Morocco- finance and nut allergy

GillianD

We travel to Morocco for a break in November and I understand credit cards aren't acceptable everywhere but the currency is protected. So do we just have to but dirhams when we are in the country then sell any back before we leave? If so, what is the best way to doit eg a prepaid card or some other route?
Also worried about my nut allergy having read stories about it not being taken seriously. Is best thing I can do is to carry a translation of text explaining I Have a nut allergy which includes all nuts and nut oil etc? 
Any advice very welcome.

Brie

I'd be sure to have lots of epipens available or whatever you need to ensure you survive ingesting any nuts.  Having a translation may work in a westernised setting there but not where there might be people who don't speak that dialect, maybe are illiterate or are working in a busy kitchen with lots of dishes being quickly plated up and left next to each other.  When I used to work in kitchens signs would be in a multitude of languages and I don't think anyone paid much attention to any of them.  

Cash wise - I wonder if just carrying GBP or USD would be sufficient - as long as you know vaguely what the exchange rate is.  Do they actually want dirhams? 

itsthelittlethings

I would be very careful where you eat and stick to more upmarket restaurants.

GlitterMedusa

How severe is your allergy and how sensitive are you to the various nuts? Almonds and pistachios are used in a lot of things and so I'd be wary of the possibility of some cross-contamination in the kitchen 

michele-p

There's an ATM in the airport, we got cash put when we arrived. There's also a couple of banks and an ATM near the main square. We have a fee free cash withdrawal card we used, cash was used everywhere. We did get charged a small fee from the machines each time. We just drew out what we thought we needed, so we didn't have much cash left at the airport.

Sorry, I can't help with the nut allergy. Maybe your hotel/rhiad could help?

LightFlare

Regarding money - when we were last there, there are plenty of places to exchange for local currency. Because it’s a controlled currency, the exchange rate is pretty static no matter where you go.
We just took £ notes and changed as and when we needed to

NoodleDoodleMan

French is widely understood in Morocco - if you print out a short message on the nut allergy to show staff where appropiate that would be helpful.

OutdoorQueen

Would these help?  A French version is available

https://allergyuk.shop/products/Plastic-Translation-Cards-c166860900

soolin

I can’t eat gluten but thankfully it isn’t as bad as a nut allergy which can have extremely bad results. However in some countries I find that even with translation cards, I find certain staff or food places nod and smile and assure you it’s safe, but don’t really mean it. We are luckier in the UK in that allergy labelling and laws are quite stringent, in certain other countries I’ve had real issues. I would be extremely careful, as suggested use better restaurants and always carry your EpiPen. No doubt you will be fine, but being prepared is always a good idea. 

martindow

In Morocco, French and Arabic are the principal languages.  In French you need to be careful that your translation covers the correct allergens.  The usual French translation for nuts is 'noix', but this is only walnuts and a few others.  'Fruits secs' , literally dried fruits, is used for raisins, etc. but also for other things we would classify as nuts.  To be safe your French text should include 'noix et fruits secs'.  The same distinction is made in Italian - I saw a child have a reaction to something in Florence after his parents had only asked about a nut allergy. I've no idea if Arabic makes the same distinction.

I agree with others that you need to be very cautious and stick to better restaurants who are more likely to take allergies seriously.  It's a wonderful country to visit.

peb

Money, exchange cash at the hotel. Closed currency so no advantage in "shopping around".  Keep the receipt, you need it to change back.  I had a choice of Euro or American dollars when changing back.  We did spend very little but the places we went to didn't accept cards.  My home flight was delayed by three hours and I can't remember if I paid card or euro or GBP but no issues.

Allergy, I have an intolerance (capsicums) and nothing in the hotel had ingredients listed and the staff seemed confused at the idea.  As nuts are a known allergen you may have more joy but definitely be careful when eating out and about.  As I don't like nuts I can't remember how prevalent they are.  I don't think food hygiene is that great so far as cross contamination is concerned 

I was there last November.