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 tip at all. 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 want to tip more, great 👌
*This is also a general guide for tipping in Mexico.
Is Oaxaca Safe? What 10 years living here has taught me.
Restaurants, Bars and Cafes
Restaurants and cafes – Straight up 10% is the standard here. If the service is excellent, 15-20% is considered a very generous tip.
Bars / Cantinas – Most bars in Oaxaca offer table service, so the 10% standard applies here as well. If you’re in a night club and have to go to the bar to buy your drinks, tipping isn’t common, but you can if you like.
Transportation and Drivers
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.
Hotels and Tours
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.
Tipping Street performers and Service workers
Musicians / Performers / buskers: If you enjoy live music or performances, it’s 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 don’t fill up your own gas tank. You pull up at the pump and be greeted by an attendant. You tip these guys around $10 pesos or whatever loose change you have.
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 ‘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.
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.
Getting to and from Oaxaca City Airport
Unique Tipping situations in Oaxaca
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.
Garbage truck – If you’re staying in an Air BnB for more than a week or living here, you’ll have to take out your garbage when the truck passes. It will depend on whether it’s the municipal truck or a private truck. Municipal is free, the private trucks charge around $10 pesos per bag.
Street car park attendant – Even if you don’t ask for your car to be watched in some random carpark, you’ll often find a guy looking after that area or carpark. He’ll look after your car and also stop traffic while you reverse out. $5-$10 pesos for these guys.
Public Transport – How to get around Oaxaca City
Traffic light windscreen wash – While you’re stopped up at some traffic lights, you’ll get your windscreen 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.
Tipping in Oaxaca is about showing appreciation, and even small tips can make a difference. Whether at a restaurant, getting your groceries packed, or enjoying street performances, these gestures are part of the local culture. I hope this guide helps you tip like a local while enjoying all that Oaxaca has to offer!
