Tipping in Mexico
Tipping expectedMXN ($)
Here's the tip.
Tipping — la propina — is expected and matters.
Service wages in Mexico are low and tips are a real part of hospitality income. Ten to fifteen percent in restaurants is standard, and cash tips to resort staff, porters and guides are genuinely expected. Small notes go a long way.
At a glance
- RestaurantsExpected10–15%
- CafésOptional10%, or round up
- BarsCommon10–15%, or $20 MXN per round
- TaxisOptionalRound up
- Hotel portersExpected$20–50 MXN per bag
- HousekeepingCommon$40–100 MXN per night
- Tour guidesCommon10–15%, or $100–200 MXN per person
- Private driversCommon$200–500 MXN per day
- Boat & yacht chartersCommon10–15% of the charter fee
- All-inclusive resortsCommon$20–50 MXN per drink, or $100–200 MXN per day
Card tipping. Card terminals ask '¿propina?' and let you add a percentage, but cash — ideally pesos rather than dollars — reaches staff more directly.
- Tip in pesos where possible. US dollars are accepted in resort areas but often at a poor informal rate.
- Check the bill for 'propina incluida'; some tourist-area restaurants add it automatically.
- Keep 20, 50 and 100 peso notes for porters, housekeeping and bar staff.
Tip calculator
- 10%
- —
- 15%
- —
MEXICO
The tipping cheat sheet
- Restaurants10–15%
- Cafés10%, or round up
- Bars10–15%, or $20 MXN per round
- TaxisRound up
- Hotel porters$20–50 MXN per bag
- Housekeeping$40–100 MXN per night
WhatTheTipwhatthetip.com/mexico
Common questions
- Do you tip in Mexico?
- Tipping — la propina — is expected and matters. Service wages in Mexico are low and tips are a real part of hospitality income. Ten to fifteen percent in restaurants is standard, and cash tips to resort staff, porters and guides are genuinely expected. Small notes go a long way.
- How much do you tip at a restaurant in Mexico?
- 10–15%. 10–15% of the bill. 15% for good service. Ten percent is the baseline and 15% is the norm in cities and tourist areas. Check first for a propina incluida line, especially in Cancún and Los Cabos. Street food stalls and taquerías are not tipped, though rounding up is welcome.
- Can you tip by card in Mexico?
- Card terminals ask '¿propina?' and let you add a percentage, but cash — ideally pesos rather than dollars — reaches staff more directly.
Other destinations
Editorial review pending. These figures reflect widely reported norms for Mexico and have not yet been checked against cited sources.