Tipping in Costa Rica is pretty much the same as everywhere else, however, better read a bit about it not to make mistakes… Right?
When we travel abroad, one of the things that confuse us the most is how much tipping should be. We don’t want to be cheap, but we don’t want to be stupid, and certainly we don’t have what to spend all our traveling money in tipping above what’s customary.
And that is why for 2Costa Rica is quite important for our passengers to have a little guideline that will allow you to know what to do in every case.
Tipping is Costa Rica, yes it is customary and expected. Although in restaurants, bars and hotels 10% Service charge is compulsory.
Remember! This post is mainly a guideline; it is not written in stone. But it certainly can be useful.
At Restaurants: Tip is 10%, and it is included in the bill; adding anything extra when the service is excellent is a pleasant surprise.
At the airport: $1 per bag.
At Hotels: $ 0.50 cents per bag to the porter, $1 per bag on resorts and official bell boys; leave $1 a day for the housekeeper.
Guides and Drivers:
- Tip cabbies a small amount if you have luggage
- Drivers get $2–$4 for a long drive, $1–$2 for a trip from the airport
- Full Day Guide or Guide/Driver $5–$10 per person for a full-day guide and driver.
- On a day tour, it is 10% of the price of the tour for both (Driver and tour guide).
Who Else?:
- On an organized tour involving several guides, there’s usually a jar for tips to be divvied up among staff—leave $2–$3 for each person who’s helped.
- On a boat, $5–$10 per person for the captain will be distributed among the crew.
Note: In some of the all inclusive hotels, all tips are covered by a resort charge. Please ask the travel consultant.
Costa Ricans get paid better than many other Central American people, in general costs are higher. Therefore salaries and tips are higher.
In 2Costa Rica Travel we care about having tour guides that are certified and experienced naturalists and our drivers are well-seasoned professionals. You will never see them standing for a tip, or pushing it.
How to do it?
Hotel staff:
Bell Boys, right there, as they deliver the cases, just like everywhere else
House Maids: In many hotels, there are envelopes for them, if these are not there, our suggestion is to leave it somewhere visible with a thank you note, so that they know they can take it.
Guide and Drivers:
At the end of the activity or one day tours, a folded tip in the tour guide’s hand is good enough. Same with the driver.
A tip that sounds (Coins) is considered cheap. Even if all the coins together sum up five dollars. On the other hand for Costa Ricans is not easy to change coins anywhere.
Euros and other currencies: Hard to change for Costa Ricans. Better with colones or US Dollars.
