Tipping

Bolivia is not a tipping culture, but expect to pay for small favors and "help" everywhere. In restaurants, a tip of 5% to 10% is in order if you are happy with the service. Taxi drivers do not expect tips unless you hire them for the day, in which case 10% is appropriate. Airport porters expect (Bs)5 per baggage cart they handle. Shoeshine boys, who pop up out of the cracks in the pavement on every corner, will try to charge you 10 times the going rate of (Bs)1–their roguish smiles may persuade you to tip more. Car watchers (someone who offers to watch your parked car for you) can be annoying, but it’s advisable to accept their offer–again, (Bs)1 is standard for this "service."