Tipping question

[edgew]

We have contracted with a local guide in Rio for two days, 4 people for $350 per day, before boarding the Amsterdam, Rio to Seattle. Is it appropriate/expected to provide an additional tip for the tour guide? Incidentally, this is NOT some tour company, but a single individual who arranges everything. Also, we’ll have a van driver for the trip – is a tip to him appropriate also? It certainly would be in Mexico, but I’m not familiar with the mores in South America.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have contracted with a local guide in Rio for two days, 4 people for $350 per day, before boarding the Amsterdam, Rio to Seattle. Is it appropriate/expected to provide an additional tip for the tour guide? Incidentally, this is NOT some tour company, but a single individual who arranges everything. Also, we’ll have a van driver for the trip – is a tip to him appropriate also? It certainly would be in Mexico, but I’m not familiar with the mores in South America.

Yes -- we tipped the bus driver and tour guides when we were in South America.

[nitnyleo]

Some hints on tipping in Brazil can be found here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g294280-s606/Brazil:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html

I would definitely tip the driver. Since the guide is the "owner" of the business, no tip.

[Harry1954]

Some hints on tipping in Brazil can be found here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g294280-s606/Brazil:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html

I would definitely tip the driver. Since the guide is the "owner" of the business, no tip.
Yep, I agree with that conclusion.
harry