Tipping Your Tour Guide

By globedrifters Travel Tips

Tipping Your Tour Guide

Tipping your tour leader or local guide is a topic our travelers often ask us about. Should I tip my tour leader? How much should I tip? When should I leave a tip? Long story short; while tipping your tour leader is never mandatory, we do recommend it. 

Should I tip my tour guide?

Our stance on tipping your tour leader or guide is always noted in the pre-departure notes. We send them before your trip and it says: 

“You are welcome to tip your tour leader at the end of the trip if you are satisfied with the service. If you feel he/she helped make your trip extra special, you can tip more than suggested.”

Globe Drifters does not include tips in the cost of our tours. We believe each traveler can decide how much to tip the guide and others who offer their services. We also believe that automatically including tips does not encourage those in the service industry to offer exemplary service.

Our tour leaders are compensated fairly and above the local standard of living. However, tips are a meaningful way to recognize their exceptional service and enhance their overall earnings, especially in developing countries.

We like to think about it this way… Most of us don’t hesitate to leave a $5+ USD tip for a meal at a restaurant. You’re usually at a restaurant for no more than 2 hours. On our trips, your tour leader is with you all day, every day. He/She always goes above and beyond to make each day of your trip special. You’re typically with your trip leader for 8+ hours a day, so this is why we suggest considering this when tipping your tour leader at the end of the trip.  

We may be biased but our tour leaders are the best. They are always very enthusiastic to share the local culture, society, and history of their country with you. You can also think of them as your local friend! Many of our past travelers have said that the guide was a highlight of their trip.

How much should I tip?

How much you tip your tour leader is always at your discretion, but a general rule of thumb is $10 – $15 USD or the equivalent in the local currency per day. Again, tipping is not mandatory. If you feel your tour leader did not perform his or her duties appropriately, then you are not required to tip. Likewise, if you feel he/she went above and beyond the call of duty to make your trip extra special, then you can tip more.

We always encourage all of our travelers to share feedback, positive and negative, about their tour leaders after the trip. This helps us know what we’re doing well and what we can improve upon.

When should I leave a tip?

We recommend tipping your tour leader in a lump sum at the end of the trip. Many of our past travelers found it useful to bring an envelope or 2 to put a tip in along with a little note.

Why should I tip?

First and foremost, tipping expresses gratitude to your tour leader. It is a way to say thank you for helping you find that must-have souvenir, making that last-minute restaurant reservation for you, and finding you a pain reliever for that sudden headache. Tipping shows that you acknowledge and appreciate all the little extras that the guide did to make your trip one to remember.

Is tipping mandatory?

No, you are not required to tip your tour leader, especially if you are unsatisfied with his/her service. If you feel your tour leader did not properly inform you about tour logistics, explain cultural or historical information, or help you gain insight into his/her country, then you are not required to tip. If your tour leader only did the basic duties of his/her job and you would still like to tip, then $5 per day is acceptable.

However, if your tour leader added special touches and gave you extra attention, then $10 – 15 USD per day is suggested.

The general rule for tipping your tour leader is that it should always be based on the quality of service you received during your tour. It is not mandatory, but it is a great way to express gratitude to your guide if he/she helped you have the trip of a lifetime. Happy travels!

How you Know you Have Been Traveling For a Long Time

By globedrifters Travel Tips

Is one of your habits to live or travel overseas for an extended period of time and then return to your home country? If so, then you can probably relate to these habits. And, of course, these are all true stories from my past 5 years of extensive traveling around the world. I can’t really say where I’ve called home lately, as I’ve been on the move all over for so long. And trust me, I’ve got plenty of stories to tell…

Unusual Toilet Habits 

Your mom/roommate/friends keep wondering why the trash bin in the bathroom is always filled with toilet paper.

Yes… you know you’ve been traveling a while when you instinctively toss toilet paper into the bin instead of flushing it—even after returning home. Old habits die hard when half the world’s plumbing can’t handle TP.

I once forgot and kept apologizing to my friend for “clogging the pipes” even though she lived in New Jersey and her house could survive a hurricane.

When Your Passport Looks Like a Book 

Your passport is filled to the point that you had to get extra pages added for all those visa runs you did.

Nothing screams “I live out of a backpack” like a passport thicker than a paperback novel. I once got grilled by an immigration officer who flipped through my passport like it was a deck of cards, asking, “So… why were you in Cambodia… three times?”

Food Cravings Gone Wild 

When you come back from your travel overseas, you hoard food like it’s nobody’s business and your family/friends think there must be a food shortage overseas since you ordered three main dishes and a dessert at Chili’s and downed it within 10 minutes. Sadly, Chili’s tastes pretty good after not having American-manufactured food and processed cheese in such a long time.

No shame. I once inhaled an entire large pizza and a dozen mozzarella sticks after a year in Southeast Asia. It’s not that the food abroad isn’t delicious—it’s that after a while your tastebuds scream for comfort grease.

Rediscovering the Joy of a Good Shower 

A clean shower with water pressure never felt so good and you will NEVER not appreciate your shower. (might be specific to Southeast Asian countries)

I remember the first time back home standing under a steady, hot shower and thinking: This is luxury. After months of dribbly bucket showers, a real shower feels like a five-star spa treatment.

Fun fact: in parts of rural Asia and Latin America, showers might just be a cold bucket of water and a plastic scoop. You learn fast how to be efficient.

When Stories Don’t Translate 

You tell your friends/family about all the things you saw and experienced, and they stare at you blankly. Then you realize they’ll never get it.

You can try to explain watching thousands of lanterns float into the sky during the lantern festival in Thailand, nearly getting stuck in a tuk-tuk strike in Sri Lanka, or discovering secret noodle joints down Hanoi alleys… and your friends’ eyes glaze over. Once, I tried telling my cousin about a monkey stealing my mango lassi in India. She replied, “Oh… cool.” End of story.

But that’s the thing—you’re not crazy, there are just some things you have to experience to understand.

Rethinking the 9-to-5 Life 

6) You realize very quickly that you do not want to work for the “man,” and rent, car payments, and medical insurance are much cheaper overseas, so you get the hell out of dodge.

You’ve sat on beaches in Bali with digital nomads earning a living while sipping coconuts—and suddenly a cubicle sounds like medieval torture. Many of us become travel junkies because we realize a simpler, freer life is possible.

I once met a guy teaching English in Vietnam who saved more money in a year than he ever did working corporate back home. And he never wore a tie.

(Check out Nomadic Matt’s guide if you’re thinking of ditching the office life, too!)

So if you’ve experienced any of the above or have any other funny examples to share with us, please feel free to comment below! Always looking forward to hearing our fellow travelers’ stories. And remember: “We travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us.” Happy Travels!

Jet Lag is for Amateurs

By globedrifters Travel Tips

How to avoid jet lag when traveling overseas

These days, it seems like more and more people are traveling further and further. Different corners of the globe are now open to exploration. The wonders to be seen are countless, and the high you get from seeing, eating, and experiencing new things is second to none. However, there is one aspect of traveling that may put a damper on the excitement and adventure: jet lag. It is real and it can lay the smack down.

There are a few things you can do to deter or at least minimize the effects of jet lag. Different things work for different people, and what works for some may not work for others. It may take some trial and error to see what methods or advice work for you.

First and most importantly: water, water, and more water!

Get one over-priced, larger bottle of water at the airport and keep it on you when you board the plane. You can always ask the attendant for more water. Instead of those cups for hobbits that they usually give you, ask them to put some fresh water right into your bottle. That way you don’t have to buzz them over every 5 minutes. It’s also convenient because you can keep it on you and you don’t have to worry about a collection of water cups. Drinking water before, during, and after your flight can help with jet lag.

Also, you can bring in your own water bottle and bring it through security empty. Refill it at the water fountain. Nowadays, at many airports they have water filling stations, making it convenient to fill as well as saving you from buying the overpriced water at the airport.

On the consumption tip: food!

You’re about to go on a long trip, and you don’t want to waste all that perfectly good food in your refrigerator. Bring it with you! Ok, so leave the pot roast at home, but as for that handful of baby carrots left? Throw ’em in a zip bag and take them with you in your carry-on. Have an apple that you don’t want to leave rotting away in your crisper drawer? Slice it up and have it as a snack during your flight!

This will give you an excuse to finish off that food sitting in your fridge and to eat healthy. You may even find yourself eating it out of boredom during your flight. You’re going to be eating healthily without even being conscious of it! Score! These healthy snacks beat the go-to airport diet of Dr. Pepper and Combos any day!

In the words of Janelle Monae: Let your booty do that yoga!

Forget looking fly upon your arrival. Go for comfort. Ladies, time to bust out your yoga pants. Guys, go for it, or just some comfortable sweatpants. When you’re on a 10+ hour flight, the last thing you want to wear is those super skinny jeans that cut off your circulation. Loose-fitting, stretchy pants are a must when you’re on a long flight to another country.

You can always change your clothes in the airport bathroom once you’ve collected your luggage at your final destination!

Bring those mini toiletries!

They’re usually around a buck a piece at a Target or Wal-Mart and will come in handy during your travels. A toothbrush and tube of toothpaste will save you from stanky breath during and after the flight. Hand lotion is a necessity. Your hands and skin in general will get very dry in an airplane, so any kind of body cream will quench your skin’s thirst.

This is where the 1st tip (water) is also important. Also on the subject of dehydration—eye drops are sometimes good. I know my eyes get really dry, red, and irritated, especially if I’m awake during the flight. Face wash is also nice to have because you might start to feel pretty grimy. It’s really useful when you’ve got a layover and you want to freshen up.

You won’t step out of the plane looking like America’s Next Top Model, but at least you won’t feel like a total dirtball.

Captain Underpants to the Rescue!

Bringing a fresh pair of underwear and socks is also nice, especially when you have some time to kill during your layover. I know some airports in Asia have places to shower, so a fresh change of undergarments might help you feel cleaner. Regarding clothing, a light jacket or sweater is a good idea. You’ll be up pretty high in the sky, so naturally, it’ll be colder.

You never know when this might happen!

Stand, stretch, repeat!

Sitting for hours on end is uncomfortable and bad for circulation. Every hour or two, get up, take a walk, and do some stretches at the exit row near the bathroom where there is some extra space. This will add some variety to a long, monotonous flight and make you feel more limber and less stiff when you get off the plane.

Asking to be seated in an exit row, if possible, will also give you some more leg room and stretching space.

Follow your dreams…take a nap!

Some people struggle with sleeping on flights, while others are almost asleep before the plane takes off. If you fall into the latter category, then you won’t have a jet lag problem. For those who have a hard time sleeping during flights, prescribed sleeping pills can help you get some shut-eye.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not condoning abuse of sleep aids, but I’m one of those people who cannot sleep on planes. Since I tried it, I’m a much better-rested traveler. You definitely won’t need any kind of medication for a short flight, but let me tell you—a flight from Detroit to Tokyo can be hell if you can’t get a wink of sleep.

For example, if you have a 15-hour flight, a sleeping pill could generally knock you out for a solid 8 hours. Then you can just enjoy the in-flight entertainment for the rest of the time. Try to coordinate your medication with your arrival time so you’re not up all night once you get to your destination.

Also, once you get to your destination, you might be tired, but resist the urge to sleep until it is a normal time to go to bed there. You might wake up in the middle of the night, but if you’re crazy tired, chances are, you’ll get a decent amount of sleep to function like a somewhat normal human being the next day.

Also, red-eye flights are sometimes easier to sleep on because the lights will be turned down and windows will be shut, making it easier to sleep.

You can do it! Psychologically, once you get over the distance, it really is not that bad. Also, on flights to Asia, plane seats typically recline a little bit further, so you’ve got a little added comfort. If flying is really torturous for you, just focus on all the super awesome things you’re going to experience once you’re actually there!

Happy travels!

People Ruin Everything

By globedrifters Travel Tips

The Downsides of Mass Tourism

Seven years ago, I visited Koh Phi Phi, probably the most popular island in Thailand. I went during peak season, and the beaches were packed with tourists. It totally killed the vibe. When I got into the water, I actually wondered, “Is it warm because it’s hot out, or because everyone around me is… well, you know?” That’s just one of the downsides of mass tourism. And trust me, there are plenty more. Let me share what I saw and some tips on how to avoid crowds and travel more responsibly.