How Much to Tip at Cancun All-Inclusive Resorts (And How to Do It Right)
All inclusive resorts in Cancun are a great option for families, couples, and groups of friends because they provide a simple, budget-friendly vacation option. Rather than budgeting separately for your room, entertainment, food, and drinks, these resorts allow you to create one single budget that encompasses the majority of your expenses.
While many of your daily activities, most food, and your room are included in your stay, there are a few extra costs that you should plan for. One of those costs is tips. If you’re wondering how much to tip at Cancun all inclusive resorts, keep reading to learn what you need to do to feel confident, be respectful, and be prepared during your Cancun vacation.
Are Tips Included at Cancun All Inclusive Resorts?
Depending on which resort you choose, some tips may be included in your resort fee. However, this isn’t the case with every resort, and even resorts that do include tips in the cost may not include all tips.
You can check to see whether gratuities are included when booking your package. Some resorts will include information about gratuities on their websites as well. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with standard tipping practices for different parts of your resort stay, including your transportation to and from your resort, dining, and any excursions you take.
While tipping may not be required, doing so can help enhance the service and overall experience that you have at the resort and is a great way to show your appreciation for the attention and care you receive during your stay.
How Much to Tip in Cancun All Inclusive Resorts
How much to tip at Cancun all inclusive resorts varies from one staff member to the next. This is a breakdown of the average tip amounts per staff member by position:
- Housekeeping: $2–$5 per night
- Bartenders: $1–$2 per group drink order
- Servers: $3–$5 per meal
- Bellhops: $1–$2 per bag
- Concierge: $5–$10 depending on service
- Spa services: 10–20% of the cost
How to Tip in Cancun All Inclusive Resorts
Understanding how much to tip is important. But you might also be wondering how to tip in Cancun all inclusive resorts. These tips can help you feel more confident when providing a tip for a staff member or department.
A few options for providing a tip include:
- Handing cash directly with a smile and “gracias”
- Leaving it in a labeled envelope for housekeeping
- Tipping at the end vs. per interaction
Which option you choose might vary by the staff member that you are tipping. For instance, if you are tipping a waiter or the concierge, it’s likely better to hand over the tip directly.
When it comes to tips, cash is king. Credit card tips often don’t go directly to the staff.
Should You Tip in Dollars or Pesos?
Now that you know how much to tip, you may be wondering what currencies are accepted.
Many all inclusive resorts in Mexico accept American dollars at the resort. However, when you are tipping, it’s best to use pesos. While dollars are unlikely to be turned down, the person that you are tipping will then need to pay exchange fees to convert it. If you forgot to exchange your cash, make sure to tip using clean, undamaged dollar bills. If you are traveling to Mexico from a country other than the U.S., it’s best to exchange your currency as other forms of payment may be even more difficult for staff members to exchange.
How Much Cash Should You Bring for Tipping?
Bringing cash with you on your all inclusive Cancun vacation will help you avoid needing to visit an ATM and pay an ATM fee during your stay. But how much should you bring?
As a general rule, you should bring $10 to $20 per person per day with you for tipping. It’s best to bring a mixture of smaller bills, including plenty of $1s and $5s, to make it easier to give smaller tips throughout the day to staff members. If you know that you’ll be taking several off-site excursions, you may even bring more money per person for each day that you’ll be doing an excursion. Carrying more cash than you plan to tip will allow you to leave a little extra if you find that the staff has gone above and beyond to make your stay perfect.
Here is a sample of five days of tipping for two individuals:
- Day 1
- Housekeeping: $5
- Bartenders: $6
- Servers: $9
- Bellhops: $2
- Concierge: $5
- Day 2
- Housekeeping: $5
- Bartenders: $6
- Servers: $9
- Spa services: 10–20% of the cost
- Day 3
- Housekeeping: $5
- Bartenders: $6
- Servers: $9
- Excursion staff: $20
- Day 4
- Housekeeping: $5
- Bartenders: $6
- Servers: $9
- Concierge: $5
- Day 5
- Housekeeping: $5
- Bartenders: $6
- Servers: $9
- Bellhops: $2
- Total for two people: $134
Tipping on Day Tours and Activities
If you know that you’ll be enjoying some day tours and activities, you should plan ahead to bring some additional cash to tip guides, drivers, boat captains, or other staff members. The standard tip is $5 to $10 per staff member, depending on how long the tour is and the level of service. If your tour or guide was exceptional, a $20+ tip is appropriate.
Tipping at Restaurants, Nightclubs, and Taxi Services in Cancun
When traveling outside of your resort to visit local restaurants or nightclubs, you’ll want to tip in those locations as well.
Use the following estimates when tipping outside of your resort:
- Restaurants: 10–20% of bill or check if service is not already included
- Nightclubs: Tip bartenders and bottle service staff
- Taxis: Tipping is not required, but rounding up or $1–$2 for help is appreciated
Is Tipping Required at Cancun All Inclusive Resorts?
Tipping is never required at Cancun all inclusive resorts. However, many staff members and local workers rely on tips as a part of their income, and tipping is highly expected and customary. Tipping shows your appreciation for the services and care that they provide to help make your stay even more memorable.
Ready to Pack Those Pesos for Your Cancun All Inclusive Vacation?
Tipping during your vacation doesn’t need to be intimidating. With this guide, you can figure out roughly how much cash to bring on your trip, as well as how much to tip each staff member during your stay.
Now that you know how much to tip in Cancun all inclusive resorts and how to tip in each location, it’s time to pack your pesos and get ready for your own adventure in Mexico! Book your all inclusive vacation to Cancun online through All Inclusive Outlet today!
Sources:
https://www.amatravel.ca/articles/simple-guide-to-tipping-at-all-inclusive-resorts
https://www.shorelinedestinations.com/travel-blog/tipping-at-an-all-inclusive-resort
https://www.frommers.com/tips/money-and-currency/tipping-in-mexico-restaurants-hotels-and-all-inclusive-resorts/
