Morocco (again) Advice Required

[spigot]

Satnavs in Morocco

What about satnavs in Morocco, I think my Garmin only covers Europe.

How do you guys go about this?

 

[mark61]

I downloaded the Tom Tom Morocco map to ipad, and used alongside a Michelin map. Map and sign posts are good enough most the time, although sat nav does come in handy.

 

[carol]

All this talk is whetting my appetite! It was on the list of places to go in the van when my partner was alive - we'd visited by air a couple of times - but think it would be a bit scary on my own. I'm even feeling apprehensive about Spain! Any women out there with experience of Morocco?

 

[voyagerstan]

As said before Tom Tom and map but they are upgrading the roads all the time , what were piste are now mostly black stuff (takes the fun out of it a bit ) . Quite straightforward at boarder now do passport on boat and import when you get off you don't even have to get out if you don't want to can be a bit hit and miss with timing though this year we were in and out in 15 minutes other times 2/3 hours. If you get your tickets at Juan Carlos at Palmones he will give you all relevant documents , Easey peasey . Women alone :- not aproblem as long as you would behave in the same manner as anywhere else , I know several lady's who come to marroc . The marrocan men respect women . STAN

 

[Steve121]

What about satnavs in Morocco, I think my Garmin only covers Europe.

How do you guys go about this?

Not a problem! We used the OSM one for Morocco, and found it at least as good as the genuine, and expensive, Garmin one. You can download and install OSM Garmin maps for Morocco for free (and it's legal!). They are updated very frequently, sometimes weekly! The quality and accuracy of most OSM based maps is at least equal to official Garmin ones. You can install and view the maps on your PC (or Mac) using the FREE Garmin BaseCamp or MapSource software. See this web page for instructions on how to install MapSource for free.

Note: MapSource is compatible with WC POI files, and displays the additional text files.

Note for tomtom users: ".... there is no software to allow OSM mapping to be converted to the format the TomTom app uses, and unlikely to be any unless TomTom themselves make it."

 

[spigot]

All this talk is whetting my appetite! It was on the list of places to go in the van when my partner was alive - we'd visited by air a couple of times - but think it would be a bit scary on my own. I'm even feeling apprehensive about Spain! Any women out there with experience of Morocco?

Hi Carol

We're feeling a bit apprehensive about going to Morocco but I'm sure it'll be OK.

Spain should be a doddle for you, it's just like France, a bit further, a bit warmer & a different language.

It's getting a bit parky in the north of Spain at the mo, so we will prob head straight over to the Med & meander down the coast to the south.

Mike & Marguerite.

 

[ricc]

weve just come back from a week in marrakesh over the new year, flew out andback and stayed in an appartment in a gated housing complex on the outskirts.

we spent a lot of time wandering arround the alleys (main thourofares ) of marrakesh. once wed sorted how to deal with the locals out to extort a buck or two it all went swimmingly , no racial/religious hassles at all, most would respond to a smile and a greeting in half remembered schoolboy french... or even the pigin spanish that crept in at times.

funnyest thing was the expressions on the faces of the odd hire car drivers in the alleys.

 

[roamingman]

Not a problem! We used the OSM one for Morocco, and found it at least as good as the genuine, and expensive, Garmin one. You can download and install OSM Garmin maps for Morocco for free (and it's legal!). They are updated very frequently, sometimes weekly! The quality and accuracy of most OSM based maps is at least equal to official Garmin ones. You can install and view the maps on your PC (or Mac) using the FREE Garmin BaseCamp or MapSource software. See this web page for instructions on how to install MapSource for free.

Note: MapSource is compatible with WC POI files, and displays the additional text files.

Note for tomtom users: ".... there is no software to allow OSM mapping to be converted to the format the TomTom app uses, and unlikely to be any unless TomTom themselves make it."

My Tom Tom worked quite well in Morocco.

 

[Steve121]

My Tom Tom worked quite well in Morocco.

But not with the excellent and very frequently updated OSM maps, I bet.

 

[n brown]

All this talk is whetting my appetite! It was on the list of places to go in the van when my partner was alive - we'd visited by air a couple of times - but think it would be a bit scary on my own. I'm even feeling apprehensive about Spain! Any women out there with experience of Morocco?

my middle daughter went with another girl and had a great time, but it's definitely a different experience for women , but then, that's true anywhere ! i know my wife found it a bit annoying when she asked a man a question,he'd aim his answer at me, but that's the culture.

 

[spigot]

Not a problem! We used the OSM one for Morocco, and found it at least as good as the genuine, and expensive, Garmin one. You can download and install OSM Garmin maps for Morocco for free (and it's legal!). They are updated very frequently, sometimes weekly! The quality and accuracy of most OSM based maps is at least equal to official Garmin ones. You can install and view the maps on your PC (or Mac) using the FREE Garmin BaseCamp or MapSource software. See this web page for instructions on how to install MapSource for free.

Note: MapSource is compatible with WC POI files, and displays the additional text files.

Note for tomtom users: ".... there is no software to allow OSM mapping to be converted to the format the TomTom app uses, and unlikely to be any unless TomTom themselves make it."

I have downloaded the OSM Garmin maps for Morocco to my computer.

Can someone explain to this thicko how to transfer them to my Garmin.

 

[Tbear]

Not sure about that,I have never been to Morocco,by all accounts it is a beautiful country and an excellent motorhome destination,however in the present political climate I think it's too risky for western europeans to travel to a muslim country which follows Islamic laws.The government foreign travel advice confirms there is a high risk of terrorism

Morocco travel advice - GOV.UK

I think all the countries in the N.African region are potentially dangerous for western tourists at the moment,Algeria which borders Morocco is also risky....Algeria travel advice - GOV.UK

and also remember what happened in Tunisia. 2015 Sousse attacks - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I am sure that was meant in good faith but with your logic. We should stay away from the UK and not go anywhere near France.

Richard

 

[Steve121]

I have downloaded the OSM Garmin maps for Morocco to my computer.

Can someone explain to this thicko how to transfer them to my Garmin.

Have you downloaded the 'File to install on gps/navigator device'? If not, download it from this direct link.
Once the file is on your computer you will need to unzip it, then simply copy the extracted file 'gmapsupp.img' onto a blank SD (or MicroSD) card and pop it into your Garmin.
When you turn on your Garmin you may have to select the Maroc map in order to view it. Don't forget to go back to the website to download the latest update shortly before you leave for Morocco, by which time it will probably have been updated a few times.
If you have any problems just ask away!
BTW, have you also downloaded the PC version of the map, along with the Garmin desktop software? Well worth it.

 

[Steve121]

I am sure that was meant in good faith but with your logic. We should stay away from the UK and not go anywhere near France.

Richard

Or Spain!

 

[Tbear]

Or Spain!

Germany is looking a bit volatile today. Best volunteer for the Mars mission.

Richard

 

[Steve121]

Germany is looking a bit volatile today. Best volunteer for the Mars mission.

Richard

And the same goes for Turkey, it would seem.
Morocco keeps looking better and better as a destination

 

[spigot]

And the same goes for Turkey, it would seem.
Morocco keeps looking better and better as a destination

Taking into account what's happening in Europe, Morocco seems to be the safest place to travel to.

 

[Tbear]

Its not the terrorist that you have to worry about, it's the little things that fly and bite or the even smaller single cell things that they inject into you that you need protection from. Look up the number of people killed by Malaria every year but that does not make such a good news story does it. Of course you don't want to wander round a war zone but people on the whole are the same everywhere.

Richard

 

[spigot]

Its not the terrorist that you have to worry about, it's the little things that fly and bite or the even smaller single cell things that they inject into you that you need protection from. Look up the number of people killed by Malaria every year but that does not make such a good news story does it. Of course you don't want to wander round a war zone but people on the whole are the same everywhere.Richard

Malaria is not an issue in Morocco.

There have been occasional cases in some remote regions, but then only between May and October.

 

[Steve121]

Its not the terrorist that you have to worry about, it's the little things that fly and bite or the even smaller single cell things that they inject into you that you need protection from. Look up the number of people killed by Malaria every year but that does not make such a good news story does it. Of course you don't want to wander round a war zone but people on the whole are the same everywhere.

Richard

Fortunately, Morocco has a zero risk for malaria, according to all the info on the web that I've seen. Worldwide, it's often stated the death rate for Malaria is about one every minute.