Smart Traveler’s Guide To Tipping In Peru
Peru’s tipping culture centers on rewarding exceptional service. Tips can also supplement low base income for workers in informal sectors. Yet, they aren’t as socially mandatory as they are in countries like the United States.
In this guide, learn the ins and outs of tipping in Peru.
Tipping In Peru FAQs
1. Do You Tip In Peru As a Tourist or Visitor?
Yes. While tipping is not appropriate for all situations, most travelers will find themselves in situations where tipping is the norm in Peru.
That said, there is less cultural pressure or default expectation to tip in Peru than there is for the same services in the United States.
2. What Services Are Usually Tipped In Peru?
Informal services, provided by self employed or independent Peruvians, are often tipped.
Hospitality, wellness,and guide services are usually tipped in Peru, as are waitstaff in restaurants. Performers often accept tips.
Public, Medical & Religious Services Are Not Tipped
Unlike informal services, formal services are not tipped. Tips aren’t customary when receiving medical care services, farming, and any services offered by government and religious entities. Certain types of professionals, like public bus drivers, cannot legally accept tips.
3. What Is The Connection Between Tips And Service Quality?
Tips are often a way to reward high quality service. They’re a great way to show appreciation for any service that goes above and beyond.
For travelers, tipping can strengthen bonds between Peruvian staff and foreign visitors, fostering mutual respect and camaraderie. When a traveler earns a reputation for tipping well, service quality often increases, going from good to great.
3. What Currency, Apps or Cards Can You Tip With?
The best way to tip is with physical cash. Popular payment apps are a decent second choice. Travel professionals don’t recommend tipping with credit cards in Peru.
Peru’s currency is Peruvian Soles (PEN). It’s easiest to pay tips with small bills, like S/10, S/20, or S/50 notes. An S/20 note is typically worth about $5 USD, while S/50 is roughly $14. Coins worth 50 céntimos S/1, S/2, or S/5 are also useful.
How Much To Tip In Peru (By Service)
Different services and industries in Peru hold different customs when it comes to tipping. Here are the tipping norms for some of the services travelers are most likely to use.
Taxi Transportation
Standard taxis don’t accept tips. Instead, fares for the full ride are negotiated and agreed upon before the drive begins. There are no expected fees beyond the agreed upon fare.
RideShare Services
RideShare drivers can accept tips, although tipping isn’t customary. A tip of 5% – 10% for excellent service is welcome. Rounding up the fare is also friendly.
Guided Tours
Travelers typically tip tour guides S/25 – S/35 (about $7 – $10) for a standard tour. For longer tours, a tip of S/40 or more is the norm.
It’s customary for each passenger on a tour bus or van in Peru’s cities to tip the driver S/10 – S/20 (about $2.80 – $5.60) per day.
Hospitality & Cleaning Services (Hotel Staff)
It’s polite to tip each hotel staff person providing your room services, as well as hotel porters and bellhops, S/7 – S/10 ($2 – $3) per day for the duration of your stay. Hotel staff are usually tipped by room, rather than per guest.
Spa & Wellness Services
Visitors are widely expected to tip spa and wellness services staff at higher-end spas in Peru. Luxury spas, like the 5-star JW Marriott El Convento Cusco amenities, employ trained wellness professionals, including estheticians, masseuses, spa therapists, and bath attendants. As a result, it’s customary for guests to leave a tip of 10%-20% after each service.
In more casual and affordable spas, tipping isn’t customary. If a person wishes to tip attendants at the Aguas Termales Cocalmayo–an inexpensive, natural hot springs spa in Santa Teresa–a S/1 – S/5 tip is absolutely appreciated.
Dining
Tipping is customary when dining at restaurants, whether they’re casual or elegant. Tables tip 5% to 10% of their total bill for good service. At very small eateries, tipping isn’t expected, though leaving a few extra soles is polite.
Tipping bartenders isn’t as expected as tipping waitstaff. However, it’s common to tip bartenders S/10 – S/20 for great service.
Group Treks (Hiking & Horseback)
It’s customary to tip staff engaged with guided hiking tours to Machu Picchu or group treks through The Sacred Valley daily. Typically, the touring group as a whole tips the cook, the porter, and the guide S/160 – S/220 ($45 – $60) each, once per day
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