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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right blog for Belize Resources and Information.

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      • Vrbo San Pedro – Food, Fun, and Adventure
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    • Big Belize Travel Deal
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    • Eco Friendly Belize
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    • Getting Around Ambergris Caye
    • Fitness
    • Things to do in Belize
    • Belize Excursions and Tours
    • Voluntourism
  • Travel
    • Central America
    • Yucatan

Tipping Guide to Belize

by tacogirl 22/03/2018
written by tacogirl 22/03/2018
Belize currency

Never underestimate the value of tipping and how much some people rely on it to put food on their table and pay the bills. The minimum wage in Belize is only $3.30 BZD ($1.65 USD) per hour. Part of the ideology behind that is somewhat based on the fact that most workers are in the tourism industry and therefore will most likely receive tips.

I was recently on a low-cost boat tour and at the start of the trip, the boat owner gave the tipping speech and reminded everyone to tip the guys at the day’s end. I was planning to give the two guys $20 to split. However, I was the last one off the boat and saw that not one person had given them anything so I quickly fished another $20 from my wallet and handed them each one.

I am a firm believer in money karma and that it is good to help other people make money. For some people, I will occasionally tip in USD, because I know they save it for travel. I also tip some people in produce and goods. Juicy mainland limes are always well received.

I also believe it is good karma to help people Save money and I have lined up a fun and tasty new line up of local discounts for my readers. I have also set up a great new platform to showcase them on tacogirl blog Belize Google maps business listing. 7 new restaurants and tour companies just signed on so keep watching as their listings are all in the process of going live. This means you can save money or enjoy special offers on the spot for food, tours, and transportation by showing your tacogirl discount coupons. It’s That Easy.

Tipping Guide to Belize

I’m often asked about vacation tipping. ho should I tip? or “How much should I tip? Here are some general rules of thumb for tipping in Belize.

First off not everyone does it, but it is always a good idea to put tipping not only in your budget but in your daily planning. What I mean by that is, if you know you are going to do tip worthy activities that might not have ample change such as a boat tour, go prepared with a range of bills to make tipping easier. 

Restaurants
15% – 20% range depending on the service.
Street vendors: Both the artisans and the street meat vendors do not expect to get tipped. When you pay $5.00 BZD (that’s only $2.50 USD) for a huge “Homer Simpson” burger with all the fixin’s, why not tip them a buck?

Bars
Bartenders and waiters; 15% – 20%. If the bar is slow, ask your bartender if he knows any good tricks. There are a few showmen here. Many bar owners split the tips between staff so giving it to your waiter or the bartender makes no difference as they all put it in the jar.

Speaking of jars… do not forget to tip the musicians well, especially in low season. Your musicians are rare here and as much of a factor in your good time as your servers, Belikin Beer or whatever you are drinking.

Hotels
High-end hotels may add a 10% service charge on the bill during checkout. Check your bill and if the charge is not included then it’s always appreciated to give a 5 -15% gratuity for maids and porters if they have assisted you. If you leave money for a maid, put it in an envelope marked housekeeping or the person’s name.  The front desk clerk should be considered in gratuities as well, especially if he or she must also act as a concierge and recommends good restaurants and tours. – Thanks to Juan Carlos Gomez for that one.

Spas
Spa staffs in Belize greatly appreciate a tip between 10% – 15%. The tip is usually given to the spa staff that provided you the service. If you have more than one staff providing you their service, you could split the amount among them.

Tour Guide
Although there is no set amount the most common, is about 10% – 15% of the price of the tour. I usually give it to the lead employee and tell them that is a thank you to all the staff. For diving, you can tip the dive masters directly. $5.00 or $10.00 BZD per oxygen tank is appropriate.

Taxi
Most online research will tell you that it is a rare practice to tip a taxi in Belize. Because San Pedro is quite small, taxi fares are fairly low. When traveling within town, you should expect the fare to stay around $7.00 – $10.00 BZD. Of course, the further you go the higher the fare goes. Even so, you should not expect to pay more than $15.00 – $20.00 BZD from the bridge all the way to Victoria House (which is only about 3 miles). If you’re going any distance, negotiate a price first. It’s nice to have “one guy that you can count on but you certainly can’t expect him to come at your beck and call all the time.

Hairdresser
10% – 15% is appreciated for helping you look gorgeous. Salons in Belize are often fully equipped. You can get your hair done, get a massage, and manicures and pedicures. The salon I go to even has acupuncture. If more that one person provides service you can tip them individually or I just hand it to the owner and say it is to split.

taco Tip #15

Because this is a post about tipping, I would be remiss if I did not include one myself. Knowing my struggles in math, a friend taught me this handy tipping trick and I have been grateful for it every single time I tip. For a 2 digit total bill number, double the first digit to get a decent tip example: $68 BZ would get you $12 – about 17%. If it is 3 numbers then double the first two. Example: $153 would be $30. That comes out to about 19%. I know generally you do not tip on tax, but with such a low minimum wage and the high cost of living here, I often do.

Check out my Facebook post (March 22, 2018) on this article to see even more comments and suggestions from readers.

I had to share this one, however, as is funny. From Susan Z. W – …don’t forget the gas attendants! We always tip the guy that pumps our gas. Oh yes, tip the front desk person and your stay will always be better. She also said Sh!t, (expletive) I tip just about everyone for all sorts of things. Way more than I did in the US, just because the wages are so low here. My motto, when in doubt…tip!

Belize Currency Featured Image – A collection of Belizean notes and coins – photo credit, Joanne Weston.

 

Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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2 comments

Barbara Miller 18/09/2019 - 2:14 pm

Awesome “tips” thanks, Laurie.

Reply
tacogirl 18/09/2019 - 4:20 pm

Anytime Barb, glad you liked them.

Reply

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Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice... to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local... information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do what... everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

If you have any questions or want Belize discounts, Contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

3 childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age.Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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