Well our departure for CR is looming HUGE on the horizon. I've read that tipping is not always necessary, but this subject is always soooooo confusing in foreign countries. I've worked as a waitress in the past, so I know that some people really rely on tips. So here are my questions in that regard:

Should we tip a private driver?
Are housekeeping personnel generally tipped at lodging locations?
How much tip, if any, should be given to taxi drivers?
Do bills for meals really cover all tips for servers?
For hikes/tours with guides, should they be tipped?

As always your feedback is greatly appreciated!

Yes, tip a private driver. We usually give around 15%. For meals, check your bill, but they usually include a 10% gratuity in the bill. For good service, we usually leave a couple of extra dollars on the table. We tip taxi drivers an extra couple of dollars. A few years ago they seem surprised, and nowadays not so much. I think that's becoming more common. I have noticed when we give them a tip that they'll often give us a business card and want us to use them again. We tip maids about a dollar a day. I tip guides for good personalized service, usually $10-20 depending on the experience we had with them. I don't think there are any set rules, but this is what has worked for us.

We do same as VG has outlined. Some lodges where meals are included will also have a general tip jar on a table in the dining room for wait staff. We leave $10 or so, depending on length of stay, number of meals, etc.

OK...so u say guides that were especially helpful...$10 to $20, but how many people would that cover? It doesn't seem to make sense to tip the same for 2 people as opposed to a family of say 6. Hate to be picky, but it can add up fast and I hate to tip when it is not expected, especially if I overtip. I was a waitress in college, so it's hard to recondition myself when I'm out of the country.

And one more thought on the guides...are you referring to private guides, e.g. your party only, or guides that are leading a group...or is that irrelevant.

I tip private guides and group guides the same, just depends upon our experience with them. I don't know that I would tip that much more for 6 people vs. 2 people because the job that the guide is doing is the same. Really up to your individual preference though; there aren't any hard and fast rules.

Wow, I guess I've been really overtipping my housekeepers! I usually leave about $5 a day -- and I like to leave it daily in case it's not the same person every day. I don't know, I guess I just feel like they'll take better care of us -- plus, it's not the easiest job in the world. And I'll feel better about actually leaving things messy instead of tidying up for the housekeeper! I have issues...

plum, if you can afford it, I'm sure they appreciate it. I was talking to one of our guides, and we got to know him pretty well - talked about wages, cost of rent, etc. He said his monthly rent was only $100 a month, but get this, he only made $10 per day.

plum,
I have a pretty messy house but I'm one of those crazy people that leaves hotel rooms pretty straightened up when I leave for the day. Don't actually make the beds, but pull up the covers and don't leave stuff all over the place...so u see we all have issues...just different.

Yeah, I think I got that amount from one of those websites like Ask.com or something -- maybe? Or maybe I just made it up. In any case, we've always had super nice housekeepers at all the places we've stayed at, so I'm fine with showering them with the big bucks!