Practical information for visitors to Morocco
Official languages
Climate
Currency
Time Zone
- Morocco Standard Time is GMT. Morocco started using Daylight Saving Time (DST) in 2012. Clocks Practical information for visitors to Morocco are turned forward one hour on the last Sunday in April and turned back again on the last Sunday in September.
- There is no DST during Ramadan. The dates of Ramadan change from year to year. In 2012 it is from July 20 to August 19. Clocks are turned back to Standard Time during Ramadan to make it easier for Muslims to observe the Ramadan fast during daylight hours.
Communications
- Internet country code: .ma
- Telephone country code: 212
Hours
- Businesses: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday
- Government offices: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday
- Post offices: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings.
- Banks in Morocco are generally open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in summer. In winter these times change to 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. During the month of Ramadan (in July-August 2012), banks are open from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Morocco offers informal and formal retail. Informal retail includes open air markets (usually mornings) and street vendors (including night markets). Every day except Sunday.
- Stores and shopping malls are open Monday through Saturday, typically 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. to 6 a.m. or 7 p.m. Mall of Morocco is open Sundays.
- Souvenir shopping (ceramics, leather goods, brass, clothing, etc.) is typically available every day, including Sunday.
Electricity
Transportation
Casablanca airport:
- Mohamed V airport is located 30km from Casablanca. Taxis are available outside the airport terminal and have set fares to Casablanca, which is MAD 250 (about $30). Trains also run from the airport to Casablanca and Rabat. A first class ticket to Casablanca costs MAD 50 (about $5.75) and MAD 100 (about $11.60) to Rabat.
Taxis:
- There are two categories of taxis in Morocco. Petits taxis are small- to medium-sized cars that travel a limited range within a town or city. Officially they use a meter and charge an initial fare followed by distance-based increments. However some taxis are not metered. Confirm whether or not a taxi has a meter before getting in, and if not arrange the fare in advance.
- The other category is the grands taxi. These are long-distance taxis that use fixed routes between cities and towns. They charge a fixed amount for specific routes and wait until they are full with other travelers before they set off (they can take up to six persons per car). It is possible to arrange a fare for sole occupancy.
Trains:
- Morocco has a vastly improving train network particularly between the major cities. Tourists often use the trains, which are quite comfortable. Consult the Moroccan national train service ONCF for times and fares.
Sites
Food and Drink
- Coffee/tea: MAD 10-15 (about $1 to $1.70)
- Sandwich: MAD 30-50 (about $3.50 to $5.70)
- Bottle of water: MAD 10-15 (about $1 to $1.70)
- Beer: MAD 30-100 (about $3.50 to $11.50)
- Glass of wine: MAD 50-200 (about $5.70 to $23)
Religion
Alcohol
Entertainment
Mediaside recommends and thanks the bookstore Carrefour des Livres in Casablanca for their assistance.