Tips

LisaM

I was wondering what people do about tips for the guides. Does everyone use cash? Can you write a check so you don't need to carry the extra cash around during the whole trip? I know that you can get cash via an ATM, but there are additional fees involved and sometimes your ATM card does not work no matter how you plan ahead. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

JohnBolduc

Lisa,

We use cash. Most tour guides have been American so you may use dollars for them and you can use any local currency you have left over for the driver since they are most likely local(in our experience). We also bring a couple of cards for the money with us so we don't have to hassle with it at the end of the trip.
We haven't had any trouble with the ATMs in the countries we have visited.
John

Randall and Donna Lau

Lisa,

We have also used cash. Others that we have travelled with have brought Traveller's Checks but have always converted them to cash, or the local currency before presenting the tip to the Tour Director and/or driver. Checks outside of the US are not convenient for the Tour Directors to cash or deposit since most of them are not traveling close to home. In addition for foreign travel, we have begun to consider giving the Tour Director the tip in the currency where they will be guiding tours. We have been told if we give the US$, then the Tour Director ends up paying a fee to convert to local currency.

themanna

Cash is much preferable. And of course it depends in which country or location you're going to have your trip or vacation with regards to what type of money you're going to carry along with you, but it's much better if you have with you the international money-dollar. ATM's actually would be of great help as well, but it still depends on where you're going to, if the place has no ATM machine then that sounds awful.