Morocco! Marrakech-Imsouane

[nspjanse]

Hey guys

Im heading to Imsouane in morocco for december to escape the horrible english weather, any have any tips about how to get there???
I'll be just on my own with a backpack... Hitching?
Any help would be fantastic!
Cheers guys.
Jake.

[Xoxxi]

Morocco can be a great place but also you have to take some care as well... its not like the rest of Europe and in particular the UK where you are from, so as long as you are clear of that and makes some personal rules you should be ok. I have been surfing there since the late 1980's and know the area well, although in the recent decade it has been invaded with surfers its still and awesome spot.

There are three types of inter-city buses to and from Marrakech. Firstly, at the bus station, opposite Bab Doukkala, there are the private bus companies, which operate to all major cities, including many every day to Tangier, Agadir, Essaouira, Goulimine and Casablanca. The buses look fine, but they don't use air conditioning and they stop frequently to pick up passengers and sometimes just to do a bit of shopping in local markets. Only use these buses, if there is no alternative. The passengers who use them are more than 95% locals.

Then there are the Supra Tours buses, which are run by the state rail company. They are fast, direct and use their airconditioning. More than 90% of their passengers are foreign tourists, but usually these buses are full. So, it is essential that you go to the Supra Tours office, next to the train station, and book your ticket the day before you plan to travel. They run to Agadir, Essaouira, Smara and Goulimine

Thirdly, there is the state-run CTM company, which operates from an office in the centre of Gueliz. The passengers on these are about a 70/30 split between locals and foreigners. They are fast, direct and use their airconditioning and, in my opinion, they are even better than Supra Tours. They run buses to many destinations, including Agadir, Casablanca, Fes, Rabat, Taroudannt, Ouarzazate, Zagora and Goulimine.

To give you some idea of times and prices, a CTM bus to Ouarzazate cost DH70 and took more than 4 hours; a Supra Tours bus to Essaouira cost DH65 and took just under 4 hours. On all of these buses, you will have to pay at least DH5 extra for each piece of heavy baggage.

Hope that helps you...

Aloha,

Xoxxi Surf Travel

<edit>

[Jonnyboy]

Hi Xoxxi,

Thanks for the detailed information!

However I still have a question: does supra tours or one of the other bus companies stop in Imsouane?

Thanks in advance

John