Money: The local currency is the Moroccan dirham (10 dh or MAD = about $1), but euros work here, as do dollars and pounds. For a day trip, bring lots of €1 and €0.50 coins for tips, small purchases, and camel rides. If you plan to do anything independently, change some money into Moroccan dirhams or find an ATM upon arrival.
Language: The native language is Arabic (for useful phrases, see the “Moroccan Mix” sidebar, later), but French is also spoken.
Emergencies and Travel Advisories: Dial 190 for police, medical, or other emergencies. For US State Department travel advisories, see www.travel.state.gov.
Time Zone: Morocco is on Greenwich Mean Time (like Great Britain), so it is an hour behind Spain. It observes Daylight Saving Time with Europe, except during the month of Ramadan, when it is two hours behind Spain (meaning that daylight fasting hours end earlier).
Closed Days and Ramadan: Friday is the Muslim day of rest, when most of the country—except Tangier—closes down. On the final day of the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid (an all-day feast and gift-giving holiday), and travelers may find some less touristy stores and restaurants closed.
Marijuana Alert: In Morocco, marijuana (kif) is as illegal as it is popular. As a general rule, just walk right by those hand-carved pipes in the marketplace. Some dealers sell marijuana cheap—and make their profit after you get arrested. Cars and buses are stopped and checked by police routinely throughout Morocco, especially in the north and in the Chefchaouen region, which is Morocco’s kif capital.
Health: Take commonsense precautions: Eat in clean—not cheap—places. Peel fruit, eat only cooked vegetables, and drink reliably bottled water (Sidi Ali and Sidi Harazem are two good brands). Carry a small container of hand sanitizer. When you do get diarrhea—and you should plan on it—adjust your diet (small and bland meals) or fast for a day, and make sure you replenish lost fluids.
Embassies: In Rabat—US embassy +212 537 637 200 (Km 5.7, Avenue Mohamed VI, https://ma.usembassy.gov); Canadian embassy +212 537 544 949 (66 Mehdi Ben Barka Avenue, www.morocco.gc.ca).
Phoning: I’ve listed phone numbers as you would dial them from a US mobile phone. Morocco’s country code is 212. To dial from a Moroccan landline, drop 212 and add a zero before the number. To call from a Spanish landline, dial 00 (Europe international access code), 212 (Morocco country code), and then the number.
Tipping: Most Moroccan waiters expect about a 10 percent tip. For a taxi driver, round up the fare a bit.
Tourist Information: www.visitmorocco.com