Tipping and Gratuities in St. Martin

When visiting St. Maarten and St. Martin, vacationers are sure to need some kind of service, whether it be a bellhop or waiter or waitress. Knowing the right amount to tip while on the island will land travelers better service, and shows knowledge about the island which can lead to a more enjoyable vacation.

There is a service charge on both the Dutch St. Maarten and the French St. Martin when visiting hotels and restaurants, and tipping people for services such as chambermaids and taxi cab drivers is customary. In St. Maarten hotels add a 15 percent service charge and 5 percent government tax to the final bill. In French St. Martin, the service charge is between 10 and 15 percent, and a visitors tax on rooms which varies in rate up to 5 percent by hotel.

Most hotels include gratuity in your bill, so be sure to ask your hotel concierge whether or not this cost is covered in the final bill. If the gratuity is not included in the final bill, then a 10 to 15 percent tip is standard. In St. Maarten and St. Martin, airport porters generally expect a tip of about $1(USD) per bag, taxi drivers usually get a $0.50(USD) to $1(USD) tip depending how long of a cab trip was taken, and if they had to handle any luggage.

Gratuity and tipping is an important part to many people's income, and should not be overlooked by vacationers. It is customary to tip people for their good service and it shows that as a vacationer, you understand the culture and traditions of St. Maarten and St. Martin.

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