Moroccan Dirham

stevie11

Off to Morocco in a few weeks, having never been before I am hearing stories that you have to exchange cash once in Morocco for local currency and you are not permitted to bring back home any leftover cash.

Searching on moneymax there were two outlets selling dirhams online. Having spoken to one in my local town today they state I can only order a max of £200, yet when I enquired at Debenhams and Tui travel agent they both stated they do not sell as it is a closed currency, therefore has to be purchased locally.

So anyone in the know, what's the deal? Also I have the trusted Clarity card which I use on my travels. Is CC widely accepted (in Marrakesh) and are ATM's widely available?

Any advice or tips.

Thanks

waamo

It is a closed currency so officially you can't buy it here. The exchange rate is controlled by the government so hotels, cash machines and official exchange places give pretty much the same rate.

Last time I was there I used a cash point machine and didn't bother getting any beforehand.

stevie11

waamo wrote: »

It is a closed currency so officially you can't buy it here. The exchange rate is controlled by the government so hotels, cash machines and official exchange places give pretty much the same rate.

Last time I was there I used a cash point machine and didn't bother getting any beforehand.

Thanks for that, I have the clarity card but for small amounts will it be cheaper more convenient to just to exchange cash, if so do you know if sterling is easily accepted or better with Euro?

waamo

They will want local currency if you are buying anything. If you are in a hotel they will change cash for you. Notes only usually though.

Where are you staying?

stevie11

Rui Tikida Palmeria, are you familiar with it?

waamo

I've stayed in it lol. Chill. You have nothing to worry about. There is a cash point at the front desk.

stevie11

Thanks for your help and recommendations Waamo.:beer:

waamo

They run complimentary bus trips to the souk and local attractions so you don't need to book taxis. When you want to go book early at the main desk, spaces tend to fill up quickly.

stevie11

Good tips, I will probably just take sterling. The resort is all inc so just require spare cash if out and about. Thanks again.

Voyager2002

stevie11 wrote: »

Rui Tikida Palmeria, are you familiar with it?

I have stayed there...

You will want to get out and about, if only for food: the hotel food gets monotonous very quickly and is not quite as good as the wonderful restaurants in the main square and elsewhere.
As for money: easy to find an ATM in the airport when you arrive, or anywhere in the city centre. Also easy to find money-changers happy to exchange sterling. As you might expect, exchange rates offered in the hotel are rather worse than in the city centre.

waamo

Voyager2002 wrote: »

I have stayed there...

You will want to get out and about, if only for food: the hotel food gets monotonous very quickly and is not quite as good as the wonderful restaurants in the main square and elsewhere.
As for money: easy to find an ATM in the airport when you arrive, or anywhere in the city centre. Also easy to find money-changers happy to exchange sterling. As you might expect, exchange rates offered in the hotel are rather worse than in the city centre.

This. The hotel food is very good but getting out and about is fun. The mint tea is to die for.