Time Difference
Morocco is one hour ahead of GMT, however they do not observe daylight saving hours, so when it is British Summer Time (e.g. our clocks have gone forward) the time will be the same as in Morocco. However during Ramadan the clocks go back an hour in Morocco between May and June, so they will be one hour behind the UK. From when the clocks in the UK go back one hour for the winter, Morocco will return to being one hour ahead of GMT.
Currency
The national currency of Morocco is the dirham which is divided into 100 cents. Notes are available in denominations of 20, 50, 100 and 200 and coins are available in five, ten, 20 and 50 cents. Import and export of the dirham is prohibited. Credit cards are widely accepted, especially in big cities. We strongly advise against transactions in shops where there is no electronic device, as there is a risk you card might be counterfeited. When you change your currency, it is worth getting a variety of smaller value notes and coins as this makes paying gratuities easier.
Shops and Amenities
Monday to Thursday shops will generally be open from 10:00 to 12:30, and will reopen from 15:30 to 19:00. Banks are open Monday to Thursday from 08:30 to 12:00 and 14:30 to 16:00. On Fridays, which is an important day for prayer, shop opening times may vary to 09:00 to 11:00 and then reopen from 15:30 to 19:00. During Ramadan things will operate on a very different schedule, where some shops and restaurants may not open at all, or may open later and close earlier, however banks will be open continuously from 08:30 to 14:00. Be wary of vendors who sell on the side of roads, as quite often the goods are fake. Market times and days will vary depending on the region, so we suggest checking on arrival
Electricity and Plugs
Morocco operated on a 220 volt electricity supply, and uses plug types E and C (both have two round pins – the type commonly used across Europe), so you will need and adapter for British appliances.
Media
While French and Arabic publications are widely available, international press is harder to come by, although Morocco Newsline is an independent online English language news magazine which is easily accessible. Many of the media outlets are owned by the state and have censored much of the news until recently, where some of the privately owned press has sought to break the taboos. Many high-end hotels will have access to satellite television channels in English such as CNN and possibly some UK Sky channels. RMT and 2M are the two main television channels in Morocco, which are either state-run or partially state-owned and many of the broadcasts will be in Arabic or French.
Post
There are post offices throughout Morocco, even in small villages, and stamps will be sold at small kiosks called tabacs. The post is reliable if not particularly fast, so expect mail to take a week to arrive in Europe. Monday to Friday post offices will open 09:30 to 12:30 and then reopen in the afternoon at 14:00 to 16:00. Saturday opening times are usually 09:30 to 11:30 and many will be shut on Sunday, however in bigger cities some branches will stay open 24 hours.
Phone
To call Morocco (landline) from the UK, dial 00 212 plus the area number (e.g. 44 for Marrakech) plus the eight digits of the mainline number (without the first 0). To call the UK from Morocco, dial 00 44 followed by the number of your correspondent (without the first 0).
Internet and Mobile Coverage
There is wide 3G and 4G coverage in Morocco, however roaming charges can be expensive so it might be worth buying a local SIM card on arrival. You coverage will depend on your operator, so we recommend checking with them before travelling.
Currency
MAD
