Tipping at All-inclusives?

[cagey]

What the standard protocol for tipping at all-inclusive resorts? We're headed to one in Playa Del Carmen Mexico in a month, and don't know if we should tip every day (Maid? Bartender? Waiter?) or at the end.

Also, what would you consider the 'going rate'?

[lil_geek]

I have always had good experience tipping a little every day. That way they 'remember' you and are more likely to go above and beyond the call of duty.

Generally I would leave a maid, $1 or so a day? And the same with a bartender who you saw regularly etc.

I'm not 100% sure on the rate, last place I was was Cuba and $1 is a lot to tem.

[Vishenka69]

A few years back nobody used to tip at AI's but now that seems to be the norm. We're going to one next week and we still haven't figured it out, planning on brining a bunch of singles though. I'm leaning toward tipping in the beginning vs the end. I'm planning on tipping the maid but not sure what to do about the waiters/bartenders, as we have different ones at every meal and go to a different restaurant each night (or at least try to).

[lawyergirl25]

I've only been to resorts that have strict "no tipping" policies. If the resort has one, try to adhere to it as much as possible or at least be discreet about tipping - the staff will actually get in trouble for accepting tips if they get caught.

If tipping is allowed, then I would tip the maid and waiter every day, and the bartender every time I got a drink to smooth the way for better service. It works for us on cruises.

[UTChick]

I've only been to resorts that have strict "no tipping" policies. If the resort has one, try to adhere to it as much as possible or at least be discreet about tipping - the staff will actually get in trouble for accepting tips if they get caught.

This was the policy when we went to Jamaica. However, there was a bartender that we absolutely loved and we slipped him tips as often as we could and as often as he would let us. We didn't want him to get into trouble, so we were very discreet. He made us verrrrry good drinks - not the watered down ones we got from other bartenders.

[Chimichanga]

Not that this is completely the same, but many cruises have recommended tips for their staff such as maids, waiters, etc. A lot of cruise websites will have recommended tip amounts - not that you have to follow them, but they can help.

[lawyergirl25]

This was the policy when we went to Jamaica. However, there was a bartender that we absolutely loved and we slipped him tips as often as we could and as often as he would let us. We didn't want him to get into trouble, so we were very discreet. He made us verrrrry good drinks - not the watered down ones we got from other bartenders.
Ditto! We had a fabulous bartender in Jamaica who made the BEST Dirty Bananas. He got a very discreet tip.