I've been to Cancun about 20 times, but that was before Cancun supposedly stopped taking American dollars. From reading on the forum here, it seems that you can still pay for things in dollars in Cancun? I guess I'm still a little confused. Do the servers, bellman, etc. still prefer being tipped in dollars? And since this is my first time in a very long time at an all inclusive, what is a fair way to tip? Even though it says tips are included, I know these workers are not making much money and appreciate a tip for working hard. Thanks for any info. I will be arriving Saturday and can't wait to feel like I'm home again!
YES!!! Tip in USD. For you, if you leave the hotel and go to dinner, or buy souvenirs, use dollars where accepted or credit card for larger purchases. You get the best exchange rate with your card even if they do charge an international fee.
Thanks Tori for the info. I just stocked up on a bunch of ones and fives! What do you think is a fair tip at an all inclusive? I used to just run a tab at the pool and then tip the server 20% cash at the end of the day and even more if the server was very good. Now it says tips are included and I'm confused. I prefer to stay at non-inclusive resorts, but they changed my favorite resort over to all inclusive now. Don't you work at a hotel/s?
I am at THE Royal and we have a sign at reception that states Tips are Included.... and it pisses me off each time I read it. For the most part, the staff, most importantly the Bartenders and Waiters are busting their asses everyday and for next to nothing. Yes, they are "compensated" by the hotel with extra pesos onto of their salary, but it isn't anything to make a difference. Really, do it to what makes you comfortable. I know ppl that tip $20 a day, some $1 a drink, some nothing, some do ALOT.
Thanks again Tori for all your helpful advice. My plane leaves in 8 hours and I'm too excited to sleep! At least I know all of my service providers will be well tipped now, thanks in part to your help! I didn't think the hotels would compensate them that much even if they said tips were included.
I just returned from a week long trip without spending 1 Peso. Some friends on the trip exchanged for pesos in the begging, this was simply on a "when in Rome" mentality. I found it simpler to just use US Dollars for all my purchases + tips. There were never any issues and I was not stuck with any pesos in the end. I found that most locals preferred the US dollar.
And remember, wether your paying in Pesos, Dollars, Rupes etc. the price is negotiable. I do not believe there was 1 item paid for at full cost. This is from group trips of 7 down to single purchase gift type items.
