Playa Del Carmen/Cancun tipping

Bongedone

Hi,

After reading the thread about tipping in the US I thought I better post this.
We are going for our honeymoon all inclusive so we don't have to carry cash around.

Obviously we will leave the complex at somepoint and will need cash then.

What are tipping rules when in the complex (without cash) and out and about in Senor Frogs, taxi's etc.

pompeyrich

I took around £100 in single US Dollars, at the time $1 was about 80p, in my, simple, mind it was easier to work out what I was tipping than using the Peso. Although there is no obligation to tip in the resort, I found a dollar or two to the barman, drinks runner on the beach/by the pool, maid, mini bar filler etc. always went down well.

A taxi into PDC from our hotel was 150 Pesos, I used to give the driver 200 which he seemed very happy with. In town I found using Pesos the best option as you weren't at their mercy on exchange rates. Also if you paid in $s they would give change in Pesos so all very confusing and potentially costly.

sunshinetours

Yep same as above, we took about £100 of $1 notes and used them, round the resort. The staff won't be earning a lot and it will be appreciated for barmen, maids, waiters etc.

Also agree about using Peso's where possible although the locals don;t seem to mind US$ at all (we asked). Went about 6 years ago and had a great time so enjoy

Bongedone

Thanks.

Where can you buy single dollar bills?

KonkyWonky

Bongedone wrote: »

Thanks.

Where can you buy single dollar bills?

Most bureaux de change on the High St will get you $1 bills but they will have to order them in. We got ours from M&S when there rates were a bit better.

We tried to get some via Thomas Global along with our Peso's we were ordering anyway but they could not specify the denomination of the notes we would get.

To be honest it is just as easy to tip 10 Peso notes (approx 50p) and I am sure the employees would prefer that. You wouldn't tip in Euro's when in the UK would you?

pompeyrich

KonkyWonky wrote: »

To be honest it is just as easy to tip 10 Peso notes (approx 50p) and I am sure the employees would prefer that. You wouldn't tip in Euro's when in the UK would you?

I would have preferred to have tipped in Pesos and fully agree with your sentiment but the smallest note is now 20 Pesos and these seemed to be in short supply, although maybe the guy at the hotel desk knew we were wantng change for tips and held back the 20s!! So it was either 50 or 100(£2.50 or £5ish) not as much flexibility as 1, 2, 3 or whatever $s.

Also woth noting that the symbol for the Peso is $, whenever we bought stuff $ meant Peso but if in doubt ask if Mexican or U.S. I got caught in Barbados, thought the meal was priced in Bajan Dollars but it was in U.S. so cost me twice as much as I thought

sunshinetours

Difference is (or certainly was when I went) that the US $ is widely used in tourist areas so the employees can readily use the cash for everyday things. Not the same comparing the € in the UK. In Mexico I would also imagine it is because the US is the largest tourist visitor to the country so tehy have "forced" the use of the $ aswell

Many countries round the world use the $ as a second currency , mainly where there are large tourist industries it seems and where the local currency is widely unavailable to the world or unstable. Whether that will be the case in the future who knows with the instability of tha major players these days

pepsishirl

You might like to note that as from 13 September 2010, Mexico is no longer acceping $US. Only currency being accepted from then is the Mexican peso. We are off to Cancun early October and have had written confirmation of this from our travel company. Hope this is of help.

sunshinetours

pepsishirl wrote: »

You might like to note that as from 13 September 2010, Mexico is no longer acceping $US. Only currency being accepted from then is the Mexican peso. We are off to Cancun early October and have had written confirmation of this from our travel company. Hope this is of help.

Hmm not confirmed apart from UK travel companies though

Check out current info here . Seems a ploy to try and limit drug trafficking monies so shouldn't really affect small tourist spends

HAYLEY8005

Yup very correct they are no longer accepting the dollar i have it confirmed from my agent also this also includes no dollars for departure tax from country also

BlimusOreilly

In PDC/Cancun you don't have to tip taxi drivers as they include this into their set fares. Just ask them how much the fare is when you get in the cab.