Mexico .. to tip or not to tip?

 Well, that's a stupid question of course.  I was thinking about this the other day.  On FB groups at locations in Mexico, especially resorts you may read often "Do you tip?"  " How much should I tip?"  "Can I tip with dollars or do I need pesos?"

Well, I have an opinion.  Dont' I always?

We've been traveling to the region for about 20 years now. As years have gone on, I've begun to tip a lilttle more generously.  Is that because I'm older and make more than I did 20 years ago?  Is it because I have a different perpective on it all (wisdom) ?  Sure... uh huh ... lmao

Here's my take on it all.  This is based on an AI (All Inclusive) resort scenario.  Also, based on the assumption the person(s) do their job well, friendly, professional .... whatever.  Otherwise, I can be a really shitty tipper.

Trip to From the airport.  Cozumel, that's $25 a couple approximately for the trip.  I normally leave $5 tip based on the assumption they didn't try to kill us on the road.  If I'm rolling from Tulum or Cancun, the trip is normally an hour or more .. so ... tip upwards of $10-$20 for the two of us .. depending on how it all plays out.

Bags.  Assuming we have 4 bags, I'll tip them several dollars when we arrive.  When they bring them to the room, I'll tip 5 to 10 bucks depending on the distance.  When they pick them up when we leave I tend to tip a lil more.  If I 'know them' over the week, I'll sometimes tip as much as $5 a bag.  Probably a lil higher than most would but... hey .. I just had an awesome week and feeling it. Guys that load the bags into a van/Taxi.  Probably a $2 or $5 bill.

Room Service.  We order breakfast often.   As a minium, $2 for both of us.  But, I tend to drop a $5 usually since it's a full blown breakfast they have to setup for me.

Maid Service.  We'll leave between 2 and 5 bucks daily next to the bed. When we check out, I normally leave a $20 next to the bed since they have a full blown clean up to do before the next set of folks roll in.

Breakfast and Lunch.  Depends if it's ala carte or buffet.  Depends how much they pay attention and the service I get.  Normally, between $2 and $5 total.  Dinner, same thing but tend to tip $5 to $10 depending how nice the restaraunt is, how professional they are.  At some buffets I've left leaving zilch if they earned zilch.  I left $10 after an awesome brunch laughing and having a great time with the staff....  

Pool Side. This is the big one for me becuase we tend to spend a lot of time at the pool and beach areas.  I tend to tip a buck or two every 2 to 3 trips they make.  At the end of the day, I've been known to leave a nice addtional tip depending how it all played out?  Problem is, if you tip big up front, what if they don't always make it back your way?  That's happened a few times.  Now, if I'm on day 3 or 4, same guy I've had before .. I'll ask if they will be my person there all day, and will tip accordningly if that's going to be my waiter / server all day. Now... maybe you drop a five or ten out the gate? So, usually dropping $10 plus a day at the pool; at least.

On a weeklong trip, I've normally tipped hundreds of dollars overall.  I like to bring a stack of 1s, 2s, and 5s for just this.  I always leave with a wad of bills, but ... hate running out so tend to always bring excess.

Why'd I write this?  Well ..  just read not twenty minutes ago " We just applied for our passports and booked our first trip for September.What should first timers know? For tips, is it ok to use American dollars?   ".   And we're traveling later this summer with another couple and guessing I'll share off this page to them?  LOL

Final note.  I know for a fact that many / most of the folks that work on the AI properties, don't make the pay one might think they might .. or  ... should.  They rely heavily on tips in many of those positions.  I had someone a year or so ago inform me their base pay was less than $10 a day plus tips.   Yes, they have a much lower cost of living but ....   that just feels so wrong to me.  

So yes.... I tend to tip a lot while on Vaca' .

My travel stash!