Punta Cana Travel Forum

I am going to Punta Cana in January. I have never left my small town in Canada before. How do i go about tipping the hotel staff?
Do i leave money everyday? do i wait until the end of our stay?
Some people have told me to bring things for the staff, like Shampoo, colouring books (for their kids), Make up, ETC. WHat should i do?

You don't have to tip the staff (if by that you mean maids, bell boys, bartenders, etc. but not the reception staff) but if you do my advice is to tip them between 1 and 5US if you want to do it daily. Otherwise you could leave a 10US on the final day.

Bringing gifts to the staff might be tricky. For instance, the maids could be treated as if they stole property for you so if you want to leave them something, leave also a note saying that it's a gift so that they don't lose their jobs over a misunderstanding. Also, I'd suggest you bring some perfume, some toy for their kids or coloring books or similar. What I see about makeup is that the shadow tones or rouge or lipsticks might not go with their skin tone. Giving them shampoo and soap *might* send them the wrong signals.

If you tip the staff, tip them in person (as in don't leave the tip on the bed and what not).

I assume you are staying in an all-inclusive (AI) and tipping is by all means not customary as an AI does include "tax and tip". This being said leaving a dollar (US) or two may get you faster service at the bar or a better access to a la carte restaurant but you shoud not feel obligated to do so. As suggested, you may want to leave a tip at the end of your vacation if a staff member went out of his/her way to be helpful or friendly. For instance, if you spend your day drinking at the pool bar, you may want to get your bartender a tip at the end of your stay. Otherwise, don't feel you need to tip all hotel staff. You will be surrounded by dozens of staff and you'll go broke if you start tipping everyone you run into.

As for bringing gifts, I have personally never heard of that and I am not sure it would be appreciated.

Just enjoy your first trip for which I am sure you are paying good money !

Gifts aren't as common as money because with the money they can buy themselves or their children whatever they want.

Here is a tip that was recommended to me and it actually worked. I was told that when I checked into my AI resort to show a $100 bill, I chose to show a $50, to the desk clerk when you check in and ask what it would take to get a room upgrade. If they tell you it will be an extra charge you say never mind and keep your money, but in many cases, including mine, they are used to this "request" and will give you a "complimentry" upgrade at no extra charge and then you tip the desk clerk with the bill you showed them. I ended up getting a room that would of cost me almost $100 more a night. My friends tried the same thing last year in Punta Cana and received the same upgrade. Anyway just thought I would pass it along!

Heheheh good going! :)