Morrocco and Cash

Old Aug 20th, 2014, 11:54 AM
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Morrocco and Cash

Ok, so we are finally taking our trip to Morrocco, with a stop in Lisbon for 3 days, Morrocco for 10, then Paris for 5.

I just cannot figure out how much cash to bring, Euro, US, and Dirham??
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you everyone!!!
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Old Aug 20th, 2014, 12:06 PM
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Don't bring any cash with you if it means exchanging in your home country. All those places have ATMs for getting cash at the best possible exchange rates using your ATM card (not credit cards). It also means you get it as you need it, rather than guessing from home. Easier, less expensive.

And advise all banks involved of your travel plans to avoid having your cards blocked.
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Old Aug 21st, 2014, 12:47 AM
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Sallam 'lekum ayty,
Your trip sounds wonderful, well done. With regards to cash issues for Morocco, it's worth advising you NOT to totally reply on being able to use ATMs throughout the country. Some of my previous fellow travelers have found that not every ATM will accept their card. Frustratingly, this has even occurred with ATMs within the same bank, whereby one ATM accepted a card while another didn't. I recommend you bring some hard currency with you just in case. US dollars and Euros are easily exchanged though US dollars isn't usually accepted for direct payment, whereas Euros sometimes is. Even if you can locate some Moroccan Dirham before you depart, I don't recommend getting any. Presuming you are arriving by air at one of the country's major airports, you will be able to get some dirham immediately upon your arrival, whether it is via an ATM or bureau de change.
Darren Humphrys
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Old Aug 21st, 2014, 09:07 AM
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Greetings Darren. My first sentence above might have been clearer. I think one should always bring back-up cash to exchange in case of no working ATMs, anywhere, not just Morocco. Maybe I've been lucky, but in many trips there over the years, I've never had to use it. I've always found a working ATM in the vicinity, if not the first one tried, as you mention.

In travel, as in life, have a back-up plan. That's a given.

Joanna

(Will you be writing something for us on Gumbo? PortMoresby)
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Old Aug 21st, 2014, 01:14 PM
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We arrived in Marrakesh with 100 euros which we didn't spend until Paris at the end of our trip. Every ATM we used worked just fine. Marrakesh, Essaouira, Ouarzazate, Zagora . . .

Ian
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Old Aug 22nd, 2014, 12:03 AM
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Nice to 'meet' you again, Joanna. The advice from both yourself and Ian is very sound and we're all saying the same thing, I think. Yes, the ATMs should work but some reserve foreign exchange is also a good idea. I'm actually very happy to read of Ian's seamless ATM experience in Morocco, as this hopefully reflects the country's general technological evolution. It's taken me some time to 'dip' my toes into a travel forum since the Frommer's sale/re-sale, but I will make my way to Travel Gumbo soon, isha'allah.
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Old Aug 22nd, 2014, 05:40 AM
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Reserve cash for emergencies is always a good idea, but trying to get dirhams ahead of time is an unnecessary hassle and expense. In the unlikely event of the ATMs not working there will be a bureau de change.
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Old Aug 22nd, 2014, 06:30 AM
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Oh thank you all kindly!!

Yes, I will take your advice. Ironically, we will be in Paris after Morrocco, so I will spend the euros there. I hope to review some.

Ty
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Old Aug 24th, 2014, 03:34 AM
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You're welcome, Ty. Bon voyage and wonderful traveling!
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Old Aug 27th, 2014, 10:49 AM
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Some people have this idea about Africa and Morocco, that people still leave in the old centuries, riding Camels and living in desert.
No worries, it's not a big deal. Well, you can find anything here, banks, ATMs, Wester union...
I think you have to worry about, how you gonna spend it your money as there is many fancy things to buy.
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