Africa
Money, cards and tipping in Mozambique
MZNMetical
Money in Mozambique
Mixed: cards and cash Cards work at hotels, lodges and in Maputo; cash meticais are needed in small towns and for markets. South African rand and USD are accepted in some tourist places. US$1 ≈ MT63.83 (03 Oct 2026).
Key facts
- Tipping: 5–10% at restaurants if no service charge; round up for drivers and guides.
- ATMs: ATMs in cities dispense meticais; fees apply and machines sometimes fail. Withdraw more in Maputo before heading to beach towns.
- Paying by phone: M-Pesa and eMola are used locally; visitors need cash or cards. Apple and Google Pay are rare.
- Price level: about 37% of US prices (World Bank PPP).
Cash or card, by place
| Place | Cards | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maputo | Mixed: cards and cash | Cards work at hotels, supermarkets and bigger restaurants; cash meticais for chapas, markets and small cafés. ATMs in malls. |
| Tofo | Mostly cash | Cash meticais are needed for chapas, markets and small shops; dive centers and lodges often take cards but ATMs can run empty. |
| Vilankulo | Mostly cash | Cards work at lodges and dive/kite centers; cash meticais for chapas, markets and small restaurants. ATMs can fail. |
Quick answers
Do you tip in Mozambique?
5–10% at restaurants if no service charge; round up for drivers and guides.
Is Mozambique cashless?
Mixed: cards and cash. Cards work at hotels, lodges and in Maputo; cash meticais are needed in small towns and for markets. South African rand and USD are accepted in some tourist places.
What currency does Mozambique use?
The Metical (MZN). US$1 ≈ MT63.83 (03 Oct 2026).
Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: Mozambique
- World Bank open data
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