Tipping In The US Virgin Islands - A Complete Guide
Quick Guide
🍽️ Restaurant - 15-20% If Good + No Service Fee
🍹 Bar - $1/Drink or 15-20% If Good + No Serv.Fee
🚕 Taxi - 10-20% Customary
🛎️ Porter/Bellhop - $1/Bag Expected
🛏️ Housekeeping - $2-3/Day If No Service Charge
📸 Tour Guide - 15-20% Customary
🛥️ Private Charter - 15-20% Customary
In the US Virgin Islands, tipping is customary for good service but not mandatory. Tipping is also more expected of tourists than of locals.
Since the US Virgin Islands are small and word can get around, you’re likely to be well taken care of if you’re a good tipper. be well taken care of if it you’re a good tipper.
Calculate a culturally appropriate tip for the US Virgin Islands using the calculator below and read on for more detail on tipping in Restaurants, Bars, Taxis, Hotels, Private Charters etc.
US Virgin Islands Tip Calculator
Good Tip For The US Virgin Islands
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Total With Tip
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Tipping in Restaurants
Virgin Islanders typically expect a 15-20% tip for good service but, unlike in the USA, you don’t need to tip if you experienced poor service.
Some restaurants add a service charge on to your bill so you don’t need to tip extra if that’s the case. If service isn’t included, it’s always better to tip in cash.
If you’re going to be a repeat visitor, leaving a good tip can help to ensure good service on your return.
Tipping In Bars
If you’re just getting a drink or two, tipping around $1 per drink in cash is customary.
If you’re at a sit-down bar, you’re getting multiple drinks or you’re staying for a while, tip around 15-20% in cash for good service, like you would in a restaurant.
However, like in a restaurant here, you don’t need to tip extra if a service charge has been added to your bill.
Tipping Taxi Drivers
It’s customary to tip taxi drivers around 10-20% here (or just an extra $1-4). Tip on the higher end if you’ve got a good courteous driver, if they load/unload your bags, give you an island tour or provide you with local tips.
Tipping Porters/Bellhops
Whether your hotel includes/excludes a service charge, it’s considered the norm to tip your porter around $1 per bag.
Tipping Housekeeping
Don’t feel the need to tip if your hotel bill includes a service charge but, if it doesn’t, a $2-3 cash tip per day is considered the norm.
Tipping On Tours & Private Charters
Whether you’re on a tour or private boat charter, a 15-20% tip based on the retail cost is considered customary and polite.
Given the crew are central to your overall experience on a private charter, you should tip in that 15-20% range based on service.
If the crew went above and beyond overall, tip closer to 20%. If you left unimpressed with the service, tip closer to 15%.
Cash tips are preferable in most cases but card tips are usually an option. In any case, the captain is usually the one responsible for making sure all tips are distributed evenly between all crew members.
Which Currency To Use
The official currency of the US Virgin Islands is the US Dollar (USD).
Cards are widely accepted but having cash on hand is recommended given some establishments are cash-only and cash tips are usually preferable.
Thankfully, ATMs are widespread on all the main islands (Saint Thomas, Saint John and Saint Croix). You’ll find them downtown, in shops and throughout the larger resorts.
Just be aware that they’re not prevalent on the minor islands and ATM transaction fees are common.
Safe travels on your trip to the USVI 🇻🇮🌴🚢
