Visa: Canadian and US visitors require a passport but no visas are required.

Electricity: 110/220 volts AC, 50Hz, depending on age and location of building.

Customs:
Greetings involve a handshake and friendly inquiries after health, happiness and family, and no business is discussed until after these pleasantries. Friends may tack on a cheek air-kiss or two. Moroccan chattiness makes everyday interactions more pleasant, if longer; patience and extroversion are assets. In the souks, vendors to call out to customers, joke around and strike up conversations before bargaining begins. When offered tea, it's polite to take a sip. Casual wear is widely acceptable, although swimsuits, shorts, sleeveless tops and clingy clothing should be confined to the beach or poolside for both men and women. Women travelling alone will get around fine, and can expect help, friendship and the occasional offer of marriage. Sexual relations outside marriage (including homosexual conduct) are theoretically punishable by law, but this is rarely enforced. Smoking is widespread, though sometimes limited to smoking sections in restaurants. Drinking alcohol in view of a mosque is frowned on and alcohol licenses are expensive, but alcohol is often served discreetly indoors or on terraces.

Climate:
The Moroccan climate varies according to season and region. The coast has a warm, Mediterranean climate tempered on the eastern coast by southwest trade winds. Inland areas have a hotter, drier, continental climate. In the south of the country, the weather is very hot and dry throughout most of the year, though temperatures can drop dramatically at night, especially in the months of December and January. Rain falls from November to March in coastal areas, and the country is mostly dry with high temperatures in summer and a cooler climate in the mountains. Marrakech and Agadir enjoy an average temperature of 21°C (70ºF) in the winter.

Required Clothing
Lightweight cottons and linens are worn during summer, with warm medium weights for the evenings, during the winter, and in the mountains. Waterproofing is advisable in the wet season, particularly on the coast and in the mountains.

Food and Drink
Bottled water is the best bet for short-term visitors. Water sources outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilization is advisable. Freshly cooked meat and fish served hot is advised. Most produce is grown organically, without chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Vegetables are typically served cooked, and fruit should be peeled.

Other Risks
Vaccinations against tuberculosis and hepatitis B are sometimes recommended please check with your doctor.

Health Care
There are good medical facilities in all main cities, including emergency pharmacies (see postings in pharmacy windows listing the nearest pharmacie du garde, or after-hours pharmacy) and clinics in major hotels outside normal opening hours. Government hospitals provide free or minimal charge emergency treatment.

Currency
Moroccan Dirham (MAD; symbol Dh) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of Dh200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of Dh10, 5 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 centimes.

Currency Exchange
Moroccan Dirhams can only be obtained in Morocco. The most convenient way to obtain Dirhams is through an ATM, where official rates automatically apply, but daily withdrawal limits can seem low for customers paying cash for rugs in the souks. National currencies should be exchanged at official bureaux de change only (identified by a golden sign); changing money in the street is illegal. There is no commission charge and visitors will be issued with a receipt which they must keep in order to exchange Moroccan currency back into the original national currency upon departure.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
Some credit cards are accepted in larger restaurants, hotels, guest houses and the occasional shop in the souks.  Cash can be withdrawn from ATMs in larger towns.

Traveller's Cheques
To avoid additional exchange rate surcharges, travelers are advised to take traveler’s cheques in Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.
Currency Restrictions apply

Banking Hours
Mon-Thurs 0830-1230 and 1500-1830, Fri 0830-1200 and 1500-1830.

Language:
The official language is Moroccan Arabic, but Berber languages are spoken by a large minority. French is widely spoken throughout the country, except in the northern regions where Spanish is more predominant. English is also understood, particularly in the north and major tourist destinations like Marrakech.