Tipping Culture In Bolivia: Porters' Expectations On The Climb

Tipping porters when climbing in Bolivia is a sensitive topic, especially for visitors who are unfamiliar with the practice. However, it is an essential part of the local economy and can be a vital source of income for porters and guides. In Bolivia, tipping is not mandatory and is completely discretionary. Still, as a tourist, a little generosity will go a long way, especially if you are happy with the service you received. The official average Bolivian salary in 2016 was around USD 500 per month, and many people who work in the tourism industry survive on lower wages. It is recommended to tip a friendly and helpful porter who carries your bag to your room 4-8 Bolivianos.

How much to tip porters in Bolivia

Tipping is not mandatory in Bolivia, but as a tourist, it is good to be generous with 'propinas' (tips) if you are happy with the service you received. The official average Bolivian salary (as of 2016) is around USD 500 a month, so any tips you give will go a long way. It is important to keep hold of small notes and loose change to give as tips, as most people won't have change. The exchange rate in August 2018 was USD 1 = Bolivianos 7. Here is a guide to how much to tip in different situations:

Porters

• Airport porters: 5-8 Bolivianos per bag. This is considered a payment rather than a tip, as these people make their living by carrying luggage.
• Hotel porters: 5-8 Bolivianos per bag.

Drivers

• Transfer drivers/taxis: Tipping is generally not expected.
• Hired for a full day: +10% to the fare.
• Multiple days: 35-70 Bolivianos (USD 5-10) per day total from the group.

Guides

• Specialist guides: 70-140 Bolivianos (USD 10-20) per day total from the group.
• Trek assistants/cooks: 35-70 Bolivianos (USD 5-10) per day total from the group.

Restaurants and bars

• Restaurants: Tip 7-10%.
• Bars: Tipping is not expected, but you may leave small change if you wish.

Tipping culture in Bolivia

Tipping is not mandatory in Bolivia, but it is discretionary. While it is not compulsory, being generous with your tips will go a long way, especially if you are happy with the service you received. The average Bolivian salary is quite low, with many people working in the service industry surviving on lower wages. Therefore, it is always good to be generous when tipping.

Restaurants and Bars

As with most places in the world, it is normal to tip in restaurants if the service was good and the food was enjoyable. A tip of 7-10% is adequate. Tipping is not expected in bars, but you may leave small change if you wish to.

Porters

A porter who carries your bag to your room is usually given 4-8 Bolivianos. Airport porters are typically given 5-8 Bolivianos per bag.

Hotel Staff

Breakfast waiting staff are usually tipped 4-8 Bolivianos per person, per breakfast. Cleaning staff are also tipped the same amount per night, although this is not expected and any tips given will be greatly appreciated.

Drivers

If you have a driver for several days and good service is provided, a pooled pot of 35-70 Bolivianos (USD 5-10) per day from all travellers is sufficient.

Specialist Guides

Specialist guides are usually tipped 70-140 Bolivianos (USD 10-20) per day in total from the group. The depth of knowledge of their area, specialist skill, command of English, and friendliness should help determine the tip.

Trek Assistants/Cooks

Trek assistants and cooks are usually tipped 35-70 Bolivianos (USD 5-10) per day in total from the group.

Currency for tipping in Bolivia

Tipping in Bolivia is not mandatory but is very welcome. The local currency in Bolivia is the Bolivian Boliviano (BOB), which is divided into 100 cents (centavos). Money can be exchanged at bureaux de change in the main centres, at banks and hotels. Banks are considered the best place to exchange currency.

Restaurants and bars:

It is customary to tip in restaurants if you are happy with the service and the food. A tip of 7-10% is generally adequate, and in some restaurants, a service charge may already be included in the bill. Tipping is not expected in bars, but you may leave small change if you wish.

Porters and hotel staff:

For porters who carry your bags, it is customary to give 5-8 Bolivianos per bag. This is considered a payment rather than a tip. For hotel staff, such as bell boys, a tip of $1.50 per person per day or 5-8 Bolivianos per bag/per breakfast/per night for cleaning staff is appropriate.

Drivers and guides:

If you hire a driver for a full day, a tip of 10% is expected. For drivers hired for several days, a pooled pot of 35-70 Bolivianos (USD 5-10) per day from all travellers is sufficient. For specialist guides, a tip of 70-140 Bolivianos (USD 10-20) per day total from the group is expected.

Trek assistants and cooks:

For assistants who help with trekking or cooking, a tip of 35-70 Bolivianos (USD 5-10) per day total from the group is appropriate.

Who to tip in Bolivia

Tipping is not mandatory in Bolivia, but as a tourist, being generous with 'propinas' will be appreciated, especially if you're happy with the service. The average Bolivian salary is quite low, and many of the people you will encounter, from hotel porters to taxi drivers, will be surviving on lower wages. Here is a guide to tipping these workers:

Hotel porters

A friendly and helpful porter who carries your bag to your room is usually given 4-8 Bolivianos. This is the same for hotel cleaning staff.

Taxi drivers

Taxi drivers are not usually tipped, but if you hire a driver for a full day, 10% is acceptable.

Drivers

If you have a driver for several days, a pooled pot of 35-70 Bolivianos (USD 5-10) per day from all travellers is sufficient.

Specialist guides

Specialist guides, such as those with a good command of English and a depth of knowledge, are usually tipped 70-140 Bolivianos (USD 10-20) per day from the group.

Trek assistants/cooks

A good cook or assistant guide is tipped around 35-70 Bolivianos (USD 5-10) per day from the group.

Restaurants and bars

In restaurants, it is normal to tip 7-10% if the service was good and the food was enjoyable. Tipping is not expected in bars, but you may leave small change if you wish.

How much porters earn in Bolivia

Tipping is not mandatory in Bolivia, but as a tourist, it is a good idea to be generous with 'propinas' (tips) if you are happy with the service you receive. The official average Bolivian salary in 2016 was around $500 a month, and many people survive on lower wages, including hotel porters and taxi drivers.

In Bolivia, income distribution can be skewed by a small number of high-income earners, and the average monthly salary is around $300 to $500 USD. This places Bolivia among the lower-middle-income countries. The average monthly salary reflects a wide range of jobs, from the informal sector to formal employment in industries such as natural gas extraction or manufacturing, which offer higher wages.

Bolivia has experienced economic growth over the past decade, with increasing investment in various sectors, which is likely to positively impact average earnings. Despite this growth, the average salary in Bolivia remains modest compared to many other countries. Many Bolivians supplement their income with additional jobs or entrepreneurial activities, which are not always captured in the formal reporting of average wages.

The minimum wage in Bolivia is set by the government and is subject to change based on economic conditions, the cost of living, and negotiations between the government, workers' unions, and employers. As of the latest data, the monthly minimum wage in Bolivia is approximately 2,362 Bolivianos, which equates to around $340 USD.

When it comes to tipping porters in Bolivia, it is recommended to give 5 Bolivianos per bag as this is their standard payment for carrying luggage. For a friendly and helpful porter who carries your bag to your room, a tip of 4-8 Bolivianos is appropriate.

In summary, while the average salary in Bolivia varies depending on factors such as industry, location, experience, and education level, it is generally considered modest compared to other countries. Porters in Bolivia typically earn lower wages and rely on tips to supplement their income.

Frequently asked questions