Whether you’re planning a trip to Marrakech or are seeking to explore the entire country of Morocco, understanding the local customs surrounding tipping is beneficial. This post will explain how to tip in Morocco and the appropriate amounts to give in various situations, including taxis, hotels, and tour guides.
The Moroccan culture around tipping may seem a bit confusing, so I have gathered some helpful information for you here.
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Who should you tip?
Due to Morocco’s lower cost of living, many service providers and merchants rely on tips from tourists and customers.
In Morocco, tipping, or “bakchish”, is not only customary, but it is also a sign of appreciation for good service. The French term “pourboire” is also used in cities like Casablanca or Rabat. In Northern Morocco, you may often encounter the Spanish term “propina”.
In general, you should tip anyone who offers you good service in Morocco. This includes, for example, restaurant and hotel staff, taxi drivers, and tour guides, but also hairdressers and parking attendants. If someone provides you with top-notch service, a tip is a nice way to show your appreciation.
How much tip should you give in Morocco?
If you want to tip, small amounts are usually sufficient. A simple rule is to round up lower bills to the next full amount, for example, to 200 Dirhams for a bill of 180 DH.
If you don’t have any small change, point this out to the person and ask if they have any change. They usually have smaller amounts, so you can easily tip them.
Taxis
It is advisable to pay attention to a switched-on taximeter for taxi rides in Marrakech. Alternatively, you can agree on a fixed price, but usually, you’ll get a cheaper fare with the taximeter. People expect you to round up the fare slightly, for example, from 13 to 15 DH.
If you book a Grand Taxi for a more extended trip and the driver customises the route or makes stops for you, you should consider this when calculating your tip.
Tipping for private drivers
For private car trips, 100-200 DH per day is reasonable, depending on the distance traveled and the number of people. For larger travel groups, 20-50 DH per day is common.
At the hotel or riad
To show your satisfaction with the service in a riad, you can tip the management, kitchen, and cleaning staff here. For a stay of two to three nights, a tip of 100-200 DH is usually appropriate. If you stay longer or for special services you should adjust your tip accordingly.
Restaurants and cafés
In restaurants or cafés, it’s best to pay the waiter directly. Wait for someone to bring you the bill. It is usually presented on a plate or in a case. You can then leave your tip with it.
The amount of the tip depends on the type of establishment. In simple restaurants, a few Dirhams are usually sufficient. In contrast, a tip of about 10% is appropriate in upscale establishments or hotels.
Tipping for guides and tour staff
A tip of 5-10% of the cost of the tour is suitable for city tours.
For multi-day tours, you should tip your guide at the end of the trip. The amount depends on your satisfaction with the guide. For group tours, 20-50 DHm per day and person is reasonable and sufficient.
When a tip is not justified
It is entirely okay to refrain from tipping if the service needs to be improved. A simple, polite “No, thank you” (“La Shukran”) is entirely sufficient in this case.
Tipping etiquette
Please ensure that people can perceive a low amount or tip in many small coins as rude. In such situations, it might be better to refrain from tipping and make up for it on a later visit.
Note: The suggested tipping amounts are guidelines and may vary depending on the situation and service.
