Tipping in Mexico: Who to Tip & How Much

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When it comes to tipping in Mexico or any new location, the customary practices for tipping can vary. When I visit a new city or an all-inclusive resort, I’m sure many people reading this also have the same thoughts that I had when I first started traveling frequently

• Tipping in Mexico – Who to Tip and How Much?
• What is expected when tipping in Mexico Resorts?
• What about tipping in all-inclusive resorts?
• Which currency should you use to tip?

These are questions that arise all the time. I’ll cover as much as I can.

Understanding the nuances of tipping in Mexico can enhance your travel experience. Tipping in Mexico shows appreciation for excellent service and helps support local workers.

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When considering tipping in Mexico, remember that local customs may vary by region and type of service. Tipping in Mexico is often expected in restaurants and hotels and for various service providers.

Below, I’ll explain who to tip in Mexico, when to tip in general while in Mexico, and how tipping typically works in the general scenarios mentioned above.

I’ve done my best to include everyone I’ve encountered in Mexico who is expecting a tip, a few people you might feel inclined to tip but shouldn’t, and guidelines for figuring out how much to give them.

Everyone has their tipping philosophy. Do what feels right to you. I tip according to what my local friends tell me is standard because that feels right to me. I wrote this guide based on my experience of Mexico’s tipping culture.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s talk about who to tip and how much!

For those traveling to Mexico, knowing about tipping in Mexico will improve your interactions and ensure you’re following local etiquette.

When dining out, you usually tip in Mexico between 10 and20%. Adjusting your tip according to the service you receive is a common practice, and it reflects your satisfaction with the service provided.

Be aware that tipping in Mexico can differ significantly between tourist areas and local establishments. In tourist hotspots, tipping in Mexico is often higher, but in local spots, it might be lower.

When using your credit card, remember to ask about tipping in Mexico. Some establishments provide options to add tips directly to your bill, while others may not allow for this convenience.

In bars, tipping in Mexico is appreciated, especially when the bartender has provided excellent service throughout the night. Regular tips motivate servers to provide better service in the future.

Tipping Food Service Providers

Tipping in Restaurants

It’s customary to tip 10-20% at restaurants in Mexico. Servers in Mexico typically receive a low wage, expecting tips to supplement it. 

With these factors in mind, I like to tip closer to the top of this range when I have great service (which, honestly, is most of the time).

If you are paying your bill with a card, the logistics of leaving a tip are slightly different than back home. 

The server will ask if you want the bill closed: cuenta cerrada. If you plan to leave a cash tip and pay with your card, say, “Si, cuenta cerrada,” and leave your desired tip in cash on the table.

When paying with your credit card, it’s essential that the merchant bring you the credit card terminal to your table.

Under no circumstances should you allow anyone to disappear with your credit card. Again, these are good general habits to follow in the any country regardless of visiting or in the country.

If you wish to tip with your card, tell the server the tip percentage you wish to leave. For example, if you wish to leave 15%, say quince por ciento de propina.

The server will usually confirm the amount of the tip (in pesos) and then the total of the final bill.

Occasionally, a server will add the gratuity to the bill for you, so always check your bill before you pay. Another good general habit to follow is that when paying cash, if you have change owed to you, make sure to count the change just in case. That is a great habit regardless of where you are or which country you’re visiting.

This shouldn’t happen… but in some touristy areas, servers will seize the opportunity to skim a few extra pesos in tips off of their tables. 

This attitude sucks, but remember, the wages are very low, and people have families to support. So, be sure to check your bill. If a gratuity has been added, don’t leave an additional tip.

Street Food Stands

It’s not standard to give tips to street food vendors, though some of them will have a tip jar. If there happens to be a jar, I tend to toss a few pesos in, but if not, I generally don’t tip.

Finally, remember that every effort you make helps support the local economy when tipping in Mexico.

Tipping in Mexico is not mandatory for taxi drivers, but it is customary to tip when they provide extra assistance, such as helping with luggage.

Bartenders

Plan to tip bartenders a few pesos initially and then a few more periodically throughout the night, say 10 to 20 pesos.

If you’re at a sit-down style bar, just add the tip to your bill at the end of the night as you would in a restaurant.

Tipping Transportation Providers

Taxi Drivers

For Uber drivers, while tipping in Mexico isn’t typical, it is becoming more common to tip if the driver provides exceptional service or assistance.

At all-inclusive resorts, tipping in Mexico plays an important role in staff motivation and service quality.

It’s not standard to tip taxi drivers in Mexico. But, if they help me with my luggage or do something extra apart from simply driving from point A to point B, I will tip them. 

In shuttles, tipping in Mexico is generally expected, with amounts varying based on service, typically between 10 and 50 pesos.

I always recommend asking how much the driver will charge for the ride before you agree to get in the taxi. If you don’t, some taxi drivers will try to raise the price because they know they can probably do it without getting caught.

For instance, I once caught a taxi during rush hour, even though I hadn’t agreed on a price beforehand. I got in and expressed my gratitude to the driver for stopping because I’d been waiting for so long (foolish).

Then when I asked how much he’d charge to get to my destination, he gouged me for ⅓ above the usual price because he knew I wouldn’t want to take my chances waiting for another taxi. Don’t be like me!

On the other hand, there are many very helpful taxi drivers. Like the person who drove me and a few friends home after a night out.

After dropping us off, he noticed a group of men approaching and rolled the window down and told us to get in again. We did, and he drove us around the block until they left, allowing us to safely unlock our door and go inside.

Uber Drivers

Since tipping taxi drivers isn’t customary in Mexico, I don’t usually tip Uber drivers either unless they help me with something. However, the functionality is built into the app, so you can tip easily if you’d like to! 

Shuttle Drivers

It’s standard to tip shuttle drivers in Mexico. The amount should depend on the level of service they provide, but 10 to 50 pesos is reasonable, with 50 being quite generous.

If your driver helps you with your bags, definitely tip them more than usual.

Taxi Stand Attendants

If you catch taxis from taxi stands on the street or in shopping malls, there is usually an attendant of some sort there who will help you find a taxi and load your bags into it.

It’s customary to tip these people a few pesos for their trouble. I usually give 5 to 10 pesos.

Sometimes the attendants will make an extra effort to help you. They might run around and track down a taxi for you or help you load a ton of luggage or shopping bags into the car.

Other times they just point to a taxi for you.

I tend not to tip in the latter situation, but if they do anything more, it’s definitely good to tip them.

When you engage with tour guides, you can tip in Mexico as a reward for good service, enhancing your overall experience.

Tipping Hospitality Workers in Mexico

Hotel porters 

Plan to tip hotel porters who help you with your bags. I suggest 10 to 50 pesos total depending on the distance they have to walk, the number of bags you have, etc. 

From hotel staff to tour guides, understanding the expectations for tipping in Mexico will help you navigate your trip smoothly.

In addition to the services mentioned, tipping in Mexico extends to many areas of your travel experience, enhancing the quality of service.

If you don’t have any change on you at the time (it happens!), try to make a point of slipping a tip to the person who helped you after you’ve found some.

Concierge

It’s normal to tip concierge staff if they’re helping you make the most of your trip. The amount you tip is up to you; it’s not mandatory or expected, but always appreciated. Tip based on the level of service you are receiving. 

Housekeeping staff

Tipping housekeeping staff is a thoughtful gesture. I like to leave the equivalent of about 50 pesos per day at the end of my trip. If you’re a particularly low-maintenance guest, you may wish to leave less. Anything is appreciated! 

Tour Guides

Tipping tour guides in Mexico is customary if you’re happy with the service. The amount will vary depending on the price of your tour.

A good guideline is to tip 10% of the cost of the tour. I like to tip more if the guide is particularly helpful or engaging. Best place to find a reasonable guide is on GetYourGuide.com, and the basic reason is due to the transparency of pricing, including the tipping. No guessing, no awkwardness, and all completely taken care of prior to the reserved event that you’ve chosen based off of reviews.

Don’t forget to pack some coins and small bills to tip servers and other people who may help out along the tour.

While the cost of meals or drinks may be covered, it’s nice to have some cash to tip servers, bartenders, or drivers.

Tipping at All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico

Tipping is crucial at all-inclusive resorts (unless you happen to be staying at a no-tipping resort).

Many different hotel employees are sure to help you out throughout the day, so be sure to have some small bills on hand.

Tipping bar staff 100 to 200 pesos at the beginning of each day is a good rule of thumb, as they’ll look after you all day.

They’ll do everything from finding you the best loungers, checking on your drink status consistently, and serving you generous pours. 

You should also plan to tip your servers at restaurants in all-inclusive resorts. I recommend 20 to 50 pesos per meal, or more if you’re in a big group since they’ll have to make more trips to run the food and drinks. 

Other People To Tip in Mexico

Grocery Store Baggers

The baggers in grocery stores in Mexico aren’t employees of the store and don’t receive a wage. They work solely for tips, so don’t overlook them. I usually tip them 5 to 10 pesos, or more if I have many groceries. 

If you don’t have any coins, the cashier will usually help you break down a larger bill so you can tip the baggers.

Gas Station Attendants

Gas stations in Mexico are full-service, and the attendants will expect a tip. Plan to tip 5 to 10 pesos, or more if they go above and beyond for you. 

Don’t be afraid to ask them to inspect your oil levels, wash your windshield, or check your tire pressure. If the attendant does all of those things, you can tip them even more, but about 20 pesos is quite normal in my experience and through my observations as a passenger.

Parking Lot Attendants

In some places, you may encounter parking lot attendants who help you find a free space or help you navigate into a parking space.

These people generally don’t work for anyone; they just provide the service in hopes of earning tips.

Not everyone tips them, but you can if you find them helpful. About 5 pesos is pretty standard, which is worth the fact that they do watch the vehicles and deter crime generally speaking.

Windshield Washers

You may notice that at some stoplights, there are people who will run out and wash car windshields during red lights.

They will expect tips. If you don’t want to tip them or don’t have any change, just wave your hand, letting them know that you’re not interested. Sometimes they will insist on washing your windshield anyway. 

If you have a dirty windshield, this service can be helpful! Should you choose to do so, a tip of 5 to 10 pesos is customary.

Street Performers

You’re also likely to encounter street performers at intersections. I’ve seen everything from clowns and mimes to people juggling knives, blowing fire, and walking on stilts.

These people are working hard to entertain you in the hopes of earning tips. It’s standard to give 5 or 10 pesos, but if you don’t have any change, don’t feel bad.

Bathroom Attendants

A lot of public restrooms in Mexico have a fee—usually 3 to 5 pesos. In some cases, the fee is “suggested,” and other times it’s required. 

Occasionally there is no fee, but you will encounter women in the restroom handing out toilet paper and paper towels and performing light cleaning. It’s customary to tip these women a few pesos. I usually give them 5-10 pesos.

If you happen to need a bathroom but don’t have change handy, I’ve found that the attendants are pretty forgiving about waiving the fee if you ask nicely.

I’ve also found that other women in the bathroom line are more than willing to spot me in these instances, so don’t be afraid to ask.  

Hair stylists

Just like back home, tipping in Mexico is very similar to tipping hair stylists in the US or in Canada. I usually tip 10-20% of the service cost, but it’s entirely your choice.

Tipping in spas

Tipping in spas is also standard, and tipping in Mexico for Spa services is similar to the US and Canada as well. If you go for a manicure, a massage, etc., a 10-20% tip is standard. 

Tipping bar bands and performers

Bar performers usually earn a small nightly stipend, but they really rely on tips to augment their wages. If you’re at a bar or restaurant and happen to enjoy the tunes, make a point of handing a tip to the musicians. Musicians work to create music, and if you tip them in Mexico, they will appreciate it much more than you might realize.

A guideline I use for tipping musicians is that if I’m at a bar and watch or dance to their live music, I tip 20 to 50 pesos.

The musicians will come by your table with a cup and ask for tips, but you are welcome to approach them if they don’t. I would tip a bar performer at least 50 pesos for the set, but you are welcome to give more if you wish!

Another type of performer you’ll encounter is street performers who wander into restaurants and play songs on request in exchange for tips.

These performers can hit or miss in terms of quality, but they work hard. I typically give them a minimum of 10 pesos. Again, feel free to give more if you’d like to!

Notes on handling money in Mexico

Currency in Mexico

The national currency in Mexico is the Mexican peso, denoted with a dollar sign ($). This undoubtedly leads to a brief moment of panic the first time you withdraw cash in Mexico. Rest assured, the amount you see on the screen is in pesos, not dollars.

There are a lot of opinions out there on the internet about whether it’s better to carry US dollars or pesos in Mexico. As far as I’m concerned, the official currency is pesos, so it makes sense to carry them.

It’s simple to withdraw money at ATMs throughout Mexico. Just be sure to use ATMs that are associated with a bank and are located in a bank or supermarket. This way they are monitored and unlikely to have been tampered with.

The word for ATM in Spanish is “cajero.” If you need to ask where an ATM is, say: Dónde está un cajero?
As you’re about to learn, there are many people in Mexico who will be expecting tips from you.

Be sure to carry small bills and change at all times.

Seriously. I know it’s annoying to have a bag of change in your purse all the time, but trust me, you’ll be glad to have it when the time comes.

Related Reading: Money in Mexico: Tips for Using ATMs, Exchanging Money, and More!

Best way to carry money in Mexico

When it comes to carrying money in Mexico, I recommend using an anti-theft purse. Unfortunately, pickpocketing does happen here, especially in large cities and touristy areas. 

While it’s not super likely, it will give you peace of mind to take precautions against pickpockets. 

With features like protection from RFID scanners, slash-proof fabric, and locking zippers, anti-theft bags are the perfect way to keep your money and valuables safe and sound.

Intrigued? Check out my list of anti-theft purses that are perfect for Mexico. 

If you’d rather use something you already have, opt for a crossbody bag with a zipper that you can keep close to your body. A zipper makes it harder for thieves to access your bag without you noticing.

Since you’ll need to have change on hand all the time, bring along a separate change purse for quick and easy access. I use this one, which I picked up on Amazon.

Mexico tipping FAQs

I hope you find this advice about tipping in Mexico helpful. I always find it handy to have a point of reference for tipping so I don’t accidentally offend anyone!