Tipping in Marrakech: Everything You Need to Know

Full disclosure? There are no hard and fast rules about tipping in Marrakech and tipping in Morocco. Generally, give what you can and most locals will be happy with that.

But, PLEASE tip in Morocco and Marrakech. It’s super important since most Moroccans in entry level positions only make between $200.00 and $400.00 a month.

They also work 6 days a week and typically pay $200.00 per month (+) for an apartment. So, most locals do not have a ton of money and count on tips in Marrakech to help them survive.

I know all of this because I have lived here since January of 2023 and my partner is Moroccan. He had an entry level position when I first met him and I know first hand how important tips are to locals.

Sure, five Dirhams may not be a lot to you. However, it would mean a lot ot local people who need every Dirham they can get.

Yes, there are no official rules about tipping in Morocco, like there are in the USA. However, I am going to go over how to tip in Marrakech in several different situations.

So, I’ll tell you who you should tip and how much you should tip them.

If the service is bad or you are really unhappy then feel free not to tip. Ultimately, tips are at your discretion and don’t feel obligated to tip for bad service.

However, if you are just trying to save money by not tipping in Marrakech then please reconsider this since a relatively small amount of money (to you) could mean the world to someone who is struggling to pay rent

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DISCLAIMER: The amounts listed below are rought guidelines and depend on the quality of the service you receive.

Basicslly, tip if the service is good and tip what you can, even if it’s not the suggested amount. Anything you lieave as a tip would be nice and is better than nothing.

Do You Tip in Marrakech? Should You Tip in Marrakech?

Tipping isn’t mandatory in Marrakech and Morocco. However, please tip locals if you like the service you received. It doesn’t have to be much and you can just round up the bill at a restaurant in Marrakech.

But, locals will appreciate it since they don’t make a ton of money and work really hard in some of the safest cities in Morocco.

People who you should tip include waiters, spa staff, salon staff, drivers, hotel staff, tour guides, and other service workers since leaveing a rip is a really nice way to show staff your appreciation for their hard work.

As you probably already guessed, how much to tip in Marrakech depends on where you are and the calber of service you receive. Generally, you should tip around 10% of the bill, If the service was AMAZING, tip between 15% and 20%.

Tipping in Marrakech at Restaurants and Bars

In Moroccan restaurants, plan to tip around 10-15%. of the bill The precise tip can vary depending on the establishment, the occasion, and the size of your party/order.

Typically, waitstaff receive a slightly higher tip than bartenders since they often share their tips with the kitchen staff In Marrakech bars and cafes in Marrakech.

Now, if you visit small cafes and bars then can round the bill to the next significant amount or leave a small tip with each drink.

At fancy cocktail bars or when a skilled barista crafts your cappuccino, consider tipping more generously since they are provding you with better service.

So, if you order a meal at a rooftop restaurant in Marrakech that costs 100 Moroccan Dirhams then consider tipping between 10 and 15 dirhams.

If you order a drink costing 10 Moroccan Durhams then condisdering tipping between 1 and 2 dirhams.

Tipping in Hotels and Riads in Marrakech

If you’re staying at a hotel or riad in Marrakech, it’s customary to tip between 10% and 20%.

In upscale Marrakech riads with exceptional service, you may want to tip various staff members, including housekeeping staff, bellboys, valets, and front desk employees.

Who you tip and how much you tip is ultimately up to you and should reflect the level of service you receive. To help you plan your budget and understand how to tip in Marrakech riads and hotels, check out my local tips below.

• Houskeeping – Tip between 5 and 10 Dirhams per day since they are hardworking and do a lot to make sure that you room is clean everyday.

• Luggage Attendants/Porters – Tip around 1 Dirham a per bag since they are helping you carry your luggage to your room. That’s why one of my top Marrakech tips is to have spare change with you upon arrival.

• Frotn Desk Staff/Concierge – Tip between 10 and 15 Dirhams If the service from the hotel concierge is exceptional during your stay. If they basically just did their job and didn’t go above and beyond the call fo duty then a tip isn’t essential.

• Valets – Tip between 5 and 10 Dirhams every time you pick up your car since they park your car, drive it, and make sure that it doesn’t get scratched.

Tipping Drivers in Marrakech

Personally, I don’t feel the need to tip taxi drivers in Marrakech since they have a reputation for scamming people.

For this reason, I always use the InDrive App in Marrakech. This way I know exactly how much the ride costs and how much I am paying since the App is a lot like Uber.

However, if you order a private transfer then tip around 10% for a longer journey and if they went out of their way to help you with your luggage during your Morocco road trip.

For shorter trips, just round up the bill to the nearest significant amount in Moroccan dirhams.

So, if your private transfer costs 200 Dirhams then I would tip around 20 Dirhams, especially if it is a longer trip.

Tipping Tour Guides in Marrakech

In Morocco and Marrakech, it’s customary to tip a great guide around 10% since they can enhance the overall quality of your 3 day trip to Marrakech. I usually do this whenever I do a Marrakech food tour and have a great time.

This applies to private, multi-day, or walking tours. Even on free tours, tipping is appreciated, as these often run on a ‘pay what you like’ basis. So, your tip might be the guide’s only source of income.

Some guides may also request a TripAdvisor review instead of a tip, as positive reviews can help them earn commissions and assist future travelers in finding amazing tours.

Tipping at the Hammam in Marrakech

If you need a massage or want a tradtional hammam treatment in Marrakech then it’s customary to leave a small tip for the therapist.

Plan to tip between 10% and 15% of the treatment cost. So, if the treatment costs 100 Dirhams, consider tipping 10 Dirhams for standard service and 15 Dirhams for amazing service.

Trust me, performing amazing massages and individually bathing men and women all day is not an easy job, especially when you’re working at some of the best hammams in Marrakech.

How to Tip in Marrakech: Additional Advice

Here are some other things to know about tipping in Marrakech and tipping in Morocco.

• Always Carry Small Change – Always have change handy so that you can tip drivers and hote porters or anyone else that you meet during your trip.

• Tip in the Local Currency – When tipping in Morocco, always tip in Moroccan Dirhmas. Tipping in a foreign currency isn’t always helpful since locals will incure fees for exchaning the money into local currency.

• Get a Debit Card with Charles Schwab – I have a savings account with Charles Schwab and love it since I don’t have to pay any foreign transaction fees when i withdraw money from a local ATM with a foreign bank card.

• Check to See If a Tip Is Included in the Bill – This doesn’t happen often but at some upscale restaurants or hotels, service charges might be included in your bill. So, always review your bill carefully before deciding to leave an additional tip.

• Use Your Own Judgement – As I said earlier, there are no set rules about tipping in Morocco and Marrakech. The final decision is up to you and ultmiately you should tip what you feel is right and what you are able to. But remember, staff make very low wages and tips are always appreciated for good service during your 4 days in Marrakech.

Conclusion

I hope you now understand how to tip in Marrakech and what to tip in Marrakech. Remember, the final decision is always up to you and should be a reward for exceptional service.

Give what you can, but do remind yourself that tips are always appreciated. After all, most locals work six days a week and only make between $200 and $400 per month at these type of jobs.

So, think twice about canceling a tip and try to tip what you can. It may not seem like a lot of money to you but to a local it could make a world of difference.

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