Emergency Contact Information

The following information is a list of primary contacts with whom we have been working in the development of your project. These may be helpful to you in case of an emergency.

Delegation Support Representatives

Your Delegation Manager will be assigned approximately 60 days before departure. The contact information will be part of your Final Information, provided at 30 days prior to the delegation convene date.

Local Office Representatives UAE

Mr. Balu Menon

WORLDWIDE ADVENTURES INDIA (P) LTD

Phone: +91 981 099 4589 (available on both call and WhatsApp)

Email: balu@worldwideadventuresindia.com

Emergency Contact Information

Ms. Dawn Davis, Director

Citizen Ambassador Program

Office: 202-545-6830

Cell: +1-509-251-9532

Email: ddavis@culturalvistas.org

Ms. Kasey McKevitt, Assistant Program Officer

Citizen Ambassador Program

Office: 202-545-7034

Email: kmckevitt@culturalvistas.org

Weather

As a desert country, Morocco can have extreme weather. Winter (November to March) can be very cold, particularly in the mountains and the desert, with overnight temperatures dropping to 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Even in summer the desert gets cold at night. It is recommended to bring a scarf, gloves, and a warm jacket for travel in winter. Please be prepared for cold showers.

Summer (May to September) can be very hot everywhere, which means that it can be quite uncomfortable for those not used to the heat. It’s important to use sun protection and drink plenty of water.

Packing

The essentials- Before you leave your country, we recommend you make sure you have the following:

Passport
Covid Vaccination Certificate
Air tickets (or E-tickets)
One other picture ID, such as driver’s license
Expense money
Insurance policy- if you have purchased independent travel insurance
Personal Medications- please make sure prescription is on the bottle with your name.

Luggage

Suitcases, both hard and soft sided (wheeled versions are OK), with a small padlock (must be unlocked for air travel).
Daypack for camera gear, water bottle, and personal items needed during the day
(optional) Small roll-up duffel to carry home purchases.

Attire Recommendations

Morocco is a primarily Muslim country, so modesty is important.

Professional Meetings- Professional Attire in Morocco, which is modest, conservative, and elegant is a token of professionalism and respect in Morocco. Women should dress in conservative, non-provocative business attire. Men should avoid loud colors or prints. Men should plan on at least a collared shirt and sports jacket. given the meeting a tie may be appropriate.

For women-you want to balance appropriate modesty with comfort based on the weather. Lightweight layers, modest clothing, that covers to the elbow and to the knee, will help with comfort, while observing the local culture and avoid unwanted attention.

General Packing list- women:

Long or mid-length skirts- to the knee
Jeans
Wide palazzo style pants
Jumpsuits
T-shirts (side note: nothing sleeveless)- cover upper arms
A billowy button-up blouse for layering
A cardigan or lightweight jacket
Scarves, scarves, and more scarves- you can do anything with a scarf!
Closed shoes for walking

For men-There is an emphasis on modesty in Moroccan dressing, so it’s best to avoid wearing anything that is too flashy or ostentatious.

General Packing list- Men:

Shorts- not short-shorts
Chinos
Jeans
T-shirts
Polo shirts
Button up collared shirts
A cardigan or lightweight jacket
Closed shoes for walking
Sports Jacket
one dress shirt and tie- depending on your meeting schedule.

Pre-departure and Arrival Information

Arrival and Departure Information: Transfers and Extra Hotel Nights

We provide arrival and departure airport transfers, for arrival and departure within a window of time, at a specific airport, based on the most frequent arrival/departure air schedules. This information will be outlined in your notice that the delegation has been confirmed- “Time to book your flights” letter.

If you are arriving/departing within the transfer window of time, at the designated airport, you will be met by our ground team representative (contact information will be included in the Final Information). After deplaning, you proceed through Passport Control, collect your bags, proceed through Customs Inspection, and look for our ground representative, holding a paging board, identifying: Cultural Vistas, Citizen Ambassador Program.

If you are arriving/ departing outside of the transfer window of time, you will be provided with transfer options, including taxi, ride share, public transportation and hotel shuttle information as appropriate. Our team, including your on-site, Delegation Manager will assure a smooth arrival and departure.

If you are arriving prior to the delegation convene date or departing after the delegation convene date, additional nights are generally available at the delegation hotel. We have found that delegates who book direct with the hotel, get a more favorable rate than the rate offered, as part of the advance contracted services booked for the delegation. The delegation hotels are booked 12-14 months in advance and are locked in a contracted rate, which includes breakfast and gives us access to the variety of room types necessary to meet our rooming list requirements. Hotels generally offer reduced rates to utilize excess capacity 2-3 weeks before a given date I book with the hotel. You will receive the contact information to book additional nights before or after the delegation dates.

Your delegation will have a WhatsApp group set up with all members invited to join. Your Delegation Leader(s) and Delegation Manager will be a part of this group. Your invitation to join this group will be sent at approximately 30 days prior to the convene date for your delegation. This is an easy way to chat with the other delegation members, ask questions and in the event of flight delays, airport transfer issues or an emergency, you will be able to easily reach the leadership, support team and members of your delegation.

Passport Information

Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months after your journey ends and should have a minimum of one blank visa page for entry and exit stamps.

Visa: Citizens from the US, UK, Australia, Canada and most EU countries do not require a visa for Morocco and may stay for up to 90 days. Requirements for visitor visas from other countries vary. Please contact your nearest Moroccan consulate or Department of State website for the most recent information.

Name Badges

Your name badges will be distributed by your Delegation Manager, on the first morning of your exchange. Please wear your name badge throughout the program, so you are easily identified as a member of the delegation.

Rooming List

The Rooming list will be included in your final Information, sent at approximately 30 days prior to your delegation convene date. Take a few moments to make sure you are assigned as per your request. Please advise our team immediately of necessary changes. If your assigned roommate is new to you, reach out via the WhatsApp group for your delegation and introduce yourself.

Luggage Tags

Airline regulations require identification tags on your luggage. You should have received the orange Cultural Vistas Luggage tags. If you have not, please let me know immediately. Please place them on your luggage before leaving your home.

Luggage Limitation

For international flights to and from Morocco each person in economy (coach) class is limited to two suitcases with weight of each piece not to exceed 50 pounds. Should you exceed this limit, an excess luggage charge is enforced and will be collected by the airline.

Customs & Immigration

Before traveling overseas, it is a good idea to become familiar with Customs procedures and know what to expect before you depart. Below is a link to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection site that includes general information on traveling overseas and returning back into the U.S. U.S. Customs and Border Protection | Securing America’s Borders (Links to an external site.) Our team will provide you with step by step procedures, for transiting Passport Control and Customs in your Final Information.

Currency and Charge Cards

We suggest you take a small amount of cash in small denomination bills and plan to use the ATM for removal of cash onsite from a credit card or checking account. Major credit cards are accepted for purchases at most shops and hotels. It is a good idea to notify your credit card company of your travel plans since making purchases in a foreign country is most likely not part of your typical purchasing pattern. Your credit card company may delay approving any charges unless you notify them ahead of time.

The official currency unit of Morocco is the Moroccan dirham (DH) which is abbreviate (MAD).

In Morocco, like most countries in the world, you can pay by cash or credit card. When paying by credit card, the exchange rate applied is the current rate. The maximum commission depends on each issuing institution, it is generally 1%. In establishments that don’t give the possibility to pay by credit card, it is preferable to pay in dirhams. The best places to change your currency are the exchange offices that are located in the tourist squares of each city in Morocco. You can change your currency at the airport or in hotels as well.

Special dietary requirements

We will do our best to accommodate special dietary needs, however, please keep in mind that certain cultural differences or limitations due to logistics can make it extremely difficult and at times impossible to accommodate dietary restrictions. It is important to bring a flexible attitude and supplemental snacks if you have dietary limitations.

If your dietary needs have changed since you enrolled on the program, please inform us at immediately.

Communications

Telephone: The international dialing code for Morocco is 212
Email & Internet Access: Internet access is available at all our hotels
WhatsApp: Make sure you have your family and friends connected to WhatsApp, this will be an easy way to communicate while you are away from home, and to reach the other members of your delegation, through the delegation WhatsApp group.
Mobile Phones: Please contact your service provider for specific instructions for international use. Some phone companies, offer roaming in Morocco, so you can use your phone while you’re there. Other phone companies don’t offer roaming, so you’ll have to use a local SIM card. Maroc Telecom and Orange au Maroc (formerly Méditel) both have small stands in the arrival’s hall at most international airports in Morocco.

Electricity

All appliances require a double round pin type plug for 220 volts AC, 50- hertz. In Morocco, plugs usually have two round pins. Bring a converter and plug adapter kit for appliance use.

Gratuities

Most of the tips associated with this program for bus drivers, porters, restaurant staff and hotel luggage service have been included in your program cost. Their tips will be paid from the program office. Tips for your Delegation Manager HAVE NOT been included, as the Delegation Manager is critical to the success of the program and will be the individual with whom you interact the most. Your Delegation leader will coordinate the tip for the national guide, collecting from each of you to make up this gratuity. I suggest $8-12 dollars a day, per person. If any of the others, including bus drivers and hotel staff have impressed you, providing additional gratuities to specific individuals whom you would like to recognize their excellent service addition gratuity is always appreciated.

Medical Resources and Covid-19 Precaution Requirements

Health and safety

It is recommended that all passengers traveling have personal insurance to assist with any medical and other costs. Please do not forget to take a copy of your insurance policy with you.

When traveling in markets and public areas, take care of your belongings and leave valuables back at the hotel. It is wise not to accept gifts of food or drink from any strangers. Take care with your passport, credit cards and money – a money belt to fit beneath your clothes is highly recommended. Avoid walking alone after dark in isolated places, including pedestrian underpasses.

While there are no mandatory vaccinations for travelers to Morocco it is advisable to ensure typhoid, polio and tetanus inoculations are up to date. Some travelers feel more confident with hepatitis and meningitis vaccines as well. Rabies exists only in rural areas of Morocco, and it is very unlikely that you will come in contact with a rabid animal.

Do not drink the water

In hotels don’t brush your teeth with tap water; use bottled water. Don’t use ice in your drinks unless you are sure it was made with treated water. When in doubt, ask your National Guide for guidelines.

Medical Services

In Morocco, medical facilities in cities and larger towns are adequate, with qualified French-trained doctors available as well as some expat doctors in Marrakech. However, emergency services may not be of the same standard as in first world nations. In rural areas, clinics and hospitals tend to deal with primary health needs and therefore do not offer the range of medical care that the large metropolitan hospitals do. It is best to bring any medication you might need during your vacation as you may have limited access to pharmacies during some parts of your journey, such as in the desert. Pharmacies are everywhere in the larger cities and are usually very well stocked. However, medicines are generally sourced from France and may have names with which you are not familiar.

We recommend that you bring an ample supply of personal medications with you in your carry-on luggage.

Please understand that your local guides and Delegation Manager do not necessarily possess first aid training. People with serious medical concerns must take this into account while choosing any destination. We recommend that you bring an ample supply of personal medications with you in your carry-on luggage. The standard of public medical facilities in major cities is adequate. However, services might not be available in remote areas.

Covid-19 Precaution Requirements for Entry into Morocco

Covid-19 travel restrictions for Morocco: Moroccan authorities lifted COVID-related travel restrictions on September 30, 2022. Passengers must only complete the Public Health Passenger Form and present it upon arrival. Passports must also have at least six months of validity at time of entry. As a general rule we suggest your carry your Vaccination card/certificate or QR code in the event requirements change.

Please note this information is subject to change, we will update as we get closer to your delegation convene date.

General suggestions:

Make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before you travel.
Follow all airline requirements of transportation operators as well as any requirements at your destination External Link, including mask wearing, proof of vaccination, testing, or quarantine.
Consider getting tested for current infection with a viral test as close to the time of departure as possible (no more than 3 days) before travel.
Requirements for travelers in other countries may differ from U.S. requirements. If you do not follow your destination’s requirements, you may be denied entry and required to return to the United States.
Everyone aged 2 years or older—including passengers and workers— should properly wear a well-fitting mask or respirator in indoor areas of public transportation (such as airplanes, trains, buses, ferries) and transportation hubs (such as airports, stations, and seaports), especially in locations that are crowded or poorly ventilated such as airport jetways.

Covid-19 Precaution Requirements for Return to the United States

Currently, the United States is not requiring visitors or returning US Citizens to present a negative result of RT-PCR test for COVID-19 at the airport of departure.

Citizen Ambassador Program Vaccine Requirement

As a condition of participation in the Citizen Ambassador program and to ensure the health of your fellow delegation members and your meeting hosts, you are required to be fully vaccinated and have received boosters as appropriate.

If you have a medical waiver, from a healthcare professional, please provided a copy to the Citizen Ambassador Program Team. You will be required to present a valid, negative result of an RT-PCR test conducted within 48 hours before arrival or a recovery certificate (containing a QR code) from COVID-19 issued within 30 days before departure if they were infected with the virus.

Visit the U.S. Department of State at travel.state.gov or the Government of Canada at travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories for comprehensive and up-to-date country entry requirements as well as information for onward travel.