Understanding when and where to tip in Mexico can sometimes be difficult, especially if it’s your first time in Mexico. We are Americans so we are no strangers to tipping, but we learned a thing or two about tipping in Mexico after living in Playa del Carmen.
We’ve put together this guide to tipping in Mexico to help you know who to tip and how much totip.
Quick Answer
Do you tip in Mexico? Yes, a standard tip for most service work in Mexico is 10%.
We have tried to cover all cases that visitors may run into while traveling to Mexico and have services that might require a tip. In Mexico, tips are always appreciated and sometimes very much expected.
You can tip in major currencies like US Dollars, Euros, and Canadian Dollars. However, it is best to tip in Mexican Pesos or US Dollars. These are the easiest for the service providers to use and exchange.
Tipping at All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico
If you aren’t staying at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico skip this section as it won’t apply to you. Tipping at all-inclusive resorts varies by resort. There are some all-inclusive resorts will a no-tipping policy, where if you try to tip the employees will not pick it up but there are some resorts there is a no-tipping policy but staff will accept them.
If you’re staying at a tipping policy you will know and it’s best to have some dollar bills with you as you’ll find yourself getting your drinks faster this way, but this is a prime example of why some resorts don’t allow it they want all guests treated the same.
At the Riu Resorts you’ll definitely see people tipping, but places like Sandals Resorts it’s a strict no-tipping resort. When we stayed at the Grand Palladium we rarely saw tipping at restaurants.
Suggested Tip
- Restaurants: $1-3 per meal per table
- Bartender: $1 per round of drinks
- Bellmen: $1-3 per bag / 20-50 pesos
- Housekeeper: $1-5 a day, if you have special minibar requests tip extra
- Pool Boys: $5 if they save you prime chairs by the pool
- Concierge: $5 if they get you into a fully booked specialty restaurant
*When looking for the best price and biggest selection of hotels check prices on Booking.com, we’ve found they are the best option and have a great cancelation policy.*
Shuttle Bus Driver Tipping
If you’re staying at an all-inclusive you’ll most likely have a shuttle bus from the airport to the resort arranged. If you’re flying into Cancun and looking at how to get to Tulum a private shuttle is the easiest, fastest, and often the cheapest option.
In order to get the best price book online here, you won’t get the same price at the airport. They offer shuttles from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cancun hotel zone, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Akumal, Holbox, Puerto Moreles, and Puerto Aventuras.
Suggest Tip: 50-100 pesos= $2.50 -$5 per person
What to tip at a Restaurant in Mexico?
The amount of tip will depend on the type of restaurant. In some places, tips are expected, and in others, you might offend if you leave a tip. Here is how to navigate the tipping customs at restaurants in Mexico.
Sit Down Restaurant
Waiters in Mexico get paid very similar to those in the USA – very little. Waiters on average make $2.13 an hour and depend on tips. We try and tip 15% depending on how large the bill was and the quality of service.
We would always suggest tipping a minimum of 10% at restaurants in Mexico. Make sure to check the bill and see a service charge for gratuity was included, several higher-end restaurants will include this on the bill. If you are ever uncertain about a charge on a bill just ask the waiter or cashier.
On our most recent trip to Playa del Carmen in February 2021 at every sit-down restaurant, we’ve been able to use our credit card (even our favorite restaurant in Playa del Carmen El Fogon) and add on the tip (propina in Spanish). The waiter will either show you the machine’s screen or ask you how much percent you’d like to add for the tip they’ll have preset options of 10/15/20%, or you can choose a specific amount in pesos.
Suggested Tip:
- 150-170 peso bill= $2-3 or 30 pesos
- 400 peso bill= $3-4 or 60-80 pesos
Relate Article: Best Restaurants in Playa del Carmen
Beach Club
Most beach clubs in Mexico will have waiters that will come out take your order and serve you at your beach chair. You should tip them like sit-down restaurant waiters or even better if they gave you a good deal.
Beach clubs typically have a minimum consumption charge per person. For example at Xpu Ha Beach at Serenity Camp Beach Club it’s 500 pesos per person which is easily consumed with a few drinks and lunch. Sometimes places will say the seats are only for hotel guests because they are busy and if they give you a chair make sure to throw them an extra 100-300 pesos.
Make sure the tip isn’t automatically charged and on the bill already, beach clubs in Tulum often add it.
Suggested Tip:
- 1,000 pesos bill= $6-8 or 150 pesos
Local Restaurant
Some of the best food you’ll find in Mexico comes from small casual eateries full of local people. At these types of places, a 10% tip is customary. Avoid over-tipping in order to fit in. When we visit the best tacos in Playa del Carmen restaurant El Fogon we usually tip closer to 20% because we love it there and have come to know the wait staff. Usually, our bill is around maybe 400 pesos so we will tip about $4 USD which is still a crazy deal for the food.
Suggested Tip: 10% of the total bill
Street Food Vendor
Street tacos in Mexico are some of the best and you’ll get a taste of authentic Mexican tacos. It is not customary to tip a street food vendor in Mexico. Grab a plate of cheap tacos and sit on plastic chairs or the curb and chill with the locals. Make sure to have pesos and smaller bills are best.
Suggested Tip:None or round up and leave a few pesos
Related Article:
Fast Food Restaurants/Coffee Shops
No need to tip at fast-food restaurants or coffee shops like McDonald’s, Starbucks, KFC, etc. If a server doesn’t come to your table no need to leave a tip.
Suggested Tip: None
Tipping at Bars in Mexico
How much to tip in Mexico at bars will vary from bar to bar. If you’re at a beach club in Playa del Carmen or a sit-down place, gratuity will most likely be added to your bill and there is no reason to add an additional tip.
We always suggest tipping on the first drink around 10 pesos and then seeing how the service is when you go back. If you find yourself sitting at the bar chatting with the bartender for a few hours and you’ve had a few rounds leave 50 pesos or so.
How Much To Tip: $1 or 10 pesos for 2 beers
What to tip Taxi Drivers in Mexico
We personally try and avoid taking taxis in Mexico, as they are typically a hassle to get a reasonable price. If you think you got a good deal then a small tip is fine, but just a small tip of 10-20 pesos for a short ride.
If you think you got a terrible price try and have the exact change. Avoid over-tipping taxi drivers as this will lead to higher prices.
Suggested Tip: 90 pesos fare= 10 pesos tip
Tipping Bell Boys in Mexico
If you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico or a nicer hotel they will most likely send the bags to your room. If you’re there to tip great, if not don’t sweat it. When deciding what to tip we always suggest factor in if there were several flights of stairs the bell boy carried your bag or was it raining out, etc. You
Suggested Tip: $1-3 per bag / 20-50 pesos
Tipping Housekeeping in Mexico Hotels
Tipping housekeepers in Mexico hotels are just like any other place. Some hotels will have an envelope for you to place a tip, if there is one then the housekeepers expect tips. If there is no envelope make sure to leave the money in an obvious spot for them or leave a note saying “Thank You” that way they know the money was left for them to take.
You could leave your tip daily or at the beginning of the trip but if you wait to tip to the end you possibly would have gotten better service during your trip had the housekeeper known about the tip.
Suggested Tip:
- 1 night stay: $1-3 or 20-50 pesos
- 7 night stay: $10-15 or 200-300 pesos
Related Article: Bacalar – Mexico’s Hidden Gem
Tipping at the Spa in Mexico
If you just had an amazing massage and left feeling like $1,000,000, wouldn’t you feel guilty not tipping something? I would! If you are staying at the resort check the bill and see if gratuity was added, and if it was it’s really up to you to leave extra. I would also tip at least 10% but up to 20% if the massage was amazing and they listened to the areas & pressure I wanted.
For example, My last spa visit was to Quinto Elemento Spa on CTM & 20 where I had a facial, 1-hour full body massage, and 3o min foot massage. My total was $1,690 pesos and rounded up to $2,000 with tip.
Suggested Tip: 500 pesos bill= 50-100 pesos tip
What to tip a Tour Guide in Mexico
When hiring a guide at Tulum Ruins or go on a cenote snorkeling trip you should always tip the guide and for longer trips the driver as well. If you had an amazing day and your tour guide was full of useful information you should thank him with a tip.
If your trip just has someone that drives you from one attraction to another and gives you a ticket, etc. then just tip the driver. Now if the driver drives like a madman and you ask him to slow down and he doesn’t then I wouldn’t tip him.
Related Article: Diving in The Pit Cenoteand Cenote Calavera aka The Temple of Doom
Suggested Tip Guide: $5-10 per person for a full day tour
Suggested Tip Driver: $1-3 per person
Musicians
Dining out in Mexico it’s very common for local musicians andmariachi bands to come in and play. After a song or two, they will walk around with a hat/cup for you to place a tip. We typically leave a little something or more if they were really good. Themariachi bands will sometimes come over to your table and you can say no thank you but if you let them play they will expect a tip.
Related Article: Things to do in Merida Mexico
Suggested Tip: 10-20 pesos for playing to the general restaurant
Suggested Tip: 20-50 pesos for a Mariachi band playing a song at your table
Gas Station Attendant
We always head off on some Playa del Carmen day trips and rent a car so we can explore on our own. Before returning the rental car you’ll need to fill up with gas. In Mexico, gas stations are full service so they’ll pump your gas for you as well as wash the windows.
When filling up we always suggest having the exact change and then a few pesos for a tip. It’s another one of those odd places where you tip in Mexico that we haven’t seen other places in the world.
Watch out for scams – Make sure to read this article Renting a car in Mexico so you know about potential gas station scams in Mexico.
Suggested Tip: 10 pesos or leftover coins from your purchase
Grocery Baggers
This is a strange one to get used to. After living in Playa del Carmen for a few weeks we noticed the locals would tip the person who bagged their groceries at Walmart or Mega.
We later learned that most of these people were not employees but they worked for tips. Everyone tips them, even the locals who don’t have a lot to spare. We typically gave them whatever small coins we had, it would range from 5 pesos to 20 if we had a bunch of bags.
Suggested Tip: 5-20 pesos perpurchase depending on the number of grocerybags
Hair Stylists/Barbers
If you’re having a destination wedding in Mexico or living there as an ex-pat you’ll find yourself at the hair salon in Mexico. Salons in Mexico are really reasonably priced, on average leave a 10% tip to the stylist.
Suggested Tip: 200 pesos bill = 20 pesos tip
Bathroom Attendants
You won’t see bathroom attendants all the time but here and there you’ll find them at attractions, restaurants/clubs, and a few hotels. If there is a tip jar and you can tell that their work station is the bathrooms and they are in there the whole time I’d definitely tip them.
Can you imagine being in the bathroom for hours? If you frequent the bathroom several times in the night you don’t need to tip every time. They’ll be super appreciative.
Suggested tip: 5-20 pesos = $0.25-$1
Places in Mexico to Visit Before or After Playa del Carmen
If you’ve got more time to explore Mexico there are some gorgeous places in Mexico nearby you should check out. If you can’t on this trip consider them on your next trip. Make sure to check out some of our other Mexico articles to fuel your wanderlust.
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We hoped we broke down the tipping culture in Mexico for you. Do you live in Mexico and have any other suggestions on who to tip in Mexico?
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