Tipping Culture In Belize: A Traveler's Guide

Tipping culture varies from country to country, and it can be tricky to navigate when travelling. In Belize, tipping is not mandatory, but it is customary to leave a small amount extra if you receive good service. While some sources suggest that 10% is the standard tip for tour guides and in restaurants, others suggest 15-20% for exceptional service. It's worth noting that in Belize, the minimum wage is very low, so tips can make a big difference to the quality of life for those working in the service industry. When it comes to taxis, it's not common to tip unless the driver helps with luggage or provides useful information.

Tipping in Belize is discretionary

In restaurants, a 10% tip is common, and you should always check your bill to see if a service charge has been added. If you receive excellent service, you may want to leave an additional tip. In bars and cafes, you can round up the bill or leave a small tip for each drink ordered.

In hotels, tipping is not expected unless you receive exceptional service or solicit special services. Housekeeping and luggage porters are the most commonly tipped employees, with a customary tip of about BZ$2 per bag and 5-10% per day for housekeeping.

Taxi drivers are generally not tipped in Belize, but you may wish to show your appreciation if they help with your luggage or provide useful information. For longer journeys, a 10% tip is common, and for short journeys, you can round up the bill.

Tour guides commonly receive a 10-15% tip based on the price of the tour. If you join a free tour, your tip may be the only income your guide makes, so consider tipping generously if you can.

When tipping in Belize, it is best to use local currency (Belizean dollars) and to be subtle when doing so. While credit cards are sometimes accepted, cash is always preferred as credit card companies charge high fees that may reduce the amount received by the service provider.

Minimum wage in Belize is low

Tipping in Belize is not mandatory, but it is appreciated. While it is not common to tip in Belize, it is expected by some in the tourism industry, especially by those providing a customised experience for tourists, such as hotel staff, tour guides, servers, and bartenders. This is because the minimum wage in Belize is very low. As of January 1, 2023, the minimum wage in Belize is BZD $5.00 per hour, which is less than half of what most people would pay for a drink in a bar. This low minimum wage is part of why tipping is appreciated, as it allows people to provide for their families and improve their quality of life. For example, tips allow fathers to send their kids to school and mothers to buy their daughters' Quinceañera dresses.

The Belizean economy is closely tied to that of the United States, and the value of the Belizean dollar is fixed at 2 BZD to 1 USD. While the US dollar is widely accepted in Belize, it is important to be careful when negotiating prices in dollars to specify the currency. The minimum wage in Belize translates to about USD $2.50, which is significantly lower than the US federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. This large discrepancy in minimum wages between the two countries may be why tipping is more common among American tourists in Belize, as they are used to a higher minimum wage and may want to compensate for the lower wages in Belize.

The amount typically tipped in Belize is 10% on average and 20% for exceptional service. For example, for an $80 USD tour, a tip of $10 USD (or $20 BZD) would be appropriate. If there are multiple guides, it is common to tip the "main guide" and let them share the tip with the others. In restaurants, the tip is usually around 15% of the overall bill, and 10% is generally considered the minimum, even if the service is not great. While some restaurants may offer the option to add a gratuity when paying by card, it is generally better to tip in cash to ensure that the money goes directly to the staff.

In hotels, a service charge of 10% may be included upon checkout, but this does not always find its way to the staff. Therefore, it is best to tip in cash to ensure that the people who served you receive the money. For bellboys, porters, and housekeeping, a tip of 5-10% of the overall bill is a good guideline. For spa services, a tip of 10-15% of the bill is customary. While tipping is not mandatory, it is a nice way to show appreciation for good service and can make a significant difference in the lives of those working in the tourism industry in Belize.

Tipping in restaurants

In restaurants, the bill will not usually include a gratuity. The general rule for tipping in restaurants is around 15% of the overall bill, and 10% if the service is not particularly great. If you pay by card, you may have the option to add a gratuity, but this may not be passed on to the waiting staff, so it is better to tip in cash.

Tipping is also not expected for taxi drivers, street food vendors, and art and craft vendors.

Tipping in hotels

When staying at a hotel, it is common to tip a range of staff, including maids, bellboys, valets, and front desk employees. Housekeepers and maids are among the hardest-working hotel staff and it is customary to thank them with a small daily tip. Similarly, it is standard practice to tip luggage attendants/porters when they help you with your bags. If the concierge or receptionist offers exceptional service, you may want to consider tipping them too. However, tips are not necessary if the reception staff simply helps with ordering a cab or making dinner reservations. For valet services, it is common to pay a small tip each time they bring your car from the hotel parking lot.

When it comes to the amount, $5-10 per guest per night is a good guideline for a general tip that covers restaurant, housekeeping, and all other hotel staff. For instance, a couple staying at a resort for four nights might leave $40-$80 as a general tip to be shared among the staff. It is worth noting that cash tips are always preferred. However, if you can only tip with a credit card, that is okay too.

Tipping tour guides

Tipping culture in Belize is not as commonplace as it is in the United States, for example. However, due to the large number of tourists visiting Belize from the US, a tipping culture has emerged, particularly in the tourism sector. While tipping is not mandatory, it is a nice way to show gratitude for good service.

Tour guides are often tipped more generously than other staff, as they are credited with providing an enjoyable experience and showing travellers a good time. A good rule of thumb for tipping tour guides is US $5–10 per person per day. For example, a family of four on a single tour might leave a $20–40 tip for their guide.

If you are on a tour with multiple guides, it is suggested that you tip the "main guide" and ask them to share the money with the other guides. It is also worth noting that cash tips are always preferred, as credit card companies may take a large fee, and some of the gratuity money may be taken by hotel and restaurant owners.

Frequently asked questions