Currency
The Moroccan unit of currency is the
dirham which is divided into 100
centimes. There are ATM's throughout
Morocco in all of the major cities
and most towns. Credit cards are
accepted at most of the higher end
hotels, restaurants and shops. You
can change money and traveler checks
at all major banks, bureau de change
and some hotels. Click here for
current exchange rates.
Relative
costs
Budget meal: US$5-10
Mid-range meal: US$10-15
Top-end meal: US$15-30
Reckon on about
US$40-50 per day if you want to
travel in comfort. Budget travellers
prepared to camp or stay in hostels
could happily survive on about
US$15-20 a day. Expect to pay dearly
for the pleasure of beer (around
US$3) and other heady imports.
Getting around is relatively cheap
and there are plenty of options, one
of the cheapest (and most rewarding)
is cycling.
Banks & ATM
There's a wide range of banks
available for changing money and
cashing travellers' cheques and
credit cards. Generally, it's quick
and easy with rates varying little
from bank to bank. Probably the best
of the banks is the Banque Marocaine
du Commerce Extérieur (BMCE). Cash
advances on credit cards and ATM
carry a charge of about 1.5%.
Tipping
Tipping is
expected in the swisher eateries.
Around 10-15% of your bill is usual.
A dirham or two should suffice at
the more humble restaurants and
cafes. A whole range of other
services, some of which you may not
notice or want, are also performed
with the aim of pocketing a few
dirhams. Remember that for many
porters, guides, bus stop spruikers
and the like, this is how they make
a living. On the other hand,
aggressive hustling shouldn't be
rewarded.
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