tipping in mexico

[mickeyminnie]

we are heading to cancun at the end of the month, first time in mexico, i understand that we need to bring a bunch of 1 dollar bills for tipping, i understand that we will pretty much be tipping everyone we talk to but what I wonder is how much are they expecting? like the baggage handlers, the drink waiters, housekeeping? I don't want to be stingy but I don't want to overtip either you know.

Also besides the fat wad of 1's ( we will be there thurs afternoon through monday morning-- how much for tipping?) should we get some money changed or just use american? Are hotels reliable for currency exchanges or should we do this in advance? And finally travelers checks good idea or not?

 

[4greatboys]

We havent been since 1996 but yes pretty much everyone we crossed paths with expected to be tipped.
We even went on a tour and when our bus stopped for us to see this very old church there were 3 old ladies standing right outside our bus with their hands out. They didnt do anything at all, just wanted a hand out.
They also heavily pushed the timeshares--what a pita.

 

[Big Dude]

Tipping depends a lot on where you are staying. Are you going All Inclusive? If so, what place. Different places have different policies regarding tipping. When I go, I like to get a stack of 2 dollar bills. That way, the service people will remember me as the 2 dollar bill guy. You will experience people expecting a tip as soon as you arrive at the airport.

Let me know where you are staing and I can probably give you some of the answers you want.

Adam aka Big Dude

 

[Sylvester McBean]

we've just stayed at all-inclusive resorts, which heavily discourage tipping onsite. off-site, everything's a negotiation. all people want is your money. kids will come and try to take your bag from you and carry it for a tip. in cancun at night, you'll see 4 years old girls selling trinkets at midnight. don't go overboard on tipping. don't worry about changing currrency, U.S. money is everywhere.

 

[mickeyminnie]

we are actually staying at an Iberostar resort a bit south of Cancun, it is all inclusive, but I have read that tipping is expected there at least for drinks, I suspect it is like vegas, you know the waitress brings the free drinks, but if you ever want to see her again tip well.

I think we will venture into Playa Del Carmen for some shopping and I expect to run into more of that clamoring for tips there, and also the airport and such.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

We even went on a tour and when our bus stopped for us to see this very old church there were 3 old ladies standing right outside our bus with their hands out.

that isn't tipping, that is begging - which you will also see alot of if you venture out into areas of Mexico frequented by tourists to shop or sightsee. The small girls always get to me, I just can't turn them away so I always attract a huge number of them following me around with their huge sad eyes. They are also selling trinkets or small boxes of chicalets or something -- but they really just want money.

Whenever I get drug out into one of those kinds of places, I tend to put a handful of quarters into my pockets to hand out to the kids.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I don't have a problem tipping in an all-inclusive even though they tell you not to. you're getting all you can eat and drink for a great price. and the tips the staff can make during a day is more than what the resort pays them weekly. not to mention, they'll take great care of you. just watch yourself offsite. playa del carmen is a cool place, it's really built up over the last 10 years. practice on your negotiation skills.

 

[icebrat001]

When we went to Mexico we tipped everyone and we tipped them the same as we would anyone here in the states.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

When we stayed all-inlcusive in Cancun we still tipped everyone. We made a lot of friends and were treated like royalty. We got things for free that weren't supposed to be included. It also helped that we tried to speak as much spanish as we could. We had a great time.