Cabo Verde – Tipping Culture
A Complete 2024 Guide to Tipping in The Cabo Verde Islands
Tipping in the Cabo Verde isn’t just about following a set of rules; it’s about understanding the heartbeat of this colourful island nation. Tipping here can be a bit of a mystery for first-time visitors, it was for sure to me! Once I planned where the best place to see the Monte Cara is (a priority!), my next agenda was to learn how to show my appreciation, Cabo Verde style.
In this guide, let me share what I learned about gratuities in this nation. Think of this as your Cabo Verde travel buddy in 2024 – know when to reach for those escudos, how much you need to leave, and even pick up some cultural tidbits I’ve learned along the way.
Heya, My name’s Ethan, I was born and raised in the USA where I got my degree in Anthropology. Since leaving education I have been traveling the world on my “extended gap year” where I am still traveling nearly a decade later! I don’t have a favorite destination as I believe that every country has something unique to offer but my personal favourite continent has got to be Asia!
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Key Takeaways
- Tipping in Cabo Verde is appreciated but not mandatory
- In restaurants, a 10% tip is standard; if a service charge is included, rounding up the bill for exceptional service is optional
- Tip hotel porters 100-200 escudos per bag and housekeeping 200-300 escudos per night
- Rounding up the fare for taxis is common practice
- Use the local currency (escudos) for tipping
- In rural areas, tipping is less expected compared to touristy spots like Sal and Boa Vista
Cape Verdean Tipping Culture In A Nutshell
Tipping in Cabo Verde is incredibly relaxed, much like the islands themselves. Even so, it’s still greatly appreciated.
In restaurants, a basic 10% tip is a good start if the service makes you smile. Some fancier joints can include service charges, so it’s important to review your bill before handing over some tips. If the service charge is present, you won’t need to leave a tip. An advice though: even if there is a service charge, rounding up the bill for excellent service shouldn’t hurt.
Hotels will give you a chance to flex your tipping muscles a bit more. Porters will appreciate 100-200 escudos per bag, while leaving 200-300 escudos per night for housekeeping is nice. As for taxis, rounding up the fare is common practice. For example, rounding up to 500 escudos for a 450 escudo ride is spot on.
Understanding The Cape Verdean Tipping Culture
Cabo Verde was a string of volcanic islands, discovered by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century that became a crucial stop on Atlantic trade routes. This start has left its mark on everything from the food to the language, and yes, even the tipping culture.
Because of the country’s geographical traits, its economy was mostly based on agriculture and fishing. There was also a strong sense of community, with the sharing of resources being the norm. Tipping was basically non-existent and people helped each other out freely because, well, that’s just what you did in a community.
Since gaining independence in 1975, there has been a huge tourism boom in Cabo Verde. The influx of tourists, particularly Europeans, brought in the concept of tipping as well. Today, while still not completely ingrained in your typical Cape Verdean, tipping is appreciated. It’s commonplace in more touristy areas such as Sal or Boa Vista but In rural areas, they still stick to the old ways of being just happy to help without anything in exchange.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Tipping in The Cabo Verde Islands
Here’s a breakdown of the do’s and don’ts so you can tip with confidence and help the friendly locals in the Cabo Verde islands:
| ✅ Do’s | ❌ Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Consider local wages, as the service industry relies on tips | Tip for everything |
| Tip in the local currency | Tip for poor service |
| Discreetly hand the tip directly | Forget to say “obrigado” always |
Exceptions to the Rule
While my quick do’s and don’ts above provide a good foundation for tipping in Cabo Verde, here are a few, sometimes tricky, exceptions you need to keep in mind:
- Many all-inclusive resorts in Cabo Verde factor tips into their package price. Always double-check the details of your chosen packages or simply ask the staff about tipping.
- In very casual, local restaurants or bars, tipping might not be usual. Your best bet is to observe other patrons and follow their lead.
- Generally, tipping isn’t expected for street vendors. However, if you feel they went above and beyond (maybe prepared a special dish for you), a small tip or rounding up the change will bring smiles.
- Fares in metered taxis should be paid according to the meter reading. However, rounding up to the nearest 100 escudos is a touch, especially if the driver was helpful.
How Much Do I Need To Tip?
Again, while tipping in the Cabo Verde Islands isn’t mandatory, these gratuities go a long way in showing your appreciation. Here are my suggested tips for services you might encounter:
| Service | Suggested Tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% of the bill if service charge is not included. If it is, consider rounding up the bill for good service. |
| Taxis | Round up to the nearest whole amount |
| Hotel Porters | 100-200 escudos per bag |
| Hotel Housekeeping | 200-300 escudos per night |
Conclusion
Tipping in Cabo Verde, at the very core, is much more than just closure to a transaction; it’s a way to be able to show the locals in the service industry appreciation and support. Your tip, when paired with a hearty “obrigado,” might just make all the difference in someone’s day. It’s a great way of saying thank you for awesome service and helps in building bonds with the friendly people of these islands.
I hope my guide will help you feel a little more comfy tipping during your time in Cabo Verde. Let your newfound tipping skills serve as a bridge to deeper cultural connections and use those moments of exchanging escudos as opportunities to chat, learn, and engage with the warm and welcoming Cabo Verdean people. Boa viagem, and may your trip to the islands be filled with amazing experiences!
Cape Verdean Tipping Culture: What You Need to Know FAQ
Yes, tipping is appreciated in Cabo Verde, especially in the service industry. While not mandatory, it’s seen as a gesture of satisfaction with the service provided.
In restaurants, a tip of 10% of the bill is standard if you’re happy with the service. For exceptional service, feel free to tip more.
Rounding up the fare to the nearest whole amount is a common practice and always appreciated.
Cabo Verde’s tipping practices are modest compared to some countries. For insights into how it differs, you might find the Finland tipping etiquette and the Greece tipping etiquette interesting. These guides provide a good contrast to Cabo Verde’s more laid-back approach.
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