Is tipping customary in Morocco? | Intrepid Travel (2024)

FAQs

Is it rude not to tip in Morocco? ›

While tipping isn't mandatory in Morocco, rounding up the bill and leaving tips at restaurants and cafes is standard practice. If you're happy with the service provided by waiters, drivers and other service workers, leaving a small tip is a good way to show your appreciation.

As a general rule, expect to tip around 10% of the bill. If you get exceptionally good service, say thank you with a tip closer to 15-20%.

Legally it's voluntary but if you slink out of a restaurant without leaving a gratuity of between 20 and 25 per cent, you're likely to be chased by a waiter demanding to know why. To help you avoid tipping anxiety (and disgruntled waitstaff), we explain how to tip in the United States.

It may be that you have a driver either privately hired or as a part of a group tour. You should tip the driver. For a private car hire consider tipping 100-200 dirham per day depending on the distance driven and how often you use his services.

guides. Local guides are often tipped between 20 and 100 dirhams per person, depending on their capability and length of the tour - short site guides would be around 20 dh per person, full-day medina guides would be around 100 dh per person.

All greetings, dining manners and other gestures should be done with your right hand. It is also impolite in Morocco to point at someone with your index finger to motion them towards you. You should instead beckon someone by placing your palm downward and sweeping your hand towards yourself.

The currency of Morocco is the dirham (abbreviated Dh). U.S. dollars are not accepted.

Petit Taxi Driver – Round up to 5 or 10 dh (Be sure the meter is running; some taxi drivers take advantage of tourists by quoting high fixed prices.) Tour Driver – Multi-Day – Car, Van, or Minibus – 100 dh per day per booking party (More if private driver; pay at conclusion of tour.)

In some tourist places you can pay for hotels, restaurants, and activities in USD, EUR, or GBP, but only banknotes are accepted. Although, you'll always get a better deal paying in the local currency. In addition, you can get MAD from ATMs using your debit card. Withdrawing cash on a credit card is less favorable.

In Morocco, eating in silence is considered rude. It is also bad manners to reach across in front of anyone else. It is important to take food only from right in front of you. If you are set on a particularly juicy looking piece of chicken or vegetable, you must ask someone to pass it to you.

What happens if I don't tip? ›

Servers might comp your meal (give it to you for free), send your table dessert, or, at the very least, offer you a sincere apology. If you get confronted for not leaving an adequate tip, understand that this is normal. Avoid this in the future and express problems with your server before you pay the bill.

There are usually no expectations when it comes to tipping at Moroccan hotels and riads, but it's considerate to reward good service. We suggest 100 dirhams per day per room to cover all staff (including housekeeping and kitchen staff if you've eaten meals there).

In restaurants, don't expect the server to chase you down to pay the check. You are welcome to remain as long as you like, and payments are usually accepted at the front counter, rather than the table. It's better to give the server the tip directly rather than leave it on the table.

Tipping is customary in Morocco, but it is not mandatory. The best rule of thumb when it comes to tipping is to round up the bill and leave spare change. If you received poor or inadequate service, you are not obligated to tip.

In the major cities in Morocco, the tap water is chlorinated and will usually cause no harm, but it's still wise to either purify this water yourself or choose another water source, as your body may react to unfamiliar bacteria in the water, causing sickness or diarrhea.

The amount is entirely a personal preference, however the equivalent of USD 2–4 per person, per day, is a commonly used guideline. Of course, you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip.

In Morocco, the left hand is reserved for bathroom hygiene and dirty chores. So it is considered incredibly rude to eat, shake hands, give a gift, or leave a tip with your left hand.

Japan. Unlike Spain, Japan is a country where you should not tip at all; it's actually offensive. In the majority of Japanese restaurants a bill is not brought to the table. Instead, payment is accepted at the bar, so even trying to leave a tip for the waiter can be tricky.