Tipping in the Galapagos isn’t a strict rule, but it’s a well-established part of the tourism culture here. For most locals working in tourism, tips make a big difference, and visitors who understand how it works usually feel better knowing what’s fair and expected. Because the Galapagos Islands have a higher cost of living and everything must be shipped from the mainland, tipping expectations here are slightly higher than in continental Ecuador. Locals depend more on tourism, so even a small tip carries more weight than you might think.

Restaurants and cafés

In Ecuador, restaurants often include a 10% service charge on the bill. If that’s already there, you don’t need to add more unless the service is exceptional. When no service charge is included, leaving around 10% or rounding up the bill is perfectly fine.

Hotels and local staff

At hotels, tipping isn’t expected after every service, but small gestures go a long way. Porters or housekeeping staff usually receive $1–$3 per service, while a $10–$20 tip at checkout (shared among staff) is a nice way to show appreciation after a longer stay. Receptionists or managers don’t usually expect tips unless they personally handle something special for you.

 

Day tours and excursions

For guided day tours, it’s common to give your naturalist guide a separate tip from the crew. This is an important distinction:

• Guides: Tipped individually.
• Crew (boat staff, captain, cook/chef, deckhand, etc.): Receive a shared group tip.

Multi-day bundle/package

The general reference is about 8–10% of the cost of the tour. Many travelers don’t know the individual cost because they booked a full bundle or package that includes several tours, hotel nights, and drivers. In that case, you can estimate it by dividing the total price by the number of people in your group, and then by the number of nights or tours included. That gives you a good idea of what each day tour roughly costs, and from there, calculate your tip.

As a simple example:
If your 6-day/5-night Galapagos bundle/package for two people costs $2,500, that’s about $250 per night for both. A fair tip for a day tour (8–10%) would be around $20–$25 per person per day, split between your guide ($10-$15) and the crew ($5-$10) in a day tour in yacht for example, and for a land tour; same shared basis for the guide ($10-$15)  and driver ($5-$10).

Multi-day cruises

On cruises, the same rule applies, the guide and the crew are tipped separately. Most operators suggest $20–$25 per person per day for the crew, plus $10–$15 per person per day for the guide.
Most cruise ships make this easy for guests. On your last night, you’ll often find two envelopes in your cabin: one for your naturalist guide and another for the rest of the crew. The captain or cruise director usually collects them discreetly before disembarkation and divides them fairly.

Keep it relaxed

No one will chase you for tips, and you should never feel pressured. Locals genuinely appreciate the gesture, and it’s seen as recognition for good service, not an obligation. The important thing is to give what feels right to you and to know that it makes a real difference for the people who help make your trip memorable.

Tipping in Ecuador and the Galapagos is always voluntary. You might occasionally hear exaggerated recommendations like 10–20% of a cruise cost, but that’s not accurate. There’s no official rule, it’s entirely up to you. If the service was honest and good, even modest tips are received with genuine gratitude.