue accents. It is a popular shopping destination offering many native handicrafts that are not available elsewhere in Morocco, such as wool garments and woven blankets. The goat cheese native to the area is also popular with tourists. The region around Chefchaouen is one of the main producers of cannabis in Morocco. Hashish is subsequently sold all over town, but is mostly the domain of native Chaouenis.

Tangier: Tangier, a Moroccan port city on the Strait of Gibraltar, has been a strategic gateway between Africa and Europe since Phoenician times. Its whitewashed hillside medina is home to the Dar el Makhzen, a palace of the sultans turned museum of Moroccan artifacts. The medina also has dozens of outdoor cafes, such as those along the Terrasse des Paresseux balcony overlooking the Mediterranean.

Rabat: Rabat is Moroccos political and administrative capital since independence in 1956. The colonial architecture is stunning, the palm-lined boulevards are well kept and relatively free of traffic, and the atmosphere is as cosmopolitan as its economic big brother down the coast. The quiet medina has an authentic feel to it, some good shops and fascinating architecture. Youll be blissfully ignored on the streets and souqs, so its easy to discover the citys monuments and hidden corners at your own pace. The picturesque kasbah, with its narrow alleys, art galleries and magnificent ocean views, is also worth exp</