How to tip in Mexico? The rules are similar to those in the United States, with a few variations.
In both countries, service workers—especially restaurant employees—rely on tips to make up for low wages.
So make sure to budget for gratuities and have cash on hand to reward waiters, hotel staff, bartenders, and tour guides.
Tipping in the local currency, pesos, is of course the most convenient option for the recipient, but you can also dole out U.S. dollars. If you do that, use bills, not coins, because the latter are difficult to exchange.
In Bars and Restaurants
If you see a charge labeled IVA on your final bill, the restaurant has applied Mexico’s 16% value-added tax (IVA stands for “impuesto al valor agregado”), which goes to the government, not the waitstaff.
To show your appreciation for the meal, tip your server around 15%. Raise that up to 20% if you were wowed. Note that some establishments automatically charge a service fee, so keep an eye out so that you don't tip twice.
Bartenders should get 20 pesos (about $1) per drink or 10%–20% of the total bill.
At Hotels and All-Inclusive Resorts
For carrying your luggage to your hotel room, give porters 40 to 50 pesos (about $2–$3).
Leave the same amount—40to 50 pesos (about $2–$3)—for the housekeeping staff each time your room is cleaned.
Standard tipping procedure at all-inclusive resorts on the Riviera Maya and in other beachy areas is less clear-cut.
Many hoteliers claim that when they say everything is included in your nightly rate, that means gratuities are covered right along with your hotel room and round-the-clock feedings at the shrimp buffet.
Still, you might want to show your appreciation to waiters and bartenders who don’t water down your margarita. Something in the range of 10%–15% should do it if they’re already getting a service charge.
For hotel porters and housekeeping staff at all-inclusive resorts, plan to follow the same tipping procedure as in traditional hotels, as described above.
Note, however, that some all-inclusive resorts don't permit the majority of employees to accept tips. At Sandals and Beaches resorts, for example, only butlers, tour guides, and massage therapists are allowed to accept gratuities.
It's wise to familiarize yourself with your resort’s gratuities policy before your trip to avoid over- or under-doing it.
On Day Tours
Give tour guides an extra 15%–20% on top of the cost of excursions to express your gratitude for being shown wonders such asChichen Itza or Mexico City’s street food.
In Taxis
Here’s one place where tipping customs in the U.S. and Mexico diverge. Cab drivers in Mexico don’t expect tips in most cases.
If a driver helps with your luggage, though, it’s polite to give 10 or 20 pesos (about $0.60–$1) per bag.
After all, nobody likes a peso pincher.
Need help deciding where to go in Mexico? Check out our roundup of the country's most magical villages.
FAQs
To show your appreciation for the meal, tip your server around 15%. Raise that up to 20% if you were wowed. Note that some establishments automatically charge a service fee, so keep an eye out so that you don't tip twice. Bartenders should get 20 pesos (about $1) per drink or 10%–20% of the total bill.
Do you tip if gratuity is included all-inclusive? ›
With gratuities included, you have the freedom to choose whether you want to tip or not, and if you do decide to, they can be tipped the amount that feels right to you based on the service you received. Under no circ*mstances, however, should you ever feel pressured to tip in an All Inclusive resort.
Do you tip tour guides in Mexico? ›
Tour guides, however, should always get a tip
No matter if you're part of a big group tour or a highly customized private tour, your tour guide is doing a lot of legwork and definitely should be tipped. For large group tours, 100 pesos per person is plenty.
Do you tip at a restaurant at an all-inclusive resort? ›
While tipping may not be required at some all-inclusive resorts, many guests prefer to do so. In the event that you would like to tip staff during your all-inclusive vacation, it is important to find out in advance whether staff would even be allowed to accept those tips.
How much to tip hotel staff in Mexico? ›
Tipping in hotels in Mexico City
If you're staying in a hotel in Mexico City it's standard practise to tip between 10-20%. In top end hotels with high service levels you'll likely want to tip a range of staff, such as maids, bellboys, valets and front desk employees.
Is it rude to not tip if gratuity is included? ›
Others may automatically include gratuity when the bill is drawn. If either of these instances is the case, then no, you do not need to tip on top of this price. However, if the service was exceptional and you had a wonderful experience, an additional tip is never a bad idea.
Should you tip room service if gratuity is included? ›
Virtually all hotels add the gratuity to the bill for room service, generally 15-18%. I sometimes add a couple of bucks more if the service was particulary good, or the server was particularly friendly, but that is certainly not necessary.
Is it rude not to tip a tour guide? ›
Basic tipping etiquette says, yes, you should tip your tour guide. There are exceptions if your specific tour experience includes gratuities or you simply didn't have a good time, but in general, tipping your guide at the end of the tour is customary in the U.S. and Europe, though it's much more common in the States.
Is it better to tip in USD or pesos in Mexico? ›
In most tourist areas in Mexico, it is acceptable to tip in either pesos or dollars, though pesos are more practical for the person being tipped. If you do tip in dollars, be sure to only tip using notes and not coins as coins cannot be exchanged.
Is tipping expected in Mexico all-inclusive? ›
Do I Need to Tip at an All-Inclusive Resort? While tipping is a discretionary and optional gesture, at all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and others, it is certainly encouraged.
People to consider tipping include servers, bartenders, housekeeping staff, pool attendants, shuttle drivers, bellhops, cart drivers, spa employees, and activity staff or guides. If there's a kids' club that your child is especially fond of, you might even consider leaving something for the staff there.
Which all-inclusive resorts have a no tipping policy? ›
Sandals and Beaches want to ensure all guests receive a quality resort experience, regardless if they tip, so with few exceptions Sandals and Beaches have a no tipping policy.
Are you supposed to tip hotel maids? ›
According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), guests should tip housekeeping anywhere between $1 to $5 per night for a mid-range or business hotel. For luxury hotels where the staff offers daily cleaning services and nightly turndown services, guests should leave a little more.
Is $5 a good tip in Mexico? ›
In Mexico, a good rule of thumb for tips is to leave 10-15% of the bill. 50 pesos would be a standard tip for a bill that was around 500 pesos. For example, if you go out for dinner and get drinks, you should expect to spend around 400 MXN. That would mean your tip would be between 40-60 MXN.
Do you tip bathroom attendants in Mexico? ›
Bathroom Attendants
Sometimes there is no fee, but you will encounter women in the restroom handing out toilet paper and paper towels and performing light cleaning. It's customary to tip these women a few pesos.
Do you tip cab drivers in Mexico? ›
Most taxi drivers in Mexico do not expect a tip. However, if your driver helps you with your luggage, it is courteous to tip around 10 pesos. This standard also goes for Airport Shuttle Operators. A 10 peso tip is typical if you are helped with your bags.
Should I tip if gratuity is already added? ›
Tipping on top of a 20% automatic gratuity is not required. The automatic gratuity is intended to cover the customary tip. However, if you feel the service was exceptional, you are welcome to tip additionally.
Are gratuities included in all-inclusive? ›
At most all-inclusive resorts, the cost of gratuity is usually included into your overall rate.
Do you tip caterer if gratuity is included? ›
Gratuity: Echoing the previous point, if gratuity is already included on the bill, you're not obligated to pay an additional tip, though you may if you feel the service was exemplary. Quality of service: If there are no charges incorporated into the bill, then you must determine how good you felt the service was.
Do you tip on a cruise if gratuity is included? ›
While the automatic service charges will cover their basic gratuities, it's generally considered good form to tip them a bit extra for a job well done, especially if you have made any special requests. Should you choose to, for a seven-night cruise, consider tipping about $2 to $3 per person, per day.
