When it comes to tipping in Costa Rica,it’s important to know about the Costa Rican tipping culture so you know what to expect. It will also help to know about tipping in Costa Rica to get an idea of how much cash to bring to Costa Rica.
Something very important to note is that I am writing this from a Costa Rican AND foreigner point of view since Yeison is Costa Rican and I am from the United States.
Obviously the tipping cultures in both countries are drastically different so what someone from the United States tells you about the Costa Rica tipping culture may be different than what Yeison, who is Costa Rican, tells you.
So in this post, I’m going to tell you about the tipping culture in Costa Rica from a local and foreigner point of view.
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Tipping in Costa Rica
So first things first. Tipping is not a mandatory part of the Costa Rican culture. Costa Ricans normally don’t give extra no matter how great or lousy the service is. It’s nothing personal.
It’s just not their culture because the tip is already included in the price (of certain things). That is what they’re used to and what they grew up with.
Yeison never tipped as a Costa Rican growing up, even working in the tourism industry. It just isn’t part of the Costa Rican culture and it’s not something taught to them.
Tipping in Costa Rica is not mandatory as it is like the United States.
How Much to Tip in Costa Rica
But as a tourist, what if you want to tip?
Then that is totally fine and is very very much appreciated. The standard percentage to tip in Costa Rica is 10%.
A good way to see the tipping etiquette in Costa Rica for tourists is that there isn’t a mandatory minimum percentage so any amount is very much appreciated. Especially since the minimum wage is not that high in Costa Rica.
If you have the privilege to travel to Costa Rica, then we recommend to tip if you think the service deserved it.
Tipping in Costa Rica – Dollars or Colones?
You can tip in either Costa Rican colones or USD or both. Locals readily accept USD as USD can be used in Costa Rica and many Costa Ricans have a bank account in both local currency and USD.
You can read more about exchanging money, Costa Rican currency and using USD in this post.
Something interesting about the tourism industry is that you will see more tip boxes and people asking for tips in Guanacaste, La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio. This is because these areas receive a lot of American tourists.
Tipping Culture in Costa Rica for Restaurants
When it comes to tipping at restaurants, in Costa Rica, it is required by law that restaurants include the service tax, which they call tips and sales tax in their menu price.
Sales tax is 13% and service tax (tip) is 10%.
So they need to include two different types of taxes to the price.
However, some restaurants don’t include the taxes in the menu prices and will write somewhere “taxes not included” or impuestos no incluidos.
If neither of the taxes are included, then you should expect to pay an extra 23% on top of the menu price. If just service tax is not included, it’s an extra 10%.
Sometimes they will include only one of the taxes but not the other so just keep that in mind.
Menu that includes all taxes in their listed prices will say something like this.
Menu that does not include the 10% service tax in their listed prices look something like this.
If you want to tip at a restaurant, we recommend to leave Costa Rican colones.
Watch out for this…
In the more touristic areas, some resorts will give you an extra receipt with a tip section. You do not need to tip extra if you don’t want to as you will be paying extra on top of the 23% you already paid for service and sales tax.
For example, you get your bill and it comes to $50 USD with the 10% service tax and 13% sales tax included. At this point, you’ve paid everything you’re supposed to.
But then they hand you another American looking receipt in English with a “tip” section, making you think you haven’t tipped yet so then you add an extra tip which in the US, it is a minimum 18%, even 20% now. 15% in the USA nowadays is almost considered an insult.
Tiping Etiquette in Costa Rica for Tour Guides
Some tour places (particularly in Guanacaste where they get mostly American tourists) will have tip boxes. Again, this is optional.
You can tip in USD or CRC and the amount is up to you. If you feel they did an exceptional job, feel free to tip more if you want to.
Tipping Drivers
Same with drivers. If you want to tip the driver, do. For a normal shuttle driver, you can tip the standard 10%.
If you hired a private driver who guided you around and speaks English, I highly recommend giving them a tip 10% or more.
Tipping Taxis
Tipping the taxi driver is not normal in Costa Rica for locals. Yeison has never tipped taxis and they unfortunately have a pretty bad reputation so service is not usually good from taxis.
But again, you can if you want to. If you do – tip in CRC. Also, make sure you pay taxi drivers in local currency only (small bills are the best).
Tipping Etiquette in Costa Rica for Hotel Maids
We always try to leave a little for the maids since they don’t make very much here. You can leave around 1000-2000 CRC a day.
Tipping All Inclusive Resorts in Costa Rica
You can give a small tip to the valet, hotel maids and the bell boys. We don’t normally tip bartenders unless they are really good.
I usually like to give a little bit to the masseuse too if we go to the spa.
Parking guys…watch out for them
These are the ones wearing an orange vest. They’ll come up to your car and charge you for parking, saying they’ll “watch your car” for you or that you have to pay them to park in “their spot”.
However, these guys are not official nor is the parking lot an official parking lot. This means they do not own that parking lot, do not have insurance and do not have security cameras or actual guards. Basically it means they will not be responsible if anything happens to your car or belongings.
I feel kind of torn about this because Yeison had a terrible experience with them before. Instead of watching the vehicle like they said they would, it got broken into it and robbed since the parking guy was in on the robbery.
Also another thing we don’t really like about them is that they can be rude and persistent to get you to park in “their area.” We’ve seen some of them get nasty if you try to ask a question, leave, or not give them “enough.”
I’ve seen them charge international and local tourists a ridiculous amount of money to park, especially during the holidays in very touristic places such as Manuel Antonio National Park and Tamarindo beach.
At the end of it, we avoid parking in unofficial places if we can’t help it. Unfortunately in Costa Rica, majority of parking is unofficial or street parking, so if we have to pay, we will give them the money after we get back to the car.
To Tip or Not to Tip
The bottom line is that tipping in Costa Rica is completely optional but very very much appreciated. 10% is the standard percentage.
So coming from a Costa Rican point of view, Ticos do not tip since it’s not the tipping culture in Costa Rica. But tipping has become more of an expectation in the more touristic and Westernized destinations.
So as tourists, it is very very much appreciated to tip in Costa Rica and we do recommend to tip well if you feel the service was good. You can tip in USD or local currency, both are accepted in Costa Rica.
Read more travel tips for Costa Rica!
Guide to finding accommodation in Costa Rica
Cost of traveling in Costa Rica
Costa Rica Vacation Checklist
- First time to Costa Rica? Read our First Time in Costa Rica guide.
- Not sure how to move around Costa Rica? Read our How to Get Around Costa Rica guide to find the best transportation method for you.
- Click the link to get our detailed Costa Rica Packing List so you know what essential items to bring.
- Check our Costa Rica destinations map and Costa Rica restaurant map
- Do not forget to purchase Travel Insurance for your trip to Costa Rica.
- Stay connected by purchasing a prepaid SIM Card in Costa Rica.
- Save money with Mytanfeet Deals for tours and hotels and our Costa Rica Car Rental Discount.
Jacob says
Hi – I’ve read this blog and comments and they are helpful. Thank you. We are renting a house for two weeks (Manuel Antonio) with 6 adults and 2 kids. Would you please tell me what you think an appropriate tip is each day for the concierge? Thank you for your help!
Sammi says
If you wish to tip, it’s usually around 10% but you can tip more or less depending on how you feel the service was
Ian Howarth says
In spite of the clarity of your advice, I remain a bit confused…so if I go to a restaurant where the 10% service tax is included in the bill, do I not tip? Is the tax really a government tax, or is it just a levy that the restaurant adds to the bill in lieu of an optional tip?
Thanks!
Sammi says
The 10% service tax is a government tax and it is to go to the staff, usually shared among them, so the amount in the end, is small. If you want to tip, you can. If you don’t, that’s fine too. If you feel like you had exceptional service where they deserve more tip, feel free but it’s not mandatory, just greatly appreciated.
Nan says
We have planned a trip April 17 to 26, we realized to late that it will be extremely Hot. Your site has given us some excellent tips and recommendations that we intend to use in hopes that we can enjoy our trip despite the heat. There is so much good information here. Thank you
Harriet says
Can we use credit cards everywhere?
Sammi says
Almost everywhere but some establishments may not take credit card, only cash so it’s good to have cash handy.
Dennis says
I’m going to San Jose in a couple of weeks. I read your advise on tipping drivers but the Dental office is sending a driver to fetch me from SJO Airport and take me to my hotel. I imagine he might have to wait awhile for me to get through customs.
What would be a decent tip for this situation?
Thank you.
Sammi says
Normally 10% but you can tip more if you feel the service was better/deserved more. For private transfers, it is normal for drivers to wait for the clients to complete immigration/customs
Louise says
At La Fortuna, where we park for the river hot swim . We had been asking to pay for parking on the street. The guy was insisting. At first I said no .. todo bien. He was angry and insist. We finally give him the money. That was really inconfortable moment. In my opinion, They wont be able to stop a stoler anyway. If it help them to eat more … ok then
Tara says
This may be a bit different than tipping – I will be at a homestay and would like to bring a gift for the family. Is there a recommended gift or type of gift. If money is preferred, about how much per week?
Thanks!
Tara
Sammi says
For gifts, anything from your hometown is nice, like if your hometown is known for something. Or like graphic tees/clothes are always appreciated as clothes are kinda expensive here.
Tara says
Thanks…I’m in NYC, so not much that is hometown-ish, but will look for some T-shirts!
David says
Thanks for this article – it is very helpful. I have a situation that is not covered. My wife and I are going on a 13 night birding tour and out Guide/Driver is one of the owners of the company. The cost includes lodging, meals, transportation, entry fees, etc. – only alcohol is not covered. Would we be expected to tip? If so (or if we want to), how do we determine what is appropriate? Since the cost includes more than simply the cost of our guide/driver, a straight percentage would seem to be too much. We have no idea what an appropriate daily tip would be that we could multiply by 13. Thoughts?
Sammi says
Tipping is techncially optional in Costa Rica, if you wish to tip usually it’s 10% and you can tip more if you want or less depending on how you feel the service