A general “rule of thumb” that is realistic, is that if you are receiving service from someone who primarily deals with tourists/anglers – then a small tip (or one that reflects the effort and time) is reasonable.

Of course hardly anyone is going to refuse a tip, but some examples of what is customary maybe:

• Maid in a villa : $5/day total for the group unless there is a lot of laundry or extra cleaning to be done
• Chef/Waitress in a private villa: $25/day for the group between them. The chef is usually the “leader” –so a tip left for him/her would be shared amongst the rest of the team
• Drivers – only expect to tip if they help substantially with luggage ($1/bag), or if they go out of their way to help (run an errand for example)
• Tour guides – maybe 10% of the total cost, or approximately $2/hour spent with them – of course this can vary significantly based on number in the group, quality of narrative etc

Do NOT expect to tip for “professional” services (doctor, bank, modern stores).