Tipping in Honduras

Need Some Tips for  Proper Tipping in Honduras?

Experienced travelers are used to leaving a tip to those that provide them with personal services. However, tipping habits and expectations are different around the world. I therefore regularly get asked what the customary tipping in Honduras is all about. To begin with, let me state that most waiters, travel guides and house maids make very meager salaries in Honduras. Thus, tips are usually a very important part of their regular income. Although I will be mentioning amounts in US dollars, the logical thing to do would be to give these tips in the local currency: Lempiras. The problem with the local currency is that its value fluctuates against the stronger currencies, such as the US Dollar or the European EURO. So it is just easier to give you an idea what the correct tip would be in “real” money so that you can plan your tip accordingly!

Tipping in Honduras: Waiters and Bartenders.

As a general rule, you will find that a 10% tip is added to your bill at most restaurants and bars. This tip is not mandatory, and you can refuse to pay it if you wish. Different establishments divide the tips collected with this method. Very few of them actually go entirely to the waiter that served you. They are usually distributed among all of the employees, including the kitchen help, cooks, security, etc. As a result, your waiter usually gets a tiny portion of this. If you were provided good service, it would be very appreciated if you leave an additional tip.

Keep in mind that whatever is paid with your credit card, will end up in the sum that is distributed at the end of month between all of the employees. So it is best if you leave the additional tip in cash. This way, you can be assured that your waitress or waiter really get the tip they earned! The same applies to bartenders. Sometimes, restaurants will have a separate tipping jar or can for the kitchen staff. Generally speaking, these hard working ladies seldom get tips and yet are directly responsible for preparing your food. If you think the food was outstanding and the kitchen staff deserve a tip, ask about their tipping jar or can and deposit your tip here. Proceeds are distributed among the kitchen staff.

Tipping in Honduras: Day Tours

As a rule, guides that are with you for the day do not make a big income. A tip is always a great addition to their salary. Remember that many of them do not work every day, and every penny counts. If you took a white water rafting tour, a zip line tour, a sea kayak tour, or even a hiking tour, and your guide provided outstanding service, then he surely deserves some recognition. A good rule of thumb is to tip between $5 and $10 US per person in the tour. Remember that they will probably be sharing the tip with other persons, such as the driver. If you are in a guided tour for several days, then you should consider giving your guide around $10 per day per person.

Tipping in Honduras: Taxi Drivers

It is not customary to tip taxi drivers in Honduras.

Tipping in Honduras: Chamber Maids

When traveling, we usually make a mess out of rooms. We know we are only going to be there for a couple of days. Because of this, we are not concerned about how dirty the room and the towels or sheets will be once we are gone. But it is the chamber maids that make a concerted effort to have our rooms sparkling clean when we arrive. It is them who pick up after us when we go off in a hurry for our day activities. If you consider your room is clean and presentable, you might thank the persons who have made this possible by leaving a tip for the equivalent of $2 or $3 dollars per night on your night table the day you are leaving.