Money and currency in Morocco - Moroccan dirham

When planning a trip to Morocco, it’s easy to get carried away by the maze of souks, exotic landscapes and mouth-watering cuisine. However, learning a little about the local currency will help you get the most out of your Morocco tour, as it will give you a better idea of the exchange rate and make it easier to get Moroccan money.

The Moroccan Dirham is the official currency of Morocco. The international abbreviation for the Moroccan dirham is MAD (USD – US dollar, CAD – Canadian dollar, GBP – British pound, etc.). However, in this article and in most travel guides and on the internet, the Moroccan dirham is commonly abbreviated as “dh”.

The plural in standard Arabic is dirahim (pronounced “dirahim”), but English and French usually use the word “dirham”. One centime (pronounced “san-tim”), derived from the French “centime”, is worth 1/100th of a dirham and is abbreviated as c. Dirham coins are also available in denominations of 1 dirham, 2 dirhams, 5 dirhams, and 10 dirhams. Moroccan banknotes have denominations of 20dh, 50dh, 100dh and 200dh respectively.

The 100dh and 200dh banknotes are the most common and are equivalent to the 10dh and 20dh of North American, European and Australian currency.

Other Moroccan currencies.

In Morocco, prices are sometimes quoted in currencies other than dirhams, especially in markets, small villages and among the elderly. This is largely due to the protectorate period. In some parts of Morocco, former French and Spanish currency names are used. Even though the real currency no longer exists, people still see Moroccan currency and count it in the former currency. Something similar can be seen in the European euro, where older people still count in the old currency.

Small stores and markets throughout Morocco sometimes list prices in francs. Some Moroccans use francs to mean the same thing as French dirhams, but traditionally francs denote 1/100th of a dirham (e.g., 10 dirhams equals 1,000 francs). This usage is rare, although it is still used in some parts of Morocco. Sometimes “riyal” (ree-ahl) is also used. What makes the situation even more confusing is that the same “riyal” denotes different amounts in different regions. In the villages around Tetouan, the riyal is 1/10 of a dirham. In contrast, in the Middle Atlas, the rial is 1/20th of a dirham. In major tourist cities such as Marrakech, prices may be quoted in their own currency such as AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP or USD.

A quick guide to money in Morocco Banknotes are usually denominated in Dh100 and Dh200, equivalent to 10 cents and 20 cents. Other currencies are nominally used in Morocco but not in practice.

These are the franc and the rial.

1 franc = 1/100th of a dirham (1,000 francs = 10 dirhams). 1 Middle Atlas riyal = 1/20th part of a dirham (200 Middle Atlas riyals = 10 dirhams). 1 Tetuan riyal = 1/2 of a dirham (10 Tetuan riyals = 10 dirhams).

Needless to say, dealing with currency in Morocco is quite difficult linguistically. With the exception of a few obnoxious shopkeepers, most Moroccans are honest to a fault and charge the appropriate amount for goods and services. Be prepared to have to round the amount up or down to the dirham, but this is common practice. Currency exchange, banks and ATMs The dirham is officially considered an undisclosed currency and can only be legally exchanged within Morocco. Despite this restriction, you can exchange small amounts of dirhams at major travel agencies and at some major airports (especially in the UK and France). It is strictly illegal to take dirhams out of Morocco, but imports and exports are allowed up to a limit of 10,000 dirhams.

If dirhams are not available in your home country, there is no need to panic. All international airports in Morocco have currency exchange offices and most airports have ATMs. The difference in fees between banks and exchange offices is very small, as exchange rates are regulated by law and it is forbidden to charge high fees. There are many banks in major cities. Remember to bring your passport and always ask for a receipt after exchanging money.

Also, during Ramadan (the month of fasting) and in summer, many banks are only open until 2-3pm. The best and most convenient option for travelers is to withdraw money with a debit card at one of the many ATMs (usually called guichet automatique) located throughout the country.

ATMs tend to be fewer in rural areas and more numerous in urban areas, with more than 20 in the Medina neighborhood of Marrakech alone.

Before you leave, be sure to set up a travel alert with your bank or credit card company. Also check to see if you will be able to use your PIN and if you will be charged a fee.

Keep all your currency exchange and ATM receipts so you can more easily convert extra money back to local currency in Morocco. Cash is the rule, although

credit cards are accepted in modern shopping centers, high-end restaurants, and major hotels. It’s not uncommon for even Moroccans to carry several thousand dirhams!

Check with your bank about exchange fees before you leave. Traveler’s checks are not recommended for use in Morocco and are less convenient.

Tipping and general expenses It is customary to tip in Morocco. It is customary to tip in Morocco. Below is a quick guide to tipping.

Money in Morocco A quick guide to tipping Tipping guides,

• drivers and guides on treks is usually between 100 and 200 dirhams per day.
• In large restaurants, check to see if a service charge has been added to the bill.
• If no service charge has been added, it is customary to tip 10% of the bill, although Moroccans tip slightly less.
• In small restaurants and cafes it is acceptable to tip between 2 and 5 dirhams. Parking attendants are usually paid 2 to 5 dirhams (or more in busy areas) and leave 1 to 2 dirhams on top of the parking fee.
• Gas station attendants are usually given a few dirhams after refueling.
• Cab drivers are usually tipped only if they helped carry luggage.
• Hotel porters are usually tipped between 10 and 20 dirhams, depending on the number, size and weight of the luggage.
• Hotel cleaners are not usually tipped, but they are always welcome.

Prices for some services in Morocco are much cheaper than in North America or Western Europe. Remember that haggling is essential in souks and small stores.

Some examples: For example,

• a short ride around the city in a small cab (called petit cab) costs about 5-7 US dollars.
• A coffee or soft drink costs about Dh10.
• Orange juice at a kiosk in Marrakech’s main square, called Jamaa el Fna, costs Dh6.
• Jelabas, traditional clothing worn by men and women, cost between Dh180 and Dh300.

By planning your shopping in advance, you won’t run out of money when you’re scouring the markets for items you’ve always wanted: carpets, tea sets and babouche!

Welcome to Live Morocco Tours, where your dream journey begins! At Live Morocco Tours, we understand that every traveler is unique, and so are their travel aspirations. That’s why we offer you the opportunity to customize your own tour and turn your travel dreams into reality.