Costa Rica Travel Posts

Costa Rica Travel Guide and Tips – Tipping in Costa Rica

By Patrick Brunelle ⋅ November 11, 2010 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

Ah yes, the classic question, to tip or not to tip. This has got to be one of the most common asked questions at my travel agency by people coming to Costa Rica. How much should I tip. Well, as always, there is no simple answer to this question, unlike the US and Canada where it is a standard rate of 15% in restaurants, $1 a bag for bell hops and $1 to $5 a day for maids. Costa Rica has a completely different way of dealings with tips.

Costa Ricans Don’t Tip
Yes, it sounds cheap, but tipping is not part of the culture here in Costa Rica. Yes, it’s true, 10% is always included in the bill at restaurants, but other than that, tips are not given to service providers. This is a point that always makes me chuckle, as Costa Ricans also enjoy complaining about the service they receive, yet they are never willing to give a reward for someone who actual does provide good service. Also, having a guaranteed tip in restaurants, I find that waiters and waitresses don’t really care what kind of service they provide, and why should they?

Tourists Do Tip
Just because Costa Ricans don’t tip, doesn’t meant Costa Ricans who work in the travel industry don’t expect tips from tourists visiting Costa Rica. And as the tourism industry grows, tipping is become more and more common, and expected by Costa Ricans. Even taxi drivers are starting to ask me for a tip, which was unheard of four years ago. So how much should you tip when in Costa Rica? This is definitely up to you. What is important to note however, is that even giving $1 makes a difference to someone working in Costa Rica.

Guideline for Tipping in Costa Rica

Restaurants
Minimum: Nothing, as you are already giving 10%
Maximum: Add another 10% to the bill and leave it as a tip

Taxi drivers
Minimum: Nothing, as it is usually not expected
Maximum: 500 Colones (around $1)

Bellhops
Minimum: 500 Colones
Maximum: 1000 Colones

Personal Drivers
Minimum: $1 for airport transfers and $5 for longer transfers per person
Maximum: $3 for airport transfers and $10 for longer transfers.

Bartenders
Minimum: Nothing. They do not expect tips after every drink.
Maximum: $1 a round, anything more s really not necessary

Security Guards watching you car (watchyman)
Minimum: 300 Colones
Maximum: 500 Colones