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Tipping on Bali - A Complete Guide
When you travel to another country, it's always a bit of a learning curve to understand the customs. Tipping is one of those typical things that can often be tricky when you've just arrived. To make your trip to Bali as enjoyable as possible, we'd like to provide you with some information on how tipping works here. Is it customary to tip on Bali? Where should you tip or not? How much should these tips be? In this article, we'll provide you with all the answers.
Restaurants and bars
Tipping in restaurants and bars is common on Bali. In tourist areas, it is often the case that a tip of between 10 and 21% is added to the bill. If this is not the case, it is customary to give a tip of around 10%. On Bali, tipping is not considered rude or offensive, unlike in some other Southeast Asian countries.
Hotels
On Bali, it is not uncommon for a tip of between 10 and 21% to be added to the bill. If this is not the case, it is customary to give a tip of around 10%. When staying in a hotel where someone brings your luggage to the room, it is customary to give a small tip of about 50 cents per suitcase or backpack. You can also leave a small daily tip of between 50 cents and 1 dollar for the housekeeping staff.
Street food
Unlike in restaurants, tipping is less common at street stalls. However, you can round up the amount you owe. Street vendors on Bali are often small business owners, and any extra support is appreciated. Additionally, street food on Bali is inexpensive, so rounding up typically involves small amounts.
Taxis and tuk-tuks
Tipping taxi drivers 5-10% is common on Bali. In other forms of transportation, this is less customary. However, they do appreciate it if you give a small tip or round up the amount. Especially if a driver has provided you with helpful tips about the area, you might consider it. As always, it’s advisable to agree on a fare before you get in.
Tours
Tipping after a tour is expected and always considered polite. Especially after a full day out, it is customary to tip around 5-10%. On Bali, it may sometimes happen that a guide explicitly asks for a tip (in advance). While this might come across as impolite to you, it is not uncommon on Bali. Even if this is not the case, giving a small tip is highly appreciated.
Tipping on Bali conclusion
On Bali, it is common to tip approximately 10% in restaurants. Additionally, especially in more upscale or tourist-oriented restaurants, service charges of 10-21% are often added to the bill. In hotels, taxis, and on tours, it is also customary to give a small tip of 5-10%. In very local places, in transportation primarily used by locals, and at street food stalls, tipping is not very common, and rounding up the amount is often considered a kind gesture.
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