A Complete Guide To Tipping in Punta Cana 

Our last trip to PC, we stayed at the Majestic Elegance. On the first day at breakfast, we left the server $4. The following day, there was a line up for the breakfast buffet. The previous day's server saw us in line, grabbed us, and took us right to an open table. A little cash can go a long way! BTW, we are heading back to the Majestic Elegance, mid-February. Enjoy your videos.

Headed to PC Friday! THIS is the video that helped me the absolute most! Thank you so much!

As always, very insightful! I have as well noticed that not too many people tip, but I certainly do, pretty much the same way you do! The only thing that I would add is that I also tip the cook who prepares my eggs in the morning as well as the gardeners and the security guards! Good video! Thank you so much! 💕

James you are my freekin guide to all things Punta Cana . This video as so many are is awesome advice. My wife and I are going in January and can't wait . Thanks so much for all the reviews! You have helped us pick our place of stay, what to expect, what to eat and where, and now how to tip . Keep up the great work!

Thanks for the video! This information is really helpful.

This video is so useful for people who don't come from a tipping culture (aka me).

Goshhhhh I tipped my Butler $100! It was his birthday that weekend and he was going to be off. Plus he did great scheduling everything for us. My boyfriend thought I had a Crush 😻, but I just wanted to bless him. I’m always Blessing the staff always. 😍🥰🙏🏽🙏🏽

I think your numbers are spot on. I agree with what you said about tipping after service. People, please don't tip in advance an expect something above and beyond and being upset when you don't get it. Tip based on the service you got not the service you're hoping to get. If you're trying to bribe someone, that's a different game with different best practices and prices.

In PC right now at Bahia Ambar, this is very helpful! All your vids are helpful!

Sounds like great, practical advice!

Really helpful info!!! Thanks so much!

Thanks for this informative video! As someone in the service industry, I had been looking for a video on tipping culture in all-inclusive resorts. I had asked a few other vloggers their information, and was told “We tip when we can” and I was like 😮😮😬 I appreciate the informative view from someone who understands American tipping culture versus others, with the understanding that, YES, you should tip. Thanks for the great videos, keep up the good work!

Thank you. I will be there next week. I've been to Punta Cana before and just wondered this time about how much to tip bec of the need post pandemic. I'm Dominican and go all over abd usually give cash to those who help me. Also live in NY and we're big tippers here. Thanks again.

good video. informative. i just came back from the chic royalton in punta cana and saw similar to you. We went down for a week (2 people) and brought about $200 per person. We came back with a little left over but what i usually tip was like your experience.

This has been very helpful. I'm going to La Romana in Dec and was wondering about tipping.

Great channel, keep up the great work!

Good advice thanks for the information 👍

You are the best dude ! so informational ... Helps a lot...

Man I can't tell you how grateful I am to have found your channel. Visiting the Riu Republica in Punta Cana later this year, and just finished your video on that resort. I was very happy to see you give it such a great review. We are a young group so I was thinking we would like it anyway but for so cheap I was worried. I'll be binge watching all you're other punta cana videos and tip videos. Thank you

At the Spa I was tipping $20 as I would in the US. Exceptional massage. Usually $5 for sit down dinner and $5 for sommelier. For housekeeping $5 which also included a bed turndown every night. The buffet was $1 or $2 depending on how many refills on my coffee. I enjoyed my 8 day stay at the end of March. I am an over tipper. I didn't tip the member services staff who may also be known as concierge who arranged reservations and transfers.

I feel you, before a 10-12 day trip to the Caribbean or Mexico I'm at the bank getting $300 singles, 10-$10 bills and 20-$5. Learned early to tip the bartenders, drink servers and butler right from jump and the trip takes on a whole different level of service. We also notice we are one of the few people that tip the dining servers a few bucks and they greatly appreciate it. Worked kitchens all through college so I know how hard they work and now in a position to payback now. Something about walking up to a crowded bar and the bartender says calls your name as he or she slides your go to drink without asking. Treat people with respect and kindness you get it back 10 fold by the staff.

We're staying at the Majestic Mirage next Feb!!! We've stayed 3 times at the Colonial. Looking forward to the experience. We're from up north and travel to Punta Canada every 2-3 years. The people are awesome and we've always been well-taken care of. We usually bring about $200 in small US bills and that does us comfortably for the week in tipping. We're pretty self-sufficient and don't really use the butler service for anything. This is what we have done in the past: Meals at Buffet - $2 left on the table at the end A La Carte Meals - $5 same as above Bartender - $1 per round (more if it's more than 3-4 drinks) Housekeeper - $2/day Mini-bar - $1-2/day (the person that stocks the mini-bar isn't the housekeeper - leave the bills sticking halfway out of the mini-fridge) Omelette guy in the morning - $1/day Anyone that handles my bags for more than a couple of steps - $1-2 per bag Transportation shuttles to/from the airport or transportation to excursions - $1 per person The person that books your excursions - $2 per person Any staff/guides/hosts that provide service on excursions - $5-20 depending on the excursion and how long you're with them Also a good thing to do in the evening - if you know that you are going to park yourselves at a certain bar for the evening, I've found it's helpful to just tip the bartender like $5-$20 (depending on the size of your group), at the beginning of the night with your first drink. If you're there for more than an hour or so, tip more throughout the night as you go.

well put together I am British originally but have lived in USA for 30 years When we stay in Dom rep I take at least $400 in singles and spread the love. I am very upfront with check in staff and will often have casual 20 or 50 on show for an upgrade For us tipping in DR is just like giving to charity but you see the results immediately!!!!! it really is a show of respect and it increases our enjoyment thanx for posting

Thanks, I'll be going to the Dominican Republic in October and wasn't sure about the tipping, helpful video!

I was brought up with the mentality of tipping first whenever possible. I found this to really work well over the years and often tip on the back-end as well when service has been exceptional.

thank you very much for the information. I'm going to the Dominican Republic in 10 days.👍😊

I will agree with most of your tipping guide only thing I do differently is if you are going to tip the butler or the chamber maid at the end of stay ask them if they are going to be there until the end of your stay. If staying a week and not tipping the butler till the end and he goes off shift a new person takes over he will take your tip and the other person loses out. We tip the maids everyday usually $3 and we put $2 in the fridge sometimes with a note for extra beer or waters for the people that restock they are usually 2 different people, and they usually come through with extras. Tipping for drinks is always a tough one you are tipping for service not buying the drink. I usually tip about every 2nd drink but pool bars are tough to carry money unless in Mexico where they have plastic money lol. If it a very busy bar or resort front the bartender $5 or $10 and when its busy he will spot you coming and have a drink ready for you.

This is great! I too may have been over tipping. From the States, I feel we are provided a service & should tip. In my travels to Cancun & Jamaica; I tipped everybody.. lol! Ran through my tip money pretty quick. But the service in both Cancun & Jamaica was well worth it! The service you receive is excellent, so, I did not mind. Not so much in Miami. Planning a trip to Punta Cana. So I always like to do my research. I will definitely keep this in mind. 👍🏽💜

Travellers from the UK have a different perspective on this, I can't speak for all Brits but we have an expectation of good service and I tip when that service is met or exceeded, I certainly wouldn't tip every drink but rather when something special is done, always tip house keeping and minibar, meals are again tipped based on quality and service

Thanks for the tip 👍

Thanks for the tips 😀

In my experience, when in an all inclusive, I find the bar that I will most likely be at the most and find the bartender that I like. I will tip them $20 and ask to make sure I’m always getting served fast and first. Then half way through my stay I’ll go back and tip him another 20. Has always been amazing for me. I am from Canada.

Thanks for this video. I def over tipped the first day of my trip. I gave the transfer driver $10!!! Well, lesson learned. I did give the butler $20 as he was great but we really didn’t utilize his services much. I tipped $1 per drink and $1 just about anytime someone performed a service. Housekeeping $3/day.

I tip tipically same way you explained it. Good tip go long way. @Bavaro Princess we tipped very well, we reciveved 5 start service, the employees see us anywhere any where at the resort they will ask if everything is ok, if we need something, even the day before they ask us if we are having breakfast at the buffet just to have the table all together for my family.

Thank you for the insight. We too tip on excellent service. I also pick people I see who are not normally tipped and are working hard. Groundskeeper, lobby cleaning person, etc and give them a tip (sometimes $5-10). The pool towel people if they are regularly skimming the swimup pool (no one likes lounging with dead bugs and debris). This is my 7th time in the PC and we appreciate everyone who makes our vacation that much more relaxing and special.

Travel to DR regularly, 2 times a year for 20 years; agree with your guidance.

Great info. Thank you!

I'm from the UK and my fiance is Polish. We went to a 5 star resort this year and we loved it so much we are going back to the same place next year. We didn't really drink much alcohol and we eat normal size portions of food. We found that Americans seemed to overindulge themselves massive portions of food and wanted their own big flasks of alcohol filled, rather than using the glasses provided. We tipped 1 or 2 dollars for good service when we ate. We tipped the armed guards on the beach who were friendly and its good to stay on the right side of those guys !! We also tipped the gardeners who worked so hard all day long and outdoor cleaners. We thought they wouldn't get tipped very often and they really appreciated it. We found the staff on the whole to be very friendly and can't wait to go back

Excellent information. I seem to fit in with your guidelines. I see way over tipping, and way under tipping when in Mexico. My first DR trip is in Dec at Excellence El Carmen, Club room. Wish you had stayed there instead of EPC as I do enjoy your videos. Other than the main pool, I think you would like EEC.

Great info on the tipping - and about right IMO. Interestingly we also did not see a lot of tipping when we were there before xmas. We often bring a lot of gift items also to give away that seemed to be very much appreciated.

This video is well done. I am glad you put it out there. While we may tip differently, I been traveling to DR for 15 years and people who don’t tip are not well received by the locals. As an example,At Majestic I tip my Butler $100 per week. They are attentive and they work hard for us. I also have to say, the average resort employee is making roughly$10 per day. Tips are expected and not included in your package. I would add that regardless of where you live, and what your culture feels about tipping, you must educate yourself when traveling and understand what the tipping culture is for the country you are visiting. In DR, tips are expected for service just as much as it is in the US. You must educate yourself before traveling abroad, otherwise you are leaving a bad representation of your country. In closing I would add that while the dollar goes further, if you are in the tourist district, cost of living is as high as the US. I own a property in Punta Cana and electricity, food and gas are much more expensive than in the US. Dominicans do not make a living wage without tips.

really good tips lol i mean information - it’s important to tip for good service

Good to know. Thanks for the tip...hehehe 😜 😂 😜

My tipping guide - only tip good service!

I enjoy your vídeos a lot!We came back from Punta Cana two months ago and we tipped the ones that we thought that did a good job but at the END of your trip in my country,Uruguay, you are not supposed to tip housekeeping in a hotel.

Hi. Great video! Can I assume your advice applies to Puerto Plata as well? First time going to DR this March Break. :)

Let's step it up people, the front line workers at these all inclusive, work hard and a buck or two goes a long way. I do agree with not tipping taxi drivers, instead, get a pre-paid ride service, they'll be waiting for you at the airport or your resort with your information and I have no problem tipping them. USD works best, no reason to get the Dominican peso.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.. This is SOOOOO Helpful..... Hummmm Housekeeping it that $ 3.00 per day or are you tallying it up at the end of your stay..?

Great and helpful video, thank you for doing this. My only question is at a sit down restaurant do you just leave a 5 on the table because who will pick it up, there’s like 4 different people coming by and serving and taking orders at the sit down restaurant. Do they all get a 5 each?

I’m in Punta Cana right now. I’m staying in a house within a resort that has the Eden Roc. They add on 10% to the bill as a tip and don’t expect you to leave anything else.

Very well said. Even though I am not Dominican, I have been living here for a long time and I appreciate everyone that talks good of the Dominicans. In general, they are very happy and working people, particularly in the hospitality industry. As for the tipping and the taxis, you are spot on. Unfortunately, the taxi unions are very, very strong and of not so "educated" people. They even get mad at the Uber drivers but just in the hospitality territory. The current president is a hotelier and is aware of the problem, but those changes will come very slowly.

No love for Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana? Would love your thoughts...Thought the spa was incredible.

Can you do a video on upselling at the places your stayed in Punta Cana? Like the Excellence Club or Diamond Club.. and which resorts do not do that and everything is included? I would really not like to pay an extra cost to swim in the "good pool". Thanks and keep it up!

Is the $5 tip at a high-end restaurant per table or per person. Love your informative videos. subscribed.

Tips are equivalent to respect. My hubby and I are over-tippers, but it brings us joy to be able to share the wealth and show appreciation for service and attention. I always wonder if and when the tips are shared. Don't forget the landscapers, people cleaning the pools, beach and hotel grounds.

Sounds good thanks for the info

Well it look like I'm a top tipper. The luggage delivery $20 in and $20 the way out. Private Concierge ( butler ) like you said at the beginning $100 and if they were good another $100 at the end. Room service, maid, $5. Reserved dinner, like good, romantic or good dinner depending $40. Buffet depending in the actitud of the person serving the water ir picking up the plates. $5. Bars, I barely ask for drinks but in the actitud $1, or 5 if is really nice. Note: ( family not by myself )

Thank you for the pointers. What are you thoughts on a tip for a family of 5 at a sit down restaurant. IMO I would leave $25+

We are going to the Dominican for my 75th birthday. Some people are on pension and have to save for all- inclusive deals. It adds up when you are dishing out $30-$40 a day on tips . Albert

Hello! I’m doing research for first all inclusive vacation…at Sandals they say they include it in your resort price and to tip Butlers separate if you opt for Butler level rooms. Hhhhmmm thanks for making this video…seems like every resort may be different…don’t mind tipping. Are Carribbean resorts like cruise ships where they add all tips to your bill? Take care!

We recently stayed at Planet Hollywood Cancun and we’re going to Bavaro this spring. At PH we had three butlers that shared responsibilities. We tipped them each like we had one butler. Do you think that was too much? Should we have taken the amount we wanted to tip and divided by three rather than multiplying it by three?

Been working in PC more than 10 years in different hotels, this is on point. Only suggestion is reception for a free upgrade slide a 20 bill , 5 is not getting you anywhere.

You forget that us in the Uk have to pay an absolute fortune to go to secrets and other places unlike our American cousins . I’m paying nearly £8000 for 2 weeks in secrets royal beach which isn’t a patch on secrets cap Cana . I begrudge paying tips for every little thing when I’ve paid a premium for this service . I Will and do tip my favourite staff members and cleaning staff at the end of the holiday though .

DR is like Cancun and United States. Very American. People speak both english and spanish. Everyone take dollars or card. I loved it. The best part, Smoking is allowed everywhere. No body hassled me enjoying a cigar in the lounge.

Being from uk i appreciate we simply do not have the tipping culture compared to USA etc however im happy to take a middle ground with tipping certainly wouldnt tip every drink but i would tip throughout the day here n there a little bit. Definitely would tip great service and quality.

Thank you

Thanks for your video! This will be our first trip to the D.R. (El Carmen resort). We stayed at Dreams in Mexico and got American money at the front desk. Is this the same for El Carmen or we have to go to the bank before arriving?

I wish Majestic Mirage was $300/night lol. We just booked a trip to their sister Elegance and Mirage was over $500/night. Elegance was $327/night and that was a mid tier room. The last time we were there at the bar, we tipped $10 at the beginning, then $1 each drink put in front of us. They probably made about $40 a day from us. We stayed at that bar for the trip and the 2 bartenders we dealt with daily would literally drop what they were doing and stop a conversation mid sentence with others to help us. I drank the same thing and my drink would be placed on the bar top before I could even get my butt on the stool. We knew very well it was a lot, but we got incredible service, it was almost like we were the only guests there. We wrote a note in Spanish for the cleaning staff letting them know exactly what we needed and left a $5 with the note daily. I asked for 3 towels and got 5. We asked for a bottle of a specific type of alcohol, we got 2 bottles of everything. The room looked like no one had been in it ever when we got back each day. I do agree with him though, take almost all $1 bills. Not only is that your primary denomination, but it's probably far easier for them to spend a $1 than a $20. Just for kicks I did strategically placed a $20 visible with my reservation papers during check in and I know it was seen prior to me asking about an upgrade, magically we were put in a room $140/night more than what we booked for that $20. Well worth it for sure. I don't like the "most people don't even tip, so $1 will make them so happy" idea. If I can afford to plop down $5k on a vacation, I can afford to give a decent tip to the people who can make or break it. Doesn't matter the cost of living. It's about gratitude for giving me the opportunity to decompress from work stress for a week in paradise.

When you’ve paid over £16,000, for four adults and two children you shouldn’t have to tip that much . I tip the people I feel have done a good job . I certainly will not be spending £500 in tips

I believe in tipping for good service and or people who go above and beyond what is expected. There have been times where I have probably over tipped but that's because I thought the service I received was exceptional. However I don't tip all the time. Something to keep in mind, tipping seems to be a cultural thing, especially in America where servers seem to be paid a lower wage so they have to rely on tips. In some countries tipping is actually seen as an insult to the employers. As it would suggest, they are not paying their servers a fair and decent wage.

Regarding the butler, is that $10-$20 per day? Great video.

Could you please tell me how long before travel to punta cana you reserved private transfer from the airport?

Thanks for the tips (pun intended ;) Question, going to Royalton w/Diamond club and I have 2 kids and wife with me, in what cases do I tip for each person vs total? If we go have dinner, do I tip $5 x 4, or just $5 total?

Hi will you do secrets cap Cana ?

I support Any Ford. Why do we go on ALL INCLUSIVE holidays only to spend a fortune on tipping everyone for doing their job. I hated the bill being produced on a recent holiday to Vegas when it advised how much to tip based on the end price and the percentage I thought the server was due. Tipping is NOT obligated in any circumstance. I WILL tip a small amount at usually the end of a holiday to anyone I think deserves such. Usually bar staff and the cleaners. But to tip for EVERY single drink whilst on all inclusive is a total waste of my hard earned money.

Your voice and expression is much similar to Kris Gethin. Thanks for the information.

tip your room cleaner daily because the person may be off the day you are leaving-- and the fridge person is NOT the same person as the room cleaner

I saw people tipping 5-10 dollar on every cocktail. So they are paying for there drinks and it's all in. So it's stupid. Travelling is allready expensive enough. I only tip the ones who are nice, no matter if you tip them or not. Dont need no "fake" nice service

From someone with a lot of experience as well with tipping and travel, everyone makes the same mistake of tipping at the end. My butler/ maid staff for my room I Always tip them, and a generous tip, at the beginning. I ALWAYS get amazing service and they go above and beyond when tipping at the beginning of my stay. I know so many people who wait to tip at the end whose service always ends up being mediocre at best.

Hey just a question, is it tipping in their currency or like USD?

Thanks for this. Just subscribed! I always worry I’m not giving enough. Carrying around a bunch of cash while trying to swim or run back to the room everytime I get a drink. Should I give the bartender a 20 for the time I’m drinking so I don’t have to keep Giving out ones? I didn’t bring ones the first time I went so I was dishing out 20 Bucks every-time all over the place hahha broke fast. We didn’t have a butler at our last place but this one we will. So is it 20 bucks a day? I want to make sure he/she doesn’t feel ripped off. I’m low maintenance but still want to be sure they get paid. Thanks !

James , the driver private service the resort uses from the airport to Excellence Resort tip $10.00 $20.00 ?

My husband and I just got back from Riu Palace in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and we tipped $1.00 on all drinks, we tipped $5.00 for our bellhop, we tipped $10.00 when we ate at the fine dining restaurants, we tipped our housekeeper $25 for 5 night stay, we tipped the bus driver to and from the airport $10 each way, and we tipped $30 for the 3 people who waited on us on an excursion on a catamaran, they served us drinks and food throughout the trip. You can see how hard these people work throughout your stay, I wanted to tip the people who mopped and cleaned the floors, and wiped down the buttons to the elevators, tables, and walls. They took thier jobs seriously. I see we overtipped on the fine restaurants and the bus ride. I love your videos, we are booking our trip to Punta Cana based on your videos.

I’m with you mostly…and I have been to PC 14 times and going again Feb, 15. The butler part is where I pay more and I have had some super Butlers! Like never needing to make a reservation, is worth a lot to me! The other comment re house keeping, I leave 2 dollars every day on the bed. For those that don’t tip…I don’;t get it!!!!!

Tips are pooled from what I understand in all inclusive resorts

If you gonna to a session at the bar. Tip up front. 5 a day for room cleaning is nice.

I think $1 a dish for room service is a bit much. I work at a Steakhouse in US & I'm a bartender. I tip a food runner $1 a dish there. So I would think there it might be too much. I usually tip $2 for room service. But I've been to Majestic Elegance & Mirage maybe 8 times. The 1st couple times I've tipped butlers $100, which I realized was too much & it didn't make them any better. So now I tip $50-$75 for the wk at the end, if they were good

Hay James Lucas here from SD.Bro do i get royalties. It was me who kept bugging you to do DR after watching your Cancun videos. Lol. Bro i need my props for such a great idea. We are waiting to see the difference between Clearwater/ St. Pete vs Destin or Miami? I think that would be a great video. As for tipping i when i go back to Cancun soon I'm gonna tip in Pesos. Last time i went they all act like they can't give me my change,this time i will have a ton of pesos so i hope it won't have that problem when i pay in thier currency instead of mine and not getting change. One last thing. I really tryed to book DR today and it a hard round trip from SD. Where Cancun is a cheap non stop flight from TJ. My question is , is the ocean in DR way the heck better than Cancun??? Punta Canas ocean is a 10 but Cancun and Isla Mujeres is a 10 as well. Any advice?

I tip cos it’s ok to treat people well who have given you a good service, are friendly and house keeping who are excellent

Great video! Do I need to change my money to Dominican pesos? If so should I do that at the airport? Or should I just stay with my U.S. money?

Going alone for ten days to TRS. How much would you recommend me to bring with me for tips? Thank you

I'm from the UK where we pay our people for doing a job, if I go to a 5 star hotel I expect that level of service and you Americans are not tipping for good service but more to try to jump the queue!! Most of the All Inclusive hotels are SERVICE INCLUDED that is what it says you do NOT need to tip.

Curious if anyone has suggestions on the best way to travel with a stack of ones, fives and 10’s? My first time going to an all inclusive and looking for suggestions on how/where to pack all the bills? Thanks in advance

On my way February 6

Am going next week. I have no idea how to tip. I don't want to be the tight fisted Brit so I've got a pile of 1 dollar bills. I hope I get it right. Thanks for the video

I am confused about tipping when you travel in a group. My sister and I are bringing our children all in their 20s to Punta Cana. I didn’t know about tipping at an all inclusive until it popped up on my page while looking at excursions. So we are in 2 rooms and wo always be together. So how does tipping work.

You can Tip $1 every other drink is fine... per place you go to. Start with 1st drink $1... then next drink if same person,, nothing.. then 3rd drink $1... $5 you're tipping for 10 drinks (if you drink that much).. but in general you are going from place to place and most people get 5-6 drinks a day.. so you're probably tipping around $4-$5 overall. Now at restaurants.. Steakhouse $3 pp sitting there.. if there is 2 of you.. tip $5. Now most rest of restaurants that server buffet style (not main buffet, you tip nothing).. you tip $2 or if there are 2 of you $3. Now let me get back to main buffet.. again I said you don't have to.. BUT they bring you drinks or coffee.. give them $1 for doing it for you. You have to use your best judgement.. $5 bills are good if you have someone with you for dinners or if you want to tip a certain bartender more.. but $1 are best..

Good advice and breakdown. The only one I disagree with is the taxis, but this is my preference and the reason is that a good tip to a good driver will usually get you his cell number (Whatsapp) and ensure you have a driver at your beck and call for your entire stay. This won't matter if you are at your resort, but that cell number will come in handy at midnight when you're leaving a club drunk and can't find a ride. At this point I have several numbers I can use to arrange my own private airport pickups when I come in. I would agree with just about everything else you said. I have tipped as high as $20 USD for two people at the fancy French restaurant in an all inclusive, but that was for great service and in a scenario where I ordered an a la carte bottle of wine worth around $100 USD. Doing that early in my stay pretty much ensured I got the best waiters every night -- word travels fast among resort service people in the DR.😆 And yes, a good rule is to pay for things in RD, but tip service in USD. Americans are usually pretty good about tipping in the DR -- it's the Europeans who tend to be the cheapskates and therefore get shit service. In fairness to them, they do not have tipping in their home countries like we Americans do in the US, so where you and I see it as a bargain compared to US tips, they see it as a ripoff.

Geeze I feel cheap now lol when I go to Vegas I tip $1 for drinks while i'm gambling. Should I be tipping more? Still feel like I saw a few people not even tip in Vegas but i'm sure most do

I tend to research the minimum wage for the country I visit and tip based on that amount. I usually take about $100 USD in singles for a 1 week all inclusive.