Tipping in Cabo: Don’t Be THAT Tourist!

Is tipping expected in Cabo?

Absolutely! Tipping isn’t just expected in Cabo – it’s deeply appreciated.

Many workers in Cabo’s tourism industry earn low base wages and rely on tips to supplement their income and support their families. It’s considered good etiquette to tip for most services, from taxi rides to restaurant meals to hotel housekeeping.

Also, since most visitors come from the U.S – where tipping is a big part of the culture – it’s no surprise that it’s the norm in Cabo too. The service you receive is often outstanding, and tips help fuel that personal attentive care.

Another point… At many resorts, staff stay for years.

At the timeshare club we return to every year, we still see familiar faces – some employees have been there since our very first trip over 20 years ago! We’ve built real connections. They remember our names and ask about our family, and we do the same. Naturally, we want to show our appreciation by tipping and helping to support them.

How much should you tip in Cabo?

Restaurants and bars

At sit-down restaurants, aim to tip 15% to 20% of your total bill – just as you would back home.

We tend to tip more generously on smaller bills.

On the flip side, at high-end ​farm-to-table dining spots​ like Flora Farms and El Huerto – where a meal for a group of 5 or 6 can easily exceed $1,000 – we typically cap our gratuity at around 15%. (When our family of 10 last dined at El Huerto bill and the bill topped $2,000, we figured a $300 tip was perfectly reasonable.)

At casual taco stands or street food stalls, tipping isn’t expected. Still, rounding up your bill or leaving small change is a way to say thanks.

As for bars, a tip of $1 to $2 (about 20 to 40 pesos) per drink is a good rule of thumb.

Housekeeping and hotel staff

At your hotel or resort, tipping housekeeping staff is customary.

Leave $3 to $5 USD (about 60 to 100 pesos) per day, ideally left on the pillow or in a marked envelope, so it goes to the right person. If you receive extra services (like turndown service or towel art), consider adding a bit more.

For bellhops, give $1 to $2 (about 20 to 40 pesos), depending on how many bags they carry and how far.

Concierge staff who go out of their way – say, scoring hard-to-get dinner reservations – deserve a thank you tip of $5 to $20, depending on the level of effort involved.

Spa therapists

Need a rejuvenating facial, blissful massage or a full-on day of pampering? Cabo has some amazing spas!

When it comes to tipping your spa therapist, 15% to 20% of the treatment cost is the standard.

If a service charge is already added to your bill (check the fine print!), you can still leave a little extra – $5 to $10 USD. If they’ve kneaded out every knot, they’ve earned it, right?

Tours and excursions

Tour guides and activity leaders are often the unsung heroes of your vacation – pointing out whale tails on your whale watching trip, cracking jokes on the van ride and turning “just a tour” into something you’ll remember.

For group outings, tip $5 to $10 p.p. for a half-day tour ($10 to $20 p.p. for a full-day adventure).

For private tours, the usual tip is around 10% of the total tour cost.

Fishing boat captains and crew also work hard to help you reel in the big one – and they’ll appreciate a tip of $50 to $100 total, depending on the trip’s length and type.

As for golf caddies, they aren’t just bag carriers. They’re your course guide, cheerleader and swing whisperer. For a helpful upbeat caddy, $30 to $50 per player is the sweet spot.

Transportation: Taxis, shuttles and transfers

Tipping taxi drivers isn’t as common in Cabo, but rounding up your fare is courteous, especially if they help with your luggage or provide local advice.

For airport shuttles and private transfers, tipping your driver $5 to $10 p.p. is a good guideline, particularly if the driver helps with your bags or makes the ride a pleasant experience.

And don’t forget valet attendants. A $1 to $2 (20 to 40 pesos) when they bring your car around is always welcomed with a smile.

Grocery baggers and gas station attendants

When you shop at supermarkets like Walmart or Chedraui, you’ll notice there’s a person who bags your groceries. They only work for tips (and they’re often seniors). So do as the locals do and give them a small tip – 5 to 10 pesos is just right.

At gas stations, where attendants pump your gas for you, tip around 5 to 10 pesos, more if they wash your windshield or check your oil.

Nail and hair salons

Tip around 10% to 15% of the service cost. Again, if service charges are included, tipping less is totally fine.

What about tipping at an all-inclusive resort in Cabo?

Many resorts in Cabo are all-inclusive – and that often means rates typically include gratuities. (Paradisus Los Cabos and Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos, for example, are two popular all-inclusives for adults that build tips into their pricing.)

So is extra tipping needed? Technically no. But again, it’s definitely appreciated – and often rewarded with even better service.

Here’s a general guide:

• Bars and lounges: $1 to $2 per drink at bars
• Buffet restaurants: $5 to $10 to your server for good service
• À  la carte dinners: $10 to $20 per meal, depending on the size of your group
• Pool service: Slip your server or pool butler a $10 bill at the start of the day. You’ll likely be well looked after – and may even get stronger margaritas too!

Helpful tips for paying gratuities in Cabo

• Carry small bills and coins: It makes tipping on the go so much easier.
• Hand tips directly to the person providing the service: That way, you know they’re receiving it.
• Tip in pesos if possible: While U.S. dollars are fine, pesos are easier for locals to use without needing to exchange them.
• Check your bill first: Look for automatically added service charges on restaurant and spa bills to avoid double tipping.

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