The Philippines is a major destination for beaches, diving, and island-hopping, with Boracay, Palawan, and Cebu drawing visitors from around the world. Tipping is appreciated here but not deeply ingrained — many Filipinos in the service industry earn modest wages, so tips make a genuine difference, even though they’re not strictly required.
The Philippine peso (PHP) is the local currency. USD has limited acceptance — carry pesos for most everyday tipping.
Tipping at Restaurants
Many restaurants, especially in tourist areas and hotels, add a 10% service charge automatically — check your bill for “service charge” before tipping more. If it’s included, no additional tip is required, though leaving small change is a common practice.
At restaurants without a service charge, rounding up or leaving 10% is appropriate. At casual local spots (carinderias) and street food stalls, tipping is not expected.
Tipping at Hotels and Resorts
- Housekeeping — $1–2 USD or 50–100 PHP per night, left daily
- Bellhop / porter — $1 USD or 50 PHP per bag
- Concierge — $5–10 USD or 200–500 PHP for meaningful assistance
Tipping Taxis and Transportation
Tipping taxi drivers is not strictly expected, but rounding up the fare to the nearest convenient amount is common practice and appreciated. For Grab (the regional rideshare app), rounding up is optional but welcomed.
Tipping Tour Guides and Island Hopping
Island-hopping tours, diving trips, and other guided excursions are central to Philippine tourism. For group tours, 200–500 PHP per person (~$4–9 USD) is standard. For private guides or dive instructors, 500–1,000 PHP per day (~$9–18 USD) is appropriate.
Cultural Notes
Tipping in the Philippines sits somewhere between “expected” and “optional” — it’s not legally required and most Filipinos don’t tip routinely among themselves, but in the tourism sector, small tips are genuinely appreciated and make a meaningful difference given relatively modest wages in hospitality and service roles.
Carry small peso bills for everyday tipping. USD is accepted at some international hotels and dive operators but isn’t reliable for general use.
Philippines Tipping — Quick Reference
| Situation | Tip Amount |
|---|---|
| Restaurant (service charge included) | Optional extra / small change |
| Restaurant (no service charge) | 10% or round up |
| Hotel housekeeping | 50–100 PHP per night |
| Hotel porter / bellhop | 50 PHP per bag |
| Taxi / Grab | Round up (optional) |
| Tour guide (group) | 200–500 PHP per person |
| Private guide / dive instructor | 500–1,000 PHP per day |
Currency Converter
Convert USD (United States Dollar) to PHP (Philippine Peso) using the free tool below.
USD ↔ Philippine Pesos Converter
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is a service charge included in restaurant bills in the Philippines?
Often yes, especially at restaurants in tourist areas and hotels — typically 10%. Check your bill before tipping additionally.
Should I tip in USD or Philippine pesos?
Pesos are preferred for everyday tipping. USD has limited acceptance — carry small peso bills for restaurants, taxis, and hotel staff.
Do taxi or Grab drivers in the Philippines expect a tip?
Not strictly, but rounding up the fare is a common and appreciated gesture.
How much should I tip for an island-hopping tour?
For a group tour, 200–500 PHP per person (~$4–9 USD) is standard. For private guides or dive instructors, 500–1,000 PHP per day (~$9–18 USD) is appropriate.
More Asia Tipping Guides
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