Escorted Group Tours
Tipping is a firm and expected element in the tourism industry today and South America is no exception. We strive to establish trust with our guides who rely on and expect tips from passengers. If the guides are keen to work with our passengers regularly, they become familiar with our itineraries as well as the Wendy Wu Tours’ philosophy and expectations we have of their work.
Many passengers are often uncertain of how much to tip so we have established a tipping system whereby every passenger gives a set amount (in US Dollars) to the National Escort who
will distribute the amount appropriately. On multi-country tips, this amount will be paid in stages on arrival in each country. All group tour passengers are expected to contribute to the tipping
kitty. (If there is no National Escort, please give the money directly to your Local Guides and tipping amounts for each city will be shown in your final itinerary).
The amount for the kitty is calculated for each tour depending on the length, group size and services used during the trip. Your final documents will specify the exact tipping amount for your
group. The tipping kitty will cover hotel porters, local guides and drivers in each city/department, local and/or site guides and your National Escort. Approximately 10-15USD per day is a guide tipping amount needed on tour
For independent passengers, or group passengers with pre/post tour arrangements, you should allow USD 7-10 per person per day in South America.
Do not be surprised that you are constantly asked for tips or money, even if you know it has been paid. Your tips that you provide to the National Escort cover tips which should be paid on your behalf. Any others, such as tips for the toilet attendant and extra porters are your responsibility but NOT necessary to be paid. Such tips are not included in our tipping kitty because these people are actually trying to sell this service to you as a way of making a living. Luggage porterage to your rooms is also at your discretion.