Most restaurants and bars in the Cayman Islands automatically add a service charge of around 15% to your bill, and some add 18% or 20%. Always check your bill first. If a service charge is included, you do not need to tip again, but adding a little extra for great service is appreciated. If no service charge is included, tip 15% to 20%.
Do restaurants in Grand Cayman add a gratuity to the bill?
Yes, most do. The vast majority of restaurants in Cayman add at least 15% to the bill as a gratuity, and some add as much as 20% (Cayman Compass). It usually appears as a separate line labelled “service charge” or “gratuity”.
This charge is shared between the server and the kitchen and support staff under a gratuities scheme that each business must have approved by the government. A typical split is 60% for the server and 40% for the kitchen and support staff. Any extra tip you leave on top generally goes directly to your server (Cayman Compass).
Watch the card machine. Card readers may still prompt you to add a tip, even when a service charge is already on the bill (Cayman Compass). Check before you press a percentage, so you do not tip twice by accident.
Why is tipping important in the Cayman Islands?
Since 1 January 2026, the national minimum wage in the Cayman Islands is CI$8.75 per hour. Service employees who work for a business with an approved gratuities scheme can be paid a lower minimum of CI$6.56 per hour, and they keep all the gratuities they earn on top of that wage (Cayman Islands Government). In other words, gratuities make up a big part of what restaurant staff take home.
Should you tip in US dollars or Cayman dollars?
Either is fine. However, remember that the Cayman dollar is worth more than the US dollar. Businesses usually accept US dollars at a rate of US$1 = CI$0.80 (Explore Cayman).
This matters when you tip in cash. For example, if your bill is CI$100 and you leave a US$15 note, you have tipped CI$12, not CI$15 (Daily.ky). Credit cards are always charged in US dollars (Explore Cayman).
You can read more about money in our guide to the best currency to use in the Cayman Islands.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Grand Cayman?
Tipping taxi drivers is optional. Taxi fares are set by the government and are not metered, and the first two pieces of luggage are free (Cayman Airports Authority). Rounding up, or adding around 10% if the driver helps with your bags, is a common courtesy (Daily.ky).
See our list of the best taxis in Grand Cayman for more information.
Do you tip boat crews and dive instructors?
Yes. It is customary to tip the crew after a boat trip or dive, typically 15% to 20% for a good outing (Daily.ky). This applies to Stingray City tours, snorkeling tours and dive companies.
How much should you tip at hotels and spas?
Hotel taxes and fees: Licensed hotels, condos and vacation rentals must add a 13% Tourist Accommodation Tax to the room rate (Cayman Islands Department of Tourism), and some hotels also add a gratuity or service charge (Explore Cayman). Check your booking terms so you know what is already included.
Housekeeping: Leaving a few dollars a day, every day rather than only at checkout, makes sure your tip reaches the person who cleaned your room (Daily.ky).
Porters: At the airport and the cruise tender landing, around CI$2 (US$2.50) per bag is the going rate (Daily.ky).
Spas: Many spas in Grand Cayman add a service charge to the bill, just like restaurants. If no charge is added, tip as you would at a restaurant (Daily.ky).
Final thoughts
Tipping in the Cayman Islands is easy once you know to check the bill. Most restaurants already include a service charge of around 15%, so only add more for great service. Tip boat crews 15% to 20%, keep a few small bills for porters and housekeeping, and remember that US cash is worth less than the same number of Cayman dollars.
