Morocco Money & Internet Guide: Can You Use Credit Cards? How Do You Choose a SIM Card?

When planning a trip to Morocco, what many people are most concerned about are questions related to payment and internet during their journey:

• What currency does Morocco use?
• Can you use credit cards?
• Should you exchange for dirhams beforehand?
• How do you choose a SIM card?
• Can you roam with your Hong Kong number?

First, here's the 30-second quick answer:

• Morocco's official currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD).
• Major hotels and restaurants accept credit cards, but traditional markets are mostly cash-based.
• We recommend bringing euros and exchanging them for dirhams locally.
• Morocco's 4G network is widespread; you can roam with your own number, use an eSIM, or buy a local SIM card.

Below is a complete guide to help travellers prepare before departure.

Morocco's official currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). Morocco uses the dirham as its legal tender. Since the dirham is a restricted currency, it is usually difficult to exchange in large amounts outside the country, so there is no need to exchange it in advance in Hong Kong. We recommend bringing euros and exchanging them locally.

Some merchants in tourist areas may accept euros, but the exchange rate is usually unfavourable, and not every shop takes them. Recommended approaches:

• Bring euros and exchange them for dirhams locally
• Or exchange money at the airport or a licensed exchange point in the city
• You can also withdraw cash directly from an ATM

For everyday spending, dirhams remain the most convenient.

You can in major cities and tourist venues, but cash is still important. Visa or MasterCard is usually accepted in the following situations:

• International-brand hotels
• Mid- to high-end restaurants
• Large shopping malls

In places such as Marrakech or Casablanca, card payments are fairly common. However, cash remains the mainstream option in the following situations:

• Traditional markets (Souk)
• Small shops in the old town
• Taxis
• Small vendors

We therefore recommend carrying an appropriate amount of dirhams with you. [caption id="attachment_1852" align="alignnone" width="1000"]

Card payments are relatively convenient at tourist restaurants in Morocco, but traditional markets and street vendors mostly deal in cash.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_8298" align="alignnone" width="1024"]

Street vendors in Morocco mostly deal in cash, so we recommend having small denominations of dirhams ready.[/caption]

Some large shopping malls and upscale restaurants accept it, but it's not widely available. Mobile payment in Morocco is less developed than in Europe, so we don't recommend relying entirely on your phone—you should still carry a credit card or cash.

ATMs are common in major cities and accept international withdrawal cards.In large cities and tourist areas, there are plenty of bank ATMs that support Visa / MasterCard withdrawals. Recommendations:

• Give priority to ATMs inside banks or on bank exterior walls
• Watch out for overseas withdrawal fees
• Withdraw enough at once to reduce repeated fees

In Morocco, a tipping culture may apply in certain situations, but it's not mandatory. It's convenient to keep a small amount of low-denomination dirhams on hand. For the logic behind tipping and common situations 👉 Further reading:Common tipping situations in Morocco and how to handle them

Morocco has good 4G coverage, and we recommend travelers prepare a mobile data plan. In major cities and tourist areas, internet speeds are fast enough for map navigation and social media platforms.

The main telecom carriers include:

• Maroc Telecom
• Orange Maroc
• Inwi

All three offer 4G service, and you can buy prepaid tourist SIM cards at airport and city-center stores, at relatively cheaper prices than in European countries.

Overall recommendation:

• 1–2 day stay: roaming with your own number is fine
• 3–7 day stay: an eSIM is more balanced
• Staying over a week: a local SIM is the most cost-effective

In urban areas, using maps and social media is usually smooth, but the speed may not be the same as in Hong Kong. In mountainous or remote areas, the signal may be weaker.

When heading to the Sahara Desert for camping:

• The towns at the desert's entrance usually have 4G
• Deep in the dune areas there may be no stable signal

We recommend notifying your family of your itinerary in advance and downloading offline maps. [caption id="attachment_9000" align="alignnone" width="1024"]

In desert areas, the 4G signal may be weaker in some places, so it is advisable to download offline maps and necessary documents in advance.[/caption]

On a DeWonder Morocco in-depth tour , most of the things you would otherwise have to worry about beforehand have, in fact, already been handled and arranged for you.With a clearly paced itinerary and transport and accommodation already arranged, the tour leader and guide will also offer reminders on cultural and practical details, helping you avoid the trouble of figuring out on your own how to steer clear of aggressive sales pitches and haggling. DeWonder's Morocco in-depth tour runs all year round. With deep familiarity with the local culture, routes and pace, led by professional guides and paired with comfortable transport and distinctive local experiences, you can explore with peace of mind, without having to fuss over accommodation, transport or safety details. At the same time, we also offerprivate group and customised itineraries; if you have any other special requirements, DeWonder can arrange them for you. DeWonder Morocco In-Depth Tour Information Pack 👉 Click Here to Download DeWonder In-Depth Tour Schedule👉 View theYear-Round Departure Schedule Join Our Free Online Seminarto have your Morocco itinerary questions answered 👉 Click Here to Sign Up See more Morocco Travel Guides👉 The Complete Morocco Travel Guide