What concerns me is the closed currency of Moroccan Dirhams. Can I bring up to 1000 of them into Morocco using Moneycorp and pick them up at Gatwick, then any more I can change at the hotel? I don't want to do it at Marrakech Airport as there will be queues and I will need to pick up baggage and find the Tour Guide for JY.

Advise, please.

Graham

I have asked one of our team to confirm where you can exchange money when overseas other than at the airport and will add this as soon as they have come back to me - this is a destination I'm afraid I have not yet visited so unable to speak from experience.

We do recommend that travellers take sterling cash to exchange on arrival. The Moroccan authorities will tolerate the importation and exportation of up to 1000 Dirham. Most credit cards are widely accepted for larger purchases at hotels, restaurants and stores and ATM machines are available. Travellers’ Cheques can be very hard to change and it is advised not to take them. Only the new £20 notes are accepted for currency exchange. For travellers joining us from north of the border, please note that Scottish banknotes are not accepted at all for currency exchange in Morocco.

In the meantime, if any of our Community members would like to comment, I'm sure Graham would appreciate it.

Kindest regards,

Julia

Have a great time and please do write a review on your return!

Best wishes,

Bob

I last went to Marrakech in 2007 with my daughter Sarah. I remember getting my money from Travelex at Gatwick which surprised me as I knew about the closed system of money. I still have 400 dirhams as we left early in the morning before the shops or exchange bureau had opened- not happy.

Haggling is well known in the souks, I heard people saying that they had paid some astronomical sum for items when I had paid a third for the same thing. Halve what they say and then again :P

The best orange juice I have ever tasted was in the Djemma el Fna for 30 pence. He was washing glasses constantly to keep up with the demand.

Did not realise due to the heat haze that you could see Atlas Mountains till we were leaving :(

To the females in the party, beware the men. Sarah has striking blue eyes and long brown hair. We were constantly mobbed by men despite wearing trousers and covered shoulders saying they were her husband. We ended talking in French and they left us alone.

Went by Marrakech Express to Casablanca- the song is now going through my mind :rolleyes:

Loved Marrakech and would go again except there are so many places I have not seen :thumbup:

Have a great holiday and if you would like an extra 400 dirhams let me know. Better check to make sure they are still valid.

Jan

I have been to Morocco a few times. On each occasion I took Sterling, Debit and Credit Cards. I don't know about using Moneycorp as whilst in Morocco it is so easy to get money from the plentiful supply of ATMs on an as and when you need it basis As regards queues at the airport for ATMs and Bureau de Changes there are plenty of them and the queues were just formed by our groups!

I hope this helps.

Sylvia

I have been advised that the hotel will have the ability to exchange money and your Tour Manager will be on hand throughout your trip to advise of local banks/bureau’s that you can use when out and about.

Thanks

Laura

I went to Marrakech last Christmas and took Dirhams with me which I got from Moneycorp. No one checked as to how much I had with me. I think I took about £100 worth and then changed a few more whilst there. Please be aware that at the Airport, on the return trip, shops were not accepting Moroccan Dirhams though they were accepting Euros. I found this a bit strange. I loved Morocco and would like to go back during some other time and not Christmas. Just You have extended the stay for this year - wish we had more days.

Jaya

Such a pity for you that Casablanca was not in last year's trip. Sorry you are not coming this time. I see the tour is sold out now. I got in just in time! Best Wishes, Graham

Have a great time in Morocco. You will love it. Hopefully I will get to see Casablanca one day. Do write a review on your return so we know what you thought of the trip. You never know your luck - the duty free shops may be accepting Dirhams now. If I remember correctly, some shops selling local produce accepted them.

Have a great holiday.

Jaya

Had we both gone to the Moroccan Christmas at the same time, I think we would have been great friends. I'm preparing for a mixture of weathers, both summer and winter clothes (a little of each).

I intend to write a review of my experiences. Reviews are always fascinating. I do a lot of them for the products I buy on Amazon.

Best Wishes, Graham

You never know - we may yet meet on one of Just You tours. You have an amazing time. Yes, you will need some warm clothes as it does get chilly in the mornings and evenings during December.

Jaya