Tipping is a common practice when visiting Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Luckily, Ecuador is the only country in South America that uses the US dollar as its local currency, so, you won’t be needing your math skills to calculate conversion rates for tipping in Ecuador or the Galapagos Islands.
The cost of living in Ecuador averages shy of $2,000 USD a month however, the minimum wage in Ecuador is only $415 USD a month. Meaning your tips go a long way to providing a livable income for Ecuadorians. Generally, wages paid to workers who receive tips get a lower than average minimum wage. The assumption is that tips boost their income. Therefore, it is common practice to tip in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, so continue reading our tipping guide for general rules and tipping etiquette.
Tipping in Ecuador can be done via credit card or cash, though cash is always preferred. On select cruises, your credit card can pay for tips for the boat crew on your Galapagos cruise and for gratuities when paying restaurant bills. However, internet may be spotty so we recommend tipping in cash.
ATMs in Ecuador are not difficult to find. You’ll even find them on the Galapagos Islands. ATMs in Ecuador dispense money in US currency. You may have to pay a service fee for using the machine. Smaller denominations are always handy to have on you. Arriving with one and five-dollar bills will be useful, though make sure they have no tears or wrinkles. Check out our Galapagos packing list for other items to pack.
Tipping in Ecuador is one way to show your appreciation for top-notch service. Photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash
Tipping is a fantastic way to show appreciation for the high level of service you’ll be receiving during your tours. Allocate money in your travel budget to tip expert naturalist tour guides, drivers, and the boat staff who will be waiting on you hand and foot.
Naturalist guides in the Galapagos Islands are highly trained in educating travelers about the unique archipelago. Your tour guide tip should be approximately $10-$20 USD per person per day.
The star-level of your Galapagos cruise may vary, which will also adjust the tipping etiquette. For high-end Galapagos cruises, consider the higher range.
Budget between $15-$30 USD per traveler per day to divide amongst all members of the crew.
For a 5-Day/4-Night cruise budget ~$125-$150 USD per person or ~$250-$300 USD per couple.
Tipping guides, drivers, boat crew, and hotel staff is recommended during your Ecuador vacation. Photo by Alla Hetman on Unsplash
Ecuador has incredible sights to see on its mainland. For inspiration on where to go, find out the best places to visit in Ecuador or contact one of our expert travel advisors.
Tipping taxi drivers in Ecuador is not common practice. However, if the fare isn’t to the nearest dollar, round up to save your driver from having to dig out small change.
A shuttle driver, or driver, navigates you safely from A to B often on roads you wouldn’t be used to driving on. Tipping your driver is a nice way to say thank you, even if you don’t speak Spanish.
Absolutely! We’re that confident that you’re going to love the service you receive with our tour guides! Here are our recommendations for how to show your appreciation for an unforgettable tour experience.
Restaurant tipping guidelines change from establishment to establishment so be sure to check your bill to see if the gratuity or service charge has been included. Many upscale restaurants in Ecuador will include a 10%-12% fee to the total bill, however not every restaurant does. If not, give a 5%-10% tip directly to the server.
Bartenders always appreciate a small tip for great service. Often, this gets you even better service for the night! Tipping $0.50-$1 per drink is an appropriate amount.
Hotel tipping guidelines in Ecuador are as follows:
Mainland Ecuador has many sights to see, but tipping etiquette on the mainland and in the Galapagos is slightly different. Photo by Fernando Tapia on Unsplash
And now a tip for you: Book your Ecuador vacation with Latin America for Less. Your personal travel agent will customize your itinerary to include the highlights of Ecuador and the Galapagos. They’ll answer all your questions and take care of all the details needed for a stress-free vacation. For more information about tipping in Ecuador and travel in South America, contact a Latin America for Less travel agent today!
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