Morocco's currency is the Moroccan dirham, abbreviated MAD and symbolized as DH. Bank Al-Maghrib, the central bank established in 1959, issues banknotes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, and 200 dirhams. Coins circulate in values of 1, 2, 5, and 10 dirhams, plus smaller denominations of 10, 20, and 50 centimes, though the centime coins see limited practical use. The dirham subdivides into 100 centimes. As of early 2024, exchange rates typically float near 10 dirhams to 1 US dollar and 11 dirhams to 1 euro, though Morocco maintains a managed float system where Bank Al-Maghrib pegs the dirham to a basket weighted primarily toward the euro and US dollar. Exchange rate stability has been a policy priority since the dirham became convertible for current account transactions in 1993.
The Moroccan government prohibits importing or exporting dirhams. Visitors cannot obtain dirhams before arrival and must surrender remaining dirhams before departure or reconvert them to foreign currency at airport exchange counters. This restriction, enforced through customs declarations for amounts exceeding 100,000 dirhams, means travelers cannot purchase dirhams in advance in their home countries. Currency exchange offices operate at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, Marrakech Menara Airport, Fes–Saïss Airport, and Rabat-Salé Airport immediately beyond immigration checkpoints. Banks and licensed exchange bureaus in major cities provide alternative conversion points during business hours, typically Saturday through Thursday from 0830 to 1600, with Friday closures standard except in tourist areas.
ATMs dispensing dirhams appear throughout Moroccan cities, with machines clustered near Jemaa el-Fnaa in Marrakech, along Avenue Mohammed V in Rabat, and in the Maarif district of Casablanca. Attijariwafa Bank, Banque Populaire, BMCE Bank of Africa, Crédit du Maroc, and Société Générale Maroc operate the majority of cash machines. Daily withdrawal limits range from 2,000 to 5,000 dirhams depending on the issuing bank and card type. International networks including Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, and Maestro function at most machines, though travelers report occasional connectivity issues with American Express. Foreign transaction fees charged by home banks typically add 1 to 3 percent to withdrawals, and ATM operators sometimes levy additional charges of 10 to 30 dirhams per transaction. Exchange rates applied to ATM withdrawals generally track official Bank Al-Maghrib rates more closely than exchange bureaus, making machines financially efficient for obtaining cash despite fees.
Credit cards see acceptance in Moroccan hotels rated three stars and above, restaurants in Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, and Fes that cater to international visitors, and retail establishments in modern shopping districts. The Morocco Mall in Casablanca, Marjane hypermarket chains, and upscale riads accept Visa and Mastercard reliably. Card acceptance drops substantially in medinas, souks, rural areas, and establishments serving primarily domestic clientele. Merchants accepting cards sometimes add surcharges of 3 to 5 percent or require minimum purchase amounts of 200 to 300 dirhams. The Moroccan government mandated point-of-sale terminals for businesses exceeding specific revenue thresholds in 2019, incrementally expanding card infrastructure. Contactless payment penetration remains limited compared to cash transactions.
Cash dominates daily commerce in Morocco. Purchases in the Medina of Fes, transactions at Jemaa el-Fnaa food stalls, intercity bus fares on CTM and Supratours routes, grand taxi fares, payments to riads without formal banking relationships, and purchases in souks across Marrakech, Essaouira, and Chefchaouen require physical dirhams. Vendors at the tanneries of Fes, guides at Ait-Ben-Haddou, shopkeepers in the Kasbah of the Udayas, and operators of shared transport on most routes expect cash payment. Carrying denominations of 20, 50, and 100 dirhams facilitates transactions, as many small vendors lack change for 200-dirham notes. The Central Bank's 2022 payment systems report indicated cash accounted for 89 percent of transaction volume by number, though electronic payments showed growth in value terms.
Mobile payment systems have established presence in urban Morocco since the launch of M-Wallet in 2016. Bank Al-Maghrib licensed mobile money services including Chaabi Cash, CIH Pay, and BMCE Direct to operate alongside traditional banking channels. Adoption concentrates in Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech among Moroccan residents with bank accounts and smartphones. International visitors encounter limited utility for these platforms due to requirements for Moroccan phone numbers and identity verification through national ID cards. QR code payment acceptance exists at select merchants in the Maarif district of Casablanca and the Guéliz neighborhood of Marrakech but does not constitute a reliable payment option for travelers.
Tipping practices in Morocco follow specific patterns. Restaurant service charges occasionally appear on bills at hotel restaurants and upscale dining establishments, typically 10 percent of the pretax total. When no service charge appears, leaving 10 to 15 percent remains customary for table service in restaurants frequented by tourists. At cafes serving mint tea and coffee, rounding up to the nearest 5 or 10 dirhams suffices. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, though passengers often round fares up by 5 dirhams. Porters at train stations and hotels typically receive 10 to 20 dirhams per bag. Guides at cultural sites including the Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, and Bou Inania Madrasa often expect 20 to 50 dirhams for informal tours. Attendants at public restrooms in medinas and bus stations expect 2 to 5 dirhams. These amounts represent observed practices in 2023 and 2024.
Negotiation characterizes purchases in Moroccan souks and medinas. Vendors at spice stalls, leather goods shops, textile merchants, and craft sellers in the Medina of Marrakech, Medina of Fes, and Medina of Essaouira quote initial prices substantially above expected final transaction values. Opening offers may run 150 to 300 percent of the price at which vendors will complete sales. Bargaining proceeds through multiple rounds of counteroffers, and walking away often prompts sellers to reduce prices further. Fixed-price retail exists at government-run craft cooperatives including the Ensemble Artisanal locations in major cities, Marjane and Carrefour supermarket chains, and pharmacies. Grocery stores, train stations, and established restaurants post prices without expectation of negotiation. The Moroccan Ministry of Tourism operates fixed-price craft shops in Rabat and other cities as reference points for goods sold in souks.
Morocco's value-added tax, the Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée, applies at a standard rate of 20 percent on most goods and services, with reduced rates of 7, 10, and 14 percent for specific categories. Hotels and restaurants charge 10 percent VAT on accommodation and meals. The tax generally appears included in displayed prices rather than added at checkout. Morocco does not offer VAT refund schemes for international visitors departing the country. Unlike European Union countries where tax-free shopping programs exist for non-residents, purchases in Morocco include VAT as a final cost with no recovery mechanism at airports or border crossings.
Accommodation costs in Morocco span wide ranges based on location, season, and property type. Budget accommodations in Fes medina hostels charge 80 to 150 dirhams per night for dormitory beds. Mid-range riads in Marrakech typically cost 400 to 800 dirhams per room per night. The high season from March through May and September through November sees prices increase 20 to 40 percent over low season rates. Hotel rooms near Jemaa el-Fnaa range from 300 dirhams for basic hotels to 3,000 dirhams for luxury properties. Guesthouses in Chefchaouen's medina charge 250 to 500 dirhams per night for standard double rooms. Camping near Merzouga costs 50 to 100 dirhams per person, while desert camps with dining included charge 400 to 1,200 dirhams per person per night. Ifrane hotels cater primarily to domestic tourists with rates of 500 to 1,500 dirhams per room.
Meal costs vary by establishment type and location. Street food vendors in Marrakech sell harira soup for 5 to 10 dirhams per bowl. Khobz bread costs 1 to 2 dirhams per loaf at bakeries throughout Morocco. Tagine dishes at neighborhood restaurants in Fes cost 30 to 60 dirhams. Restaurant meals in the Medina of Essaouira range from 50 dirhams for basic couscous to 150 dirhams for fish tagine with sides. Tourist-oriented restaurants near the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca charge 100 to 250 dirhams for main courses. Mint tea costs 6 to 10 dirhams at traditional cafes, 15 to 25 dirhams at cafes in tourist zones. A pastilla serving costs 40 to 80 dirhams. Breakfast of msemen and baghrir with honey costs 15 to 30 dirhams at street stalls, 60 to 100 dirhams at hotel restaurants. Marjane and Carrefour supermarkets price argan oil at 80 to 150 dirhams per 250-milliliter bottle, preserved lemons at 20 to 35 dirhams per jar.
Transportation costs in Morocco follow regulated and market-driven pricing. CTM bus service from Casablanca to Marrakech costs 90 dirhams for the 240-kilometer journey. Supratours operates similar routes at comparable fares. ONCF railway tickets from Tangier to Rabat on Al Boraq high-speed service cost 179 dirhams for second class, 239 dirhams for first class, covering 200 kilometers. Regular train service from Casablanca to Fes costs 119 dirhams second class, 183 dirhams first class. Grand taxis operating shared routes charge per seat, with Fes to Meknes costing 25 to 30 dirhams per person for the 60-kilometer trip. Entire grand taxi hire for the same route costs 150 to 200 dirhams. Petit taxis within cities charge metered fares starting at 7 to 10 dirhams, adding 1.50 to 2 dirhams per kilometer. Rides within Marrakech medina to Guéliz typically cost 15 to 25 dirhams. Buses operated by Alsa and other companies on intercity routes charge 80 to 120 dirhams for Marrakech to Essaouira.
Entrance fees at Moroccan cultural sites reflect government pricing policies established by the Ministry of Culture. The Bahia Palace in Marrakech charges 70 dirhams admission. The Saadian Tombs cost 70 dirhams. Bou Inania Madrasa in Fes charges 20 dirhams. The Archaeological Site of Volubilis near Meknes costs 70 dirhams. Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat allow free entry. The Majorelle Garden in Marrakech charges 150 dirhams for garden access, 100 dirhams additional for the Berber Museum. Ait-Ben-Haddou has no official entrance fee, though guides and kasbah owners may request 20 to 50 dirhams for interior access. The Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat permits free entry to grounds, while the internal museum charges 20 dirhams. Toubkal National Park entry costs 30 dirhams. These rates applied through 2023 and early 2024.
Guide services in Morocco operate through licensed and unlicensed channels. Official guides certified by the Ministry of Tourism charge rates set by professional associations. Full-day guided tours in Marrakech cost 400 to 600 dirhams for groups of one to four people. Half-day tours run 250 to 350 dirhams. Fes medina guides charge similar rates, with full days at 400 to 500 dirhams. Unofficial guides approach visitors at major sites and offer services at negotiable rates, typically 100 to 200 dirhams for several hours. Trekking guides in Toubkal National Park charge 400 to 600 dirhams per day, with mule handlers adding 250 to 350 dirhams per animal per day. Multiple-day treks to summit Toubkal typically cost 1,500 to 2,500 dirhams per person for two-day itineraries including guide, mule, meals, and refuge accommodation.
Activity costs in Morocco depend on location and operator. Camel treks from Merzouga into Erg Chebbi dunes cost 250 to 400 dirhams for two-hour sunset rides, 800 to 1,500 dirhams for overnight excursions including camp accommodation and meals. Quad bike rentals near Erg Chigaga charge 400 to 600 dirhams for two-hour desert rides. Surfing lessons in Essaouira cost 200 to 350 dirhams for two-hour group sessions. Hammam services at public bathhouses cost 10 to 30 dirhams for entry, plus 50 to 100 dirhams for scrubbing and massage services. Upscale spa hammams in Marrakech riads charge 300 to 800 dirhams for treatment packages. Cooking classes in Fes and Marrakech cost 400 to 700 dirhams for half-day sessions including market visits and meals.
Shopping costs vary by item category and vendor. Argan oil prices at cooperatives near Essaouira range from 100 to 200 dirhams per 250 milliliters for cosmetic-grade oil, 150 to 250 dirhams for culinary-grade. Leather bags in Fes tannery shops sell for 200 to 800 dirhams after negotiation, depending on size and quality. Berber carpets range from 500 dirhams for small machine-made pieces to 5,000 to 20,000 dirhams for handwoven wool carpets of substantial size. Ceramic tagine pots cost 80 to 300 dirhams. Handmade babouche slippers sell for 50 to 150 dirhams per pair. Silver jewelry prices vary with weight and workmanship, with bracelets starting at 200 dirhams. Spices including saffron cost 80 to 150 dirhams per gram at medina spice stalls. Dates sell for 30 to 80 dirhams per kilogram. Textiles for clothing range from 100 dirhams for simple cotton kaftans to 800 dirhams for embroidered pieces.
Alcohol pricing in Morocco reflects import duties and religious context. Morocco produces wine in the Meknes region and around Benslimane, with bottles of Moroccan labels including Medallion, Guerrouane, and Bonassia costing 60 to 120 dirhams at Carrefour and other licensed retailers. Imported wines start at 100 dirhams for basic bottles. Beer including Flag Speciale and Casablanca brands costs 12 to 18 dirhams for 330-milliliter bottles at shops, 25 to 40 dirhams at hotel bars. Spirits carry substantial markups, with imported whiskey bottles costing 300 to 800 dirhams. Alcohol sales occur only at licensed shops concentrated in Guéliz in Marrakech, the ville nouvelle areas of Fes and Meknes, and specific Casablanca districts. Ramadan restricts alcohol sales hours and availability.
SIM cards for mobile phones sell at Maroc Telecom, Orange Morocco, and Inwi retail locations throughout cities. Prepaid SIM cards cost 20 to 40 dirhams and require passport presentation for registration under regulations enforced by the Agence Nationale de Réglementation des Télécommunications. Data packages of 2 gigabytes valid for one month cost 40 to 60 dirhams. Ten gigabytes for 30 days costs 100 to 150 dirhams. Voice call packages add 20 to 50 dirhams. Tourist SIM cards marketed specifically to visitors sometimes bundle data and calls at premium pricing. Coverage reaches major cities and highways reliably, with gaps in remote areas of the Anti-Atlas Mountains and deep Sahara Desert regions near Erg Chigaga.