» » Morocco uses the metric system for weights and measures.
» » Electricity is generally reliable and available nearly everywhere travellers go.
» » See Click here for more information on electricity.
» » For a list of Moroccan newspapers online, visit www.onlinenewspapers.com/morocco.htm.
» » English-language websites include the Morocco Board News Service (www.moroccoboard.com), Morocco Newsline
(www.morocconewsline.com) and Agence Maghreb Arabe Presse (www.map.ma/eng). Maghrebarts (www.maghrebarts.ma,
in French) has arts and media coverage.
» » French-language dailies include the semi-official Le Matin (www.lematin.ma), and the opposition Libération (www.libe.ma),
L’Opinion and Al-Bayane.
» » Major European, British and American papers (or their foreign editions) and magazines are available in most of the main
cities.
» » Most Moroccan radio stations broadcast in Arabic or French on AM or FM.
» » Broadcasting across North Africa and Europe from Tangier, you can listen to the Maghrebi affairs and music station Médi 1
via radio (105.3MHz in Marrakesh and 95.3 or 101 in Tangier) and www.medi1.com.
» » State-run SNRT (www.snrt.ma) has regional and national stations, including the urban Chaine Inter, available via radio
(98.8MHz in Marrakesh and 90MHz in Casablanca) and www.chaineinter.ma.
» » Satellite dishes are everywhere, and pick up foreign stations.
» » The major TV station, 2M, is partly state-owned and broadcasts in languages including Arabic and French via satellite,
analogue and www.2m.ma.
» » Médi 1’s news and current-affairs broadcasts are available via satellite and www.medi1tv.com.
» » Moroccan DVDs share region 5 with much of Africa and Asia (North America is region 1, Europe is mostly region 2 and
Australia is region 4).Hostels
Part of Hostelling International, Fédération Royale Marocaine des Auberges de Jeunes (
0522 47 09 52; http://tinyurl.com/373omvl) has reliable youth hostels in Casablanca, Fez,
Marrakesh, Meknès, Ouarzazate and Rabat.
» » If you’re travelling alone, they are among the cheapest places to stay (Dh30 to Dh60 a
night), but many are inconveniently located.
» » Some offer kitchens, family rooms and breakfast.
» » If looking for a budget hostel, beware of individuals’ houses converted in the dead of night
without the appropriate licences.
Hotels
» » You’ll need your passport number (and entry-stamp number) when filling in a hotel register.
» » For registered hotels, there’s a government tax (included in prices quoted throughout the
book); the exact amount depends on the hotel’s rating.
» » Some hotels in more isolated regions offer half-board (demi-pension) , which means
breakfast and dinner are included, or full-board (pension) , also including lunch. This can be a
good deal.
BUDGET
» » You’ll find cheap, unclassified (without a star rating) or one-star hotels clustered in the
medinas of the bigger cities.
» » Some are bright and spotless, others haven’t seen a mop for years.
» » Cheaper prices usually mean shared washing facilities and squat toilets.
» » Many budget hotels don’t supply soap in the bathrooms, so bring a bar or some gel.
» » Occasionally there is a gas-heated shower, for which you’ll pay an extra Dh5 to Dh10.
» » Where there is no hot water at all, head for the local hammam ( Click here ).
» » Many cheap hotels in the south offer a mattress on the roof terrace (Dh25 to Dh30); others
also have traditional Moroccan salons, lined with banks of seats and cushions, where you can
sleep for a similar price.