Tipping in Mexico

[kathyj0205]

I'm sure this has been addressed already somewhere, but we are leaving a day early and I don't have any time to search. But I seem to remember that in Mexico the gratuity is usually included as part of the bill in restaurants, and no additional gratuity is necessary ( if only not to offend!) We tend to be pretty aggressive tippers, but I wondered if we were doing this needlessly. I understand tipping for exceptional service, but just run of the mill. What do others do? I appreciate any input.

Kathy

 

[easyrider]

Service people like wait staff rely on tips for their income. This is even more true in Mexico. 20% is good at restaurants. $1 a beverage at the bar or 20% with multiple drinks on a tab. For better service or location tip the maitre d with at least $10 usd at a regular restaurant and at least $20 at a better restaurant.

Look at the check to see if the "propina " tip has been added to your bill and only give extra if you want. We always leave something cash for the server.

No coins unless accompanied with bills.

Bill

 

[klpca]

We leave soon as well. Thanks for the info Bill.

Also, here's a link to the tripadvisor article:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g150768-s606/Mexico:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html

 

[Passepartout]

No need to tip in taxis, but your grocery bagger gets no pay except tips. 5 pesos minimum to a bag is about right.

 

[kathyj0205]

Thanks for the info. Cabo, here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[oldbuyer]

Typical wages at the resort are $5/day!
Don't forget housekeeping. I tip a min of 50 pesos/day for a (well kept) studio per day of service. (I have maid service come every other day). If you have a family, are sloppy or a larger unit more like 80-100MXN per day of service. Tip each day of service vs weekly as staff sometimes changes during the week. Try to tip in pesos as the staff gets screwed by the resort or bank when they exchange their USD for Pesos.
Some resorts have started collecting a daily tip on your bill that you pay at checkout. These resorts have the wost service (I wonder why). Opt out of paying the resort and tip directly as they appreciate actually receiving their hard earned tips.
If you see a waiter grab his elbow whith his palm then you are a know cheapskate and most likely will get poor service.
If you are going to Cabo tip extra as these folks are in bad shape right now.

 

[bobpark56]

<snip>I seem to remember that in Mexico the gratuity is usually included as part of the bill in restaurants, and no additional gratuity is necessary ( if only not to offend!) <snip>

Kathy

Mebbe so, but at places we have dined over the last 8 years, the propina has rarely been included. Be sure to look, though.

My sense also is that is that in major tourist locations, such as Cancun, you are expected to tip much as you would in the USA. But when elsewhere, 10-15% seems appreciated. As for daily maid service, 40 pesos for 1BR and 50 pesos for 2BR is, I sense, pretty well appreciated.

I do tip Taxi drivers about 10%. Not sure whether that is right, or not. I have seen several suggestions that more might be expected by drivers for airport transfers.

Bellboys at resorts do seem to appreciate tips. Not sure just what the going rate is, but it seems to be a bit less than in the USA...unless they really give you a tour and check-out of your unit.

 

[easyrider]

We leave soon as well. Thanks for the info Bill.

Also, here's a link to the tripadvisor article:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g150768-s606/Mexico:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html

This tip etiquete looks pretty good except in the going tips for fishing trips. We always over tip pangas with one guide about 30% for half day and 20+% for full day unless we catch our targeted fish. In this case we tip more. If the charter catches our bait in the area that we fish we add a bit more. We don't deduct for all the fish we leave behind on the boat.

If we lose gear we pay for it. Those tuna plugs cost a bunch.

We tip full charter boats $100 - $150 unless we hook a monster. In this case we tip more. On charter boats you only tip the Captain and the Captain decides what crew gets a taste unlike in the USA where you feel like tipping everyone but the Captain. Also on the cruisers we pay upfront for extra fuel so we can cruise out to the fishing areas faster.

On taxi's we round up. If the cost is $3.50 we give the driver $5.

Our maids love us. I realize now that we way over tip in this category.

I like to tip the head bell man good off the get go. This usually means that we do get really good service when we need anything later.

I like to tip the pool service really good the first time. This usually means extra drinks and snacks.

Bill

 

[Fern Modena]

I speak Spanish "goodly." Not fluently, but certainly enough to get by. In Mazatlan, Pulmonia drivers really enjoy my attempts, and we've had some interesting almost-conversations Because of this, I often feel comfortable asking them to make a short stop enroute for me (to get something quick at the farmacia, to get an ice cream at Helados Bing, etc). I can actually say "I want to go to ____, please wait for me, and then I want to go to _____." Except, of course that I use real places, and not dashes They have no problem with this, and I pay several dollars extra (perhaps half extra, which is still less than it would cost me for two rides, much less the waiting time).

If I am going directly somewhere, and its not during or just before or after a parade or other big event, I don't tip. It isn't customary to do so in Mazatlan. Oh, and Taxis there are zoned, not metered, so make sure you talk cost before getting in the taxi or pulmonia.

Fern

 

[Passepartout]

On taxi's we round up. If the cost is $3.50 we give the driver $5.

Our maids love us. I realize now that we way over tip in this category.

I like to tip the head bell man good off the get go. This usually means that we do get really good service when we need anything later.

I like to tip the pool service really good the first time. This usually means extra drinks and snacks.

Bill, I can see why you are well loved- or taken for a sucker who doesn't know the customs. While overtipping is probably not hurting you, it does little overall but raise expectations and costs for everyone. I certainly don't advocate stiffing service people, but tipping FAR beyond the normal, or asked for 'propina', creates a false economy. Just like giving the cute little kids who sell Chicklets around the cathedral money- their poverty level mothers will keep them out of school, teach them to beg and in the long run, contribute to their entrenched poverty.

That's a danger for we, first world travelers, going to 2nd or 3rd world destinations. Those little kids I referenced above will benefit far more from a couple of pencils and a pad of paper than a hand full of coins.

Jim

 

[pedro47]

What is a pesos value to the American dollar?

 

[Passepartout]

What is a pesos value to the American dollar?

About 14.8 per. Officially. On the street about 14. At the resort desk, about 13. Ymmv.

 

[cubigbird]

About 14.8 per. Officially. On the street about 14. At the resort desk, about 13. Ymmv.

We were just in Cancun and I saw some retailers and restaurants offering 11.5 pesos per $1....OUCH!!!!! I have found most of the time it is much cheaper to pay in pesos. I'd take some pesos with you. I know some US backs will currency exchange - Chase Bank does it at market with no commission in my town!!!

I used to work in a restaurant so I am fairly liberal on tips - 20% for good service or $1 per drink, sort of like in the US. Good service is worth paying for.

 

[Passepartout]

You'll get the official bank rate at a BANK ATM. All bets are off elsewhere. I saw on OANDA that even the official bank rate has moved from 14.1 per to 14.8 in the last month.

 

[easyrider]

Bill, I can see why you are well loved- or taken for a sucker who doesn't know the customs. While overtipping is probably not hurting you, it does little overall but raise expectations and costs for everyone. I certainly don't advocate stiffing service people, but tipping FAR beyond the normal, or asked for 'propina', creates a false economy. Just like giving the cute little kids who sell Chicklets around the cathedral money- their poverty level mothers will keep them out of school, teach them to beg and in the long run, contribute to their entrenched poverty.

That's a danger for we, first world travelers, going to 2nd or 3rd world destinations. Those little kids I referenced above will benefit far more from a couple of pencils and a pad of paper than a hand full of coins.

Jim

Im thinking at the very least well liked as in friends for the most part. The maid knows us by name at a couple of resorts. At one particular resort we made friends with the pool server who invited us to a beach bbq where we had fun with his friends and family. He has even offered to store my fishing gear. He has been storing my other friends gear for a few years now.

It all started with a decent tip.

And yes, I do more than occasionally give the little kids stuff including coins but I don't take the chiklets. Im not so certain that a pencil or pad would help these people but Im positive that some coins will make them smile. I like these little beggars better than the adult panhadlers I meet in the USA because they actually make me smile.

Im setting the bar higher for the rest of you all I guess.

Bill

 

[Phydeaux]

It is NOT customary to tip taxi drivers in Mexico, unless they've provided some above and beyond service, like waiting for you at an ATM. Just pay the fare.

 

[Maz]

With restaurants in Mexico , 10% is our 15% in the USA. 15% is like tipping 20% in the USA. Taxi drivers are are not tipped unless they have done something beyond delivering you to your destination.

 

[Phydeaux]

With restaurants in Mexico , 10% is our 15% in the USA. 15% is like tipping 20% in the USA. Taxi drivers are are not tipped unless they have done something beyond delivering you to your destination.

Agreed. Good point and accurate re. the 10%.

 

[RFW]

We are in Playa Del Carmen now. 2 of the 4 restaurants where we have had dinner included a 15% gratuity. We do not tip cab drivers, except when they assist with luggage, and always make sure we agree on the fare before getting in the cab.

 

[oldbuyer]

careful- read your bill and confirm the 15% you see listed is not state taxes (yes, they are that high-similar to VAT) and is in fact "propina". If they were taxes you stiffed the waiter(s).

About 3 years ago the resturants were given the option of showing prices with taxes or without. Most resturants (in Cabo) include the state taxes (15%) in the menue prices. Those that do not must print on the menues that the prices shown do not include taxes.

 

[PStreet1]

Taxes went up considerably this year, and it makes a noticeable difference on the bill as we return to restaurants we've frequented for years.

Our experience is that the tip is not included in the bill.