So we are leaving tomorrow to go to the Dominican and I was wondering what the proper etiquette is for tipping (I've never been to a resort like this). It is all inclusive, so I'm just wondering what kind of cash I should bring down there- and they accept American currency, correct? I was thinking like 20 bucks for the cab driver (10 for each way) and then probably like 100 bucks in 1's (since we'll be there a week). Do you tip on every drink you get? or just toss them a five when you're leaving? I don't wanna be a cheapskate, but I also don't want to be defeating the point of all inclusive and waste money...

10/28/2011 8:34:57 AM

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g150768-i6-k1809117-Tipping_at_an_all_inclusive_resort-Mexico.html


http://www.allinclusiveblog.com/forum/topics/do-i-have-to-leave-a-tip-at


the OP in the second link asked your exact question

10/28/2011 8:47:07 AM

We stayed at a resort in Thailand and I feel like we ended up tipping everyone everywhere. Here's a pretty good breakdown:

Quote :

"DON'T BE A JERK: TIPPING, CARIBBEAN-STYLE In resorts throughout this necklace of islands, an all-inclusive service fee of 15 percent or more is a mainstay, the better to keep nagging tip calculations from cramping your blissed-out state. "I have yet to encounter a hotel in the Caribbean that doesnt charge a service fee," says Terry McCabe of Paramus, New Jersey's Altour travel agency. Now, that doesnt mean you shouldnt tip over and above the all-inclusive fee when the occasion calls for it—something that will largely be determined by the service you receive. Says Becky Veith of Erie, Pennsylvania's Becky Veith Travel, "Both my clients and I have found service lacking in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico." You should also consider what you're paying. With these factors in mind, heres a guide to tipping across the Caribbean. At Restaurants: If it's outside your resort package, check the bill to see if the gratuity is included. If not, tip 15 to 20 percent depending on the service. "I use the same tipping standards as at home," says McCabe. And she reminds naughtily, "If you give the bartender at your resort some money, there'll always be a drink waiting for you." At Hotels: Assuming there is a service charge, you might still tip the concierge for special favors such as nailing down hard-to-get dinner reservations. "Money talks," says Veith. "Hand the concierge whatever you think those seats are worth, $20 or $25, and they'll get them for you." Tip bellboys a few dollars per bag and maids $20 for a week's work, especially if you get to know them. Increasingly, you may end up with a butler at top resorts, regardless of whether you want or need him. On a recent trip to Turks and Caicos, says McCabe, "I left my butler $50. But another guest had to call him back because hed unpacked her things and she couldn't find where he'd put her bras." Guides and Drivers: Most Caribbean tourists, when not vegetating on a beach, go off on bus tours and tip the guide a couple of dollars, but if you take a private tour, tip your guide about $25 and your driver about $10 for the day. Veith suggests another option: Ask a taxi driver what it will cost to take you here and there for a day, then tip 20 percent on top of that. Dollars Accepted? Yes, except in the French Caribbean, which uses euros. P.S. "If you charter a boat, they'll include the service charge, says McCabe, "but if the captain takes you to 47 different little coves and jumps overboard to show you a conch, you can tip more." For spa treatments, tip 15 to 20 percent, "although you can probably do 10 to 15 percent in Mexico and the Dominican Republic and still feel pretty good about it," says Veith."

10/28/2011 8:48:05 AM

Take a lot of $1's, I never tipped anyone more than a few dollars. $1 is more money there than here. I would leave 1 or 2 dollars after having a few drinks at a bar or having a meal. A lot of people don't tip every time and may or may not leave a bigger tip at the end of their stay. But the staff changes for their break, so I liked to tip as I recieved the service. I think I took about $150 in ones and came back with ~$40 worth so you're probably on the right track. I also took $50 in 5's for bigger tips, but didn't end up using them as much.

^There was not a service charge at the place I stayed at in the DR last month.

[Edited on October 28, 2011 at 8:57 AM. Reason : ]

10/28/2011 8:56:03 AM

interesting- looks like I was spot on with my guessing then... but what about the bars and stuff- would you tip every drink?

10/28/2011 8:56:49 AM

Quote :

" I would leave 1 or 2 dollars after having a few drinks at a bar"

10/28/2011 8:58:11 AM

I wouldn't (and didn't see anyone really doing that). Personally, I stopped by so many different bars to grab a drink and didn't always have money on me (swim wear). I would tip at the bars if I stayed there for a bit and got multiple drinks, or if I had gotten several drinks from the same person. I think tipping every drink would just be excessive, and I feel like I tipped more than others I saw around the resort.

10/28/2011 8:59:34 AM

hope you guys have a great trip!

10/28/2011 9:00:29 AM

If a server is bringing you drinks at your chair, I'd tip $1 per trip. If you are at the bar, a few dollars when you are done, depending on what you drink. I'd tip a $5 for meals. You should have more than enough money if you are taking $100 for tipping. I"ve been at an all inclusive in the Dominican the last 3 Christmas's and follow my same guidelines.

10/28/2011 9:07:52 AM

I kinda felt the great thing about going to an all inclusive resort was not having to carry a thing on you... no cell phone, no wallet, etc.. So I didn't really tip anyone They also told us not to on check in

10/28/2011 9:13:05 AM

Good suggestions from everyone, but definitely don't be too concerned about it, they don't expect much if you are under 30 inside the resort. Outside is where anyone will say something if you don't tip. I also left my leftover pesos for the housekeeper on our last day, about $5 worth.

10/28/2011 9:21:58 AM

10/28/2011 9:23:22 AM

Tip up front if you are really wanting better service. We tipped the bar tender at our all-inclusive the 2nd day because he was understaffed and working real hard that night (I think I gave him $20 and the friend I was with gave him $20). He worked the bar the rest of our trip and if we walked up he gave us our regular drinks without us even asking for them - it really made things run a lot smoother.

10/28/2011 9:39:55 AM