FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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 broadband internet access?
How are the medical facilities?
What about food and alcohol there?
Are there public buses?
What about taxis?
Where is Taghazout?
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. The 8-10 hour journey from Casablanca to Agadir is usually best by train to Marakech and a long distance coach from there 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+ hours journey to Marakech and back. For the best prices try to avoid school holidays. Flights presently leave Ireland from Dublin (DUB) and the UK from London Gatwick (LGW), London Stansted (STN), Manchester (MAN), Liverpool (LPL). This may change frequently or seasonally so be sure to research flights before booking accommodation. See our Flights page for links.
Back to the top
Visas and Vaccinations
Visas are not required for Irish, British and European passport holders for stays of 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 their nearest Moroccan embassy.
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.
Back to the top
Currency and where to get it
The Moroccan currency is the dirham. Exchange rates at last time of checking were around 11.2 dh to the €, 12.8 dh to the £, and 8.2 dh 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 ATMs 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 of 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 but can in 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 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. Any Dirhams found in your possession, including coins will be “confiscated” by the airport police as there are no banks in the departure area. Be warned! There are ATM style machines in the Airport entrance which will allow you to deposit Dirhams and receive Euros in return.
Back to the top
Weather & Climate
AIR
Average air temperatures range from 20° to 26° Celsius with the December to February period being the coolest. Taghazout is sheltered by Cap Ghir and surrounding hills. Sunshine is virtually guarranteed at over 300 days per year! The winter air temperature seldom drops below 22° C 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, onshore breeze with the result that visitors rarely feel 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.
WATER
Average water temperatures range from 16° to 22° C again with December to February being the coolest. (See the Surf section below about Wetsuits)
Back to the top
Women & Men
Morocco is 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 pay the penalty. Discretion is the best course.
Back to the top
Clothing
Shorts, tees and flip flops are the norm. Trousers and jumpers are sometimes needed, particularly in mid winter when the evenings can be chilly. A few warm clothes are a good idea during that period.
Back to the top
Car Hire & Driving
Cars are subject to availability at the time of booking. We can normally assist you in hiring a car. Prices are reasonable but depend on the class of car required. The most popular hire cars are Renault Logans but Chevrolet Optras, 4x4s and other options are available. Please ensure you have your original valid EU driving licence (which must have been held for at least one year) with you at all times when driving. The law insists that you also always the car hire documents with you aswell. Seat belts must be worn at all times and you must not use your mobile phone 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. 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.
Back to the top
Distance between major towns and cities
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 the top
Communications
MOBILE PHONES
Nearly all European networks work in Morocco. Contact your 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 – this may be a lot cheaper than your roaming charges.
PUBLIC PHONES
There are an abundance of public phones (which take both coin and cards) in Taghazout. International call charges are relatively cheap. Your best option is probably to buy a phone card and call from a public phone rather than entering one of the omnipresent telephone shops.
INTERNET
There are broadband internet cafés in Taghazout.
Back to the top
Medical Facilities
Medical facilities are quite good in Agadir but comprehensive health 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 - these are not available in Morocco.
Back to the top
Food
Food in Morocco is almost European with a few Arab and Berber specialties. The traditional Moroccan tagine, roast chicken and hamburgers with chips are widely available and inexpensive. Seafood is also to be had everywhere and many of the fish come from the local fisherman. Due to our central location, Taghazout's many cafés and restaurants are only minutes away.
FOR HOLIDAYS IN SELF CATERING APARTMENTS
All apartments are equipped with cooking facilities. A few minutes walk from the apartments are a number of village restaurants 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 the top
Taxis and public transport
There are regular buses (numbers 12 and 60) traveling between Agadir and Taghazout. The number 61 continues to the village of Tamri, about 30 kilometers further north, providing access to splendid coastal scenery plus Boilers and Tamri Beach as well as other other surfing spots and beaches at Km 26 and Aghrod. Long distance shared taxis (old white Mercedes) are available on all routes. With these you can go anywhere via their hub in Agadir, although you are likely to need to transfer to a different taxi heading in the direction you want. These communal taxis can be hired for special trips or by the day. Prices are relatively high and a matter of negotiation.
Back to the top
Location
Taghazout: 20km North of Agadir | 140km South of Essaouira | 300km West of Marrakech
Latitude: 30°32'39.28"N | Longitude: 9°42'28.66"W
Time Zone: G.M.T. (all year round)
Back to the top