By A visit to Punta Cana, one of the Dominican Republic’s most charming towns, can be a one-of-a-kind experience if you know your way around. Understanding the popular culture of Tipping in this country is one major concern for many. Since this culture plays a big role in determining how fun and relaxed your vacation to the Dominican Republic will be, it is a vital ground to learn.
Knowing when, how and why you should tip at different places in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic is important. Not to mention, it is also key to know what kind of currency to use and why you may want to consider not tipping. If these are all something you feel you should know, continue reading this comprehensive guide and the most necessary advice as we explore the culture of tipping in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic.
Importance of Tipping in Punta Cana
In addition to showing appreciation for rendered services and hospitality, tipping in Punta Cana goes a very long way in maintaining the local economy. Of course, it is a major destination for tourists, so it is another means of revenue for low-earning service workers and the economy at large.
On the local scale, it supports the economy in redistributing wealth within its surroundings, which in turn, promotes financial growth and stability. On the other hand, showing gratuities towards service workers enhances performance from these workers, encouraging them to provide more efficient services to their audiences. It is an important aspect of the Latin culture that brings about appreciation and respect between visitors and locals.
How Much Should You Tip in Punta Cana?
Like every other tourist area in Latin America, tipping in Punta Cana is straightforward. A few dollars here and there, and you are good to go. In order not to come across as being rude or too cheap, keeping the tips moderate is vital.
However, with many restaurants beyond resort spaces and upscale hotels, you may not need to tip as service charges are usually included. The hotels usually go by protocol to add at least 10% to 15% service charge to the bill. These places do not need you to tip unless you want to express generosity in your own way. However, make sure to confirm with the reception if it is allowed.
When and How To Tip at Restaurants, Hotels, and All-inclusive Resorts
To tip in Punta Cana, you need to understand when and how to do it. Different social settings come with their unique ways that you should follow. You can not expect a restaurant at an all-inclusive resort to accept or appreciate the same amount of tips as an ordinary restaurant. Here is when and how tipping can be done in restaurants, hotels, and all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana.
Restaurants
Tipping at restaurants within Punta Cana is meant to show gratuity towards service workers. It does not have to be too much, a 10% or 15% tip is an excellent choice for standard services at a restaurant. However, do not go overboard and tip every time you visit the restaurant; watch out for your server’s delivery and only tip when you deem fit.
On the other end, you might also want to pay attention to the bill. Some of the restaurants in this town include tipping fees already in their bills; Watch out.
Hotels
With hotels in Punta Cana, keep in mind that tipping is almost mandatory. Unless you are staying in an all-inclusive resort, you may not need to pay a tip as hotels in most resorts include tipping charges in their bills.
All-inclusive Resorts
And if you will be staying at an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, it is a matter of being vigilant about the package value and its prizes. Many of these resorts already include tipping costs in their packages. From our experience, showing a gratuity of at least 2 to 5 dollars is appropriate at all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic.
Consequences of Not Tipping
Not tipping in Punta Cana and other locations in the Dominican Republic can negatively affect your overall experience. Besides developing a potentially strained relationship with service staff, you may not be able to get access to quality services. On a larger scale, it affects the livelihoods of workers within the town, also resulting in a poorer economic situation in the community.
General Rules for Tipping in Punta Cana
Every visitor planning to visit Punta Cana must indeed be a good observer to understand the general rules for tipping. Although it is not that difficult to figure out, just make sure you tip a few dollars to servers and services if you were treated well. Some big-time hotels may include these expenses in your bills. Usually, it is within 10% to 15%, so there is nothing to worry about.
Service Charges at Restaurants Outside the Resort Area
Tipping at resorts is a totally different process from tipping for services outside resort areas. For instance, in restaurants, here are some things to take note of:
Inclusion and Typical Percentage
Gratuity is a common expression at bars and restaurants in Punta Cana and does not require much. Leaving a 10% tip is appropriate to appreciate a standard service.
But, if you want to show extra appreciation, a 15% tip will do the job. In the end, this does not mean you have to tip your server extra every time you go to eat or drink. If the server is able to deliver a splendid service, then paying extra is worthwhile.
Additional Tips at Upscale Hotels
Most Upscale hotels in the big areas of the Dominican Republic are known to include tipping expenses in their bills. With these hotels, you do not need to leave a tip since you are automatically paying for it when paying your final bill. However, if you cannot find the expense in your final bill, go ahead and leave a tip.
Preferred Currency for Tipping
As a visitor to Punta Cana, you should take note of the fact that you can tip using both the United States Dollars and the Dominican Pesos.
United States Dollars
In the Dominican Republic, the use of the United States Dollars is the most common currency used for tipping. Since the US dollar is easy to exchange for both visitors and locals in the nation, it is also the most preferred choice of currency for tipping. It is advisable to go with lower denominations of US dollars to have a change for tipping.
Dominican Pesos
It is quite rare to find people using the Dominican Pesos to tip, however, note that is allowed. Do not hesitate to use it if that is what you have.
Timing of Tipping
The timing of tipping at any location does not have to be weird. It depends on the kind of setting you are in.
Recommended Tips for Drinks
On a day out for drinks at a restaurant’s bar, leaving the tip on the table on your way out is customary enough. Just make sure you go with enough small bills to tip simply.
Common Places To Leave Tips
What if is it at a hotel? When is the perfect time to tip?
Cleaners
Leaving tips on top of your bed is a great way to tip the cleaners at a hotel. It is meant to express your gratitude towards the cleaners for their exceptional service.
Pool Bar
Dropping a few bills at the pool bar is an excellent way to tip at a hotel or restaurant with a pool.
After Breakfast
Tipping at a restaurant in Punta Cana can be as simple as leaving the cash on the table after breakfast, dinner or lunch.
Tipping in an All-inclusive Resorts
For the most part, it can be a bit slick to tip at an all-inclusive resort. The reason for this is that most of these resorts tend to include this expense as a part of the final bill. Not to mention, it is mandatory to pay the tip when you are at an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana and other big towns in the Dominican Republic.
Suggested Gratuities Based on Amount Spent
In the Dominican Republic, the suggested gratuities usually range from 10% to 15% of your total bill. This also depends on the level of satisfaction obtained from the service and how much is spent.
Standard Tipping Range at Resorts
At resorts, especially all-inclusive ones, leaving a few dollars (2 to 5 USD) is enough for tipping. There is no need to go overboard with paying extra unless you feel like it.
Tipping Etiquette and Appreciation
The proper tipping Etiquette in any part of the world is meant to express the gratuity of an excellent service. If you can genuinely confirm to yourself that you did not get an enjoyable service at a resort, hotel, or restaurant, feel free to rethink not leaving a tip or reducing it.
Dealing with Subpar Service at All-inclusive Resorts
Although it is very rare, If you get treated below top quality at an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, do not hesitate to reduce the tip. Better still, consider expressing your concerns with the management or reception in a polite manner.
Considering a Reduction in Tipping
As stated earlier, if you received poor customer service at a resort, hotel, restaurant or bar, reducing the amount of tip is appropriate. Also, if you do not have enough small bills to tip a server, there is no need to stress or worry about that. Just make sure you do better the next time you come around.
Conclusion
Tipping is a well-known custom of the Dominicans. Besides being an excellent way to show appreciation to service workers, it also contributes to the growth of the local economy. It does not cost too much to tip at some of the best places in Punta Cana, leaving a few bills or coins at the pool bar or paying 10% to 15% in cash is standard enough for tipping.
Tipping also incentivises workers to want to do better and deliver more exceptionally to their audiences. In the end, it is a win-win scenario for everybody. If workers are well incentivised for their services, they will go the extra mile to serve you better.
