Tips in Cuba?

Question

i m a single woman going to cuba in an all included and i would lik to know how much i am supposed to give for tips for a drink in the lobby or to the waiter in the buffet. i dont want to look cheap or too loose. thanks.

Answer 1

I've been a few times and the best advice I've got, stop by your local thirft shop/value village/where ever and pick up lightly used kids shoes and clothing.

They go crazy for it. It is hard for them to get a hold of, and costly. It will only cost you a few dollars but can really change their lives!

Answer 2

Cubans don't expect a tip in bars and restaurants but it's a good practice give max 1cuc (=1.2 $) In an hotel a tip of 1 cuc is normal for the room maid.

In a lot of bars and restaurants they wiil "make their own tips"

by cheating you. Shortgiving happens frequently.

Check the bill and your money each time.

Havanalover

http://www.havana-guide.com

Answer 3

How are you going to Cuba when Americans are not allowed to go to Cuba? The only people in America who are allowed to go to Cuba are the people who are originally from Cuba and they can only go once every 3 years.

Answer 4

To the first answer not everyone on here is from the US you know.  She could be from Canada or Mexico or somewhere else in the world.

Answer 5

give 1 dollar a day for the food waiter..    1 dollar every 2 days for the room lady..  1 dollar once in a while to the barman..

to the retarded girl up here,  Canada is a big country and we can go to cuba as much as we want to...

Answer 6

No need to re-iterate...Everyone, EXCEPT for Sammy b, has given you the correct general idea for tipping.

As a single woman, you may also consider leaving some toiletries for the maid if you like as well. (many women appreciate eyeliners, little soaps, even sample perfumes...those items are useful for them...it's not meant for bribing of any kind.) They certainly appreciate things like these. I at times would put $1 CUC at my bedside with a note letting them know it's for the maid. Or I would put a toiletry item with a note as well.

I've personally given $1 CUC per meal (sometimes $2 CUC, depending on type of service). As for bartenders, you won't want to give each time you get a drink...but $1-2 CUC is fine for the day if you would like.

At the buffet, there were some days (not everyday) I really appreciated the work of the one who would prepare my omelettes in the morning....so I personally chose to give $1 to them. Brought a smile to their faces. You'll see how hard everyone works.

Towel attendants, gardeners, cleaning staff, customer service...they all work very hard. You'll know what your heart will tell you. Just be balanced...advice for everything.

You will have a fabulous time!! And you'll be going back sooner than you think :-)

PS: Why do people presume that Yahoo Answers cater ONLY to Americans?? LOL...

Sammy b, please try to get your facts straight. oui-oui, Richard K and ndfan223 are all right.

Firstly, if someone is asking about travelling to Cuba, then obviously they're intelligent enough  to know that they can travel there. They're not asking for your permission to go.

If you're not interested in giving straight/serious answers, then why answer at all?

And Americans who are originally Cuban are NOT the only ones allowed to enter Cuba. Any US citizen is allowed to travel (OFAC permission for direct US to Cuba travel). There are MANY reasons Americans travel there, not just for family.

US travel to Cuba is not illegal. The main issue is legally/illegally spending money in Cuba. And not all Cuban Americans have to wait 3 years.

Please do some research.

Answer 7

First  as Oui-Oui posted, Sammy B might keep in mind everyone thank goodness in the world is not American, thousands of Canucks, Brits and mainland Europeans regularly visit and enjoy  Cuba.  If   Sammy B wants to be a cop she should join the FBI. Here is sort of my rule of thumb.   Cubans in resorts depend very much on tips to earn a decent living.  In the bars  the standard  tip is  1 CUC Convertible Peso, not for every drink, but on a regular basis.   If they know you are a tipper rest assured you won't wait long for a drink. I do the same at the buffet, not for every meal but on a somewhat regular basis.  It doesn't hurt to give the customer service staff a tip,  about 5 CUC  at some time during your stay especially if they are very helpful.  I like to give the reception staff 5-10 CUC also before I leave.   Sometimes I give a peso to the lady who constantly keeps the public washroom I use regularly and also the same  the  towel man or woman.  On the beach the man who gets you set up with your sunbed deserves a tip, again a peso every couple of days works well.When I go for two weeks I give my room housekeeper 25 CUC at thend of my stay.  Find out her day off and give it to her on a day she is working or  give her half the tip after the first few days. the balance when you are leaving.   Those are of course just suggestions that work for me. In any case no matter what, enjoy your visit.  Go once you'll be back.