Tipping in Tenerife: How Much to Tip in 2026
The short answer
Tipping in Tenerife is not mandatory: service is included in the price, as everywhere in Spain. Still, in the tourist areas it is common to leave 5–10% in restaurants when the service was good, and to round up or leave the change in bars and cafés.
How much to tip in Tenerife
| Situation | What's usual |
|---|---|
| Coffee or drink at the bar | Round up or leave the small change |
| Beach bar (chiringuito) | Round up, or €1–2 for table service |
| Restaurant meal | 5–10% for good service |
| Taxi | Round up the fare |
| Airport transfer driver | €1–2 per person, or round up |
| Hotel housekeeping | €1–2 per night, left at the end of your stay |
| All-inclusive bar staff | €1–2 now and then is appreciated |
| Teide tour or whale-watching trip | €3–5 per person for the guide or crew |
These are customs, not rules. Nobody expects a tip for a quick coffee, but in a restaurant with friendly, attentive service a tip is noticed and valued.
Tipping in Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos and Puerto de la Cruz
In the south (Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos) restaurants serve international guests all day, and a 5–10% tip for good service is normal. In Puerto de la Cruz and in Santa Cruz or La Laguna, where more locals eat out, people tend to round up or leave a few euros rather than a percentage.
Tours and boat trips
Guided trips up Mount Teide and whale and dolphin watching boats from Los Cristianos or Puerto Colón are among the most popular excursions. If the guide or crew made the day special, €3–5 per person at the end is a common thank-you. For private tours or full-day trips, some visitors leave a little more.
What if you have no cash?
Most visitors in Tenerife pay by card or phone, and card machines in Spain usually don't offer a tip option. Without coins it's hard to leave anything, so many guests end up saying *"sorry, no cash"*, even when they wanted to tip.
Some venues now have a tipping QR code on the table: you scan it, choose who served you and tip with Apple Pay or Google Pay in a few seconds.
Your guests want to tip but have no cash?
With StarTip they tip with Apple Pay or Google Pay by scanning a QR code. Try it free for 1 month, no card needed.
Try 1 month free →Frequently asked questions
Do you tip in Tenerife? Tipping is optional. In tourist areas, 5–10% in restaurants for good service and rounding up in bars is common.
How much should I tip in a restaurant in Tenerife? Around 5–10% of the bill if you enjoyed the service. For a set lunch menu, €1–2 is normal.
Do you tip in all-inclusive hotels in Tenerife? It isn't expected, but €1–2 for bar staff and €1–2 per night for housekeeping is a kind gesture.
Can I tip by card in Tenerife? Usually not on the card machine. Leave coins, ask whether the tip can be added, or use the tipping QR code if the venue has one.
Your guests want to tip but have no cash?
With StarTip they tip with Apple Pay or Google Pay by scanning a QR code. Try it free for 1 month, no card needed.
Try 1 month free →