Tour Guide, Puerto Montt, Chile
| 3 mins read
While the specifics of when and how to tip in Chile can vary from place to place, some common points can be inferred: 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/Euros – bills only – in a hotel or to a tour guide, make sure the bills are unmarked and undamaged.
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 include 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. This may be disputed if one feels the service was not up to it. Don't be afraid to do so, but avoid making a scene or being too confrontational if you are planning to return to the same spot later on. Please note that waiting staff are generally poorly paid and so make most of their earnings from tips. Most servers or bar tenders don't speak English but will make their best effort to take your order, so if service was above and beyond, an extra "under-the-table" would make their day.
Hotel staff
A friendly and helpful porter/bell-boy who carries your bag to your room is typically given CLP 500-1,000
The 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.
Tour-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 5,000 per person.
For a private tour, you might consider around CLP 10,000 to 15,000 for a full day. Tour guides in Chile work mostly as freelancers, so they depend on good tips alongside what they might be paid for their services.
It is usual to leave the driver a tip too. Normally around half the amount, you would leave for the guide; make sure to tip them separately from the guide
In sum, as it happens in other corners of the world, tipping is viewed as a normal gratuity expected at the end of a provided service and as a supplement to the daily or weekly income one might earn. It is not a compulsory thing, but it's well appreciated by those involved in the tourism trade.