Getting Around

Tipping Guidelines

By AndrewGW ⋅ July 16, 2008 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅ ⋅ Post a comment

On Trip Advisor today someone was asking about tipping in the gas stations in Panama.

Here’s my guide to tipping in Panama.

In the gas station, if they check the oil and transmission fluid, wash the windows, check the tire air pressure, then I would give them between $0.50 and $1.00 max… Just for pumping, no tip.

Tip the kids that pack your bags at the supermarkets $0.25 to $1.00 depending on how many bags and if they take them to the car for you or not. $0.50 is good.

Restaurants - 10% to 15% based on service, I don’t tip if the waiter/ess is not doing their job.

“Buen Cuidado” guys - they look after your car when it’s parked - mainly at night but also in busy areas during the day - $0.25 to $0.50 daytime, $0.50 to $1.00 at night… some are being cheeky and asking $3.00 at night especially around Calle Uruguay.

Airport porters and hotel bell staff - $1.00 a bag.

Taxi’s - no tip. With the new tariffs, $1.00 for short trip within the ciy - basically within one “zone”, $1.25 to $1.75 to go across the city center, e.g. Multiplaza to Casco Viejo should be $1.50 for one person, with $0.25 per additional person, if there’s heavy traffic, I will add another $0.25 or $0.50 depending…

Valet parking at hotels or restaurants - $1.00

Hope that this put’s it in perspective.

Tags: panama culture, tipping