To tip or not to tip, that is the question…Lots of people decide not to tip when at an all-inclusive resort and that is based on the fact that resorts often state in their website that tipping is included in your all-in-one price.

If you know anything about the service industry and sharing tips in general, you know that the setup may not work out in your favor as an employee, especially if you give 110% at your job which not all employees do.  Now throw in the fact that resort workers in Mexico often make $300+ USD p/month with their actual salary for working long hours six days a week and you begin to realize that resort workers may count on tips to help pay their bills.

I regularly tip when I stay at an all-inclusive resort.  If I bring USD because I just didn’t have time to get pesos prior to my trip, I always make sure the bills I bring are without excessive wear and tear and without tears/rips.  Worn and damaged bills cannot be exchanged for pesos in Mexico.

Timing is important when tipping at a resort.  If you tend to give larger tips right away, that is no guarantee that you will get excellent service.  For staff like waitresses, bartenders, etc. I give them a small tip after they have given me something, but I typically hold out on larger tips until after I’ve seen them give consistently good service.  The only exception to this is when you are in a large line for drinks–give a big tip right at the start to the main bartender if you want good service at a particular bar for the evening; your chances of getting served without a long wait when you walk up to that bar increase dramatically.  I’ve seen guests flash larger USD bills at bartenders in such situations (no waiting in lines for them) and they have gotten the bartender’s attention and promptly served. Money still talks.

Here’s who I tip and how much–if you decide to tip, use your own judgment about who gives the best service and act accordingly.

• it is expected to tip your shuttle driver–the longer the drive the more tip you are expected to give.  Of course, if the driver is surly and drives in an unsafe manner, that would affect your tip.  I consistently use USA Transfers for my shuttle company (airport to resort and hotel to hotel) and all their drivers over the years that I have had have been courteous, friendly, on-time, and absolutely have deserved a good tip.  I tip my shuttle driver around $6 from the airport to the Hotel Zone for two people with minimal luggage, and when I travel deep into the Riviera Maya (sometimes those drives can be 90+ min.), a typical tip would be around $12+ depending on various factors.
• when arriving at a resort I give a dollar or two to the initial bellhop who handles my bags and/or escorts me to the check-in desk. The total amount depends on the number of bags, however.
• the staff who escorts me to my room with my bags and gives me a room tour I give $3-$5 depending on the effort of the tour.
• butlers–depends on the effort given over the course of the stay.  I give tips to butlers commensurate on their attentiveness.  Very attentive butlers get $40+ for a typical four night stay.  I’ve read about guests tipping good butlers $100+ at the end of their week’s stay for good service.
• maids–I give $3-$6 p/day depending on the type of resort and service.  Maids at luxury resorts with lots of things to clean obviously get more.
• mini-bar–I only tip the mini-bar attendant when I want to personalize my mini-bar.  Only want more waters and Coke cans?  Then leave a couple of dollars inside your mini-bar along with a note.
• bartenders and waitresses–see above for my suggestion.
• waiters at meals–I have to admit I rarely give tips at  buffet breakfasts (a la carte breakfasts are different since you receive more breakfast items by the waiter).  They bring me my orange juice and tea and that’s it.  If they do something special then I will tip $1.  Lunch waiters I give $2-$3, dinner waiters I give $8-$10+ depending on the service and number of courses.
• When I leave a resort I tip $2 to the bellhop who has watched my bags or hefted them into my departing shuttle.
• room service–I always tip $5+ for every room service delivery depending on the order.  The more food on the tray means a larger tip.

Did I leave anyone out?  Do you tip at an all-inclusive resort? Leave a comment below and give us your thoughts.  Also, here’s a short video made by some very learned expats who have lived in Mexico for quite some time.  If you are thinking of moving to Mexico watch some of their videos, they have excellent info to give on the matter.