Tres Galeones — Restaurant in Quintana Roo

TLDR: went here for dinner, set wallet on table(never had a problem and I hate sitting on it, but my fault I know) had a few different servers check up on us prior to ordering dinner but walk away quickly before we could say anything, realized the next morning I was short a decent amount of cash...they left me enough to pay the bill. Lol

This is the only true negative review I will ever write as I have worked in the service industry/restaurants before. And I’m trying to write this as unbiased as possible as I realize I’m a little at fault. This was the only stop basically of the whole days besides the Airbnb. Also I have been to tulum in previous years and never experienced anything like this.

Found this place for dinner after making a quick stop at our Airbnb. Got a table and ordered like normal. Ordered drinks, an app, and I set my wallet on the table as I hate sitting on it.(I know dumb)Then they did a little smoke show, and we were waiting to put in our dinner order. We had a few different servers come check up on us but walk away before we could get another word in (odd, but didn’t think anything of it). Our server comes back takes the order, and everything goes back to normal. Food was pretty good, and place had an alright atmosphere. Check came and we had just gotten to Tulum so I hadn’t converted any cash yet..so I paid by card and didn’t look at my money. Go back to the Airbnb and wake up the next morning short a whole lot of cash. I thought long and hard about where I was that his could have happened, besides the airport, the bus ride, and the Airbnb I hadn’t talked to anyone besides who I was traveling with and hadn’t been careless, then I thought about the restaurant and how we had so many people stopping by are table and then walking away quickly. Food was pretty good, atmosphere was ok, but I wouldn’t visit this place...

ADDING A TIP TO THE BILL IS ILLEGAL IN MEXICO ... Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, my friend and I had a last minute dinner here in Tulum, we were seated promptly by a kind server who was always sweet and attentive. He made a seriously awesome drink recommendation (definitely try a cocktail if you’re there. We ordered and he brought the cocktails, the food was served pretty promptly. I have to say this place has THE BEST TUNA TOSTADA and fish pastor taco IN ALL OF TULUM. I could have died and went to heaven! Both the bartender and server checked up on us frequently and were both very kind!!

but then... The bill came and we realized he had taken the liberty of adding a 10% tip to our bill which again may I repeat. IS ILLEGAL IN MEXICO. We had a lovely dinner and it was our last night in Tulum so DESPITE this happening to us everywhere we went we decided to let it go... maybe it was the tostadas talking... Sorry Tres Galeones! This easily could have been a 5 star review, you lose stars for taking the liberty of deciding what we should pay you as a tip. Side note: because the service, food and atmosphere was the best we had in Tulum, we would have given him 15% (that’s what we normally tip in Canada) but instead you get the 10%, two irritated customers and a tarnished review.

A note for anyone traveling to touristy areas of Mexico where this tip adding is common, watch Tangerine Travels on YouTube they have some helpful videos and if you feel you’re really getting screwed or your irritated with this added tip. you can always...

Please don't give this place any business. The short version of the story is that the owner is extremely rude and disrespectful.

I came here on a Friday night as I walked by and heard music playing. The door was open, so I walked in and stood next to the bar. Within the first minute, a lady came over and asked how long I had been at the place. After answering I had only been here a minute, she immediately asked me to pay 20 pesos or get out.

I was surprised by her bluntness, but I asked how much longer this place would be open, as it was already 3:45am. Instead of answering, she told me it's 20 pesos and I haven't bought a drink yet, so you need to get out. She explained it was a private party, and I replied that I was sorry and didn't mean to barge in. Still, she walked me to the door, and once outside, she asked me where I was from in an attempt to be polite. When I asked her the same, she replied, "I'm from wherever" and went back in. (She also attempted to send me off with random people on the street to wherever they were going next, as if talking to strangers and telling them to adopt me is a nice thing to do?)

The whole time I was in this venue, I was never rude or acting drunk whatsoever. I don't know what I did to deserve such attitude, but I do know that if this is the owner, she's a terrible human being.

I say this as this is the only negative review I've ever felt compelled to...