When tipping in Mexico, remember that the minimum wage is 50 pesos a day (roughly $5.00 US) so to suppliment their income, the service workers do whatever they can to give you excellent service in hopes your tips will reflect their hard work.
Throughout ALL of North America, tips are relied upon by the employees in the service industry, from bars and restaurants, to maids, bell boys and tour guides and tips in truth, will in the end get you better service.
In other places such as Germany, Holland and New Zealand, tipping is not the norm, as the company/business owner suppliments the employees income with higher wages, thus tipping is not a part of their social or economic culture. BUT, with that in mind, do not think for second that just because you do not personally tip the service worker that you are not paying for it in the end. At least here, you have the personal choice of how much you want to give.
Here are some basic guidelines.
The amount in given in US Dollars and peso equivalent at 10 pesos to the US dollar.
Porters and bellboys at airports and at moderate and inexpensive hotels: $1.00 per bag. $2.00 per bag if heavy or a more expensive hotel. (10 to 20 pesos)
Maids: $2.00 to $3.00 per night (all hotels). More if the room is exceptionally messy or there are dishes to be washed or laundry.(20-30 pesos)
Manager/Concierge: Many smaller hotels, villas and boutique rentals have a manager or concierge who helps you plan tours, make reservations for restaurants, excursions, offers tips and is pretty much the person you go to when you need anything. Depending on their level of service, tip accordingly and personally at the end of your stay.
Waiters: 10%-15% of the bill, depending on service (make sure a 10%-15% service charge hasn't already been added to the bill, although this practice is more common in resorts or at some restaurants and with groups of six or more people)
Taxi drivers: Tipping is necessary only if the driver helps with your bags -- 5 pesos to 10 pesos should be sufficient per bag, depending on the extent of the help. You DO NOT need to tip a taxi driver for a normal ride.
Tour guides and drivers: at least $2.00-$5.00 per half day, minimum. (20 -50 pesos)
Much more if you charter a fishing boat.
Gas-station attendants: 3 pesos to 5 pesos; if they check the oil, tires, etc., tip more.
Baggers at the grocery stores: (usually young children or the elderly through the D.I.F program. 3 to 5 pesos, more if you have a lot of bags.
All workers in the Hospitality Industry in ALL of North American rely on tips. Often times, the waitstaff have to claim 10% from all their sales as tips, so if you stiff them, they are out money to the tax man. If they personally gave horrible service, then do what you feel, but also, do not blame them for the cooks mistakes, instead, talk to the manager.
