Money, M-Pesa and tipping
Kenyan shillings, cards, ATMs and the mobile money system that runs the country. Plus a sensible guide to tipping.
Currency and cash
Kenya uses the Kenyan shilling (KES). Larger hotels and restaurants accept Visa and Mastercard, but small shops, tuk-tuks and markets are cash only. ATMs are available in Watamu village and plentiful in Malindi. Carry small notes for day-to-day spending.
M-Pesa
M-Pesa is mobile money used by almost everyone in Kenya. You can pay for anything from a coconut to a hotel bill. Visitors can register with a Safaricom SIM card and a passport; it takes about ten minutes and makes life much easier.
Tipping
- Restaurants: around 10 percent if service is not already included.
- Boat crews and guides: a tip per group of a few hundred to a thousand shillings for a half day is appreciated, more for a full day.
- Safari driver-guides: budget roughly 1,000 to 2,000 KES per day per group, more if they were exceptional.
- Hotel staff: a shared tip box is common; ask reception.
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