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An International Traveler’s Guide to Tipping: The Americas will help you to know when and how much to tip when traveling throughout North, Central, and South America.
Today we’re going back to talking about international gratuity. It’s the second installment of the series, An International Traveler’s Guide to Tipping: The Americas. This covers North, Central, and South America including the Caribbean.
Many of these destinations are quite easy for us Americans to reach. They are a quick flight, cruise stop, or even drive away. Tipping customs vary throughout the Americas. Many Caribbean islands, Central, and South American countries include a service charge. If they don’t then 10 – 15% is usually standard.
Argentina
Dining: Tip 10% in cash for good service.
Hotel: Tip one to three pesos per bag for porters and four to five pesos per day for housekeeping.
Taxi: Round up the fare.
The Bahamas
Dining: Tip 15% for good service when a service charge is not included in the bill.
Hotel: Keep some cash on hand for porters and housekeeping. Standard is $1 per bag and $2 per day.
Taxi: Round up the fare and add an extra dollar or two for longer fares.
Brazil
Dining: Tip 10% for good service when a service charge is not included in the bill.
Hotel: Keep cash on hand for porters and housekeeping. They do accept American dollars here for tipping.
Taxi: Tip is not necessary but rounding up the fare is appreciated.
Canada
Tipping in Canada is very similar to the States. Just do as you would do at home.
Caribbean Islands
The majority of Caribbean islands tend to add a 10 – 15% service charge in restaurants. If there’s no service charge, then leave a tip of the same amount.
Keep cash on hand for hotel porters and housekeepers. Taxi drivers won’t expect more than 10% tip, some are happy with a rounded-up fare. Double
Chile
Dining: Tip 5 – 10% for good service even if a service charge is included in the bill.
Hotel: Tip 500 – 1000 pesos per bag for porters and 1000 pesos per person per day for housekeeping. Tip the concierge 5000 – 10,000 pesos. Double the amounts for nicer hotels.
Taxi: Tip is not necessary but rounding up the fare is appreciated.
Colombia
Dining: Tip 10% for good service when a service charge is not included in the bill.
Hotel: Tip $1 per bag for porters and $2 per day for housekeeping, but in Colombian pesos.
Taxi: Tip is not necessary but rounding up the fare is appreciated.
Costa Rica
Dining: Tip 10 – 15% for good service when a service charge is not included in the bill.
Hotel: Tip $1 per bag for porters and $2 per day for housekeeping. Make sure to leave your largest tip on the first day to ensure excellent service.
Taxi: On short trips round the fare up to the next dollar and let the driver keep the change. Leave a little more for longer trips.
Ecuador
Dining: Check to see if a service charge has been added to the bill. If there is one, then tip an additional 3 – 5%. If there is no service charge, then tip 5 – 10%. Tip in cash and give it directly to your server. Do not leave it on the table.
Hotel: Tip $1 per bag for porters and $1 per day for housekeeping.
Taxi: Round up the fare and give an extra dollar or two for extra helpful drivers.
Jamaica
Locals do not tip but tourists often leave 10 – 20%. Just check for service charges at restaurants and hotels too. Some all-inclusive resorts will not allow their staff to accept gratuity. Make sure to check their policies before making a decision.
Taxi fares can be rounded up.
Mexico
Dining: Tip between 10 – 15% for good service when a service charge is not included in the bill.
Hotel: Tip ten to twenty pesos per bag for porters and twenty to fifty pesos per day for housekeeping. When tipping your housekeeper make sure to leave the money on the bed or the nightstand, preferably in an envelope.
Taxi: Tip is not necessary but rounding up the fare is appreciated.
Panama
Dining: Tip 10% for good service.
Hotel: Tip one to two dollars per bag for porters and one to two dollars per day for housekeeping.
Taxi: Tip is not necessary but rounding up the fare is appreciated.
Peru
Dining: Tip 10% for good service and 15% at higher end/touristy restaurants.
Hotel: Tip three soles per bag for porters and one to three soles per person per day for housekeeping. Tip the concierge about five to ten soles.
Taxi: Fares are negotiated so no need to tip.
Puerto Rico and USVI
Since these are United States territories, tip as you would at home. Just double
I hope An International Traveler’s Guide to Tipping: The Americas will be a
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