Quick answer: tipping in Peru is not mandatory, but it is very much expected in tourism. As a reference: tour guides, ~S/ 20-50 per person per day; trek porters, ~S/ 30-50 per person per day; restaurants, ~10% if service isn’t already included in the bill; taxis, tipping is not customary. These are guideline ranges, not fixed rules — adjust based on service quality and tour length.
Why tipping matters so much in Peruvian tourism
Unlike countries where tips are baked into a base salary, in Peru’s tourism sector — especially around Cusco and the Machu Picchu circuit — a good part of guides’, porters’ and support staff’s real income depends on what they receive directly from travelers. Agencies pay a base wage, but the work is demanding: 10 to 12-hour days, early starts, carrying gear at altitude, and in the case of trek porters, literally climbing and descending mountains with 20+ kilos on their backs. Tipping here isn’t a cultural quirk — for many Cusco families it’s a core part of their income.
That said, nobody should feel pressured to give more than they can afford or than the service deserves. The key is understanding the ranges actually used on the ground, so you neither underdeliver out of not knowing, nor feel like “everyone overcharges.”
Tour guides: how much and when
For day tours (Cusco city tour, Sacred Valley, Maras and Moray, Rainbow Mountain), the usual range is ~S/ 20 to S/ 50 per person per day, depending on group size, length of the tour, and how well the guide handled your itinerary. In large groups (15-20 people) it’s common to pool the tip at the end of the day and hand it over in an envelope; in private tours or small groups, giving it directly to the guide is more typical.
- Half-day tour (city tour, nearby ruins): ~S/ 15-25 per person.
- Full-day tour (Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu by train): ~S/ 30-50 per person.
- Multi-day tours (Cusco, Puno, Arequipa packages): ~S/ 20-30 per person per day, weighted more toward the main guide than support drivers.
If the guide speaks several languages, handles unexpected issues calmly, or simply makes the visit feel special, leaning toward the higher end of the range is a gesture that’s genuinely appreciated. The end of the tour is also the best moment to hand it over — in cash, in soles (some accept dollars, but soles are always more practical for them).
Trek porters: the group that needs it most
If you’re doing the Inca Trail, Salkantay, or the Choquequirao trek, porters are the ones carrying tents, kitchen gear and much of your luggage between campsites, often hiking ahead of the group to have everything ready when you arrive. It is, without exaggeration, one of the physically hardest jobs in Cusco’s tourism industry, and even the best tips don’t fully offset the effort involved.
The suggested range for porters is ~S/ 30 to S/ 50 per porter per day of trekking, collected from the whole group and usually handed over in a simple ceremony on the last day (sometimes with a small additional “thank-you tip” for the cook, who is typically a separate role). Many reputable agencies — ours included — suggest a group tipping amount at the start of the trek so travelers don’t each have to calculate it separately, but the final amount is always up to you.
| Service | Guideline range | How it’s given |
|---|---|---|
| Tour guide (full day) | ~S/ 20-50 per person | Directly to the guide, end of the tour |
| Trek porter (per day) | ~S/ 30-50 per porter | Group collection, closing ceremony |
| Trek cook (extra) | ~S/ 20-30 additional | Separate group collection |
| Restaurant (if service isn’t included) | ~10% of the bill | Cash, or added to the card payment |
| Taxi | Not customary | — |
Restaurants: is the tip already included?
In Cusco and Lima, some tourist-oriented restaurants already add a 10% service charge to the bill (check for a “servicio” line before leaving an extra tip, so you don’t double up). When it isn’t included — most common at small restaurants, local picanterías and set-menu spots — leaving ~10% of the total is the usual gesture if service was good. It’s neither required nor frowned upon to skip it on a simple S/ 15 lunch, but it’s genuinely appreciated for a sit-down dinner with dedicated service.
One practical note: many Cusco restaurants still don’t let you add a tip directly on the card machine when paying by card, so it’s worth carrying some cash in soles to leave at the table.
Taxis, hotels and other services
- Taxis: tipping is not customary — the fare is agreed before getting in (there are no meters), and that price is final.
- Hotel bellhops: ~S/ 5-10 per bag is a nice gesture, though not a strict norm.
- Hotel housekeeping: leaving ~S/ 5-10 per day is appreciated, especially at small or boutique lodgings.
- Private transport drivers (no guide): ~S/ 10-20 per day if the ride was long or the service was especially attentive.
Practical tips before your trip
- Bring cash in soles, and in small bills (S/ 10, S/ 20). ATMs are plentiful in Cusco and Aguas Calientes, but there won’t be any once you’re on the trek.
- Budget for tips before you leave, especially on multi-day treks with porters and a cook: factor it into your trip cost so it isn’t a last-minute surprise.
- Ask your agency whether they have a suggested group tip; many share it as part of pre-trek information, precisely to simplify logistics among travelers who don’t know each other.
- A tip rewards the service, it isn’t a fixed obligation: if something genuinely went wrong, it’s fine to adjust it down, just as it’s fine to go higher when service exceeded expectations.
If you’d rather travel without worrying about coordinating logistics or calculating tips separately, our tours with a professional guide included and our treks with a certified porter crew are designed so you can just focus on enjoying the trip. Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll help you plan your itinerary with all the information you need, tipping included.
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