Tipping in Oaxaca : When and how much to tip?
Tipping in Oaxaca… We all have a different idea when it comes to tipping, a lot depends on where you’re from. Some countries tip a lot, some don’t even tip. But Mexico definitely has a tipping culture.
So here’s how we’ll do it. In this Tipping in Oaxaca guide, I’ll show you how Oaxacans tip here in Oaxaca from what I’ve experienced in my years living here. If you wan’t to tip more, great 👌
*This is also a general guide for tipping in Mexico.
How to get from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido on the new super Highway
Restaurants and cafes – Straight up 10% is the standard here. If the service was great, or you feel you want to tip more, 15-20% is a very, very good tip.
Bars / Cantinas – In general you get table service at most bars throughout Oaxaca. So the 10% standard is applied here like in the restaurants. Unless you’re in a night club and actually go to the bar to buy your drinks. In the nightclub case, they don’t tip. But you can if you like.
Taxi Drivers: I get asked this one a lot. Taxi drivers don’t get tipped here in Oaxaca. None of the taxis are metered, so it’s good practice to ask and negotiate a price before getting in to avoid being ripped off. If your taxi driver goes over and above, carries your bags into the hotel or something like that, sure leave them a tip. But it’s not common practice.
Tour guides If you go on a guided tour, especially private ones, it’s a nice gesture to tip the tour guide. It’s not mandatory. The amount can vary based on the length and quality of the tour, but around 10-20% of the tour cost is a good guideline.
Hotel Staff: You would tip bellboys who help with your luggage $20-$50 pesos depending on how many bags. Housekeeping staff amount can vary, but a couple dollars worth each day is usually appreciated $20-$50 pesos or that much daily to leave at the end of your stay.
Musicians / Performers / buskers: If you enjoy live music or performances, it’s a nice to tip the performers as a sign of appreciation. $5-$10 pesos. There’s lots of street performers and buskers around. You’ll have people come around playing music while you eat in outdoor settings. It’s so common, you could be tipping a few times during one meal.
Gas Station Attendants: In Oaxaca and all of Mexico you never fill up your own gas tank. You pull up and there’ll be an attendant that will do all that. You tip these guys around 10 pesos or whatever loose change you have.
Public Transport – How to get around Oaxaca City
Porters at airports and big bus terminals – Don’t worry, you wont have to find these guys, they’ll find you. And sometimes they can be overly persistent. If they’re not required, just politely tell them 10 times ‘Gracias‘ and you’re ok 🤣. But if you do want their service, $20-$50 pesos is ok. Depending on how many bags and how far they’re taking them.
Grocery baggers – These are either the young kids or older people packing your shopping bags at the supermarket. You happily give these people tips because they don’t get paid, only from your tips. You can tip these people anything you like because it all goes straight to them. Common practice is to tip them $5-$10 pesos per bag. More is always appreciated.
Best areas to stay in Oaxaca City
Food deliveries – With the likes of UberEats and Didi becoming more common, so are home deliveries. Lots of people don’t tip these guys, but somewhere between $10-$20 pesos is a pretty good tip.
Garbage truck – If you’re staying in an Air BnB or living here, you’ll have to take out your garbage when the truck passes. Depends if its the municipal truck or a private truck. Municipal is free, the private trucks charge around $10 pesos per bag.
Street car park attendant – Wether you want your car looked after in some random spot or not, you’ll often find a guy looking after an area or carpark. He’ll also stop traffic while you reverse out or any other needs. $5-$10 pesos for these guys
Traffic light windscreen wash – While you’re stopped up at some traffic lights, you’ll get your windsceen washed even if you say no. Tip these guys whatever loose change you have lying around.
Traffic light entertainers – Same with these guys, whatever loose change you have. You’ll see some pretty cool entertainment while waiting for the lights to turn green.
So there you have it guys, a bit of a guide of how Oaxacans tip in Oaxaca 👌
