Practical Information
The nuts and bolts of navigating Tiznit - from ATM locations to cultural faux pas, medical services to mobile coverage. Everything mundane but essential for smooth travels.
Quick Facts
Currency
Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
€1 ≈ 11 MAD
$1 ≈ 10 MAD
£1 ≈ 13 MAD
Language
Arabic & Tachelhit (Berber)
French widely spoken
English limited but growing
Spanish on coast
Time Zone
GMT+1 (summer)
GMT (winter)
No daylight saving during Ramadan
Electricity
220V, 50Hz
Type C & E plugs
Same as continental Europe
Population
75,000 (city)
300,000 (province)
Doubles during festivals
Best Months
March-May
September-November
July-August hot & crowded
Emergency Information
Emergency Numbers
- Police: 19 or 112
- Fire: 15
- Medical Emergency: 15 or 141
- Gendarmerie (rural): 177
Medical Services
Regional Hospital Tiznit: Avenue Al Moukawama, +212 528 60 00 28
Private Clinic Al Amal: Near post office, faster service
24/7 Pharmacy: Rotating schedule posted on all pharmacy doors
Useful Contacts
- Tourist Police: +212 528 60 21 51
- Post Office: +212 528 60 00 76
- Municipality: +212 528 60 07 35
Money & Banking
ATMs
Multiple ATMs available, but with quirks:
- Attijariwafa Bank: Place Al Mechouar - Most reliable
- Banque Populaire: Avenue Hassan II - Often works when others don't
- BMCE: Near Bab Aglou - Good for international cards
- Crédit Agricole: New town - Highest withdrawal limit (5000 MAD)
Currency Exchange
- Banks exchange major currencies (passport required)
- No official exchange bureaus
- Hotels exchange at poor rates
- Better to arrive with MAD from airport/Agadir
Credit Cards
Accepted at:
- Major hotels
- Some restaurants (ask first)
- Larger shops in new town
NOT accepted: Medina shops, taxis, most restaurants, markets
Tipping Culture
| Service | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant | 10-15% | Round up bill |
| Cafe | 2-5 MAD | Leave change |
| Taxi | Round up | To nearest 5 MAD |
| Hotel porter | 10 MAD | Per bag |
| Guide | 50-100 MAD | Half day |
| Mosque guardian | 10 MAD | If shows around |
Communication
Mobile/SIM Cards
Three main providers, all with shops on Avenue Hassan II:
| Provider | Tourist SIM | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maroc Telecom | 200 MAD (5GB + calls) | Best overall | Works in remote areas |
| Orange | 150 MAD (3GB + calls) | Good in cities | Cheapest option |
| Inwi | 100 MAD (2GB) | Urban focus | Youth oriented |
Purchase: Bring passport, process takes 10 minutes
Internet/Wi-Fi
- Most hotels/riads offer Wi-Fi (quality varies wildly)
- Cafes increasingly have Wi-Fi (password with purchase)
- Cyber cafes still exist: 5-10 MAD/hour
- Municipal Wi-Fi in Place Al Mechouar (unreliable)
Postal Service
Main Post Office: Avenue Hassan II
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00-16:00, Sat 8:00-12:00
Shipping: Postcards to Europe: 2-3 weeks, Packages: complicated, use DHL for important items
Health & Safety
Health Precautions
- Water: Tap water technically potable but stick to bottled
- Food: Street food generally safe, avoid pre-cut fruit
- Sun: Serious UV - sunscreen essential year-round
- Vaccinations: None required, Hep A recommended
Common Health Issues
| Problem | Prevention | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Traveler's stomach | Gradual spice introduction | Pharmacy has everything |
| Dehydration | Constant water intake | ORS packets at pharmacy |
| Sunburn | SPF 30+, hat, shade | Aloe vera everywhere |
| Heat exhaustion | Avoid midday sun | Cool, hydrate, rest |
Safety
Tiznit is remarkably safe, but standard precautions apply:
- Petty theft rare but happens - watch belongings in crowds
- Medina confusing at night - screenshot your route
- Beach areas isolated after dark - avoid alone
- Traffic is biggest danger - cars don't stop for pedestrians
Cultural Etiquette
Do's and Don'ts
DO:
- Greet people before any interaction
- Use right hand for eating/greeting
- Remove shoes when entering homes
- Dress modestly (shoulders/knees covered)
- Accept tea when offered
- Bargain with smile
- Ask before photographing people
DON'T:
- Use left hand for eating
- Show sole of foot
- Public displays of affection
- Enter mosques (non-Muslims)
- Photograph without permission
- Refuse hospitality rudely
- Wear shorts in medina
Ramadan Considerations
If visiting during Ramadan:
- Most restaurants closed during day
- Don't eat/drink publicly during fasting hours
- Everything closes for iftar (sunset meal)
- Night becomes day - lively after iftar
- Reduced alcohol availability (already limited)
Religious Sensitivity
- Friday prayers (12:00-14:00) - everything slows/closes
- Call to prayer 5 times daily - pause conversations
- Mosques off-limits except designated tourist mosques (none in Tiznit)
- Religious discussions welcome if respectful
Essential Language
Survival Phrases
Tachelhit (Berber) Basics
Speaking even one word of Tachelhit opens doors:
- Azul - Hello (ah-ZOOL)
- Tanmirt - Thank you (tan-MEERT)
- Iyeh/Uhu - Yes/No
- Manza? - Where? (MAHN-zah)
Weather & Climate
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rain Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18°C | 7°C | 5 | Cool, occasional rain |
| February | 20°C | 8°C | 4 | Almond blossoms |
| March | 22°C | 10°C | 4 | Perfect weather begins |
| April | 23°C | 12°C | 3 | Ideal conditions |
| May | 25°C | 14°C | 2 | Warm but pleasant |
| June | 28°C | 17°C | 1 | Heat building |
| July | 32°C | 19°C | 0 | Hot, festival month |
| August | 32°C | 20°C | 0 | Peak heat & crowds |
| September | 29°C | 18°C | 1 | Heat breaks |
| October | 26°C | 15°C | 3 | Second perfect season |
| November | 22°C | 11°C | 4 | Cool evenings return |
| December | 19°C | 8°C | 5 | Winter arrives |
What to Pack
Year-round: Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, comfortable walking shoes
Summer: Light cottons, sandals, swimwear for beach
Winter: Jacket for evenings, rain jacket, closed shoes
Always: Scarf (sun/modesty/sand), layers (temperature varies)
Opening Hours
General Pattern
- Shops: 9:00-13:00, 15:00-19:00 (closed Friday afternoon)
- Banks: Mon-Fri 8:15-15:45
- Post Office: Mon-Fri 8:00-16:00
- Government: Mon-Fri 8:30-16:30
- Restaurants: 12:00-15:00, 19:00-22:00
Market Schedule
- Thursday Market: 6:00-15:00
- Daily produce: 7:00-13:00, 16:00-19:00
- Medina shops: Flexible, usually 10:00-sunset
Miscellaneous Useful Information
Toilets
- Public toilets rare and basic (1-2 MAD, bring tissue)
- Cafes have facilities for customers
- Mosque toilets sometimes accessible
- Hotels/restaurants usually western-style
Laundry
- No self-service laundromats
- Hotels offer service (expensive)
- Local pressings: 10-15 MAD per item
- Hand wash in accommodation common
Photography
- Always ask before photographing people
- Military/police installations forbidden
- Some payment expected for posed photos
- Drone use requires permission (rarely granted)
Shopping/Bargaining
- Fixed prices: food, cafes, transport
- Negotiate: crafts, souvenirs, accommodation (off-season)
- Start at 30-40% of asking price for tourist goods
- Walking away often produces final price
The Reality Check
Tiznit isn't sanitized for tourism. Water pressure varies, electricity occasionally doesn't, and that promised Wi-Fi might be more theoretical than functional. But that's the point. You're visiting a real city where real people live real lives, not a resort designed for foreign comfort.
Adjust expectations accordingly. Embrace the quirks. That frustrating morning when nothing works as planned often becomes the story you tell for years. The shopkeeper who doesn't speak your language but somehow understands exactly what you need. The wrong turn that leads to the perfect hidden cafe.
Come prepared for basics but flexible about everything else. Bring patience, curiosity, and humor. Leave demands for efficiency and complaints about difference. Tiznit rewards those who adapt rather than those who expect adaptation.
Final Practical Wisdom: The most important thing to pack isn't in any guidebook - it's the ability to say "no problem" in response to whatever happens. Flight delayed? No problem. Hotel different than photos? No problem. Restaurant closed? No problem. This phrase, delivered with genuine acceptance rather than gritted teeth, opens doors, hearts, and experiences that rigid expectations never could. In Tiznit, "no problem" isn't just a phrase - it's a philosophy that makes everything actually no problem.