Tipping in Ecuador
Tipping expectedService Breakdown
Notes by Service
10% is standard at sit-down restaurants.
$1–2 per night for housekeeping; $1–2 per bag.
Round up or add a small amount.
10% is appreciated.
$1 per drink or 10% of tab.
10% is polite.
$5–10 per person per day; $10–15 for Galápagos guides.
A small tip is appreciated.
About Tipping in Ecuador
Overview
Ecuador uses the US dollar as its official currency since 2000, making tipping straightforward for international visitors. Tipping is appreciated but not always firmly expected — 10% at restaurants in Quito, Guayaquil, and the Galápagos is the standard.
When to Tip
Tip at sit-down restaurants (10%), with taxi drivers (rounding up), hotel porters and housekeeping, spa staff, and tour guides. In the Galápagos, tipping naturalist guides and boat crew on live-aboard cruises is particularly important given the remoteness and depth of expertise involved.
How to Tip
USD cash is the only currency — no exchange needed. For Galápagos cruise crews, a tip envelope distributed at the end of the journey is standard; $10–15 per person per day is the going rate for live-aboard expeditions. For mainland tours, $5–10 per person per day for guides is appropriate.
Cultural Context
Ecuador's dollarisation in 2000 came as a response to a severe economic crisis, and wages in service have struggled to keep pace with the cost of living in dollar terms. Galápagos naturalist guides hold government licences and must pass rigorous natural history exams — their expertise is genuinely world-class, and a tip acknowledges that specialised knowledge alongside the unique experience they facilitate.