Tipping in Mexico

At sit-down restaurants, 10 to 15% is standard for good service, and 15 to 20% at upscale or resort restaurants. Cash in pesos handed directly to your server is best, since card tips are sometimes pooled or reduced by processing fees.

At hotels, leave 20 to 50 pesos a night for housekeeping (on the pillow or bedside table each morning, so it reaches the person who cleaned your room that day) and 20 to 50 pesos per bag for porters. For taxis, rounding up the fare is a kind gesture but not expected. At a taco stand or street stall, a few coins in the tip jar is appreciated.

Tourist restaurants and all-inclusive resorts sometimes print propina or servicio on the bill, meaning a service charge is already included. If you add 15 to 20% on top without checking, you have paid the tip twice.

Read the bill before you sign. If a service charge is already there, a small extra in cash for outstanding service is generous but not expected. If nothing is added, tip the standard 10 to 15%.

Always tip in cash. Card tips do not always reach the person who served you, and at smaller spots they cannot process a card tip at all.

Tip in pesos, not dollars. Dollars are harder for staff to use, since they need to exchange them and often get a poor rate. Pesos in small notes (20s, 50s, 100s) are the most useful thing you can hand over. Keep a small stack separate from your main wallet so you are not fumbling at the table.

Common questions

Quick answers.

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