If you've ever stayed at an all-inclusive resort, or if you're planning your first vacation to one, you've probably wondered "Do I need to tip"?
Many people think that all-inclusive means everything is included, including tips. There are very few resorts, like Sandals and Club Med, that do not allow tipping for most of the employees, but for the most part employees at all-inclusive resorts use their tips to help them live. The average resort worker in Mexico or the Dominican Republic makes about $8.00 USD per day. Yes, you read that right, $8.00 per day. This is not a living wage, even in a country where living expenses are much lower. Tips are essential to help them survive.
Is a tip expected? At most resorts, I'm going to say yes, no different than your waiter at a restaurant here at home expects them. Should a tip be given to get good service, or should it be given because you received good service? This is always a huge debate on resort fan pages and I think this totally depends on the mentality of your server, and also how you feel about it. I like to tip for good service, and I will tip even more for exceptional service, and I have walked away without tipping if I have received extremely poor service.
There are also a lot of opinions on what currency to tip your server in. Either USD or the local currency is acceptable in most countries. A lot of people believe that resort staff prefers to be tipped in USD. I like to tip in the currency of the country I am in because I think if I had one day off a week, which is what most resort staff get, I would not want to spend it standing in line at a bank to convert my USD to my own currency. My one exception to this rule is when I am in Cuba. Click on the following link to find out why https://www.toesinthesandtravel.ca/post/cuba-the-good-the-bad-the-beautiful
Who should you tip at an all-inclusive resort, and how much should you tip them? Below you will find a general guideline, but never feel this is an absolute must-do. If you feel that you want to tip more or less, that is totally up to you. The below amounts are in dollars, but because I tip in local currency, I convert to a similar amount in their bills.
Waiter at a buffet meal - $2.00 or $3.00 per person
Waiter at an a la carte - $5.00 per person
Drinks - $2.00 per round for 1 - 2 people
Bellboys, when they deliver your luggage to your room $2.00 per bag
Drivers $5.00 - $10.00 per person, depending on the length of the trip
Room Service - $5.00 - $10.00 per order
Housekeeping - $5.00 - $10.00 per day, depending on how many people are in your room. Leave this on your pillow so they know it is for them
Some people also like to tip a little to people behind the scenes, like gardeners, people cleaning bathrooms, busboys, etc.
Great customer service and great servers deserve a little something as a thank you. Show them your appreciation.
Comments