Tipping in all-inclusive resorts

[Altissimus]

Hi all,

Being a Brit, and as such not knowing anything about tipping, looking for a little advice please.

We're staying in an all-inclusive resort in May, but clearly there is a tipping culture in Mexico. Any experience as to the expectations of tipping in-resort? Is this regarded as necessary or unnecessary? If the former, what is considered an average tip? Pesos or USD?

We're also diving with an LDS off-resort. Paying a set rate for a number of days' diving. Is tipping expected over and above? Daily? For the whole experience? Per tank? How much?

Lastly, it would be nice to know how much I have to budget for tips over the whole vacation (2 weeks).

Many thanks,
A.

 

[nimoh]

I usually tip anywhere from 100-200 peosos (roughly US$10-15) per tank when diving in Mexico, and sometimes more for great service, like when the dive leader has an infectious excitement for diving, and I am having a great time on the boat as well as on the dive.

This topic has come up quite a few times on scubaboard, and sometimes results in a heavy debate, and many claim to tip significantly more than me. However, the way I figure it, if 6 divers on the boat tip US$10, and there are two staff on the boat (captain and DM), they are each taking in $30/hour, which I think is pretty reasonable.

 

[ColoDale]

I usually tip 10 - 20 % based on service. The example above, if stated correctly, and using costs I pay in Cozumel, Mex the tipping percentages are in the 30-40% range. I don't tip that much for anything even in the US. Note that I am using the US$ numbers not pesos as the rate is not 10:1.
So here is the tipping debate again.

 

[nimoh]

I usually tip 10 - 20 % based on service. The example above, if stated correctly, and using costs I pay in Cozumel, Mex the tipping percentages are in the 30-40% range. I don't tip that much for anything even in the US. Note that I am using the US$ numbers not pesos as the rate is not 10:1.
So here is the tipping debate again.

yes, sometimes these get into pretty heated debates. When I say 100-200 pesos, I should clarify, that if I have a 100 in my pocket, that is generally the tip, however the atm usually loads me up with 200s and 500s, and if that is the case, then I just leave 200...500 is too much.

I do however think that tipping is a personal thing, and while I don't mind sharing my personal tipping policy, I am not all that concerned with people agreeing with it or not. I have no problem with being on a boat where some of the divers don't tip at all, the way I see it is that it doesn't concern me. Conversely, I don't feel like a cheapskate if others on the boat are tipping with 500s.

 

[miketsp]

As a fellow Brit, I've accompanied with interest many similar threads here on SB over the years, especially related to MEX and the Caribbean (because I take a lot of dive holidays there) and the only conclusion I've come to is that either posters here way overstate what they really give or that dive staff expectancy is different when dealing with North Americans and others.
According to past SB threads, the absolute minimum you should give is 5USD / tank for basic service and a lot more for good or excellent service.
The few times I've given 5USD/tank it's provoked an absolutely ecstatic reaction from dive staff and big beaming smiles and very helpful attitudes during all future contact. Talking to fellow divers on many boats (non-Americans) I've never encountered anyone that even imagined giving 5USD / tank.
So I take posts on this subject with a pinch of salt.

 

[Oldbear]

I usually tip $10-15 (US) per tank dive if on a boat IF the service was good ...more if it was great ...and nothing if it sucked :thumbdown:.

In an All-Inclusive resort, I check to make sure that the "tip" or gratuity has not already been included (sometimes they are) in the bill. Then I base any tip(s) on the service I received. If the housekeepers do a really nice job, I will leave them $10-20 (US) per week. If I see a young wait-staff or busboy or busgirl busting their butts, I will usually slip them a tip directly (usually $5). I have worked in the service industry in North America and most people's wages are based on a very low minimum rate (a few dollars) and "Tips". They rely on the tips to make it...but for me to tip they have to earn it, I will not tip for the sake of tipping. It is not hard to provide good service and if you can provide good service it is very easy to go the extra step and provide excellent service.


That is my 2¢ on tipping.


~Oldbear~

 

[Altissimus]

Thanks all. The responses are very helpful and I have no desire to start another "heated tipping debate" (what HAVE I done?!), so happy to close it off there.

 

[nimoh]

this hasn't even been heated....yet.

The heat usually comes when tippers start complaining about their involuntary subsidizing of non-tipping divers

 

[SailNaked]

I thnk if you ask a divemaster what you should tip on scubaboard you will get a different answer than if you actually tip and see what the results are.
I get good results with 5 /tank. but then I am a little cheap, and I usually bring several people along with me so the total tip for the boat /day is sufficient, I would definitely tip 10$/tank of your money every time.

 

[spc751]

I always tip 50 pesos per tank. I ask the DM if they split it with the boat crew because some do not. Last dive trip I tipped the boat capt 50 pesos and the DM 50 every day and was treated like a king.

I prefer to tip in local currency as it is easier for them to spend.

I also tip,
10 pesos to the guy at the airport who wants to take my luggage
20 pesos to the bus driver
10 pesos each day to the room cleaner (may not be the same cleaner every day so I do not wait until the end of the week)
10 to 100 pesos per evening to the girl who brings me drinks in the bar
20 to 100 pesos per day to the bartender if I am at the beach bar.

I am not rich but I can afford this for a week vacation and it makes a difference to the lives of the people there. And it can make a BIG difference in the service you get.