From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Morocco
Date: 12 Jan 1993 21:44:51 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Morocco
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Morocco - Consular Information Sheet
 January 8, 1993

Embassy and Consulate Locations:  The U.S. Embassy in Rabat is 
located at 2 Avenue de Marrakech in the capital city of Rabat, 
telephone (212) (7) 76-22-65.  The American Consulate General in 
Casablanca is located at 8 Boulevard Moulay Youssef, telephone (212) 
(2) 26-45-50.

Country Description:  Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with a 
developing economy.  Tourist facilities and means of transportation 
are widely available, but may be limited in quality.

Entry Requirements:  A passport is required.  A visa is not 
required for a stay of up to 90 days.  For further information 
concerning entry requirements for Morocco, travelers can contact the 
Embassy of Morocco at 1601 21st St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, 
telephone (202) 462-7979 to 82, or the Moroccan Consulate General in 
New York, telephone (212) 758-2625.

Areas of Instability:  The sparsely-settled Western Sahara 
(formerly Spanish Sahara) was long the site of armed conflict 
between the Polisario Front and Morocco on the issue of independence 
versus Moroccan sovereignty.  There have been no hostilities since a 
U.N.-monitored cease-fire went into effect in September 1991.  A 
U.N.-sponsored referendum is planned to settle the status of the 
area.  Transit to the Western Sahara remains restricted; persons 
planning to travel in the region can obtain information on clearance 
requirements from the Moroccan Embassy.  Mines along the dividing 
line between Moroccan and Polisario-controlled areas pose some 
danger to travelers.

Medical Facilities:  Medical care in Morocco is available, although 
not all facilities meet high quality standards and specialized care 
or treatment may not be available.  Doctors and hospitals often 
expect immediate cash payment for health care services.  U.S. 
medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States.  
Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has 
proved useful.  Specific health questions can be addressed to the 
Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline 
telephone (404) 332-4559.

Crime Information:  Morocco has a moderately high crime rate in 
urban areas.  Criminals have targeted tourists for assaults, 
muggings, thefts, pickpocketings, and scams of all types.  Traveling 
alone in the Rif mountain area is risky.  Prudent travelers hire 
only official tour guides through hotels and travel agencies.  
Harassment of tourists by unemployed Moroccans trying to be "guides" 
is a common problem.  The Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe 
Trip Abroad" provides useful information on safeguarding valuables 
and protecting personal security while traveling abroad.  The 
pamphlet is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. 
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Currency Regulations:  Travelers checks and credit cards are 
accepted at some establishments in Morocco, mainly in urban areas.  

Drug Penalties:  Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in 
illegal drugs are severe, and convicted offenders can expect jail 
sentences and fines.

Tips For Travelers:  The Department of State publication "Tips for 
Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa" contains useful 
general information on travel in the area.  It is available from the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D.C. 20402.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the Consular Section 
of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General can obtain updated 
information on travel and security within Morocco.

 No. 93-020

Newsgroups: rec.travel