No believe anyone
If you ask to someone about getting to some tourist attraction is likely to tell you that is closed on the grounds that it does not open that day or that is developing an event.

This is generally false and the reason is to try to take you to another site that he recommends. You will have to always check what they tell you.

Everyone wants to make money
Typically, a boy tells you that leads you somewhere without pay, he has money and does not want anything, only coincidentally lives near where you want to go and do not mind lead you, or unless it learns Castilian.

Mysteriously, the road appears the store of his brother / friend / uncle, which as you can have a look of “just looking, not buying.”

They are great business
If you start looking at something at any store, no matter how clever you are very likely to finish inside the store, with the curtain closed, drinking mint tea with the owner while gives you things because you’ve liked.

Needless to say, you end up buying something you did not want.

Dont take a taxi without the meter
You must insist that to the taxi drivers to activate the meter, if he refuses find another taxi. Taxis are everywhere and is better than be cheated.

The girls outside the groups of people
It’s better for girls to stay far from the crowds of people, specially at night in the Jamaa el Fna Square. If you enter the game, is sure to notice many unknown hands.

Use a shuttle service for the first night
If this is the first time you visit Marrakech, arriving at night and go to a riad in the medina, use the shuttle service you provide.

Save lots of trouble and not going to be much more expensive than a normal taxi.

Do not drink non-bottled water
Needless to say that you must not drink non-bottled water. Neither soft drink with ice in places “street”, because the ice is made with untreated water.

Sample prices
Here are some examples of prices of Marrakech so that you can make your budget:

• Fresh orange juice in the square: 10 dirhams.
• Dinner for two at an inexpensive restaurant: From 120 dirhams.
• Double room in a riad cheap: from 30 € per night.
• Double scoring highly in riads: From 60 € per night.
• A taxi ride from the airport Menara: Between 80 and 100 dirhams.
• By taxi within the city: between 10 and 20 dirhams.
• Visit a memorial: Between 10 and 50 dirhams.

Tips
Normally leave between 10 and 15% tip in restaurants. In taxis if the driver has fulfilled the meter and the legality, it is not more than 10% leave a tip.

Haggling
As in all Arab countries, haggling is part of the culture of the people of Marrakech. Except in restaurants, you will have to haggle (willingly or not) in each store and position of the city, especially in the souk.

Currency Coverter (Live rates at 2010.02.04 16:43:30 UTC)

British Pounds & Morocco Dirhams
1.00 GBP = 12.8670 MAD

Euros & Morocco Dirhams
1.00 EUR = 11.2388 MAD

US Dollars & Morocco Dirhams
1.00 USD = 8.16730 MAD

If you stay within the medina, the walk to the riad at night may not be very pleasing to the majority. Main street lights are fairly low, some smaller streets have no lights, & sometimes you even light your way with your mobile phone.

Add to this that there are people lying in the corners, and even a child who will follow you to the riad demanding money, obviously it s not what you are expecting.

No doubt this is the least we like Marrakech. If you want help you can always choosed at a hotel outside the medina and take a taxi at the Place Jamaa el Fna, but missing the experience of the riad is a shame.

During the day things change radically and you feel calmer, with light and a lot more people on the street everything is different.

Plainly speaking, in Marrakesh is not going to happen to you anything bad, many people can you ask for money on the street and sure there are pickpockets around the square, but they’ll never threatened by the fear of the police and their laws.

The countries below can enter Morocco without a visa. Just need a valid passport for the entire stay.

Andorra, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Congo, South Korea, Ivory Coast, Croatia, Denmark, UAE, Slovakia, Slovenia , USA, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nigeria , New Guinea, Norway, New Zealand, Oman, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Romania, Senegal, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey and Venezuela.

However the best option for the citizens of other countries is to ask the Moroccan embassy in their country. They can also find information on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Morocco.

Summer in Marrakech
If you travel to Marrakech in July or August you get ready for heat. The average temperature in these months is 28 º and not infrequently exceed 40 ° C throughout the day.

The chance of rain is almost nil but the ocasional sandstorm.

Winter in Marrakech
From December to February average temperature is 13 º C with minimum temperatures of 6 º C. On the day the temperatire is comfortable in short sleeves but at night it cools. During these months there is a chance of rain, but not greater than in Spanish cities.

Spring and Autumn in Marrakech
March, April, October and November are the preferred months to travel to Marrakech. In recent months, when the day temperatures are bearable, and nights very pleasant.

Due to tourism and business needs, whether you speak French, English or Spanish will have no problems to communicate with much of the population of Marrakech. Wherever you are you will find someone who “gibberish” something in Spanish.

Useful Expressions in Arabic
Although, as we say, you will not need to put much emphasis on learning their language, is always good to know the basics to look good.

Courtesy
Hello – Ahalan
Adios – Ma’a Elsalam
See you later  -  Wada’an
Good morning – Saba’a AlKair
Good afternoon - Masa’a AlKair
Good night - Laila Tiab
Please  -  Fadilak Min
Thanks  -  Shokran
You’re welcome  –  Ala ElRahib Wa ElSaa
I’m sorry  –  Ann Eazinak

Words of interest
Yes  - Na’am
Not  - Laa
Good  - Taib
Bad  - Saia
Friend - Sadik

Numbers
Zeros  - efir
One  - Wahed
Two –  Etnin
Three  - Talata
Four  - Arbaa
Five  - Hamsa
Six –  ita
Seven –  Sabaa
Eight –  Tamaña
Nine –  Tesaa

Join the locals in choosing what to have in your freshly made smoothie/milkshake. Try milk and almonds (lait et amandes), or peach and plum (peche et prune), or a mix (panache – pronounced panashee). Ask for it without sugar if you prefer (sans sucre). The fruit is wonderful. They also do pastries, yoghurts with fruit etc. And they’ll make up boxes of Moroccan mini-pastries for you to take home for your friends – a big box holds up to 500g (the cost is very reasonable – think it was 60 dirhams per half kilo). Smoothies and milkshakes are around 9 dirhams each – excellent value for money.

Tel: 00 212(0) 24 44 43 14
Mobile: 00 212 (0) 71 38 95 35
Email : reservation@riaddollardessables.com

Located in a renowned area, only two minutes from the famous « Jema el Fnaa square » the riad DOLLAR DES SABLES is a traditional morrocan mansion. It has just been refurbished to a high standard by local craftsmen with rigorous respect for the marrocan style with traditional materials such as ceramic and tadelakt.

Rooms are located on 3 floors.
Patio level ZAHIA : Spacious twin room with tadelakt bathroom and ceiling fan.
1st floor, 4  Double rooms :” Safia,Salma,Bahia, Lalitha” all with high comfort
(Please note that  2 rooms can become connected rooms, according to the customers’s desire.,” Lalitha” and “Safia”)
On the terrasse level, the Dollar des Sables Suite which offers a very high standard with luxurious and refined decoration. The bathroom has an arched roof and a rounded bath.

The normal dress code on the street in Morocco is to cover legs, chest and arms for both men and women and although this is much more relaxed than it used to be. It is fine to wear shorts/swimwear in certain places and staff will advise you of the protocol at each place, specially if you planning to travel outside Marrakech.

I have seen some tourists wearing next to nothing, showing complete disregard for local customs. However, Moroccans are very civilised and relaxed. They will not bother you but they may stare. If you like to be stared you can wear what you like, but if you like more anonymity just wear what you would normally wear, taking with you a light pashmima to cover your shoulders/arms & even your head when you feel it would be appropriate.

Advice sent by Jim Parker

Taxi :
Menara Airport is about 15 minutes from the centre. The fare is about MAD50-MAD60.

Bus :
The hourly bus L19 goes to the Jemaa el Fna square and takes 20-30 minutes. Tickets: MAD20 single; MAD30 return.

*Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please confirm fare details in advance.