Welcome to the Canary Islands, if you’re wondering about ‘Canary Islands tipping’ or asking ‘do you tip in the Canary Islands?’ you’re in the right place. Club Canary, your top local tour agency, is here to clear up all your questions. In this friendly guide, we cover everything from tipping customs across Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, to Fuerteventura. We’ll even break down what ‘IGIC meaning’ is, so you understand the local tax and how it affects what you pay. Get ready to dive into the simple dos and don’ts of tipping here in the islands, with helpful insights from your trusted travel partner, Club Canary.
Visiting the Canary Islands offers a glimpse into the diverse customs, including tipping. Unlike some places where gratuities are nearly mandatory, tipping in the Canary Islands, including Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura, is appreciated but not compulsory. Commonly, a 10% tip on top of your bill is a standard way to show gratitude for good service. This is in addition to the 7% IGIC (Impuesto General Indirecto Canario), a local sales tax. This guide responds to frequent inquiries from Club Canary clients about whether it’s customary to tip for services during their stay in the Canary Islands, providing clarity to enhance your travel experience.
For service-oriented interactions across the islands, 5-10% is considered standard if you are pleased with the service, addressing the common question, “do you tip in Canary Islands”. It’s important to note that while tipping is customary in cafes and restaurants, it’s not always expected everywhere. In some places, especially where a service charge is included, additional tipping might not be the norm, and employees may face difficulties accepting tips due to company policies. However, tipping norms can vary, especially in different service sectors:
Restaurants and Bars
Given the long hours and dedication to hospitality, a tip ranging from 5-10% is highly appreciated by staff.
Taxis
Fares in the Canary Islands are generally more affordable compared to other regions, about 1€/minute. Tipping taxi drivers is not mandatory; many locals round up to the nearest euro, which is considered polite. If the taxi driver provided exceptional service, a tip of around 10% is appreciated but not expected as there is no Uber, and many locals usually do not tip.
Bellhops, Porters, and Housekeeping:
These service workers may receive tips for their help. Typically, 1-2€ per bag for bellhops is standard, and for housekeeping, a tip of 2-5€ per stay is customary depending on the quality of service and length of your stay.
Tour Guides:
During sightseeing tours or adventure activities, tipping your guide directly with cash might not always be possible without their employer’s knowledge. However, a popular and acceptable way to tip is by purchasing photos of the experience, from which guides usually receive a percentage. This serves as a beneficial tip that aligns with company policies.
IGIC stands for ‘Impuesto General Indirecto Canario’, which is a general indirect tax applied in the Canary Islands. Unlike IVA, which is the standard VAT applied in mainland Spain, IGIC is a lower tax rate, often making goods and services cheaper here than on the mainland. Here’s what you need to know about IGIC:
This section aims to demystify “I.G.I.C meaning” for tourists, ensuring they understand how this tax impacts their expenditures during their visit to the Canary Islands.
Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and the most visited by tourists. The island is known for its vibrant activities and luxurious hotels. However, living costs, especially rent, are high and can exceed what many locals make, making tips very important here. Employees often provide exceptional service, hoping to earn a little extra in tips.
To make sure you have more to tip with, Club Canary offers a special deals page for booking activities in advance. Visit Club Canary’s Tenerife Tour Deals to save on your adventures, allowing you to keep more cash in your pocket for “tipping Tenerife” and rewarding those who make your visit memorable.
Tipping in Gran Canaria is similar to Tenerife, but there are some small differences, especially in places that aren’t very touristy. Both islands attract a lot of tourists, including many from the USA who tend to tip well and often. In Gran Canaria, because of more luxury tourism and higher costs for living, like rent, employees often count on tips as part of their income. They might also go the extra mile to provide great service, knowing tips can be higher. Keep this in mind when you’re “tipping in Gran Canaria” to appreciate good service.
To make the most of your budget, check out Club Canary’s special deals on Gran Canaria activities here. This allows you to save on experiences while generously tipping those who enhance your stay.
In Lanzarote, tipping follows similar general rules as in other Canary Islands, but it’s important to consider the nature and quality of the service you receive. Lanzarote is a bit quieter and more laid-back compared to its bustling neighbors, yet service providers still greatly appreciate tips for good service.
To enjoy your visit without stretching your budget, check out Club Canary’s Lanzarote deals here. These special offers allow you to experience more while saving money for tips that show your gratitude for exceptional service.
Fuerteventura is known for being calmer and less crowded than its neighboring islands, offering vast sandy beaches and popular surf spots. While it’s quieter, the hospitality sector greatly values the appreciation shown through tipping. For those taking surf lessons, a unique and appreciated way to tip is by bringing some drinks to the surf school at the end of the day or ordering some food for the group.
To ensure you have more to enjoy and share, check out the special activity deals on Club Canary’s Fuerteventura page here. These offers can help you save, so you can give back to those who enhance your stay in this serene island setting.
Tipping is a customary gesture of appreciation on both normal boat rentals and luxury yacht charters in the Canary Islands. For standard boat trips, it’s common for the captain or crew to have a tip box available if they accept tips. On luxury private charters, particularly if you’ve enjoyed your experience, you can personally hand the tip to the captain at the end of your journey.
Explore a wide range of normal and private boat trips offered by Club Canary across each island by visiting our Boat Charter Canary Islands page. Please note, all prices include IGIC and transaction costs, and while tips are not mandatory, they are greatly appreciated if you feel our agent has gone above and beyond. If you wish to leave a tip for exceptional service, you can do so on our Tip Your Agent page.
We hope this guide has helped answer your questions about “tipping in Canary Islands” and “do you tip in Canary Islands”. Understanding how and when to tip can enhance your experience as you explore this stunning archipelago. If you’ve found this content helpful and are looking for more great tips and exclusive offers, be sure to subscribe below. Enter your email to receive amazing free content and a special discount code for your first activity in the Canary Islands.
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