tipping at an all-inclusive resort

[Deleted]

We are going to Mexico next week and staying at a nice all-inclusive! :drink:

They state that gratuities are included but we will tip for exceptional service. When and how much would you tip? Are dollars okay or should I convert?

[sporky]

We usually tipped the servers who brought drinks by the pool a few dollars. That got us great service and a steady stream of drinks all day long. We did also sometimes give a tip to restaurant servers who did a great job. I'm pretty sure we just used USD$ both AI trips we took.

[birdmom]

At the all inclusive that we stayed at, they would not accept tips. We upgraded to a suite with a butler, and they accepted tips, so we tipped them.

[definitelyO]

we tipped the pool drink guy at our AI in Puerto Vallarta. just a few USD here and there. he accepted (who knows if he was supposed to or not) but we got top shelf and continual service. so it was worth it.

[ladygrey]

On our HM in Mexico, we tipped a few bucks for the beach waitresses. They worked their butts off, slogging through hot sand in the scorching sun!

We only tipped at the restaurants if we received exceptional service.

[makingithappen]

The one we stayed at also did not accept tips

[mollybrown]

We only tipped the housekeeping staff. We had 2 kids with us that made extra special messes, and they went above and beyond by doing things like washing the bottles.

[rageragerage]

We did tip bartenders and housekeeping when we stayed in Cancun. We always left USD.

[pamela]

USD are okay. Most of the restaurants/stores in Cancun took them too.

[protozoa]

Dollars are good. We always tip bartenders, servers, spa workers, bellhops... anyone you'd tip anywhere else.

[chessie]

When we go, we bring 100 in 1's in USD- don't covert and tip accordingly. Cancun, Cozumel and vallarta, tipped all the same way. USD remember is worth more over there.

[queso]

I have gone to All Inclusive resorts in Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, and Playa del Carmen and have tipped at all of them.

The last trip I took to Mexico this Summer I took the time to budget out exactly how much I should take for tipping. I also used US dollars and do not convert. This is what I figured:

Maid Service: $3 a day
Bell Hop: $2 a bag (when arrive and if he comes and gets my bags when I depart)
Breakfast: $2
Lunch: $3
Dinner: $5
Room Service: $3
Drinks: $1 or $2 every order or every other order
Mini Fridge: $1 (for restocking)

We did have car service pick us up from the airport (from Cancun to PDC). I paid the greeter $5 and then $10 to the driver each way.

When I went on an 8-hour tour, I gave our tour guide a $20 tip.

I recommend just bringing a lot of $1 bills. I hope this helps!!

[LoveTrains]

I brought $100 worth of $1 bills. I tipped a few bucks to the housekeeping staff and the people who refilled the minifridge, and then I generally did $1 for each round of drinks.

[Deleted]

Thanks everyone. I will show this to my H later. I really like your breakdown queso!

[niki]

Yeah, our AI said gratuities were included, but tips were most certainly expected everywhere, on and off of the resort in Cancun. Seriously, tips were expected for every little thing. It was worse in Jamaica, they would just hold out their hands/hats and flat out tell us we were to tip.

[jennistarr1]

I never felt obligated to tip...but there were times I felt I spent long enough at a particular bar that I would tip. I never tipped after a meal (well maybe just the anniversary dinner). Room service definitely. Maids yes. I agree to get ones, we thought the front desk could give us change but they did in peso's and they weren't as easy to use to me

[vegas]

Oct 17, 2012 13:09:16 GMT -5 chessie said:

When we go, we bring 100 in 1's in USD- don't covert and tip accordingly. Cancun, Cozumel and vallarta, tipped all the same way. USD remember is worth more over there.

Agree with this. Can't wait to hear about your trip!

[flatlan]

Oct 17, 2012 18:26:12 GMT -5 queso said:

Maid Service: $3 a day
Bell Hop: $2 a bag (when arrive and if he comes and gets my bags when I depart)
Breakfast: $2
Lunch: $3
Dinner: $5
Room Service: $3
Drinks: $1 or $2 every order or every other order
Mini Fridge: $1 (for restocking)

This is exactly what we do. I find that $15-$20 per day that we tip gives us exceptional service and is truly appreciated by the very hard working staff. We always tip in US dollars. I also read on cruisecritic.com a few years ago that you should never use $2 bills as that in most foreign countries they don't think that they are real and are essentially useless to the workers.