Tipping on a multi-activity excursion

[heathrj]

When in Puerto Vallarta, we have signed up for a horseback riding/snorkelling/kayaking excursion, which also includes a full buffet lunch and a boat ride to and from the pier.  There will be so many people involved with the tour...who and when do we tip?  I hate the thought of having to pull out my wallet with every transition, but I also want to make sure everyone who should be tipped, does.  On an all-day excursion (with 15-20 participants), we would normally tip $20 for the tour guide and $10 for the driver, but I don't know where to start with this tour.  Any suggestions?

[tallnthensome]

That sounds about right .... I also bring $100 in five dollar bills for extra tips where needed as you mentioned. I want to tip everyone but a ten or twenty spot isn't always feasible. Bring some fives, better than no tip ....... 

[BirdTravels]

39 minutes ago, heathrj said:

When in Puerto Vallarta, we have signed up for a horseback riding/snorkelling/kayaking excursion, which also includes a full buffet lunch and a boat ride to and from the pier.  There will be so many people involved with the tour...who and when do we tip?  I hate the thought of having to pull out my wallet with every transition, but I also want to make sure everyone who should be tipped, does.  On an all-day excursion (with 15-20 participants), we would normally tip $20 for the tour guide and $10 for the driver, but I don't know where to start with this tour.  Any suggestions?

Tip as you see fit. Each of the different guides that will escort you on each activity "expect" to be tipped. 

[zqvol]

15 hours ago, heathrj said:

When in Puerto Vallarta, we have signed up for a horseback riding/snorkelling/kayaking excursion, which also includes a full buffet lunch and a boat ride to and from the pier.  There will be so many people involved with the tour...who and when do we tip?  I hate the thought of having to pull out my wallet with every transition, but I also want to make sure everyone who should be tipped, does.  On an all-day excursion (with 15-20 participants), we would normally tip $20 for the tour guide and $10 for the driver, but I don't know where to start with this tour.  Any suggestions?

 

Why would you tip? Mexico pays their workers ful salaries. They do not depend on tips for their livelihood. No one should be tipped. Give what you want to anyone that actually personally helps you. Non one will expect to be tipped.

Edited March 11, 2019 by zqvol

[tallnthensome]

1 minute ago, zqvol said:

 

Why would you tip? Mexico pays their workers ful salaries. They do not depend on tips for their livelihood. No one should be tipped. Give what you want to anyone that actually personally helps you. Non one will expect to be tipped.

What is a full salary in Mexico? 20 Pesos ? ...... That is why we tip. 

[Stealthdog]

Seems like people should expect to pay $500+ on a standard 7 day cruise (bag handlers, DSCs, tips in addition to DSCs, automatic gratuities, tour guides, drivers, spa services, etc).  That affordable cruise just increased in cost by 50%.

[PTC DAWG]

1 hour ago, tallnthensome said:

What is a full salary in Mexico? 20 Pesos ? ...... That is why we tip. 

Exactly...

[thetaro]

I don't automatically tip tour guides or drivers that bring me from point a to point b. That is included in the excursion. Unless I know they make close to nothing, then I may give them a few bucks.

 

I usually only tip when they show exceptional knowledge or go an extra mile in helping me. 

Edited March 11, 2019 by thetaro

[PTC DAWG]

6 minutes ago, Stealthdog said:

Seems like people should expect to pay $500+ on a standard 7 day cruise (bag handlers, DSCs, tips in addition to DSCs, automatic gratuities, tour guides, drivers, spa services, etc).  That affordable cruise just increased in cost by 50%.

I have the DSC in mind in the cruise cost before I ever set sail. 

[Gampy1967]

37 minutes ago, thetaro said:

I don't automatically tip tour guides or drivers that bring me from point a to point b. That is included in the excursion. Unless I know they make close to nothing, then I may give them a few bucks.

 

I usually only tip when they show exceptional knowledge or go an extra mile in helping me. 

This i agree with.  Basic transportation from point 1 to b is what the excursion cost is for.  Taking me to the shorkeling spot is what the excursion cost is for.  Assistance with equipment, tips on snorkeling, etc. is what generates a tip.

[heathrj]

Thanks for the feedback.  It certainly seems like there is no set way to do this.  I guess we will just bring lots of small bills and tip when it feels 'right'!

[erdoran]

Excursion tipping story - somewhere in Caribbean, I forget where, possibly Turks & Caicos,, DH and I did a catamaran/snorkeling tour.  Worst snorkeling I have ever had in my entire life!  Dead coral/rocks, guides threw bread crumbs and one lonely fish dropped by.  Snorkelers climbing over each other, kicking everyone would have driven the fish away anywa - probably 50+ snorkelers.  Total WASTE.  On the way back the bar passed out what tasted like koolaid with rotgut rum.  Big jar on the bar for TIPS.  As we disembarked, one of the staff was standing at the gangplank with the TIPS jar, shoving it in eveyrone’s face and shaking it.  

 

Terrible excursion, tips not only expected but demanded - what would YOU do?

 

 

 

 

[Peachypooh]

I go to the bank before we leave and depending on the itinerary I get $100-$200 in small bills

for tips. To answer your question I just watch what other people are doing as my guide although

I have been known to buck the trend and tip both the bus driver and guide in places like

Cartegena where I saw people mostly just tip the guide. I have never had multiple tour guides

like you are asking about but I have had multiple stops like the Folkloric Show at the

Naval Museum in Cartegena where there was a tip jar for the performers. Don't forget doormen

expect to be tipped if they get a taxi for you. In some locations the hotels don't have enough

room for taxis to be waiting so the doorman radios or waves to get one for you. It does seem

endless but I always keep in mind that these people are only trying to make a living.

 

[Gampy1967]

10 hours ago, erdoran said:

Excursion tipping story - somewhere in Caribbean, I forget where, possibly Turks & Caicos,, DH and I did a catamaran/snorkeling tour.  Worst snorkeling I have ever had in my entire life!  Dead coral/rocks, guides threw bread crumbs and one lonely fish dropped by.  Snorkelers climbing over each other, kicking everyone would have driven the fish away anywa - probably 50+ snorkelers.  Total WASTE.  On the way back the bar passed out what tasted like koolaid with rotgut rum.  Big jar on the bar for TIPS.  As we disembarked, one of the staff was standing at the gangplank with the TIPS jar, shoving it in eveyrone’s face and shaking it.  

 

Terrible excursion, tips not only expected but demanded - what would YOU do?

 

 

 

 

I would walk right on by without adding a tip.

[LeesaB]

Sounds like you've already gotten a lot of good advice but thought I'd add my 2 cents anyway.  😏

 

$5 bills are your best friend, followed by 10s, 1s, and 20s.  Drivers - if they drove carefully, didn't make me feel like we were going to die, or helped provide narration during the drive/engaged with my kids, then I'll give them anywhere from between $2 and $10.  Depends.  Tour guides - Again quality highly dependent here.  I've given anywhere from between $5 and $40 (for a really fantastic tour).  If I know that it's something that's going to stick in my memory forever and the quality of the tour helped make it so, then they get a great tip.

 

For the rest of the people you interact with, just evaluate how helpful they were to you/your family and tip accordingly.  If they have a communal tip jar then it certainly makes it easier.

[Peachypooh]

14 hours ago, erdoran said:

Excursion tipping story - somewhere in Caribbean, I forget where, possibly Turks & Caicos,, DH and I did a catamaran/snorkeling tour.  Worst snorkeling I have ever had in my entire life!  Dead coral/rocks, guides threw bread crumbs and one lonely fish dropped by.  Snorkelers climbing over each other, kicking everyone would have driven the fish away anywa - probably 50+ snorkelers.  Total WASTE.  On the way back the bar passed out what tasted like koolaid with rotgut rum.  Big jar on the bar for TIPS.  As we disembarked, one of the staff was standing at the gangplank with the TIPS jar, shoving it in eveyrone’s face and shaking it.  

 

Terrible excursion, tips not only expected but demanded - what would YOU do?

I would evaluate if the bad circumstances were within the control of the tour guide.

If yes I would walk on by. If no I might put $1 or so in the jar.

 

14 hours ago, erdoran said:

 

 

 

 

 

[ClevelandCruisin]

We tip our main tour guide and the driver. Sometimes in the bus or meeting point a tip bucket is provided and we put it in there. 

There is no exact dollar amount to tip anyone, tip based on how you feel your experience was. Some tip, some do not. A few bucks for each though I'm sure would be sufficient.