What I Would Tell A Birding By Bus Tour Guest about Tipping
My first "real" birding tour and my first time in Colombia was December 2021. How perfect! To say I am addicted to Colombia and Birding By Bus is an understatement. Eliana shared LOADS of great info, but what about tipping? Yes there is tipping etiquette, but it can also be a subjective, even personal decision. So, how much?
Honestly, each trip is going to vary. Bring small bills: $1's, 5's and 10's. I generally leave $5 per night for housekeeping. I give the person who carries my bags between $1-$5 depending on the weight/effort. What about drivers and guides? What about all the amazing "other people" I didn't expect to meet along the way? Seriously!? I want to win the lottery so I can give, give, give! Back to reality, I want to have enough cash to make a positive impact, even if just a small one on the communities we visit.
Here's what I learned.
You can use your ATM card at the airport to get Colombian Pesos. You may need to use it multiple times in a row because there is often a maximum amount per transaction. Eliana will tell you when there will be other opportunities to go to the ATM again. Smaller towns often give smaller bills, but not always. It's also ok to tip in U.S. dollars, particularly to drivers and guides. Local currency is better in rural communities where changing money is more difficult.
Ok, so you may be wondering what I mean by "other people" along the way.
Some examples! On the Charm of the Andes Tour we visited a home with bird feeders where a mother and son also prepared a lovely meal for us. And the son, Martin, is also an "Antpitta Whisperer” - YES, trust me that is a thing! And he is awesome! In Northern Colombia, we visited Dona Sofia's place with bird feeders and plants for the hummingbirds. She made us coffee and welcomed us to her porch to watch the birds. Not only did I leave a gratuity, but I also sent her a bird tablecloth via Eliana. The kitchen staff at Colores de la Sierra in Minca were extra amazing! I mean Huber has a gift and a lovely personality so I definitely wanted to leave him extra gratuity. Sometimes/often the driver is also AWESOME at spotting birds. I could go on and on! Colombia is full of wonderful surprises!
More on how to make a positive impact in the communities in another blog post. For now, here are some general guidelines from me:
Housekeeping: $5 per night
Lodge Staff: $5-10 per day
Driver: $5-10 per day
Bird Guide: $10-25 per person/day
Baggage Handlers: $1-3 per bag
Tour boat driver: $5 per/day
The "other people": is up to you. I would say I left between $5-20.
Another question that comes up with guests: Do we tip Eliana and Marc? I can only give my opinion here, but after getting to know them and seeing how hard they work to help others, I think they might appreciate a donation from their Amazon Wish List over a personal gift. Or a tax deductible donation to their non-profit, Project PetSnip. They are constantly helping a pet, a person, a family. Food, medicine, a roof, clothing, gear to help a new bird guide - you name it, they have probably helped! This is what initially attracted me to Birding By Bus. Not only do they get to know each guest in a personal way, they also do this with every person they meet along the way. It is truly Eliana’s gift.
How much to tip depends on the type of service you receive, your experience, and your own finances. Many people in the service industry have struggled financially and are just getting back on their feet. While it is a very personal decision and everyone is different, tipping as an act of gratitude is completely optional but always greatly appreciated!