Guide to Tipping in Ecuador and Galapagos

How Much to Tip in Ecuador and Galapagos

Andean Trails’ Ecuador and Galapagos tipping guide.

Want to know how much to tip in Ecuador and Galapagos? This guide helps you understand why people tip when visiting and how much to leave.

Do I Need to Tip in Ecuador and Galapagos?

Tipping may seem alien to visitors coming from non-tipping cultures. But tips, or propinas in Spanish, are part of Ecuador’s culture. Leaving a tip rewards and acknowledges excellent service, which is always appreciated.

During a trip, travellers will encounter a wide range of people, from better-paid guides to cleaners, hotel staff, and servers on lower wages. Small tips make a big difference to some people: Ecuador’s average monthly salary is around $500 for men and $400 for women.

Ecuador uses the US dollar as currency. If you want to tip, carry small notes in good condition so you’re not left short if you want to tip a porter or driver.

Remember: tipping is not obligatory in Ecuador. It is a reward for good service. Never feel pressured into giving a tip; only give what you feel comfortable tipping.

Are Tips Included in Restaurant and Bar Bills in Ecuador?

Some restaurants and hotels include a voluntary 10-15% service tip within the bill. You can remove this or include it, but check before paying. Be careful not to confuse an included tip with the 12% VAT (called IVA) on bills.

Direct tips in cash go straight to your server. Tips paid by card should, but not always, be divided up between all restaurant or bar staff. If in doubt, ask to remove the 10% service tip, then leave a cash tip that’s 10% of your total bill.

Bar and café workers don’t expect tips but usually have a collection box.

Any tips given may be rewarded with a thank you or “Dios le pague”, which means ‘God will reward you’ for your generosity.

Should I Tip a Taxi Driver in Ecuador?

Most taxi drivers in large cities in Ecuador use fixed meters to calculate fares. Most locals don’t tip taxi drivers. If your driver has been kind and helpful, round the fare to the nearest dollar.

Your tour may have a driver for several days. If the driver drives well and safely and is friendly, etc., then a pooled tip of USD 5-10 per day (not per person) would be very welcome.

Do I Tip Hotel Staff in Ecuador?

A friendly and helpful porter who carries your bag to your room is typically given $2 per bag.

Breakfast waiting staff again, leave USD 1- 2 on the table per person per breakfast. Leave the same amount for cleaning staff – this is not expected in many hotels, but the staff will be grateful.

How Much Should I Tip in Ecuador?

Here are some guideline tipping amounts for the various service providers you may meet during an Ecuador tour:

• Restaurants:                              10% for good service
• Airport porters:                         USD 2 per bag (porters receive no wage: your tip is their wage)
• Hotel/lodge staff:                      USD 10 per day (per family or couple)
• Hotel cleaners:                          Not expected, but always appreciated if you leave something.
• Taxis:                                        Tip not expected, but can round up the fare to the nearest dollar
• Transfer driver:                         USD 3-5, depending on the journey length
• Group tour drivers:                   USD 5-10 per day total from the group (not per person)
• Specialist guides:                     USD 30-40 per day total from the group (not per person)
• Galapagos cruise:                    USD 10-15 per person, per day for guide
• Galapagos crew:                     USD 15-20 per person per day for crew (which they split among themselves)

How Much Should I Tip on a Galapagos Cruise?

Galapagos Islands cruise tipping is slightly different from that of mainland Ecuador. The islands’ remoteness and long working days—with cruise crews spending weeks from home—mean tips are usually higher in the Galapagos.

Life is expensive on the remote Galapagos, where many everyday items are shipped or flown over 1,000km from the mainland. The higher living costs result in higher tipping amounts. Galapagos guides have also usually had to study longer to achieve their status.

Most Galapagos cruise staff leave two envelopes in people’s cabins on the penultimate cruise night, often with recommended amounts. Remember: leave a tip if you have received good service and an amount you are comfortable with.

One envelope goes directly to the guide for their efforts. The other is for the support crew, including the cook, zodiac driver, bar staff, cleaner, and many others. The crew divides this among themselves according to a hierarchy. This team has been vital in the success of your cruise.

Total tips may be around 5-10% of the cruise price. More luxurious ships have more crew.

• Galapagos guide:                    USD 10-20 per person, per day
• Galapagos crew:                     USD 15-30 per person, per day

Families with children don’t usually include children in the tipping count. Feel free to give an additional tip directly to anyone who has made the trip unforgettable, from the food to the drinks or helping you in and out of the zodiacs.

Remember: Tipping is voluntary, even on Galapagos. Some unscrupulous guides may ask for 20% or more—do not feel pressured into giving these amounts, and follow the above guidelines.

How Much Should I Tip on a Galapagos Land-Based Tour?

Many people enjoy hotel-based Galapagos tours, which may feature a different guide and crew daily. The recommended tipping for day trips is:

• Galapagos guide:                    USD 5-10 per person per day
• Galapagos crew/driver:          USD 5-10 per person, per day
• Hotel porters:                         USD 2 per bag (porters receive no wage: your tip is their wage)
• Galapagos transfer:                USD 2-5 per journey, depending on trip length

Why Do Guides Get the Largest Tips?

On our trips, you might encounter several specialist guides, including trekking, mountaineering, biking, and Amazon/cloud forest lodge guides.

In most instances, these guides have spent several years studying at Colleges or Universities to qualify as guides. Generally, these guides will be with you for a few days, sometimes just for a day trip. As a general guideline, tip each specialist guide USD 20-60 a day in total from the group (this also depends on group size).

Again, the depth of knowledge of their area or specialist skill, command of English and friendliness should help determine the tip. 

Tipping in Ecuador and Galapagos

It’s crucial to remember that tipping in Ecuador and Galapagos is entirely voluntary. While anyone travelling to this beautiful country will encounter the tipping culture, it shouldn’t be a source of worry, stress, or confusion while away.

The above tipping guidelines for Ecuador and Galapagos are just that. Only give what you think is fair. Many people working in Ecuador’s tourism industry provide wonderful service. Tipping recognises their work and your appreciation for those who help create an unforgettable holiday.

Contact us for more about holidays to Ecuador.