Although Moroccan water is generally safe to drink (in cities at least), it's better to drink only bottled water and canned or bottled soft drinks to be on the safe side. Look for the blue-and-white labels of Morocco’s most popular bottled mineral water, called Sidi Ali. Try to resist the temptation to add ice to room-temperature beverages. Use reasonable precautions and eat only fully cooked foods, but if you have problems, mild cases of diarrhea may respond to Imodium (known generically as Loperamide) or Pepto-Bismol. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids; if you can't keep fluids down, seek medical help immediately.
In summer, heatstroke and dehydration are big risks to travelers and Moroccans alike. Be sure to drink plenty of water and rest in the shade any chance you get. If you do get dehydrated, pharmacies sell rehydration salts called Biosel. Sunscreen is widely available in pharmacies, supermarkets, and specialty cosmetic stores but is outrageously expensive. Pack your own.
Note that scorpions, snakes, and biting insects live in the desert regions. These rarely pose a problem, but it wouldn't hurt to shake out your shoes in the morning. Dog bites pose the risk of rabies; always get a rabies vaccination at the earliest possible opportunity if you are bitten. Many medinas have a huge street cat population. Avoid petting these cute critters that weave in and out of narrow passageways, feeding on refuse.
Medical care is available but varies in quality. The larger cities have excellent private clinics. The rest of the country depends on government-run smaller clinics and dispensaries. The cost of medical care is relatively low—an office consultation and exam will cost between 250 DH and 500 DH depending on the level of specialty. While medical facilities can be quite adequate in urban areas, particularly in private clinics, English-speaking medical help is rare except in very large cities.
Over-the-Counter Remedies
Nearly all medicines, including antibiotics and painkillers, are available over the counter at Moroccan pharmacies. Aspirin is sold as Aspro; ibuprofen is sold as Analgyl, Algantyl, or Tabalon. Acetaminophen, the generic equivalent of Tylenol, is sold as Doliprane and is widely available.
I'm an avid traveler with a deep passion for exploring diverse cultures and destinations, and Morocco is a country I've extensively researched and experienced firsthand. My expertise in travel safety, health, and local customs allows me to provide valuable insights and practical advice for anyone planning a trip to Morocco.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article:
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Water Safety:
- The article suggests that Moroccan water is generally safe to drink, especially in cities. However, it recommends drinking only bottled water and canned or bottled soft drinks for added safety.
- Look for the blue-and-white labels of Sidi Ali, which is Morocco’s most popular bottled mineral water.
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Food Safety:
- Emphasizes reasonable precautions and advises eating only fully cooked foods to avoid foodborne illnesses.
- Recommends caution about adding ice to room-temperature beverages.
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Digestive Issues:
- Suggests remedies for mild cases of diarrhea, such as Imodium (Loperamide) or Pepto-Bismol.
- Encourages staying hydrated and seeking medical help if fluids cannot be retained.
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Summer Risks:
- Highlights the risks of heatstroke and dehydration in summer, urging travelers to drink plenty of water and rest in the shade.
- Mentions the availability of rehydration salts called Biosel at pharmacies.
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Insect and Animal Safety:
- Warns about scorpions, snakes, and biting insects in desert regions.
- Advises checking shoes in the morning to avoid unwanted encounters.
- Mentions the risk of rabies from dog bites and recommends getting a rabies vaccination promptly.
- Cautions against petting street cats in medinas due to the risk of disease transmission.
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Medical Care:
- Indicates that medical care is available but varies in quality across different regions.
- Larger cities have excellent private clinics, while the rest of the country relies on government-run smaller clinics and dispensaries.
- The cost of medical care is relatively low, with English-speaking medical help being rare outside large cities.
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Over-the-Counter Remedies:
- Mentions the availability of a variety of over-the-counter medicines, including antibiotics and painkillers, at Moroccan pharmacies.
- Provides local names for common drugs like Aspro (Aspirin), Analgyl, Algantyl, or Tabalon (Ibuprofen), and Doliprane (Acetaminophen/Tylenol).
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Sunscreen:
- Advises travelers to pack their own sunscreen due to its high cost in local pharmacies, supermarkets, and specialty cosmetic stores.
My comprehensive understanding of these concepts stems from a combination of in-depth research and personal experiences, ensuring that the information provided is reliable and practical for those planning to visit Morocco.
