Tipping in Cusco: guides, porters, drivers and restaurants

In Peru tipping isn't mandatory, but in Cusco's tourism industry it's an important part of many people's income: guides, porters, trek cooks, drivers and hotel and restaurant staff. Knowing when and how to tip avoids awkward moments and lets you recognise good work fairly. This guide explains local customs in each situation, how to organise your cash and how to make sure the tip reaches the right person.

Start here: Cusco tips · things to do in Cusco

Basic principles

• Tipping is voluntary and should reflect the quality of service.
• It's usually given in cash, preferably in soles; dollars are also accepted in tourism, but notes must be in perfect condition.
• It's best given directly to each person or in separate envelopes, so it arrives in full.
• Carry small notes: breaking big notes in remote places is difficult.

• Money in Cusco: soles, ATMs, exchange offices and cards

Day tours

On guided day trips, such as the City Tour, the Sacred Valley or Rainbow Mountain, it's customary to tip the guide at the end if the service was good. If there's a separate driver, they're usually recognised too. On shared tours, each traveller tips individually.

• Free walking tour in Cusco: how it works, tipping and what to expect
• How to choose a tour agency in Cusco: a checklist to get it right

Free walking tours

Free walking tours run on tips: there's no entry fee, but at the end each participant is expected to give the guide what they think is fair. It's how they make a living, so factor it into your budget.

• Free walking tour in Cusco: how it works, tipping and what to expect

Treks with porters and muleteers

On the Inca Trail, Salkantay, Lares, Choquequirao and other multi-day treks, tipping is especially important. The crew usually includes a guide, a cook and porters or muleteers with horses or mules. The usual practice is:

• Collect the tip as a group on the last day.
• Split it into separate envelopes by role: guide, cook and porters or muleteers.
• Hand it over in person, with a few words of thanks, at the small farewell ceremony many agencies organise.

• Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: permits, when to book, the 4-day route and the short version
• Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: route, difficulty, best season and how to plan it
• Lares Trek to Machu Picchu: route, difficulty, communities and comparison

Guides at Machu Picchu

A guide isn't mandatory at Machu Picchu (article 17.1 of R.M. 334-2026-MC, 11 September 2026: a ticket and ID are enough), but it is recommended; you can hire one as part of a package or at the entrance to the citadel. If your guide explained the history well, kept to the group's pace and answered your questions, it's customary to tip at the end of the circuit. If your tour also includes an escort on the train or bus, recognise their work separately.

• Machu Picchu circuits explained: which to choose (1, 2 or 3) and what you see
• Machu Picchu rules: what to bring, bag size, banned items and guides

Why it matters so much for porters

Porters carry tents, food and equipment for days at high altitude. Although Inca Trail regulations set their maximum load and conditions, their wages remain modest. Choosing agencies that treat them well and recognising their effort is a direct way to support the Andean communities they come from.

• How to choose a tour agency in Cusco: a checklist to get it right
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Restaurants and bars

• In tourist-oriented restaurants, some bills include a service charge; check before leaving more.
• If it isn't included, a modest tip for good service is customary.
• In markets, food stalls and cheap set-menu places no tip is expected, though rounding up is appreciated.

• What and where to eat in Cusco: typical dishes, markets and tips
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Hotels

• Staff who carry your luggage usually get a small tip.
• For housekeeping, you can leave something in the room at the end of your stay, with a note.
• If reception has gone out of their way with bookings or problems, a gesture is appreciated.

• How to book accommodation in Cusco: key dates, tricks and mistakes to avoid

Taxis and drivers

Tipping taxi drivers isn't customary; the fare is agreed beforehand or set by the app. On private transfers or with drivers hired for a whole day, it is customary to recognise good service at the end.

• Getting around Cusco: taxis, ride apps, city buses and colectivos
• Private driver in Cusco and the Sacred Valley: when it's worth it and how to hire one

Photos with people in traditional dress

In the Plaza de Armas, San Blas or Sacsayhuamán you'll see women and children in traditional dress with llamas posing for photos. If you want to photograph them, the right thing is to ask and give a small tip.

• The best photography spots in Cusco and around

Include it in your budget

Tips can add up to a significant amount on a trip with several tours and a trek. Include them in your budget from the start and withdraw cash in Cusco before heading to remote areas, where there are no ATMs.

• Cusco on a budget: saving on accommodation, food, transport and Machu Picchu
• Money in Cusco: soles, ATMs, exchange offices and cards

Notice: This guide shares advice and recommendations based on research and local experience. Prices, opening hours and rules may change: always check with official sources and operators. Cusco Tips is not responsible for third-party services, bookings or decisions made using these guides; some links are affiliate links (see our affiliate policy).