Downeast Maine — Schoodic Peninsula & Acadia National Park

Tipping: {'restaurant_standard': '18-20% (some Bar Harbor restaurants auto-add 20% for parties 6+)', 'lobster_pounds': 'Self-serve counter; tip jar present — $2-5/person appropriate for full meal', 'guides': '$10-20/person for boat/whale watch/lobster boat tours', 'taxi_rideshare': 'N/A in downeast — essentially no ride services'}

Currency: US Dollar (USD)

Card Acceptance: {'bar_harbor': 'Almost universal — including all major restaurants, retail, whale watch operators', 'ellsworth': 'Universal', 'schoodic_towns': 'Most restaurants + shops take cards; some lobster pounds are cash-only', 'schoodic_institute': 'Card-only'}

Essentials:

• Park entrance pass ($35) and Cadillac vehicle reservation printout OR offline screenshot
• All reservation confirmations (offline screenshots + printed)
• ID + travel insurance card
• Cash: $100-150 in small bills for lobster pounds + tip jars
• Reusable water bottle (1 L+) — refill at Hulls Cove visitor center and Schoodic Institute

Clothing:

• 4-5 t-shirts + 1-2 tank tops
• 1 light long-sleeve sun shirt
• 1 medium-weight fleece or pullover (ESSENTIAL — Cadillac sunrise will be 50-55°F with wind)
• 1 packable rain shell with hood (ESSENTIAL — afternoon showers and marine fog drip)
• 2 hiking shorts + 1 lightweight hiking pants (zip-off ideal)

Trip is 9 days anchored at Gouldsboro on the Schoodic Peninsula. Acadia Mt. Desert Island visits are DAY TRIPS from Gouldsboro (60-70 min drive). This is NOT a Portland trip — the practical information is downeast-Maine specific. Plan logistics around driving distance, lobster-pounds-as-meal-strategy, and Schoodic's quieter vibe.