Quick answer: Morocco's currency is the dirham (MAD), a closed currency you get on arrival from ATMs or exchange offices. Cards are accepted in larger hotels, restaurants and shops in the cities, but cash is essential in the south and in the Sahara, where ATMs are few. Withdraw enough dirham in a big town before heading to Merzouga, and keep small notes for tips and snacks.
Money is one of the practical questions we answer most often for guests coming to the desert. The short version is: carry cash, but not too much, and plan ahead. Here is everything you need to know about money in Morocco, ATMs and cards, with a focus on the road to the Sahara.
The Moroccan dirham
The dirham is divided into 100 centimes. Notes come in 20, 50, 100 and 200 MAD, and coins in 1, 2, 5 and 10 MAD, plus smaller centime coins. Exchange rates move, but in recent years one euro has been worth roughly 10 to 11 MAD, and one US dollar roughly 9 to 10 MAD. Check a current rate before you travel.
A few things surprise visitors:
- It is a closed currency. You generally cannot buy dirham before you arrive, and importing or exporting it is restricted to modest amounts. Plan to get dirham in Morocco.
- Prices are sometimes quoted in rials or in “old” francs in markets, especially in the countryside: 1 dirham equals 20 rials. If a price sounds absurdly high, ask “dirham?”
- Change is scarce. Small shops and taxis often cannot break a 200 MAD note.
ATMs in Morocco
ATMs (called guichet automatique) are easy to find in cities and towns, including at airports. Most accept international Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards. The typical maximum withdrawal per transaction is around 2,000 MAD, though this varies by bank.
- Your home bank may charge a foreign withdrawal fee; some Moroccan banks also add a fee. Compare before you go.
- If the ATM offers to convert the amount into your home currency, decline and choose to be charged in dirham. The machine's rate is usually worse.
- Use ATMs attached to banks during opening hours if possible, so staff can help if a card is swallowed.
- Tell your bank you are travelling to Morocco to avoid your card being blocked.
ATMs near Merzouga
This is the important part for desert travellers. Merzouga is a small village and cash machines here are very limited and can run out or go offline, especially at busy times. The nearest reliable banks are in Rissani (around 35 km) and Erfoud (around 55 km), and there are many more in Errachidia. On a tour from Marrakech or Fes, we suggest withdrawing enough cash in the city or at a stop such as Ouarzazate, Tinghir or Erfoud before reaching the dunes.
Paying by card
Card acceptance has improved, but Morocco is still largely a cash economy outside big cities.
| Where | Card accepted? |
|---|---|
| International hotels and upscale riads | Usually yes (sometimes with a surcharge) |
| Supermarkets and malls in cities | Yes |
| Larger restaurants in Marrakech, Fes, Casablanca | Often |
| Souk stalls and small shops | Rarely; larger carpet or craft shops may accept |
| Taxis, cafes, local restaurants | Almost never |
| Desert camps, auberges, village shops | Often cash only |
Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted; American Express is less common. Contactless payment is growing in cities.
Exchanging cash
Euros, US dollars and British pounds are easy to exchange. Official bureaux de change in cities and at airports usually offer fair rates and no commission; hotels often give worse rates. Bring clean, undamaged notes, as torn or marked ones may be refused. Keep your exchange receipts: you may need them to change leftover dirham back before you leave, which is usually possible at the airport for a portion of what you exchanged.
How much cash to carry
If your tour includes accommodation, most meals and transport, your cash needs are mostly lunches, drinks, entrance fees, tips and shopping. As a rough guide per person per day:
- Lunch and drinks: 80 to 150 MAD.
- Tips: 50 to 100 MAD (see our tipping in Morocco guide).
- Entrance fees: 20 to 70 MAD for most monuments; some museums and sites charge more.
- Souvenirs: whatever your heart and bargaining skills allow.
So 200 to 400 MAD per day plus a shopping budget is a sensible starting point. For the desert leg specifically, bring enough for two or three days.
Keeping money safe
- Split cash and cards between bags, and keep a backup card in your luggage.
- Carry only the day's cash in an easily accessible pocket; keep the rest out of sight.
- Be discreet when counting money in markets.
- In camp, keep valuables in your bag in your tent; camps are generally very safe, but it is good practice.
More general advice is in our honest answer to is Morocco safe for tourists.
Bargaining and prices
In souks, prices are negotiable and bargaining is expected. Start well below the first price, stay friendly, and only name a price you are genuinely willing to pay. Fixed-price shops exist, including state-run artisan complexes (Ensemble Artisanal) in major cities, which are useful for getting an idea of fair prices before heading into the souk. In supermarkets, pharmacies and most restaurants, prices are fixed.
Paying for your tour
Many operators, us included, take a deposit when you book and the balance before or at the start of the trip. Always get a written itinerary listing what is included, so you know which costs remain. On our 9-day imperial cities and Sahara itinerary, for example, accommodation, transport, guided city visits, the camel trek and most meals are covered, so your cash is mainly for lunches, tips and shopping. You can compare other options on our tours page.
Plan a stress-free trip
We will always tell you in advance where the last reliable ATM is on your route and how much cash to have for the desert. Explore our 9-day Morocco experience, and if you have questions about payments or budgets, contact us and we will reply personally.
