Tipping: A Custom That Changes in Every Country

Few things generate as much confusion for travelers as tipping. What is mandatory in one country can be offensive in another. What seems generous in one destination may be considered insufficient in another. Understanding the tipping customs of each country will not only save you awkward moments but will demonstrate respect for local culture and help you budget your trip more accurately.

This guide covers tipping rules in the most popular destinations for travelers, from the United States to Brazil, through Colombia, Mexico, and Malta.

United States: Where Tipping is Mandatory

In the United States, tipping is not optional; it is a fundamental part of service workers' compensation. Many restaurant, bar, and hotel employees depend on tips as the main part of their income.

  • Restaurants: 18-20% on the pre-tax total is standard. In New York and Miami, 20% is practically the norm. Less than 15% is considered a sign of extreme dissatisfaction
  • Bars: $1-2 per drink or 15-20% of the total bill
  • Taxis and transportation services: 15-20% of the trip total. In cities like New York, Miami, and Orlando, drivers expect a tip
  • Hotels: $2-5 per night for housekeeping, $1-2 per bag for bellhops
  • Delivery: 15-20% of the total order
In the United States, the federal minimum wage for tipped workers is only $2.13 per hour. Tips are not an extra; they are an essential part of their income.

Colombia: Voluntary but Appreciated Tipping

In Colombia, tipping culture is more flexible than in the United States, but it has its own rules:

  • Restaurants: Most include a "voluntary service" charge of 10% on the bill. The waiter will ask if you wish to include it. Although voluntary, accepting it is the general custom in cities like Bogot谩, Pereira, Medell铆n, and Cartagena
  • Coffee shops and small establishments: Tips are not expected, but leaving the change or rounding up is a kind gesture
  • Taxis: Tipping taxi drivers is not mandatory, although rounding up the fare is common. For example, if the ride costs $8,500 pesos, paying $9,000 is an appropriate gesture
  • Tour guides: $10,000-20,000 pesos per person is appropriate for tours in the Coffee Region, Cartagena, or Bogot谩
  • Hair salons and spas: 10% of the service is customary

To learn about specific tipping customs at restaurants and establishments in each Colombian city, check the recommendations on Encontrable, where you will find detailed information about each place.

Brazil: Service Included

In Brazil, the tipping system has a particularity that makes things easier for travelers:

  • Restaurants: Most automatically add a "taxa de servi莽o" of 10% to the bill. This charge appears clearly on the receipt. It is legal not to pay it, but it is considered discourteous to refuse it without reason. In restaurants in S茫o Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, this practice is universal
  • Bars: Generally include the 10% service charge. If they do not, leaving 10% is appropriate
  • Taxis: Tipping is not mandatory, but rounding up the fare is common and appreciated
  • Hotels: R$5-10 per day for housekeeping and R$2-5 per bag for bellhops
  • Beach service: R$5-10 for the waiter serving you on the beach is customary in Rio de Janeiro and Ipanema

Mexico: Generosity Expected

Tipping culture in Mexico is closer to the American model than the rest of Latin America:

  • Restaurants: 10-15% is standard. In upscale restaurants in Mexico City, Canc煤n, or Playa del Carmen, 15-20% is expected. Some restaurants include service, so check the bill
  • Bars and cantinas: 10-15% of the bill or $10-20 pesos per drink
  • Taxis: Not mandatory, but rounding up is the norm
  • Supermarket baggers: Young people who bag groceries work only for tips. $5-10 pesos per bag is customary
  • Gas station tips: Gas station attendants receive tips of $5-20 pesos
  • Tours and excursions: 10-15% of the tour cost for the guide

Malta: European Discretion

In Malta, tipping customs follow the European model more closely, being less formalized than in the Americas:

  • Restaurants: Service is generally not included in the bill. Leaving 5-10% is appreciated but not mandatory. In upscale restaurants in Valletta or Mdina, 10% is standard
  • Caf茅s: Rounding up the bill or leaving the change coins is sufficient
  • Taxis: Rounding to the nearest euro is customary
  • Hotels: 1-2 euros per bag for bellhops and 1-2 euros per day for housekeeping
  • Boat tours: 5-10% of the tour cost, especially for excursions to Comino and the Blue Lagoon

Tipping Summary Table by Country

To facilitate your planning, here is a quick summary:

  1. USA: 18-20% in restaurants (mandatory), 15-20% in services
  2. Colombia: 10% voluntary in restaurants (almost always accepted), optional tips in other services
  3. Brazil: 10% automatic in restaurants, additional tips optional
  4. Mexico: 10-15% in restaurants, tips expected in many services
  5. Malta: 5-10% in restaurants (not mandatory), discreet tips in services

General Tipping Tips

  • Carry local currency: Always have local currency in cash for tips. Credit card tips do not always reach the workers
  • Research before arriving: Tipping customs vary even within the same country. What applies in New York may be different in Orlando
  • Observe locals: If you are not sure, watch what residents do
  • When in doubt, tip: It is better to give a small tip than nothing, especially in countries where service wages are low
  • Tipping reflects satisfaction: Adjust your tip according to the quality of service, but remember that the minimum standard varies by country
Tips represent a crucial source of income for millions of workers in the tourism sector worldwide. An informed traveler contributes positively to the local economy of every destination they visit.

For more practical tips that will make your travels easier, visit our tips section. If you are planning your next destination, do not miss our travel articles and the culture section to better understand the customs of each country. You can also find the best restaurants and services at each destination on Encontrable.