Tipping a driver in Tulum
 

We have a driver that is part of the trip package. He will be driving us 2 hours from the airport to hotel in Tulum. What do you think I should tip in dollars? Thanks

I would tip 200 pesos which is about $10USD each way, and I also tip the greeter at the airport from $2-5 since they stay with you until the driver arrives and loads bags into the van.
I have used USA Transfers in the past several times.

Is "us" two people? Or a larger party?

Whatever you tip, I agree about doing it in peso.

Pesos are preferred, but if you don't have any, they will gladly accept US dollars.

If you tip in foreign currency I would increase the tip amount.

I probably wouldn't tip that much, more like US$5 each way per person.

I don't think USD versus pesos matters that much, it is extremely easy to exchange USD for pesos in that area, it isn't a big burden at all. I'm sure if you had pesos, that would be more convenient, sure, but it's not some major problem around there.

For a 2 hour drive I would absolutely tip at least 200 peso.

$5 USD comes out to less than 100 peso and I think that is not enough for a 2 hour drive.

You lose money changing pesos to dollars in a bank.

I would not tip in dollars in Mexico, although many, especially less experienced travelers, to just that.

It's not like the old days, when everyone wanted US dollars.

First of all, it is not 2 hours but 1 and half hours from the airport to Tulum Centro.
Secondly, he has already been credited for services rendered. The tip, IMO , is what you feel is nececery for the extras he has provided, loading and unloading your luggage, practical information on a given area, restaurants, water parcs, what ce notes to go to, what ruins and beaches are close by and that sort of helpful information. Most Mexicans in his position are very helpful and certainly very informative regarding the do’s and dont’s of a given area or environnement.
If this person is all of the above and more, then I would give him 200 pesos, not more, If you don’t have pesos, I am quite certain that he will more than appreciate a 10 or 20 dollar bill.

Well since a 20 USD bill is approx. 357 peso, yes I'm sure they would appreciate it!

Oops (typo) $20 usd at current exchange rates is approx. 375 peso!

How is that "not more" than 200 peso?

I always use pesos in Mexico too, but realistically in a touristy part of Mexico like this, I don't think it matters too much. USD are so common that it's not a problem to tip in USD. Drivers will always end up with a mix of currency as tips. Pesos go farther for purchases though.

Now there’s a common sense answer, that I agree with November-moon...

Given that one can get pesos at an ATM at the airport, I must admit that I don't understand why one would NOT tip in pesos. Tipping in dollars, while better than not tipping at all, forces the tip recipient to exchange the currency -- and doing so costs money.

Exactly! Tipping in pesos will net the recipient more money in the end than if one pays in dollars. Simple is that.

Well not really :-)

If they follow the "advice" to tip $20USD that is a LOT more than 200 peso.

I agree - there isn't any compelling reason to use anything other than pesos, BUT, the fact remains that tipping in USD is not a problem in this part of the country. Anyone tipping in USD should tip a little more though, to cover the loss the tipee may incur in exchanging currency. What really matters is giving a decent tip for services.