Last updated: March 2026

How Much to Tip in Morocco: Restaurants, Guides, Drivers, and Hotels

Tipping in Morocco is straightforward once you understand the categories and expectations.

The confusion comes because tipping is contextual. You tip guides. You tip hotel staff. You don’t tip the guy in the bakery. You don’t tip the official restaurant with a bill.

Here’s the complete breakdown: who gets tipped, how much, and what happens if you don’t.

Sit-Down Restaurants

Expectation: 10% of the bill for sit-down meals where you’ve received table service.

How it works: If your meal costs 200 MAD, you leave 20 MAD.

Where: Any restaurant where someone takes your order, brings your food, clears your plate.

Currency: Tip in MAD. Leave it on the table or hand it directly to the server.

What if you don’t: Nothing. Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. Staff won’t chase you down.

Example: You eat a three-course meal at a traditional riad restaurant. Bill is 350 MAD. You leave 35 MAD tip.

Casual Cafes and Local Eateries

Expectation: Round up, or 5-10 MAD loose change.

How it works: You order mint tea. It costs 15 MAD. You hand over 20 MAD and tell them to keep it.

Where: Cafes where you order at a counter and food is brought to a table, but the service is minimal.

What if you don’t: No expectation. You’re fine.

Street Food and Stalls

Expectation: None. You can tip if you want, but it’s not expected.

How it works: You buy a crepe from a street vendor. 10 MAD. You pay 10 MAD. Done.

Where: Market stalls, street food carts, bakeries.

What if you don’t: Standard.

Licensed Guides (Half-Day Tours)

Expectation: 100-200 MAD on top of the agreed fee.

How it works: You’ve hired a guide for 300 MAD for a half-day medina tour. At the end, you give the guide an additional 100-150 MAD as a tip.

Context: This is customary. Guides earn base pay, but tips make up a significant portion of their income.

What if you don’t: Guides won’t chase you. But it’s expected and appreciated.

Example: Half-day guide fee is 250 MAD. You tip 100 MAD. Total spent: 350 MAD.

Licensed Guides (Full-Day Tours)

Expectation: 200-300 MAD on top of the agreed fee.

How it works: A full-day Sahara desert tour costs 600 MAD. You tip 250 MAD at the end.

Context: Full-day guides have given you substantial time and attention. Tips are standard.

Drivers

Expectation: Round up to the nearest 5 MAD, or 5-10 MAD tip.

How it works: Taxi ride costs 65 MAD. You hand over 70 MAD. Keep the change.

Where: Taxis, private drivers, ride-sharing.

What if you don’t: No expectations for taxis. They’re metered.

Hotel and Riad Staff

Expectation: 20-50 MAD per night, given at checkout and divided among staff.

How it works: You’re staying three nights. You leave 20-50 MAD per night on the final day. The riad manager distributes it among cleaners, porters, kitchen staff.

Alternative: Give directly to specific staff members (the person who cleaned your room, the guy who carried your bags).

Context: Riad staff earn modest salaries. Tips significantly supplement their income.

Example: You stay four nights. You leave 40 MAD per night in an envelope. Total: 160 MAD.

Riad Porters (Bag Carrying)

Expectation: 10-20 MAD per bag.

How it works: A porter carries your bag from the taxi to your room (medinas don’t allow cars, so porters meet you at the entrance). You give him 15 MAD for one bag.

Context: Porters are informal workers. The riad doesn’t formally employ them. They make a living on porter tips.

Hammam Attendants

Expectation: 20-50 MAD.

How it works: You go to a traditional hammam (bathhouse). An attendant scrubs you down, helps you wash, gets you towels. You tip them 30-40 MAD.

Context: Hammam attendants are paid minimally. Tips are the bulk of their income.

Where: Traditional public hammams (not hotel spas).

Unofficial Guides (The People Who “Just Help”)

Expectation: Nothing. They’re not entitled to payment.

How it works: A guy in the medina helps you find something. Now he’s asking for 50 MAD. You’re under no obligation to pay.

Context: He offered his services without being asked. This isn’t a tip situation. This is someone trying to extract payment for unsolicited help.

What to do: Say “La shukran.” (No thank you.) You don’t owe him anything.

The “anything you can give” line: This is not a tipping situation. This is a sales pitch.

Tour Operators and Booked Experiences

Expectation: Tipping is already included in the price. If it’s not mentioned, 10% of the tour cost is appropriate.

How it works: You’ve booked a 1,500 MAD desert tour. If you want to tip, add 150 MAD.

Context: Check whether tipping is already included in your booking. Some tour companies include it. Some don’t.

What Not to Tip

You don’t tip:

• Shopkeepers (even if they’re nice)
• Unofficial guides who attached themselves to you
• People who “helped” without being asked
• Restaurant workers at places with a service charge on the bill
• Hotel receptionists
• Bank tellers

These people have salaries (or are trying to scam you). Tipping isn’t appropriate.

The Currency Question

Always tip in Moroccan dirhams. Don’t tip in euros or dollars. It’s insulting to suggest the local currency isn’t good enough, and it’s a hassle for staff to exchange.

If you only have large notes, it’s fine to hand over a note and not ask for change. That’s a tip.

Summary Table

Situation	Tip Amount	Notes
Sit-down restaurant	10% of bill	Optional but customary
Cafe (counter service)	5-10 MAD	Or round up
Street food	None	Optional
Licensed half-day guide	100-150 MAD	On top of fee
Licensed full-day guide	200-300 MAD	On top of fee
Taxi	5 MAD round-up	Not expected
Riad (per night)	20-50 MAD	Paid at checkout
Riad porter	10-20 MAD per bag	For bag carrying
Hammam attendant	30-50 MAD	For service
Unofficial guide	0 MAD	You owe them nothing

Cross-link reminder

For information on avoiding scams while managing your money, see the Morocco scams guide. For budgeting your trip, check the Morocco budget travel guide.

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FAQ

Do I have to tip?

No. Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. However, guide staff and riad workers rely on tips to supplement low salaries. Tipping improves their lives significantly.

Is it insulting not to tip?

No. Tipping is customary, not required. Staff understand that tourists have different customs. No one will be offended if you don’t tip.

What if someone refuses my tip?

It’s rare. If it happens, they might be embarrassed about the amount or they might have strict rules. Respect their refusal.

Can I tip with a card?

Sometimes. Most riad staff only have cash. Restaurants might accept card tips if they have a card terminal. Ask.

Is 10% too much for restaurants?

It’s the standard. If the service was bad, 5% is fine. If it was exceptional, 15% is generous.

What if the bill already includes service?

Check. Some restaurants add a 15% service charge automatically. If it does, don’t tip again. You’ve already paid.

Should I tip tour guides if I’m unhappy with the tour?

A small tip (50-100 MAD) is still appropriate if you’ve been with them for hours. The tour quality isn’t their fault if you booked through a third party. But if the guide was genuinely unpleasant, you’re under no obligation.

Do I tip the person who drives me to the airport?

Yes. 20-50 MAD is appropriate. They’ve given you their time.

Is it common to tip in small towns?

Yes. The same rules apply outside major cities. Riad staff, guides, and restaurant workers appreciate tips in smaller towns just as much as in Marrakech.

What if I can’t afford to tip?

Tip what you can. 20 MAD is better than nothing. Staff understand that tourists have different budgets.

Do guides expect tips even if I booked through an app?

Yes. Whether you book privately or through an intermediary, the guide doing the work appreciates a tip.

Should I tip hostel staff?

No formal expectation, but a small tip (20 MAD) is kind if you’ve had good service.