All-Inclusive Resort Tips

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Tipping at an All-Inclusive Resort

My Usual Tipping Routine

I don’t usually tip a large amount at the beginning of a trip. In my experience, it hasn’t made much difference, especially since the servers can change throughout the week. I’ve found that learning people’s names, introducing myself and treating them well goes a lot further.

$1–$2 for a round of drinks
$2 for table service at the buffet
$1 at omelet, crepe or other made-to-order stations
$5 per day for housekeeping
$5 per couple for dinner
$10–$15 per day for butler service, usually given at the end of the stay depending on service

Toward the end of the vacation, I’ll usually give a little extra to the people who really stood out. And if you miss a tip because you’re in the pool or don’t have cash with you, don’t worry—you can always catch them later.

Dollars or Pesos?

Which should you choose?

I’ve asked resort servers in Mexico which they prefer, and I’ve never gotten a strong answer—they’re happy to receive either U.S. dollars or Mexican pesos.

When I’ve offered the choice between the same approximate value in dollars or pesos, they have consistently chosen the U.S. dollars. So for resort tipping, I generally don’t worry about converting everything to pesos.

Away from the resort, it can be different. When shopping in town, I’ve often found that paying cash in pesos can get you a better price than paying in U.S. dollars.

When paying by credit card, I choose pesos if the terminal asks whether I want to be charged in pesos or U.S. dollars. That lets my card issuer handle the conversion instead of the merchant’s conversion service. My card doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee, but some cards do, so check yours before traveling.

How Much Cash Should You Bring?

How much is enough?

For a typical seven-day all-inclusive trip, I usually bring around $1,500–$2,000 in cash. That covers my normal tipping routine, airport personnel, transportation to and from the resort, and cash purchases when we go into town.

Excursions and purchases made at the resort are usually charged to the room or paid by credit card, so I don’t need cash for everything. I’d rather come home with extra than run short during the trip, so I intentionally bring more than I expect to spend.

Sometimes I’ll bring about $500 worth of Mexican pesos as part of that cash, in a variety of denominations. I especially like having pesos when we’re going into town or shopping at small local markets, where cash pesos can be useful and may get you a better price.

Servers can usually make change for larger bills, especially later in the day once they’ve collected more cash. Early in the day, though, breaking a $100 bill can be difficult. I’ve seen it done, but it can leave the server scrambling for change, so I try to carry plenty of smaller bills whenever possible.

Pool Chairs and the Morning Towel Rush

Where to sit.

At many resorts, people head out early to claim chairs with towels, which can make it difficult to find a good spot if you arrive later in the morning.

We usually put our things out around 8 a.m. and enjoy the cooler part of the morning by the pool before breakfast. If the pool concierge is there, we introduce ourselves. If we leave for a while, we’ll let them know when possible. They usually know which guests are actually using their chairs and which ones have been sitting empty.

What I don’t like is when people reserve chairs early in the morning and don’t show up until after noon. Whether they’re sleeping in or away on an excursion, someone else could be using those seats in the meantime.

If we have an excursion planned, we don’t reserve chairs. When we come back in the afternoon, we usually find the pool concierge and ask if they can help us find a couple of seats. They often know which chairs haven’t been used and may even find something closer to the pool instead of leaving you with the last two seats in the back.

For me, the chair itself isn’t that important because I spend more time in the pool anyway, but it’s nice to have a place to sit, keep your things and regroup.

Get to Know the Pool Concierge

If there’s a pool concierge, introduce yourself and learn their name. That small connection can make a difference later in the week. Once they recognize you, they’ll often see you coming and help you find seats right away.

If you never make that connection, you’re much less likely to stand out among all the other guests. I’ve found that remembering names and being friendly is often more effective than trying to impress someone with a big tip on the first day.

Bars and Swim-Up Bars

What'll you have?

This is another place where learning names makes a difference, especially when the bar gets crowded. I like to spend a little time talking with the bartenders and getting to know them. Once they know you and what you like to drink, they’ll often see you coming and start making your drink before you even get to the bar.

Every so often, I’ll ask for a drink suggestion or ask what their favorite drink is to make. It gives them a chance to show off a little, and it’s an easy way to try something new.

At the end of the day, I always say goodnight to the bartenders and servers who took good care of me. That little bit of recognition helps them remember you the next day.

I also consider an insulated tumbler almost a must at a warm-weather resort. Ice and frozen drinks melt quickly in the heat, and a lid helps keep splashed pool water out of your drink. Many resorts no longer automatically provide straws, so bringing your own reusable straw is useful too.

And this is exactly where the Tip Top comes in handy: it gives you a dry place to keep tip money right in the lid instead of trying to keep loose bills dry around the pool.

Treat the Staff Like People

Getting to Know You.

The best advice I can give for enjoying an all-inclusive resort is simple: treat the people taking care of you as people, not just employees. Learn their names, talk to them, say hello when you see them and thank them when they’ve taken good care of you.

In my experience, those little personal connections make a bigger difference than trying to impress someone with a large tip on the first day. By the end of the week, you’ll often know many of the bartenders, servers and pool staff by name—and they’ll know you too.

All-Inclusive Resort Guide: Tipping, Packing & Pool Tips