Mexico is favored by many travelers because of the country’s bright and colorful cities, festivals, jungles, cuisine, and beaches. It is also a great destination for those looking for historical and cultural attractions. It is not surprising that you yourself are thinking about traveling to Mexico.

As a tourist, you will have to learn about how to go about tipping in Mexico. This short guide contains the basics about tipping in Mexico.

General Rules

Most service workers in Mexico are very much exposed to the custom of tipping and expect to receive them. No one will fight you if you forget or decide not to tip, but your server will think of you badly.

Mexico is one of those countries where an overwhelming number of employees in the service sector earns a paltry wage and thus have to depend on tips to maintain a decent lifestyle. To them, gratuities are more than just bonuses; they are a need.

Always tip in cash because gratuities charged to credit may not get to your server or attendant personally.

It is okay to tip in US dollars, but USD coins cannot be directly exchanged for pesos, the currency in Mexico. To be safe, have peso tip coins ready in your pocket or purse.

Accommodations

Some resorts, particularly those all-inclusive ones, have a no-tipping policy. Make sure to ask the staff if gratuities are allowed.

Concierges are common mainly in super expensive hotels only, so the high standard gratuity amount for them is not surprising. Tip the concierge 50 to 150 pesos for exceptional work.

Bellhops are generally given anywhere from 25 to 50 pesos by guests for helping out with bags and showing them to their rooms. Meanwhile, porters are tipped 10 to 20 pesos for each bag in most cases.

Tip your housekeeping staff 25 to 50 pesos each day. Note that you must give per day if you are going to tip because it may not be the same staff each time. Tip by leaving the cash on your bed or the bedside table in an envelope.

Dining and Drinking Places

Some restaurants include a service charge in the bill, some do not at all, and some do so only for parties larger than a standard table. The customary range, however, is 10% to 20% if no gratuity is included in the bill.

In bars, patrons typically tip the bartender 10% to 15% of the total bill or 10 to 20 pesos per drink. The same goes for drinks ordered at bars in all-inclusive resorts in Mexico.

Some travelers still tip in low-cost eateries and even food stalls. This is uncommon practice, rarely expected but certainly appreciated.

Transportation

Cab drivers in Mexico are not commonly tipped. However, feel free to give around 10 pesos if they help carry your bags or do anything else that is outside their duty. You can also just round up the fare to the next decent and even amount.

Airport shuttle drivers do not have to be given gratuity, but you may go ahead and give them the same amount as you would give a cab driver for helping out with your luggage.

Guided Tours

The generally accepted amount of tips for tour guides is 10% to 20% of the total cost if it is a day tour. Naturally, these may still change on the basis of whether you are part of a large group or on a private tour, your vehicle, etc.

Others

In Mexico, some grocery store baggers work for tips alone.

Hairstylists are generally tipped 15% of the total bill for a job well done.

Staff at spas is commonly given 15% to 20% in gratuities when they are not added to the final bill. Leave the tip at the front desk, preferably in an envelope.

Tipping is very much commonplace in Mexico, and we advise that you prepare beforehand by having peso coins ready before you even land in this beautiful, sunny country. Do not hesitate to be generous when rewarding great service because your gift will be more than appreciated.

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