Budget around 10–15% for restaurant service when it is not included. Hotel staff, guides and other tourism workers commonly receive separate tips; keep small cash amounts available.
10–15%Dining quick answer
Guidance applies to the services described below; customs can differ by provider.
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Mexico tipping cheat sheet
Amounts, whether a tip is expected, and the exceptions that matter. Open a row for details.
RestaurantsAdvice & exceptions10–15%
Budget around 10–15% for restaurant service when it is not included. Hotel staff, guides and other tourism workers commonly receive separate tips; keep small cash amounts available.
Before paying: Check for an included service charge or gratuity. If adding a card tip, confirm the total before completing payment; with cash, make clear what is a tip and what change you need.
Bars & cafésAdvice & exceptionsSmall extra
A small tip or round-up is familiar in bars. No single per-drink cash figure is established here.
Taxis & ride-hailingAdvice & exceptionsUsually no tip
Round up if the driver helps with luggage or provides extra service.
Bellhop & luggage helpAdvice & exceptionsSmall cash tip
Porters commonly receive a small tip. Ask the property about local amounts rather than applying a restaurant percentage.
Tour guidesAdvice & exceptions15–20% of tour price
Original Travel suggests this range for guides. This is a tour-operator recommendation, not a legal fee.
When & how: Give it after the tour; check for prepaid gratuities.
Tour driversAdvice & exceptionsAbout 7.5–10%
Original Travel recommends roughly half its guide percentage for tour drivers. Avoid applying this to ordinary taxis.
FROM ARRIVAL TO CHECKOUT
Your journey
Arriving & getting around
Keep a prepaid airport transfer separate from a metered taxi or a full-day driver. For tour budgets, check the unit and whether guide and driver tips are separate.
Peso cash is the operator’s recommended way to tip, rather than foreign coins or relying on a card-tip facility.
If you choose to give a personal cash tip, use a currency the recipient can spend and make its purpose clear. Card payment for the bill does not guarantee a card-tip facility. Check the final total before approving it.
For a prepaid tour or resort stay, read the gratuity inclusions. A service fee, a staff tip pool and an individual guide tip may cover different people.
