Tipping In Barbados - A Complete Guide
Quick Guide
🏖️ All-Inclusive Resort - Ask Front Desk (Differs)
🍽️ Restaurant - 10% If No Service Charge
🍹 Bar - Optional $1 USD/Drink
🚕 Taxi - Optional 10% (Agree Fare In Advance)
🛎️ Porter/Bellhop - $1 USD/Bag Expected
✈️ Red Caps - $1-2 USD/Bag Expected
🛏️ Housekeeping - Optional $2 USD/Day On Bed
📸 Tour Guide - 10% If Satisfied
🛒 Supermarket Packers - $2 USD
Most Bajans (Barbadians) have come to expect tips from tourists but unlike the USA, tipping here is still at your discretion and based on the quality and type of service provided.
Calculate a culturally appropriate tip for Barbados using the calculator below and read on for more detail on tipping in All-Inclusive Resorts, Villas, Hotels, Restaurants, Taxis etc.
Barbados Tip Calculator
Good Tip For Barbados
Tip
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Total With Tip
$0.00
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Tipping In All-Inclusive Resorts
If you’re staying at an All-Inclusive (AI), it’s always better to go to the front desk and ask about the resorts tipping policy (for waiters, bartenders, housekeeping etc.).
Some AI resorts try to dissuade guests from tipping to ensure that some guests aren’t given preferential treatment over others, hence standard 10-15% hotel service charges.
Tipping Villa Staff
If you’ve opted for a staffed villa, it’s considered customary to tip the staff depending on the quality of service received. Tip once at the end of your stay.
Tip housekeepers $2-4 USD/day, chefs 10% of the grocery cost, butlers $5-15/day per guest and gardeners/pool attendants $2-4 USD/day.
Tipping in Restaurants
A service charge of 10-15% is customary. If you see it on your bill, there’s no need to tip extra. If there’s no service charge, 10% is standard for good service.
You can usually add the tip to the bill if you’re paying by card (local and international VISA/Mastercard debit and credit cards are accepted). Alternatively, you can leave a cash tip.
It’s common for tips to be distributed amongst all staff.
Two pieces of advice. Bajan (Barbadian) waiters don’t tend to present you with your bill until you ask for it and, in general, it’s always better to book dining in advance as it’s common for places to be booked out.
Tipping Bartenders
Tipping bartenders is completely at your discretion. If you’ve received good service, you can tip around $1 USD per drink but unlike in the USA, it’s a kind, optional gesture more than the standard practice.
If you’re a frequent, returning customer, you can tip a larger amount once before you leave but it’s still at your discretion.
Tipping Taxi Drivers
A 10% tip is optional but appreciated if you’re happy with your driver.
In any case, always agree on a fare before you set off. Airport signs display taxi fares but the vast majority of drivers vary the fare depending on passenger numbers and luggage.
Tipping Hotel Bellhops and Airport Red Caps
It’s customary to tip your hotel bellhop around $1 USD per bag even if a 10-15% service charge is included in your hotel bill.
You’ll see multiple ‘Red Caps’, airport porters who help with bags and escort you through customs, once you’re through immigration. Tipping them $1-2 USD per bag is the norm but consider a larger tip if they’ve gone the extra mile (e.g. carried heavy bags, provided great service).
Tipping Housekeeping
A $2 USD tip per day, left on the bed, is common if you’re pleased with the service. However, it’s much less common to tip if your hotel bill includes the standard 10-15% service charge.
Tipping Tour Guides
Handing your tour guide a 10% cash tip is considered the norm but only tip if you’re satisfied with the experience.
Tipping Grocery Packers
It’s customary to tip supermarket grocery packers around $2 USD. They’ll usually pack your bags and carry them to your car,
Which Currency To Use
Whilst the Barbados Dollar (BBD) is the official currency of Barbados, US Dollars (USD), are widely accepted and most items are priced in USD (VAT included) unless otherwise stated.
In addition to USD and BBD cash payments, most establishments accept local and international VISA/Mastercard debit and credit cards.
Have a nice trip! 🇧🇧 🏖️🍹
