TIPPING IN MOROCCO
Tipping for any small service is a common practice in Morocco, whether it is for directions, assistance parking, or in more traditional scenarios such as in restaurants and hotels, and is therefore expected of both locals and travelers.
There is no standard amount for tipping in Morocco, and like many countries, you have to go on your gut feeling based on the service you get. Keep in mind, $1USD equals roughly 9 dirhams (exact amount dependant on exchange rate).
The below rates are on a per person basis.
You can download this information as a PDF here.
RESTAURANTS
At many of the upmarket restaurants in the tourist areas they will add 10% to the bill, therefore check your bill. If you did not receive good service, you are not required to tip in restaurants. In casual restaurants, it is not uncommon for people not to leave any tip at all. If you receive great service, give more than 10%.
HOTELS
For the staff who carries your bags to your room or from your hotel to a taxi, 10 dirhams would be appropriate, or more if your bags are extremely cumbersome.
If you are staying in the medina and use a handcart to transport your luggage, expect to pay at least 20 dirhams in Marrakech. If it's a long trek, you have a great deal of luggage, or it is extremely hot, 50 - 100 dh will be appropriate.
For housekeeping, 20 dirhams per day is appreciated.
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.
If you are taking a camel trek, you should also tip the camel guide about 20 dh per person, unless he goes above and beyond with pictures. However, most of them in the Sahara also sell small trinkets made of fossils, so purchasing one of those can also stand in for the tip.
TRANSPORTATION
In taxis, just round up to the nearest 5 dh, e.g. if the taxi meter says 17 dh, pay 20 dh. The taxi’s meter often won't work, so always ask the price or check the meter before you start your journey. However, if the taxi driver provides poor service or tries to change the price at the end of the journey, tipping is not required.
If you are traveling with a private driver, it is appropriate to tip approximately 100 dh per day, per person, which is usually given at the end of the trip. The driver not only takes you between destinations, but often serves as an unofficial guide, translator, assists with baggage, and can make all the difference in the enjoyment of your journey. If you have an additional group guide, he should be tipped separately from the driver, along the same guidelines.
OTHER SERVICES
People who clean bathrooms should be tipped between 2 - 5 dh. In some more remote rest stops that are not part of gas stations or restaurants, be aware that there may be a mandatory charge to use the restroom, often 5-10 dirhams.
If you are in need of directions and someone takes you to where you want to go, then 10 - 50 dh dirhams, depending on the distance (i.e., a 2-minute walk down an alley, or a 15-minute walk across the medina), is appropriate.
PERFORMERS
If you take pictures of street performers, 10 - 20 dh is appropriate, as that is often how they make their living.
Musicians and people performing for you should be tipped between 20 -100 dh, depending on the length of the performance and the number of musicians. There is usually one leader who receives the tips, to be later shared with the other performers.