Climate:
Taghazout: 20 km. N of Agadir | 140 km. S of Essaouira | 300 km. W of Marrakech
Latitude : 30°32'39.28"N | Longtitude: 9°42'28.66"W
Time Zone: G.M.T. (all year round)
Country Entry: No need of vaccine or visa for EU citizens | Valid passport required
Frequently asked questions and tips
Which airport is closest?
Are there alternative airports?
How do I get from the airport to the apartment?
What about cheap flights?Do I need a visa?
Do I need certification of vaccinations?
What about currency and exchange?What kind of weather should I expect?
What clothing should I bring?Is Morocco problematic for women?
What should men know?What are the driving regulations?
Can I hire a car?
What are the distances between the major cities?
Will my mobile phone work?
Does Taghazout have broadaband internet access?How are the medical facilities?
What about food and alcohol there?
Are there public buses?
What about taxis?Airports and flights
The closest airport to Taghazout is Agadir international airport (AGA) approx 3.5 hrs from the UK or Ireland.The airport is forty minutes south east of Taghazout. Collection of guests and their surf gear at the Agadir (AGA) can be arranged on request.
Alternatively guests can fly to Marrakech (RAK) and make their own way to Taghazout. Grand taxis (big old Mercedes 240’s) cramming in up to 8 people and stopping for anyone on the way, take 4-5 hours depending on traffic and cost between €75-90 or £50-£60. Alternatively a number of bus companies (CTM or Supratours) run services to Agadir but you will need to get from Marrakech airport to the bus station. The journey cost approx €8 or £5 one way, and takes 4-5 hrs.
A pick up can be arranged from Agadir bus stop if you contact us. In some cases we can arrange transfers from Marrakech from € 75-90 or £50 -£60, max 4 people. For more details please contact us. It is also possible to fly to Casablanca Airport, no cheap flights though and you are best flying on to Agadir. The 8-10 hour journey from Casablanca to Agadir usually goes on a train to Marakech and a long distance coach from Marakechas to Agadir.Cheap flights are most often available to Agadir or Marrakech. If you are considering a flight to Marrakech rather than Agadir, bear in mind the lost holiday time and expense travelling the 5+5 hour journey to Marakech and back. For the best prices try to avoid school holidays.
Flights presently leave Ireland from Dunlin (DUB) and the UK from London (LGW), Manchester (MAN), Bristol (BRS), Birmingham (BHX), Nottingham (EMA), Newcastle (NCL). This may change frequently or seasonally so be sure to research flights before booking accomodation.See the sidebar on the left for links to some better known cheap flight suppliers.
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Visas are not required for Irish, British and European passport holders for stays up to 90 days. Passports must be valid for three months from the date of entry into Morocco. South African passport holders need to obtain a visa from the nearest Moroccan embassy.
This is a helpful site for those needing a visa
Vaccinations are not normally required to enter Morocco from Europe. If you are coming from an area with infectious diseases you may be required to provide proof of vaccination.
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Currency and where to get it:
The Moroccan currency is the dirham. Exchange rates at last time of checking were around 10.8 dh to the €, 15.5 dh to the £1, and 8.0 to the $. Dirhams can only be obtained within Morocco. There are exchange facilities in the airport as well as ATMs. There are also a number of ATMs in Agadir. There are no ATM’s in Taghazout. The best way to obtain cash is by using an ATM card, check with your bank if you are unsure if it can be used in Morocco (you can check the ATM card for one o f the \logos e.g. Citrus, Visa, Maestro etc.). Using an ATM will usually get you the best rate and lowest fees. Credit cards can also be used to obtain cash. Travellers’ cheques cannot be exchanged at the airport or in Taghazout and numerous places in Agadir.
Unless you are fluent in Arabic, French, or Berber, you will not notice it but the locals calculate in another currency that existed a few hundred years ago, the Riyal. There are 20 imaginary Riyals to the Dirham. There have been cases of tourists unwittingly paying the Riyal price (twenty times the normal price) to hawkers who deprived of the luxury of any tongue other bthan Berber, have offered their wares via sign language. When speaking about expensive objects like cars, property, or dowries, Moroccans tend to express prices in centimes (0.01 % of a Dirham). They say it sounds more impressive, so don't be surprised if you ask about the value of cars in Morocco and hear a price of 10 million for a car valued at Dirham 100,000.It is forbidden to take Dirhams into the country so don’t try. It is also forbidden to take Dirhams out of the country, even a single 1 Dirham coin.. There are no obvious notices to this effect in the airport. But your wallet may be checked after you pass the no-return barrier of immigration control. No later than the security check any Dirham found in your possession, including coins will be “confiscated” by the airport police as there are no banks in the departure area. Be warned!
Back to FAQs / Back to the topWeather/climate:
Air: Average air temperatures range from 20° to 26° Celsius December to February being the coolest. Taghazout is sheltered by Cap Ghir and surrounding hills, sunshine is virtually guaranteed at over 300 days per year! The winter air temperature seldom drops below 22C during the day. The prevalent daytime winds drawn in by the rising hot air inland and in the Sahara, cross the Atlantic and offer a refreshing breeze with the result that visitors rarely feel the a sensation of extreme heat. A veil of low altitude mist protects the morning surfer from the almost equatorial sun. This haze is usually "burned off" by the mid-day sun. TWater: Average water temperatures range from 16 to 22 again with December to February being the coolest. (Wetsuits see Surf section)
Back to FAQs / Back to the topWomen (and men): Morocco is the regarded as one of the most tolerant of all Muslim countries and women don’t get hassled too much particularly in tourist cities like Agadir or relaxed villages like Taghazout. Swimming costumes and bikinis are normal on the beach but it is advisable to cover up arms and legs a bit when walking around town.Both men and women should be aware that there are strict legal penalities for extramarital sex between Moroccans. Although you will probably never notice this part, the police checkpoints frequently demand proof of marriage, even from older couples. Tourists are ignored in this respect, provided Moroccans are not involved. However, if you are in the company of Moroccans be prepared to justify your relationship.Non-licensed guides are a frequent excuse for "penalties", so never be so naive as to describe your Moroccan friend as your guide. He or she will have to pat the penalty. Discretion is the best course
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Clothing:
Shorts and tees and flip flops are the norm. Trousers and jumpers are sometimes needed particularly in mid winter when the evenings can be chilly so warm clothes are a good idea during that period. Cars are subject to availability at the time of booking.
Back to FAQs / Back to the topCar hire / Driving
We can probably assist you in hiring a car. Prices are reasonable but depend on the aspirations. There are a large number of not so new Fiat Unos and Palios available for hire.
Please ensure you have the original of a valid EU driving licence which must have been held for at least one year. The law insists that you always carry your driving licence and car hire documents with you when driving in Morocco. Seat belts must be worn at all times and you must not use your mobile whilst driving (a fining offence). Please advise us at the time of booking if you do not have an EU licence so that we can check that the one you have is acceptable if you wish assistance with car hire. The maximum number of people insured for each vehicle is specified as under ‘No. seats’. Police and Gendarmerie checkpoints every few kilometers along the routes are standard. Minor infringements will result in your having to make an on the spot payment.
In Morocco, as on Continental Europe driving is on the right. The main roads around Taghazout are reasonable. Most mountain villages are accessible only by unpaved tracks. In addition, when driving in Morocco, we advise you to drive slowly and carefully as the roads are generally narrower and may sometimes have bumps and potholes, especially after periods of rain. We do not recommend driving in major cities such as Casablanca, Fes or Tangier. The Moroccan driving temperament is a lot more fiery than we are accustomed to in the calm climes of Northern Europe. We do ask that you take particular care when driving, bearing in mind the conditions of your hire car rental agreement.
We also advise you to take care driving at night in the countryside, as you are quite likely to come across people walking on the roadside or riding bikes without lights, unlit asses, camels and animal drawn vehicles are the normal. Be prepared for anything. Highway robbery is still common on lesser frequented routes at night. The roads are often made impassable with boulders for this purpose. Never pick up hitch hikers or stop for strangers regardless of what signals they may make for example hold up a jerry can to signal that they have run out of fuel. Tourists areas are nonetheless absolutely safe from violence due to a strong police presence in both uniform and plain clothes and draconian punishment for offences committed against tourists.Distances between major cities are long, so we advise you to make sure you have water with you at all times and adequate petrol in the car.
Back to FAQs / Back to the topDistance between major towns and cities
Click here for popup distance chart
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Communications:
Mobile Phones:
Nearly all European networks work in Morocco. Contact you network for call charges. Coverage is good. If you wish you can buy a Moroccan SIM card for as little as 50 Dirham and have your friends in Europe ring you – may be a lot cheaper than roaming charges.Public Phones:
There are a abundance of public phones, coin and cards, in Taghazout. International call charges are relatively cheap. Your best option is probably to buy a phone card and phone from a public phone rather than entering one of the omnipresent telephone shops.Internet:
There are broadband internet cafés in Taghazout.
Back to FAQs / Back to the topMedical facilities :
Medical facilities are quite good in Agadir but comprehensive health insurance and travel insurance is advisable. If you are unable to pay or are not insured you may be refused treatment.The village of Taghazout has a pharmacy run by a qualified pharmacist. You are probably best bringing along your own small first aid kit. In particular spray on plasters - ideal for surfers since they are waterproof and last for days - are not available in Morocco.
Back to FAQs / Back to the topFood:
Food in Morocco is almost European with a few Arab and Berber specialties. The traditional Moroccan tagine, roast chicken and hamburgers with chips are ubiquitously available and inexpensive. Seafood is also to be had everywhere and many of the fish come from the fisherman from the village. Due to our central location, Taghazout's many cafes and restaurants are only one minute away.For holidays in Self Catering apartments:
All apartments are equipped with cooking facilities. A minute walk from the apartments there are a number of restaurants in the village, which serve good food. Basic food items can be purchased in the village. If you wish to stock up on arrival please contact us with a view to visiting the large hypermarket located on the other side of Agadir.Alcohol
There are no restrictions on alcohol sold to tourists. As a Moslem country there are , at least in theory, restrictions on sale of alcohol to Moroccans. Public consumption of alcohol is frowned upon.
Back to FAQs / Back to the topTaxis and public transport :
There are regular buses (numbers 12 and 60 plying between Agadir and Taghazout the number 61 continues to the village of Tamri, about 30 kilometers further North providing access to splendid coastal, scenery Boilers, Tamri Beach, and other surfing spots as well as the beaches at Km 26 and Aghrod. Long distance communal taxis (shared taxis) are available on all routes. With the latter you can go anywhere as there is a hub to transfer at in Agadir from which they depart in all directions. These communal taxis can be hired for special trips or by the day. Prices are relatively high and a matter of negotiation.
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