Share Guide to tipping and gratuities in Chile by Alan Lyall on 15th February, 2019 Advice Chile Tipping Top Tips Travel Advice Travel Planning When and how much should you tip in Chile? Tipping can be a confusing subject and many different nationalities have different tipping cultures. This outline should help smooth the way in Chile. Background Tipping is discretionary in Chile and is seen as a reward for good service. Tips should be in Chilean pesos . If you do leave tips in US dollars – bills only – in a hotel, make sure the bills are unmarked and undamaged. In 2014 a law was passed so that restaurants, bars, coffee shops and the like should include a suggested tip/service charge which must be at least 10% of the total. This may be disputed if one feels the service was not up to it. For the purpose of this blog, recommendations are in Chilean Pesos (CLP). At the time of writing, February 2019, USD 1 is approximately CLP 650 or check with a currency converter. Chilean Huaso Taxi Drivers Drivers do not expect a tip. However it is usual to let them keep the change. Transfer Drivers Generally not expected but if you did appreciate his service then CLP 1,000-2,000. Restaurants and bars By law restaurants and bars are including a suggested tip with the bill which is at least 10% of the total. This is a voluntary payment so you can pay less or more if you wish. Please note that waiting staff are generally poorly paid and so make most of their earnings from tips. Liguria restaurant, Santiago Hotel staff A friendly and helpful porter who carries your bag to your room is typically given CLP 500-1,000 Breakfast waiting staff and cleaning staff don’t expect a tip but they will be grateful if left one. Maybe CLP 500-1,000 per person per day. Supermarkets If someone packs your bags for you do tip them around CLP 200. Guides If you are on a shared tour you might expect to leave a good guide CLP 2,000 per person for a half day. On a full day shared tour around CLP 3,000 per person. For a private tour you might consider around CLP 10,000 to 15,000 and for a full day . It is usual to leave the driver a tip too. Normally around half the amount you would leave for the guide. Guide handing out refreshments On treks A good guide who does the job well, good English and service can expect CLP 10,000 to 15,000 a day in total per day from the group. For a good cook and/or an assistant guide, each should get about half that of the guide per day, CLP 5,000 to 8,000 per day. Trekking guide Summary It is a general guide and the only rule with tipping is that it is voluntary. Airport porters: CLP 1,000 per bag Hotel staff: CLP 1,000 total Taxis: Generally not expected, but can let them keep the change or round up to the nearest 500. Transfer Drivers: CLP 1,000-2,000 total Specialist guides: CLP 10,000-15,000 per day total from the group Trek assistants/cooks: CLP5,000-7,500 per day total from the group Restaurants: Minimum 10% for good service Contact us for more about holidays to Chile. Share
