MarocBlog.org

SUN/ELEMENTS/EXTREME

WEATHER EXPOSURE The weather

extremes in Morocco can be surprising

for some. During the colder months of

November to February, the country can

experience European-like cold spells

bringing cold, wet, and sometimes snowy

weather to many regions. Travel through

those same regions from June to September,

however, and Morocco fulfils its

image as a land fringed by Saharan sands

and harsh, barren mountains. It’s during

these hot months that travelers should try

to limit their exposure to the sun—especially

during the first few days after arrival

and at high altitudes—during the heat of

the day. Wear a hat and use sunscreen

with a high protection factor (SPF 30+),

and remember that children are more susceptible

to heat exhaustion and dehydration

than adults.

SAFETY STAYING SAFE

Morocco is a relatively safe country in

which to travel, and the majority of

Moroccans are hospitable, friendly, and

law-abiding. That said, there are some

issues that travelers should be aware of.

In April 2007, two suicide bombings

took place outside the U.S. Consulate

and the private American Language Center,

respectively. There is some conjecture

as to whether these were the work of an

organized terror group with international

links. In 2003, a series of coordinated suicide

bombings also occurred in Casablanca,

targeting buildings with either

Jewish or Western connections. Both of

these incidents provoked outrage and

disbelief amongst ordinary Moroccans.

Although most sympathize with the

plight of their Arab neighbors in Palestine

and Iraq, there is an accepted distinction

between Western travelers and their governments’

policies. For more, see “Terrorism

in Morocco” in appendix A. Other

than not coming to Morocco at all—

which would be an unnecessary overreaction—

travelers are best advised to keep

up to date with current events during

their travels. Before you depart, check for

travel advisories for your home country.

Violent crime is generally minimal in

Morocco, although there have been incidents

of tourists being robbed at knifepoint

in various cities and at nighttime

on some tourist beaches. Most crimes

that occur are acts of sexual harassment

(see “Women Travelers” on p. 43) and

non-confrontational theft. Pickpocketing,

purse snatching, and theft from vehicles

are the most common. These are

more likely to occur in the country’s cities

and large towns, crowded medinas, bus

and train stations, and beaches, but it

pays to be vigilant everywhere. Be particularly

alert when withdrawing money

from ATMs, and be aware of some of the

common tactics used by petty criminals,

such as distracting you with questions

and small talk while an accomplice is

deftly emptying your pockets or backpack.

If your hotel offers a safe-keeping

area, use it. Otherwise, take away the

temptation that might present itself by

locking valuables in your bag or suitcase.

Westerners driving rental cars generally

stick out and are easily spotted by

thieves, so it goes without saying that

you shouldn’t leave anything of value in

an unattended car.

Traveling by train or long-distance bus

is generally considered safe, though it

pays to keep one eye on your luggage at

each stop. Women travelers should look

for seats close to those occupied by

Moroccan women. The country’s taxis—

both petit and grand—are considered

generally crime free, but may be poorly

maintained and driven recklessly (a

request of “beshwïya” [“slowly”] may or

may not be heeded). Traveling on a

crowded city bus can be unsafe.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET SICK AWAY FROM HOME

In Morocco, you will have to pay all medical

costs upfront and in cash. See “General

Availability of Health Care” under

“Health,” above. Before leaving home,

find out what medical services your

health insurance covers. To protect yourself,

consider buying medical travel insurance

(see “Medical Insurance,” under

“Travel Insurance,” above).

Very few health insurance plans pay for

medical evacuation back to the U.S.

(which can cost $10,000 and up). A

number of companies offer medical evacuation

services anywhere in the world. If

you’re ever hospitalized more than 150

miles from home, MedjetAssist (& 800/

527-7478; www.medjetassistance.com)

will pick you up and fly you to the hospital

of your choice virtually anywhere in

the world in a medically equipped and

staffed aircraft 24 hours day, 7 days a

week. Annual memberships are $225

individual, $350 family; you can also

purchase short-term memberships.

We list local hospitals and doctors

under “Fast Facts” in each destination

chapter.

If you suffer from a chronic illness,

consult your doctor before your departure.

Pack prescription medications in

your carry-on luggage, and carry them in

their original containers, with pharmacy

labels—otherwise they won’t make it

through airport security. Carry the

generic name of prescription medicines in

case a local pharmacist is unfamiliar with

the brand name.

HIGH-ALTITUDE HAZARDS More

travelers are making day trips from Marrakech

to the Jebel Toubkal trail head village

of Imlil, which sits 1,740m (5,709

ft.) above sea level. Most people are fine at

this altitude, but it’s worth knowing your

limits and realizing some people may be

a little short of breath. For hard-core

trekkers who don’t wish to spend a day in

the village acclimatizing, be aware that the

Toubkal-Neltner refuge sits at 3,207m

(10,521 ft.) and the Jebel Toubkal peak

at 4,167m (13,671 ft.). Altitude sickness,

or acute mountain sickness (AMS), can

occur as low as 2,500m (8,202 ft.), but

serious symptoms don’t usually occur

until above 3,600m (11,811 ft.). The

main cause of altitude sickness is going

too high too quickly, and can generally be

avoided by planning a sensible trek that

allows for gradual altitude acclimatization.

Given enough time, your body will adapt

to the decrease in oxygen at a specific altitude.

Trekking up to 3,000m (9,843 ft.),

many people will experience mild AMS.

The symptoms—headache, appetite loss,

extreme fatigue, and nausea—usually start

12 to 24 hours after arrival at altitude and

begin to decrease in severity around the

third day. It’s important to stay properly

hydrated when mountain trekking—

experts advise 4 to 6 liters of water per

day—and avoid tobacco, alcohol, and

depressant drugs such as sleeping pills.

Remember the easiest and quickest way to

lessen AMS is to descend.

BUGS, BITES & OTHER WILDLIFE CONCERNS

The existence of malaria

is officially denied by Moroccan authorities,

but other sources report very occasional

summertime cases in a few of the

more northern reaches of the country.

Personally, I’ve never heard of, or seen,

anyone suffering from malaria in

Morocco. Cover up from dusk until

dawn and use good mosquito repellent,

and you shouldn’t have anything to worry

about.

Morocco’s Saharan ergs and the surrounding

stony hammada are home to a

number of scorpions and snakes.

Although very few of the country’s scorpions

are venomous—a notable exception

being the decidedly nasty Androctonus

australis—the sting can still be extremely

painful, especially if you are allergic. The

same goes for the country’s snakes, which

other than the largely nocturnal and terrestrial

Saharan horned viper, are mostly

non-venomous. The chances of coming

across a snake, however, are slim. All

snakes, without exception, are greatly

feared by ordinary Moroccans, and no distinction

is drawn between venomous and

non-venomous species. Snakes are invariably

killed whenever and wherever they

are found. To be safe, wear closed footwear

when outdoors, and shake them out

before putting them on. If bitten, try to

stay calm and seek medical help as quickly

as possible.

Rabies cases are rare but do occur

in Morocco. Vaccination against rabies

doesn’t mean you’re immune, and it’s

worth seeking medical advice if you’re

bitten.

COMMON AILMENTS

MOROCCO BELLY Traveler’s diarrhea

(locally known as Morocco belly) is

the most common ailment suffered by

Westerners while traveling in Morocco.

As with similar destinations around the

world, there’s only so much that can be

done to try to avoid an upset stomach.

Some people religiously stay away from

street food, others never order a salad and

only drink bottled water, while others

only eat peeled or cooked food. All of

these are good ideas and recommended—

however, I’ve still seen the most cautious

of travelers fall victim. It can happen simply

because your body isn’t used to the

unfamiliar cuisine, or perhaps from a little

bout of travel fatigue.

For many, however, traveler’s diarrhea is

a direct result of dehydration. Morocco’s

summer months are often oppressively

hot—especially for those arriving from

more temperate climes—and can sometimes

be too much for the body to cope

with. Even at other times of the year,

Morocco’s delightfully warm temperature

can disguise the strong effect that the sun

can have.

Once you arrive, increasing your daily

intake of water is the most effective way

to keep Morocco belly at bay. I always

recommend two large bottles per day,

which takes a bit of effort for those not

used to drinking so much water. Most tap

water is drinkable, but bottled water is

available everywhere, inexpensive, and

recommended. If you do suffer from a

dose of diarrhea, it’s important (especially

for children) to replace lost body fluids

and salts. Oral rehydration salts, available

in any pharmacy, will help. Moroccans

swear by a tablespoonful of ground

cumin washed down with a swig of water.

It pays to adapt your diet as well. Steer

clear from fatty foods, caffeine, alcohol,

and dairy products (except yogurt). Eat

plain boiled rice or plain steamed couscous,

yogurt, and dried biscuits. For a

serious dose of diarrhea, start taking an

antibiotic and an anti-diarrhea agent.

Note: Mountain and desert trekkers

should avoid drinking from rivers and

streams, as cases of giardiasis are common.

If you must, be sure to boil the

water sufficiently or purify it with iodine

tablets.

HEALTH STAYING HEALTHY

Traveling in Morocco generally presents no

serious health concerns. If there is one constant

health concern, it’s that of traveler’s

diarrhea, sometimes dubbed “Morocco

belly”

 

General Availability

of Health Care

No compulsory vaccinations are required

to enter Morocco, though travelers arriving

from cholera-infected areas may be

asked for proof of vaccine, and it’s always

wise to be up-to-date with your tetanus

and typhoid vaccines. Due to the aforementioned

stomach distress, it’s always

good to bring along a course of anti-diarrhea

tablets and oral rehydration sachets,

although these are usually readily available

from the country’s pharmacies.

Moroccan pharmacists (see “Drugstores”

in “Fast Facts”) are very well trained, and

regularly act as the village doctor. They

dispense a far wider range of drugs than

their colleagues in the West, and can usually

assist with most travelers’ ailments. If

you need the attention of a doctor, they

can usually recommend one for you,

some even have a doctor on-site. Moroccan

doctors—private and public—are

very professional, with most having studied

in France.

The level of hospital care in Morocco

tends to be dictated by the location. Privately-

run polycliniques generally offer

first-world facilities and can be found in

most larger towns and cities. State hospitals

are notoriously under-funded and

are best visited only for minor injuries;

however, they may be the only option if

you are in rural regions. For serious illnesses

or injuries, contact your embassy

for advice. Throughout the book, I have

listed each city’s doctors and hospitals

where available in the “Fast Facts” section.

Note: Almost without exception, you

will have to pay upfront and in cash for

any medical treatment and then claim on

any travel insurance once you return

home. Remember to get receipts for any

treatment or medication.

Contact the International Association

for Medical Assistance to Travelers

(IAMAT; & 716/754-4883, or 416/

652-0137 in Canada; www.iamat.org) for

tips on travel and health concerns in the

countries you’re visiting, and for lists of

local, English-speaking doctors. The

United States Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention (& 800/311-3435;

www.cdc.gov) provides up-to-date information

on health hazards by region or

country and offers tips on food safety.

Travel Health Online (www.tripprep.

com), sponsored by a consortium of

travel medicine practitioners, may also

offer helpful advice on traveling abroad.

You can find listings of reliable medical

clinics overseas at the International Society

of Travel Medicine (www.istm.org).

LOST-LUGGAGE INSURANCE

On international flights (including U.S.

portions of international trips), baggage

coverage is limited to approximately $9.07

per pound, up to approximately $635 per

checked bag. If you plan to check items

more valuable than what’s covered by the

standard liability, see if your homeowner’s

policy covers your valuables, get baggage

insurance as part of your comprehensive

travel-insurance package, or buy Travel

Guard’s “BagTrak” product.

If your luggage is lost, immediately file

a lost-luggage claim at the airport, detailing

the luggage contents. Most airlines

require that you report delayed, damaged,

or lost baggage within 4 hours of arrival.

The airlines are required to deliver luggage,

once found, directly to your house

or destination free of charge.

MEDICAL INSURANCE

For travel overseas, most U.S. health

plans (including Medicare and Medicaid)

do not provide coverage, and the ones

that do often require you to pay for services

upfront and reimburse you only after

you return home.

As a safety net, you may want to buy

travel medical insurance, particularly if

you’re traveling to a remote or high-risk

area where emergency evacuation might

be necessary. If you require additional

medical insurance, try MEDEX Assistance

(& 410/453-6300; www.medex

assist.com) or Travel Assistance International

(& 800/821-2828; www.travel

assistance.com; for general information

on services, call the company’s Worldwide

Assistance Services, Inc. at &800/

777-8710).

Canadians should check with their

provincial health plan offices, or call

Health Canada (& 866/225-0709;

www.hc-sc.gc.ca) to find out the extent of

their coverage and what documentation

and receipts they must take home in case

they are treated overseas.

TRIP-CANCELLATION INSURANCE

Trip-cancellation insurance will help

retrieve your money if you have to back

out of a trip or depart early, or if your

travel supplier goes bankrupt. Trip cancellation

traditionally covers such events

as sickness, natural disasters, and State

Department advisories. The latest news

in trip-cancellation insurance is the availability

of expanded hurricane coverage

and the “any-reason” cancellation coverage—

which costs more but covers cancellations

made for any reason. You won’t

get back 100% of your prepaid trip

cost, but you’ll be refunded a substantial

portion. TravelSafe (& 888/885-7233;

www.travelsafe.com) offers both types of

coverage. Expedia also offers any-reason

cancellation coverage for its air-hotel

packages.

For details, contact one of the following

recommended insurers: Access

America (& 866/807-3982; www.access

america.com); Travel Guard International

(& 800/826-4919; www.travel

guard.com); Travel Insured International

(& 800/243-3174; www.travel

insured.com); and Travelex Insurance

Services (&888/457-4602; www.travelexinsurance.

com).