So you’re on vacation, drinking in the sun and cervezas. The most problematic thing for you at this stage is Margarita…Piña Colada?… Margarita…Piña Colada? Then the cheque comes, and your fumbling through, figuring out which color pesos to use when a little thought comes creeping in, Do I Tip In Mexico? Well let me take the pain and frustration out of it all for you (would hate to have you looking cheap on vacation).
I am here to lay down the law in a user friendly tipping guide, so next time the cheque comes all that you will have to be thinking about is which bar is next.
Restaurant/Bars – Any facility where you take a seat and someone takes your order, is a pretty good indication that you need to tip. Just like in the countries to the north, Mexican waiters and bartenders don’t make much in wages, so a 10-15% tip is expected. If they are especially attentive, or cute, go on lay down 20%.
Taco Stand/Juice Stand/Hotdog, Hamburger Stand/ or anything Para Llevar (to go) Stand – At places where you walk up, order and take away, a tip is not necessary. But if you stay/sit, eat or drink, a few pesos will never go astray. Hint—if you know you’re going to be frequenting a stand, a good tip the first time will ensure prompt service next time, (well as prompt as Mexico gets).
Taxis – Guess what…NO! You don’t have to tip taxis (I have now been boycotted by every taxi in town). Except, and there’s always an exception, when they go above and beyond the call of duty. For example, a few more pesos are warranted if they wait for you while dropping off laundry or they carry bags etc. etc.
Porters in Hotels – A good rule of thumb is 10-20 pesos per bag. Nice and simple
Beauticians – If your feet are particularly nasty and a pedicure takes 2 hours, please leave a tip. But if it looks like they used a lawn mower to cut your hair, feel free not to. (And I know a good place to buy a hat).
Fishing/Sailing/Snorkeling or Charter Boats – Whether its with a single captain or a whole cast of crew, a simple 15% of the total charter price is expected. And tip extra if they were especially great, skilled, fun or if they release the fish. This is to encourage tag and release (selling the fish in the market often serves as supplemental income for fishing boat crews—so help them out) and since we all want to be fishing here in 20 years, catch and release is a must.
Guides – Really use your own discretion here (oops, time to use those brain cells). A few hints, if the guide takes you out on the hobie cats or goes snorkeling with you (instead of just renting you the equipment) 10-15%. But for parasailing, banana boats, jet skis…the set price will usually do.
A few more hints: While you are looking at only a few extra pesos, for many locals that’s a lot of money. And since the industry in Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo is tourism, that means a lot of people here are working on commission. So when it all gets confusing, to tip or not to tip, it never hurts (and sure won’t kill you) to err on the side of extravagance.
P.S. All tips to starving contributing writers are gratefully accepted.
-March 2000
