A Traveler’s Guide to Tipping in Peru

A Traveler’s Guide to Tipping in Peru

As you plan your trip in Peru, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes, it’s important to understand the local customs and etiquette, including tipping.

When to tip, who to tip and how much to tip in Peru

Tipping in Peru in certain situations is not only customary, but also a way to show appreciation for the hard work and dedication of service providers.

So, let’s explore the tipping etiquette in Peru, covering various situations such as restaurants, hotels, tours, and transportation, to ensure you navigate these interactions with confidence and respect.

💸 Peruvian Denominations :: Coins & Bills

It is advisable when traveling around Peru to avoid carrying large amounts of cash. A hundred soles in change and small bills should suffice. Peruvian coins come in denominations of 10, 20, and 50 céntimos and 1, 2, and 5 soles. The banknotes come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 nuevos soles.

Infographic displaying Peruvian currency in coins (S/.1, S/.2 and S/.5) and bills (S/.10, S/.20, S/.50, S/.100 and S/.200)

🍲 🍸 Restaurants and Bars

When dining at restaurants and bars in Peru, it’s important to know that gratuity is usually not included in the bill. While some upscale establishments may include a 10% service charge, it is not the norm.

In most cases, a 10% tip is customary for sit-down restaurants, especially in busy tourist areas. However, feel free to adjust the tip amount based on the quality of service you receive.

Increasingly establishments offer the option to include the tip on your credit card payment, but it is advisable to be prepared to tip in cash, as it is still more common.

(Also, if you offer a gratuity in cash, you can rest assured that the person whose service you want to reward is receiving it.)

In smaller, local establishments, tipping is not expected, but leaving a few soles on the table as a token of appreciation is always a good gesture. When visiting bars, it is common to tip around 5-6 soles, and if you order bar food, applying the 10% rule is appropriate.

Remember, when settling the bill, the waiter may ask if you want a “boleta” (receipt) or “factura” (invoice), with the latter being reserved for Peruvian companies. Opt for the “boleta” unless you require an invoice for reimbursement purposes.

🚕 Taxis & Public Transportation

In general, tipping is not expected for public transportation, including buses, micros, and combis, as the fares are fixed.

Popular ride-hailing App services like Uber and InDrive are preferable options for safe and reliable transport in Peru’s larger cities, like Lima, Arequipa and Cusco. Local ride-hailing App services include Taxi Satélital in Lima and Taxitel in Arequipa.

However, when using local taxis or mototaxis, negotiating the fare before getting in is essential. While tipping is not expected, rounding up the fare or giving a small amount, such as 2-3 soles, as a token of appreciation for exceptional service is always welcomed.

Remember, it is important to ensure your safety when taking a taxi by only accepting rides from vehicles with visible, affixed TAXI placards and clearly marked vehicle numbers. Writing down the vehicle number for reference can provide an additional layer of security.

🚻 Public Restrooms: Acknowledging Small Services

Public restrooms in Peru may have attendants who provide maintenance and ensure cleanliness. If there is a fee to use the restroom, it will typically be between 50 céntimos and 1 sole. Leaving small change in the designated basket is customary and helps support the upkeep of the facilities.

📷 Photographing people

Tourist taking a photo of a woman weaving in Cusco. (He appropriately asked her permission before taking her picture.)

As a general rule, people in Peru do not expect recompense for having their photos taken. Best always to ask permission. Most of the time you will be met with a smile and nod and even a “gracias” from your subject once  you’ve snapped the picture. The notorious exception for this advice is in Cusco, where asking permission is also a very good idea, and where you will often be expected to tip a few dollars or 5 or 10 soles for the privilege.

🧳 Help with your Luggage at the Airport

Official airport porters in Peru will expect $5 or $10, provided they first ask courteously whether you want help with your bags. Beware: Unofficial airport porters are often overly aggressive, grabbing your luggage without asking, and then stubbornly demanding payment. This can be avoided with a few firm words at the outset:

“No, gracias, no quiero ayuda. Así, nomas. No.”
(Phonetic: NO, GRAH-SEE-AHS. NO KEY-AIR-O EYE-U-DUH. AH-SEE, NO-MAHS. NO.)

🥾 Guided Tour Guides and Trekking Staff

For the Inca Trail and other multi-day treks, it is customary to tip the guide, as well as the cook and porters in soles, not dollars.

For an average group of 15 to 20 trekkers, if  each person contributes between 75 and 100 soles ($20-25), that should cover the porters and cooks. An additional 50 to 100 soles each would be a nice tip for the guide.


🌄 Vacation Packages Featuring Machu Picchu:


View of Huayna Picchu peak from Machu Picchu in the late afternoon light
Classic Cultural Peru

Machu Picchu, Cusco, Titicaca, Nazca, Lima, Paracas, Arequipa & Colca
14 Days / from $2,004


Fertur Peru Travel client on the final morning hiking the Inca Trail about to arrive Machu Picchu
Inspiration Inca Trail

Lima, Titicaca, Cusco, Machu Picchu & Classic 4-Day Inca Trail
11 Days / from $1,675


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Authored by: PeruTravelTrends

A Peru Tour Operator and Travel Agency: Since 1994 creating wonderful vacation experiences for adventure travelers and holidaymakers in Cusco, Lima, Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, and all around the Andean region.

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