Tipping In Honduras - A Complete Guide
Quick Guide
🍽️ Restaurant - 10-20% If No “Servicio” Charge
🍹 Bar (Mainland) - Not Expected
🍹 Bar (Bay Islands) - 50¢-$2/Drink in USD/HNL
🚕 Taxi - Not Expected - 10% Polite
🛎️ Porter (Mainland) - $1/Bag in HNL
🛎️ Porter (Bay Islands) - $1/Bag in USD/HNL
🛏️ Housekeeping (Mainland) - $2-3/Day in HNL
🛏️ Housekeeping (Bay Islands) - $2-5/day in USD/HNL
📸 Tour Guide - 10% ($5 Minimum)
✈️ Airport Bag Handler - $3-5 in HNL
🛍️ Bag Boy/Girl - $1-5 in HNL
Since there’s a cultural tipping divide between the Honduran mainland (less expected) and the Bay Islands, like Roatan (more expected), I’ve split each section in this guide accordingly. No matter you go, bear in mind most Honduran workers are on low pay, relatively speaking.
Calculate a culturally appropriate tip for Honduras using the calculator below and read on for more detail on tipping in Restaurants, Bars, Taxis, Hotels etc.
Honduras Tip Calculator
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Tipping in Restaurants
Honduras Mainland
Service charges (“Servicio”) of around 10% are commonly added to restaurant bills in Honduras (you can refuse it if disatissfied).
Most restaurants split the service charge between all staff (front and back of house) so if you’d like to tip your server directly, feel free to leave another 5-10% on top in cash. This is not an expectation and it should be reserved for excellent service.
If there’s no service charge, tip 10% if satisfied Cash tips in Lempira are best, card tips may also be split between all staff.
Sometimes, you may see a tip jar for the kitchen staff. Feel free to leave nothing or any amount in there. They will appreciate it, especially if there’s no service charge.
Bay Islands
Tip 10-20% (no less than 10%) based on your level of satisfaction. If there’s a “Servicio” charge, you don’t need to tip. Just don’t confuse tax with a service charge. You can always your server for clarification if you need to.
Here, you can use Lempira or US Dollars but if USD, stick to clean, untorn notes with no writing or your server won’t be able to exchange them at the local bank.
Tipping In Bars
Honduras Mainland
Bartenders won’t expect tips here but sometimes the bar will add a service charge on to your bill. You won’t be expected to tip on top this and it can be refused if you’re really dissatisfied with the service.
Bay Islands
Tip your bartender $0.50-$2 per drink (no less) in USD (clean, untorn bills with no graffiti) or Lempira. Double that tip for beach service. Tipping won’t only benefit them, it’ll likely result in you getting better service going forward.
Tip on the higher end of that range if you order more complex drinks and bear in mind that some bartenders work for tips only. Even the ones that are salaried tend to be paid so little that they’re highly reliant on tips.
Tipping Taxi Drivers
Honduras Mainland & Bay Islands
Taxi drivers won’t expect tips but 10% would be considered polite if they go above and beyond for you, by carrying your luggage or giving you some local guidance.
In any case, it’s usually best to agree on your fare before you set off by telling them exactly where you want dropped off.
Tipping The Porter/Bellhop
Honduras Mainland
It’s customary to tip your porter around $1 USD/bag here in Lempira (HNL).
Bay Islands
Tip your porter around $1 USD/bag here too. You can tip using the equivalent amount of Lempira (HNL) or US dollars but if using USD, stick to bills (not coins) in good condition with no rips or graffiti.
Tipping Housekeeping
Honduras Mainland
As long as your room is clean and presentable, it’s customary to tip your housekeeper around $2-3 USD/night in Lempira. Leave it on the night stand the day you’re leaving.
Bay Islands
Tip $2-5 USD/night on the Bay Islands, either in the equivalent amount of Lempira (notes or coins in any condition) or in US Dollars (clean, untorn bills with no graffiti).
There may be a tip envelope in your room but if there isn’t, leave your tip with a note for the housekeeper so they’re not accused of stealing.
Tipping Tour Guides
Honduras Mainland & Bay Islands
No matter the tour or activity (e.g. hiking, fishing, snorkelling, ziplining, a car/boat tour), it’s customary to tip your tour guide around 10% (Minimum $5 USD or the equivalent amount in Lempira) as long as you’re satisfied.
Alternatively, the touring company may provide guidance on what to tip for your specific tour or experience.
Which Currency To Use
Honduras Mainland
On the mainland, it’s best to give tips in Lempira (HNL), the official currency of Honduras.
Bay Islands
On the Bay Islands, you can tip in Lempira or US Dollars. However, if you do tip in USD, stick to clean, untorn bills with no writing (no coins) as they may not be exchangeable otherwise.
Don’t tip in other currencies like Euros, British Pounds or Canadian Dollars as they’ll be close to impossible to exchange.
Que tengas un buen viaje! (Have a good trip!) 🇭🇳🏖️🏞️🦜
