Rules for Tipping in Cancun - Visitors Guide

Learn all about tipping in Cancun. Planning a trip and going to Cancun can be an intimidating experience and one of the biggest questions travelers are left with is how much to tip. Get all your answers here on tipping in Cancun, including when it’s necessary, how much you should give for each situation, and more! 

Is it customary to tip in Cancun?

It is customary and expected for travelers to tip in Cancun, Mexico. The majority of workers rely on tips as a primary source of income due to their limited wages. When tipping, it’s best practice to use either Mexican Pesos or US Dollars since they are the easiest currencies to exchange and utilize. Furthermore, please bear in mind that bills rather than coins should be used when giving gratuity so the receiver can better benefit from your generosity.

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When vacationing in Cancun, Mexico, tipping is expected and the amount can vary based on your experience. To make gratuity a bit simpler for travelers, we have outlined a general guide on customary amounts to tip throughout your stay in this beautiful destination.

When it comes to tipping, here are some suggested amounts:

• Tour Guides – give 10-20% of the total cost as a tip for their service. 
• Taxi Drivers – if they help you out with your bags, show your appreciation by giving 10 Pesos for each bag.
• Waiters and Waitresses – when paying the bill in a restaurant, do check it first in case there’s already a service charge included; but generally speaking, aim to leave around 10-20%.  
• Bartender – when out in a bar reward your bartender with $1 per round of drinks.
• Concierge staff members – at your hotel and resort deserve another few bucks (around 5) when they manage to get you into fully booked specialty restaurants without an issue!
• Bellmen – consider rewarding them between $1 and $3 per bag carried up or downstairs
• Housekeepers – usually 1-5 Dollars is appreciated for attending to any special requests that may arise during your stay at their premises
• Pool Boys/Girls– If they reserve a prime spot on the poolside just for you then don’t forget about leaving them 5 dollars too!

Restaurants 

In Cancun, wait staff members typically make approximately $2.17 per hour in addition to gratuity. The general rule of thumb is to tip between 10-20% depending on the size of your bill and how satisfied you were with the service received. Before tipping, always double-check if a surcharge has already been added – if not, we advise that you leave at least a minimum 10%-20%, based off what level of service was provided.

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In Bars and Clubs

When ordering drinks at your all Inclusive Resorts Hotel or in the renowned Party and Club Zone of Cancun, it’s expected to tip about $1 per round. To receive more prompt service, we highly suggest tipping the same bartender every time. Usually, if you give an extra buck, they will be sure to make your drink stronger for you!

Taxis and other transportation

While it’s not necessary to tip a Taxi driver, if they help you with your bags, we suggest giving them 10 Pesos per suitcase.

Tour Guides

If you’re visiting Cancun, your tour guide will be depending on tips for the majority of their income. This means that at the end of your tour, they’ll expect a gratuity – we recommend tipping 10-20% according to how satisfied you were with your experience! And don’t forget about any drivers involved in your trip either – $2 per day would be an appropriate tip for them too.

Resorts and Hotels

If you ask for a Bellhop to greet and carry your suitcases, be sure to tip them 20-55 Pesos per bag. Housekeeping staff should also receive 20-60 Pesos daily as a way of thanking them for their services; if any additional requests are made from the mini bar or otherwise, it is recommended that an extra gratuity is given too.

Grocery Stores

A common practice in Mexican Grocery stores is tipping the baggers who put your groceries into bags. These individuals are not store employees and receive no salary other than tips from customers, so it’s customary to give 10-20 Pesos for a few grocery bags. This way, you can show your appreciation for their help while also showing gratitude towards their hard work!