Everything You Need to Know About Tipping in Mexico

Knowing when and how much to tip in Mexico is something every first-time visitor needs to learn. Tipping etiquette isn’t universal so standard practices in your culture may not always carry over to other countries like Mexico.

In America for example, tipping around 15-20% is expected but in Japan, tipping is frowned upon. In many situations, it’s even perceived as rude or insulting. You’d never want to insult anyone so it’s important to familiarize yourself with the tipping customs in Mexico before your trip.

In this article, we’ll give you a guideline on when to tip and approximately how much to tip when faced with different scenarios in Puebla and Mexico.

IS TIPPING NORMAL IN MEXICO?

Yes, tipping is normal in Mexico. Similar to the United States, tipping for good service isn’t obligatory but it is expected and appreciated in Mexico. The word for “tip” in Spanish is propina. At street food stalls in Mexico, you’ll often find a tip jar or box with the word “propina” on it.

How much you should tip varies from situation to situation but standard tipping etiquette – especially at restaurants – recommends that you leave a tip of at least 10% of your total bill.

IS IT BETTER TO TIP IN US DOLLARS OR MXN PESOS IN MEXICO?

You’re free to tip in any currency but tipping in Mexican pesos is best. It saves locals from the trouble of having to exchange the currency. If your bill was quoted in pesos, then it’s best to leave a tip in pesos.

With that said, Mexico receives millions of American tourists annually – many of whom stay at all-inclusive resorts – so tipping in US dollars isn’t uncommon. At all-inclusive resorts, tipping in US dollars is fine.

HOW MUCH TO TIP IN MEXICO

How much you should tip depends on the situation but in the service industry, a good rule of thumb is to leave a tip of at least 10%. But if you’d like to leave more for good service, then that would be greatly appreciated.

As a general rule:
10% – Standard minimum
15% – For good service
20% – Because you can

Be sure to check your bill before leaving a tip. In our experience, we’ve only seen a service charge added to our bill once or twice. If it is, then there’s no need to leave an extra tip.

I’ll get into this in more detail below but here’s a summary of expected tipping amounts in Mexico for some of the most common scenarios.

Tipping in Mexico Quick Guide

• Waiters/Bartenders: Minimum of 10%, 15% or more for excellent service
• Hotel Porters: MXN 20-40 or USD 1-2 per luggage
• Bus Baggage Handlers: MXN 5-10 per bag
• Tour Guides: At least 10% of the tour cost, 15% or more for an excellent tour
• Taxi Drivers: Round up to a convenient amount
• Musicians: A few coins

HOTELS / ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORTS

Luxury hotels and all-inclusive resorts in Mexico receive a lot of American tourists. Tipping is still common even though many of these all-inclusive resorts have a no-tipping policy.

I read that wages for hotel workers are still fairly low so if you’d like to offer a tip to hotel staff as a token of your appreciation, then you’re welcome to try. Depending on how strictly the hotel or all-inclusive resort enforces its no-tipping policy, hotel staff may or may not accept it.

Porters

Depending on how many bags they have to carry to your hotel room (and how far they have to go), you should give a tip of around MXN 20-50 per bag to your porter.

Housekeeping Staff

Similarly, you can leave a tip of MXN 20-50 per day for the housekeeping staff at your hotel or all-inclusive resort. If you’re messy, then you should leave more.

We used to live in a serviced apartment in the Azcarate neighborhood of Puebla and we would leave a similar tip. Two ladies cleaned our studio once a week and I left them a tip of MXN 50 each per week.

FOOD/BEVERAGE SERVICES

Restaurants

I was sad to read that people in the restaurant service industry in Mexico don’t get paid much. Like their American counterparts, they don’t get paid a living wage so they rely heavily on the tips they receive, which is why it’s so important for you to leave a good tip.

The 10%-15%-20% guideline is a good rule to remember after a restaurant meal. In fact, if you pay with a credit card, then you’ll be given the option to leave a tip of 10%, 15%, or 20%.

Personally, I always leave a tip of around 15% (sometimes more if I’m happy with the service), but 10% is the minimum.

Street Food Stalls

Many street food stalls and fondas (family-owned eateries) in Mexico will have a propina jar where you can drop a few coins or small bills.

We absolutely love Mexican street food so I’m always happy to leave a tip of around 10-15%, but you generally aren’t expected to leave as big a tip at street food stalls as you are at fine dining restaurants.

If you see a tip box, then go ahead and drop in a few pesos to show your appreciation. If you don’t see one, then a tip probably isn’t expected.

Bars

The same 10% minimum rule applies to bartenders as well.

Fast Food Chains / Cafes

You’ll sometimes find tip boxes at the ordering counter of well-known chains like Burger King or Starbucks. Personally, I never leave a tip at these types of establishments but you’re welcome to leave a few coins if you like.

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

Uber Drivers

We usually use Uber to get to or from the bus station or airport. You aren’t expected to leave a tip but we do anyway, around 10%. Compared to the US, Uber is super cheap in Mexico so we don’t mind giving a little extra.

Taxi Drivers

We prefer Uber so we only use taxis if we have to. Like Uber drivers, you aren’t expected to tip taxi drivers in Mexico.

Taxi rides are usually negotiated beforehand in Mexico so if you’d like to give a small tip to your taxi driver, especially if they help you with your luggage, then you’re welcome to do so. A 10% tip or rounding up to the most convenient amount should be enough.

Bus Baggage Handlers

When you ride one of those luxury interstate buses in Mexico, baggage handlers will load and unload your bags from the luggage compartment. I watch how much locals tip and they usually give between MXN 5-10 per bag.

For some reason, people don’t usually tip the baggage handler at the origin. They only tip the person unloading their bags at the final destination.

Gas Station Attendants

Gas stations in Mexico are full service so attendants will pump your gas and clean your windshield. Giving them a small tip of MXN 5-10 should be enough.

TOURS & OTHER RECREATIONAL SERVICES

Tour Guides

The same 10%-15%-20% guideline applies to tour guides as well. I’ve taken a couple of day tours in Mexico and both times, I gave 10-15% of the tour cost.

If you were really happy with the tour, especially if it was a private tour, then giving more to your tour guide will always be appreciated.

Tour Bus Drivers

A tip of around MXN 20-50 should be enough for the tour bus driver.

MISCELLANEOUS

Musicians

It’s very common to be sitting at an outdoor restaurant in Mexico and then suddenly start hearing live music playing. Musicians will go from restaurant to restaurant and play a few songs before asking the diners for tips.

If you’d like to give a few coins, then you’re welcome to do so. I usually give between MXN 5-10. In the case of the restaurant below, where there were three musicians hired by the restaurant itself, I gave MXN 20. The amount is really up to you.

Bathroom Attendants

Almost every bathroom inside a bus station or commercial center in Mexico will be a paid bathroom. You typically have to pay before entering the bathroom but on rare occasions, there’s a bathroom attendant inside who’ll give you paper towels to dry your hands. A few coins amounting to MXN 5-10 will be greatly appreciated.

Beauty / Grooming / Massage / Spa Treatment Services

The same 10%-15%-20% guideline applies to barbers, hair stylists, manicurists, pedicurists, and masseurs as well. Give a minimum of 10% and if you’re happy with their service, then you’re always welcome to give more.

Grocery Stores

We haven’t done a lot of grocery shopping so we don’t see this often, but I read that grocery baggers are usually given small tips in Mexico. Apparently, they aren’t employed by the supermarket or grocery store so they rely completely on customer’s tips.

A tip of around MXN 10 should be enough for a few purchased items. Give more for larger purchases.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON TIPPING IN MEXICO

Even though tipping is observed in Mexico, that doesn’t mean you’re always obligated to leave a tip. Tipping, by definition, is still voluntary so if you aren’t happy with the service you were provided, then don’t feel pressured to leave a tip.

For example, I once paid without leaving a tip at a local restaurant in Mexico City because the wait staff was rude. We were so put off by the experience that it was the only time I didn’t leave a tip at a restaurant in Mexico.

When I leave a tip, it’s because I want to, not because I have to. I often give good tips even when it isn’t customary as a gesture of appreciation (like to street food vendors and Uber drivers). A tip is a show of thanks so if you were given poor service, then don’t feel pressured to leave one.

Thankfully, I’ve only abstained from leaving a tip just once in Mexico. A vast majority of the time, Mexican servers are warm and welcoming. They’re attentive and offer excellent service, which always leads to a well-deserved tip.

Disclosure

Some of the links in this article on tipping in Mexico are affiliate links, meaning we’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Authenticity is important to us so we only recommend products and services that we use ourselves. We really appreciate your support as it helps us keep this free Puebla travel website going. Thank you!

Thank you for sharing!