Money

1. Currency Exchange

Morocco's official currency is Dirham. Moroccan Dirhams can only be acquired in Morocco. National currencies ought to be exchanged at official bureaux de change only (recognized by a golden sign). Exchanging money in the street is against the law.

There is no commission charge and a receipt is issued, which tourists must keep so as to exchange Moroccan currency back into US dollars on departure. You can withdraw money in banks with the help of a credit card and a checkbook or directly from ATMs in some larger towns. All towns in Morocco have at least one ATM. You can withdraw cash with a foreign debit card or a major credit card. However, some specific debit cards might not be accepted at all ATMs.

Occasionally, the Moroccan ATM network fails because of technical problems. This is typically solved in a couple of hours, but at times such a system failure lasts a full 24 hours. Hence, always keep some cash in hand, around US $ 46.

Nearly all ATMs dispense cash on Visa and MasterCard. It is advisable that you confirm with your credit or debit card service provider for information as regards merchant acceptability and additional services that might be offered. You can make use of credit cards at travel agencies and several up market hotels, restaurants and stores. American Express and Diners Club cards are hardly accepted in Morocco.

In order to keep away from incurring extra exchange rate charges, you are advised to take traveler's checks in US Dollars. They are easy to cash in at most banks and a fixed commission is charged.

Voyages Schwartz, with its offices in Casablanca, Marrakech, Rabat and Tangier, represents American Express in Morocco

You also have the facility of transferring money with the help of Western Union to all branches of the Moroccan post office. This facility is also available from some branches of Société Générale bank, WafaCash and certain travel agents and foreign exchange agents. Two banks in Morocco, offer MoneyGram facility, the Banque Populaire and Crédit du Maroc.

Legally, the tax-free zones at airports are not Moroccan region, so Dirhams are not accepted there. The only currencies accepted at tax-free stores are euros, US dollars and credit cards.

2. What a Dollar Will Buy You

Petrol - US $ 1.04 per litre

Souvenir t-shirt - US $ 11.52

Loaf of bread - US $ 0.15

Litre of bottled water - US $ 0.58

Pot of mint tea - US $ 0.58

Cup of coffee - US $ 0.61

One kg bananas - US $ 1.75

Grilled kebab - US $ 4.03

Sheep's meat - US $ 8.06 per kg

Lamb's meat - US $ 9.22 per Kg

Beef - US $ 13.84 per Kg

Sardines - US $ 1.728

Shrimps - US $ 9.22 per Kg

Goatfish (mullet) - US $ 6.92 per Kg

Potatoes - US $ 0.58 per Kg

Tomatoes - US $ 0.58 per Kg

Onions - US $ 0.58 per Kg

Beans - US $ 1.15 per Kg

Aubergine - US $ 1.15 per Kg

Oranges - US $ 0.58per Kg

Apples - US $ 1.73 per Kg

Vegetable cooking oil - US $ 1.15 per litre

Sugar - US $ 0.58 per Kg

Milk - US $ 1.15 per litre

Butter - US $ 3.46 per Kg

Local cheese - US $ 9.22 per Kg

Eggs - US $ 0.12 per egg

Semolina (couscous) - US $ 1.15 per Kg

Rice - US $ 1.73 per Kg

Soft drinks 1.5 litres - US $ 0.92

Local beer - U S $ 0.58 per bottle

Imported beer - US $ 1.15 per bottle

Wine, average quality - US $ 2.88 per bottle

Hard liquor - US $ 28.82 per bottle

Cigarettes, local brands 1 packet - US $ 2.30

Washing powder - US $ 2.88 per Kg

Batteries, penlight (AA) - US $ 2.30 for 4 batteries

Toilet paper - US $ 0.230 per roll

Butane cooking gas - US $ 1.15 for a 3 kg bottle

3. Telecommunications

International Direct Dialing is available. You can find privately owned Téléboutiques all over Morocco. There are assistants to offer advice, change and phone cards. Roaming facilities are available on mobile phones. There is coverage mostly in the West Moroccan cities. Mobile GSM 900 networks operate in the north of Morocco. Internet access is extensively available in business centers, hotels and cafes. It is advisable not to call Morocco directly and instead use a calling card or a prepaid phone service. Hotels may add a heavy surcharge to their telephone bills; hence it is best to make sure before making long distance international calls.

4. Cab Fares

Grand taxis do not run on meter basis. The tariff between two towns is fixed. All taxi drivers ought to have a ‘bulletin' that states the fares in their region. Many taxi drivers may not display this sheet as per requirements, so you must ask for it.

You may also ask other people waiting for a cab about the fares. They will willingly tell you how much to pay. Always make sure that you decide on the fare with the driver in advance and do emphasize that you are talking about Dirhams and not dollars.

5. Currency Exchange Rates

The Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is the official currency of Morocco.

1 MAD = 100 centimes.

1 MAD

0.12 USD

0.36 ARS

0.09 EUR

0.16

AUD

0.13 CAD

0.14 CHF

0.06 GBP

0.19 NZD

1 USD = 8.66 MAD

10 USD = 6.64 MAD

20 USD = 173.28 MAD

50 USD = 433.20 MAD

100 USD = 866.40 MAD

200 USD = 1,732.80 MAD

500 USD = 4,332.00 MAD

1,000 USD = 8,664.00 MAD

6. Taxes

The VAT charged in Morocco is 10 %. There is no departure tax. Travelers above 18 year of age can bring in the following goods into Morocco without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 400g of tobacco, 1 liter of spirits and 1 liter of wine, 5g of perfume.

7. Tipping

In more expensive bars and restaurants, a tip of up to 10 to 15% is expected, although some places include a service charge. Most services are carried out with the purpose of getting a few Dirhams, but aggressive hustling should not be rewarded. Tourists should consider that tips are the only source of income for some porters and guides.

Tipping is frequently called 'baksheesh' and it is given for any service provided. For each guide it is recommended to give a tip of US $ 2.56. For your driver, it is suggested to give a tip of US $ 12 to US $ 20 at the end of the trip.

It is normal to tip your Tour Leader, at the end of the trip, if you are satisfied with his service. A minimum tip of US $ 2.50 to US $ 3.50 per day, from each member of the group, is the usual expectation.