Tipping in Cuba

by Alan
(London, UK)

What is the exceptable level of tipping for good service?

ANSWER by Vic, webmaster Havana-guide.com

First this, the average salary in Cuba is 15-20 cuc (peso convertible) say 15 Pound Sterling per month. So a tip of one peso convertible (1Cuc) is not bad for the average service. In an hotel I tip the room maid one peso (cuc) per day. In restaurants some people advice 5% but in most cases a few cuc is enough. In bars and cafés you have to pay attention, most of the time you already pay an extra without knowing it. A general practice is to add an extra drink to the bill, give less rum in a cocktail etc. So I stopped tipping in bars. A taxi ride will cost you 6-7 cuc (average) 0.8-1 cuc per km I tip the driver 1 cuc. A generous tip is a three peso banknote. Note, that sometimes the room maid is more pleased with a tube of toothpaste or shampoo. Read also my advice to an other visitor.
http://www.havana-guide.com/tips-given-to-tourist-workers-in-cuba-cuba-tipping.html