Are ATMs in Merzouga reliable?

ATMs in Merzouga exist but are limited and not always reliable — they can run out of cash, be offline, or reject foreign cards, so you should arrive with enough dirhams for your stay rather than counting on withdrawing there. Merzouga is a small desert village, and the nearest dependable banks and machines are in Rissani or Erfoud, roughly 35–50 km away.

Withdraw what you need in a bigger town before you head into the desert, and bring some extra for tips, drinks, activities and shopping, since the camps and small shops are cash-only. Card payment is rare out here.

If you do get stuck, your riad or tour operator can often help or point you to the nearest working machine, but it may mean a drive. Treating Merzouga as a cash-only zone saves a lot of hassle.