Handling money in Cusco isn’t just about knowing the exchange rate: it’s about understanding local customs. Can you haggle over a taxi fare? How much do you tip at a restaurant?
This Tari Tours guide helps you handle these situations in Cusco with confidence, respect and good sense.
1. The golden rule: agree on the price before the service
In Cusco, negotiating is an expected cultural practice in certain situations.
- Taxis. Always, always agree on the fare before you get in the taxi. Meters aren’t used or can’t be trusted. Ask your hotel or your guide for a reference price and negotiate from there.
- Markets and crafts. Haggling is expected at open-air markets, like the ones in Pisac or San Blas. It isn’t disrespectful; it’s part of the game. Be fair and don’t try to knock off more than 20% to 30% of the starting price.
- Regular stores. In supermarkets, pharmacies and clothing stores with marked prices, you don’t negotiate.
2. Tipping guide
A tip (propina in Spanish) is a way of saying thank you. It isn’t mandatory, but it’s expected when the service is excellent.
| Service | Suggested tip | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tour guide | S/ 20 to S/ 50 per person per day (US$ 5 to 15) | Tipping your guide is much appreciated, for the specialized service and the knowledge they share. |
| Upscale restaurants | 10% of the total bill | In line with international standards. |
| Set-menu restaurants | Not required. Round up the bill if the service is excellent. | At markets and budget restaurants, people don’t tip. |
| Porters (Inca Trail) | S/ 50 to S/ 100 per porter, for the whole trip | It’s given as a group and makes a big difference, since it’s an important part of their income. |
| Taxis | No need to tip. | The fare agreed before the ride is the final payment. |
3. Cultural interaction: the best strategy
- Smile and be kind. Negotiating should be a friendly exchange, not a confrontation. Using a few words in Quechua (like añay, thank you) opens doors.
- Carry small bills. Paying a 5-sol taxi fare with a 100-sol bill leaves the driver without change. Always carry 10- and 20-sol bills.
Travel like a local
Knowing how to handle tips and negotiating is the best way to fit into Cusco’s culture.
Ask your Tari Tours guide for reference prices at the start of your tour.
Prefer to arrive with your transportation already arranged?
We’re a local agency in Cusco, registered with MINCETUR since 2003, with English-speaking guides. We arrange taxis and transfers in Cusco and day tours, with the price agreed in advance.