Home » Living in Morocco » Tipping in Morocco – How Much to Tip Tour Guides, Drivers, Waiters and Others
By: Author Christine Benlafquih
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Categories Living in Morocco, Travel
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Tipping in Morocco is a customary and accepted part of daily life. Those of us who live in Morocco are used to tipping wait staff, salon personnel, hotel staff, laborers, and others who provide a service.
Although certainly not mandatory, tipping comprises a meaningful portion of some Moroccan workers’ overall income since minimum wages are very low in comparison to the cost of living.
Of course, a tipping culture may be unfamiliar to many foreign residents and travelers to Morocco, who may behappy to oblige with local customs but are confused or uncertain as to when and how much to tip in Morocco.
Even those of us used to a tipping culture in our home countries have wondered how much gratuity is appropriate in Morocco!
Contents hide
1. What Are Tipping Customs in Morocco?
2. Guide to Tipping in Morocco
2.3. Tour Guides
2.5. In the Markets
2.6. Hotels, Riads, and Guest Houses
2.9. Other Tipping Situations in Morocco
3. Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Tipping Customs in Morocco?
The truth is that tipping practices can vary widely not only between foreigners and Moroccans but also among Moroccans themselves.
For example, some Moroccans might leave only pocket change as a tip at a restaurant while others routinely leave 5 percent or 10 percent of the bill.
Travelers and foreign residents, however, might be inclined to leave 10 to 15 percent of a restaurant bill.
How much to tip can vary according to where you are. In Casablanca and other large cities, or in higher-end establishments, larger tips might be customary or expected.
When the topic of how much to tip in Morocco crops up on expat and travel forums, responses range from indignant — Why should I pay someone extra for doing their job?! — to exceptionally generous — I always tip at least 20 percent in Morocco unless service is bad!
Some complain that more generous tipping is expected from foreign travelers and residents as compared to Moroccans.
This can justifiably ruffle the feathers of foreigners who may be living in Morocco on modest local incomes or who may come from countries where tipping is offensive or simply not understood.
Guide to Tipping in Morocco
To help demystify Moroccan tipping customs, I’ve put together the following guide to tipping in Morocco.
Of course, these are only suggested amounts based on average practices among both Moroccans and foreigners. No one should feel obligated to tip if it feels uncomfortable to do so or if you received poor service.
Restaurants & Street Food
- Food Vendor, Juice Stall, etc. – 1 or 2 dh per person; optional
- Waiter – Café or Small Local Eatery – 5% to 10% of bill OR 5 to 10 dh per person
- Waiter – Mid-range or Upscale Restaurant – 10% to 15% of bill (Check to be sure that a tip is not already included.)
Drivers & Transportation Services
- 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.)
- Airport Transfer (one way) – 20 to 50 dh per person; 100 dh per booking party
- Local Transfer (one way) – 10 to 20 dh per person; 50 dh per booking party
- Tour Driver – Multi-Day – Car, Van, or Minibus – 100 dh per day per booking party (More if private driver; pay at conclusion of tour.)
- Tour Driver – Full Day – Car, Van or Minibus – 200 dh per booking party
- Tour Driver – Half Day – Car, Van or Minibus – 100 dh per booking party
- Coach Bus Driver (large group tours) – 10 to 20 dh per person per day
Tour Guides
- Tour Guide – Multi-Day Large Group Tour – 200 dh per booking party for every 5 to 7 days (more if your booking party is large; pay at conclusion of tour.)
- Tour Guide – Full Day – 150 dh per person; or 300 to 400 dh per booking party
- Tour Guide – Half Day – 100 dh per person; or 200 to 300 dh per booking party
- Unofficial Guide – 5 to 10 dh per person (Use with caution. May try to take you to shops where they earn a commission or will abandon you if police are around.)
Sites, Activities, Attractions & Performers
- Museum or Site Guide – 10 to 20 dh per person or 50 to 100 dh per party; more for large group
- Museum or Site Guardian – 5 to 10 dh; optional but nice gesture
- Camel Ride or Horseback Riding Guide – 10 to 20 dh per person; more for treks
- Cooking Class Instructor – tipping not expected
- Meals with Locals Host – tipping not expected
- Artisan Workshop Instructor – 20 to 50 dh per person; 200 dh per booking party
- Live Entertainment (in restaurant, hotel, etc.) – 20 to 50 dh per party; optional but nice gesture
In the Markets
- For Taking Photos of a Vendor, Artisan or Products – 5 to 10 dh (Always ask first. In high-tourist areas, some shopkeepers display signs letting you know that they expect this tip.)
- Henna Tattoo Artists – 10 dh (Be sure they’re not using PPD or “black henna.”)
- Monkey Grinder, Snake Charmer, etc. – 10 dh to hold or pose with the animal. (May want to avoid this; many feel it encourages poaching and puts endangered animals at risk.)
- Beggars – 1 to 2 dh (Usually best to ignore; give only small change if you want to.)
Hotels, Riads, and Guest Houses
- Bellboy – 10 to 20 dh (more if handling many bags)
- Concierge – 10 to 20 dh per service OR 50 to 100 dh upon checking out (only if provided service)
- Housekeeper or Chambermaid – 10 to 20 dh per day OR 100 dh per week (One site suggests slipping the tip into a pillowcase to ensure a supervisor doesn’t claim the tip for herself.)
- Doorman – 5 to 10 dh for hailing cab (OR lump sum of 20 dh upon checking out; more for extended stay)
- Room Service – 10% of bill (Check to see if this has already been included in check.)
- Breakfast Buffet Manager – 20 to 50 dh; optional but nice gesture (Tip after final breakfast if you feel service was attentive.)
Spas & Salons
- Hammam – Turkish Bath – 20 to 50 dh per attendant; depending on whether modest or upscale (Luxury package deals might include exfoliation, massage, henna, etc. so there will be more people to tip.)
- Spa Services – hair, facials, waxing, massages, etc. – 10% for each service (Tip the appropriate attendant or stylist directly for each service.)
- Salon – haircuts, highlights, coloring, etc. – 10% to primary stylist; additional 10 dh per assistant (ie. hair washing, color application, etc.)
- Salon – Manicures, pedicures, waxing, etc. – 10% of service(s); additional 10 dh per assistant, if any
Parking & Gas Stations
- Street Parking Guardian – 3 dh average; 5 dh in nice areas; 10 dh may be expected for premium spots (Guardians may or may not be found at metered street parking areas which are indicated by blue lines; be sure to display your meter ticket in the windshield.)
- Valet Parking – 10 to 20 dh
- Parking Lot Attendant – 10 to 20 dh (Depends on location; ask if price is not displayed.)
- Car Washing (external only) – 20 dh (sometimes offered by a parking attendant or guardian)
- Gas Station Attendant – 2 dh (optional for pumping gas, cleaning windshield, or checking air tire pressure, etc.)
Other Tipping Situations in Morocco
- General Assistance (Carrying shopping bags, loading car, helping with physical task, etc.) – 5 dh; more if service required heavy lifting or more than a few minutes of time
- Buta Gaz Delivery (or changing of liquid propane tanks) – 5 dh (more if stairs are involved or multiple tanks are delivered)
- Plumber, Electrician, Painter, etc. – 20 to 50 dh (More if half or full day was spent on the job; it’s also a nice gesture to provide a meal if a worker is present at lunchtime or when you’re serving your family.)
In addition to the guidelines above, you may find yourself in other situations where a gratuity seems appropriate.
For example, it’s common practice to tip fishmongers, poultry vendors, and others who help clean or prep fresh foods at the markets.
When in doubt, rounding your purchase up a few dirhams usually suffices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tipping customary in Morocco?
Tipping in Morocco is customary but not mandatory. Many Moroccans themselves tip all the time but not necessarily as generously as some visitors might expect. In certain industries, such as tourism and hospitality, tips can be a meaningful portion of a worker’s income.
How much should you tip in Morocco?
Tipping percentages and amounts can vary widely depending on the service or type of establishment. Sometimes it’s adequate to simply round up the total by a few dirhams, such as for the metered fare in a taxi or a small bill at cafe. Other times tips of five to ten percent (and sometimes more) might be reasonable, such as at a restaurant or salon.
Should you tip a Moroccan tour guide?
Moroccan tour guides greatly appreciate tips from guests who are pleased with their service and some even count on gratuities as part of their overall income. However, tour guides also understand that some guests are from cultures where tipping is offensive or not customary.
About the Author
Christine Benlafquih
Christine Benlafquih is Founding Editor at Taste of Maroc and owner of Taste of Casablanca, a food tour and culinary activity business in Casablanca. A long time resident of Morocco, she's written extensively about Moroccan cuisine and culture. She was the Moroccan Food Expert for The Spruce Eats (formerly About.com) from 2008 to 2016.
