Do you tip in Peru? Like almost all South American countries, Peru does not have a strong culture and custom of tipping; however, every day more and more people are adopting this practice. The truth is that everything given by the people who serve you is greatly appreciated and worth a lot of money
For quite some time now, almost all tourism-related businesses have been innovating and taking special care in the preparation, training and updating of all internal and quality processes for all their staff
As there are different products involved in the tourism chain, each establishment has a different standard. Tipping a small restaurant is not the same as tipping a prestigious international restaurant
As the newperuvian.com website mentions: No fixed etiquette exists for tipping in Peru. It’s not a tipping culture, so you won’t be leaving a tip, or propina, on a regular basis, unless you’re staying at the most expensive hotels, eating at upscale restaurants, and generally sticking firmly in the tourist scene. Oh, and those llamas don’t pose for free.
Tips in Peru are appreciated, people who work in tourism expect a tip from tourists. The amount of tip you leave will depend on the excursion you take
As mentioned on another website: One of the most common questions I get from people booking vacations relates to tipping in Peru. Of course, travelers are usually concerned about not to undertip or, in some cases, overtip. So, the question “how much should I tip in Peru?” will come up rather frequently in emails and phone calls in the office. Imagine ordering dinner at a restaurant, enjoying the meal, and then needing to know the norm in Peru for tipping.
Restaurants are one thing, but what about treks? Should you tip the guides? What about the porters? Do they share a total tipping amount, or should each get their tips?
Why tipping is important in Peru
Tipping is integral to the locals’ income because the minimum wage is low. Tips are not mandatory, but they are always welcome by the wait staff at a hotel or restaurant. We always recommend at least having a handful of coins in local currency. If you feel generous and are very happy with the service, a 10% tip will seem exemplary.
Is tipping expected in Peru?
Yes, tipping in Peru is customary and is considered good practice in all general locations where a service has been rendered. This includes what travelers usually consider situations where tipping is expected, like restaurants, bars, coffee shops, airports, and even in some tour groups. Unlike other countries, though, tipping is generally not mandatory, and people usually only do it when they’ve had exemplary service.
As Journey Machu Picchu mentions: Tipping at the airport might not be a thing in some countries, but it is certainly done in Peru. When you arrive at the Jorge Chavez Airport in Lima, you’ll notice some staff willing to help you with your luggage. It is optional to let anyone help you take your bags. However, the porter will expect little in return if you do receive assistance; one or two soles will be more than enough. If you feel generous, offer one or two soles for each bag they help you with.
If you are meeting a tour guide or your tour group at the airport, there will be someone in charge of helping travelers with their bags. In this case, paying a porter won’t be necessary since it is already included in the package cost; if you would like to tip the assistant anyway, that is entirely up to you
In Peru, gratuities like tips are not included in most bars and restaurants. This is only the case in some places, though. If you wine and dine in very upscale places, tips could already be added, but we recommend checking your bill first. The voucher will state a 10% service fee if they are already included in your bill. Even in cases where tips are included in the cost, some people still decide to leave tips though.
The general rule is to leave something if the service is good. Remember that most of the wait staff will prefer tips to be in cash (the reason why we suggest always having some coins), but most restaurants and bars will also accept tips via credit cards.
