Money

This program includes accommodations, transportation, group meals as noted (including soft drinks and local beer or wine at group lunches and dinners), entrance fees, and gratuities for all group activities to guides, waiters, and porters. You should need money only for personal expenses, meals on your own, beverages not provided at group meals and for individual purchases.

A few things to note about money while on this trip: 

• You will need to pay for everything in local currency using cash or credit cards.

• The law prohibits leaving Morocco with more than 1000 dirhams. The dirham is a closed currency, which means it can only be bought once you arrive in Morocco. You can exchange dollars into dirhams at a nearly unform rate at most banks, private exchange counters in major cities and in some hotels; also at a Bureau de Change in the airport, although at disadvantageous exchange rates. Save your exchange receipts or ATM receipts, as you might need them to convert your dirhams back into dollars when you leave – you can do so at the airport for a fair rate. Note that those on early flights will not be able to exchange money at the airport, as the Bureaux de Change normally open at 8:00 a.m.

• Use fresh, new-style bills, as overly worn or outdated bills are often not accepted.

• ATMs are readily available throughout Morocco in cities, although not always conveniently located. You may have to split off from the group on excursions in order to seek out an ATM. ATMs are available at the airport terminal upon arrival.

• VISA and MasterCard are accepted in all hotels, restaurants and most large shops. American Express and other cards are generally only accepted at hotels and a few select restaurants.

You can find up-to-date information and current exchange rates online, for example at Oanda.

Guidelines for gratuities that are not included in the program cost

Hotels: Because of the difficulty of ensuring that gratuities get to the right person, tips for housekeeping staff at our hotels are not included. If you would like to leave a tip for your housekeeper, $2 per day is typically what is recommended. You should tip in local currency.

Private transfers: If you are arriving or departing on a day other than the scheduled arrival and departure dates and have arranged a private transfer, gratuities for your transfer driver are not included. If you wish to tip your transfer driver, $3 to $10 is the suggested amount, depending on length of transfer. You may tip in USD or local currency.

City taxis: Round up to the next 10-dirham note.

Restaurant meals that are not part of our program: 5% is the minimum suggested tip, while 10% is considered a very generous tip. Gratuities are generally not included in your bill. Please keep in mind that in Morocco tips may not be placed on the credit card, they must be cash directly to the waiter, local currency preferred.