How Much to Tip: Real Rules for Caribbean Trips and Resorts

When you’re on vacation, how much to tip, a practical social custom that shows appreciation for service. Also known as gratuity, it’s not about being generous—it’s about knowing what’s expected so you don’t overpay or offend. In the Caribbean, tipping isn’t optional in many places, but it’s also not a free-for-all. Many travelers assume all-inclusive resorts mean no tipping at all, but that’s a myth. Staff still work hard—bartenders refilling your drink, housekeepers changing your towels, tour guides showing you hidden waterfalls—and they often rely on tips to make a living.

All-inclusive tipping, the specific practice of giving tips at resorts that include meals, drinks, and activities in the price, varies by island. In Jamaica, it’s common to leave $1–$2 per drink at the bar, even if you’re on an all-inclusive plan. In Cancún or the Dominican Republic, you might tip $5–$10 per day to your room attendant. Resort tipping etiquette, the unwritten rules around who to tip and how much at vacation properties isn’t the same everywhere. Some places expect cash, others accept card tips. And some resorts include a service charge—check your bill before you hand over extra cash. You don’t need to tip your server if they’re already paid a salary, but if they went out of their way to remember your name or got you a table with a view, a small tip goes a long way.

Travel tipping guide, a practical resource for understanding local customs when traveling abroad isn’t just about numbers—it’s about respect. A $5 tip to a beach attendant who helped you find a shady spot or carried your cooler isn’t charity. It’s fair exchange. On guided tours, $10–$20 per person is standard if the guide was knowledgeable and fun. For taxi drivers, rounding up is polite. And if you’re booking a private boat trip or a cooking class with a local, ask upfront if tipping is expected. The worst thing you can do is guess wrong and either underpay someone who worked hard or overpay someone who didn’t need it.

You’ll find plenty of mixed advice online—some blogs say tip everything, others say never tip at all-inclusive resorts. The truth is simpler: how much to tip depends on the service, the island, and the person. Use common sense. If someone went above and beyond, reward it. If the service was robotic or rushed, a small tip is still polite. You’re not paying for a luxury hotel in London—you’re in the Caribbean, where warmth matters more than price tags. The posts below break down exactly what to do on different islands, at different kinds of resorts, and during different kinds of trips. No fluff. Just real advice from people who’ve been there.