With all that said, places that do get a lot of visitors from the US are accustomed to their servers getting a larger percentage for their tip. Best Luxury Hotel Bathroom All Costa Rica Hotels; Costa Rica Hotel Deals; Last Minute Hotels in Costa Rica . The ultimate guide to Tipping in Costa Rica who to tip, when to tip, how much to tip and which currencies to use. So they do heavily rely on tips to survive. That means that for a massage costing you 100 Costa Rican colon, you might consider leaving a tip of 10 Costa Rican colons if the service was average, or as youd expect - or say thanks with a 15% tip if the therapist provided an outstanding treatment. Call us. All content, concepts, and photos (unless credited otherwise) property of Ricky and Nikki Solano. Best Use Of An Extra Two Dollars In Your Pocket (Alternatively, you can try setting your browser to remove or reject browser cookies before visiting our website, but you may find that our website doesnt function properly without them.) If there is a place on the menu that says I . Must-Try Fruit (Raw) With Wise youll always get the real exchange rate with no hidden costs. 21 - Is the water safe to drink in Costa Rica? Learn more and access the tool on our sister site, DIY Costa Rica, here. Questions - Costa Rica Forum - Tripadvisor Tipping in Costa Rica isnt mandatory, but there is a time and place to leave a little extra gratuity. Best Hanging Bridge Outsidethe Central Valley, several small cities have their own taxi system. Click here to listen to podcast interviews weve been featured on! If you leave the Strictly Necessary Cookie disabled, we will not be able to save your preference. This website uses cookies to operate and provide you with the best user experience possible. Some use metersand some dont. Costa Rica welcomes millions of tourists annually, and Ticos will usually. and receive a couple hundred colones coins ($0.30) from the change. If you dont feel comfortable tipping in Costa Rica because of your cultural norms or a different reason, dont tip. Envelopes for housekeeping gratuities have appeared on nightstands at many hotels and tip jars are next to the cash register at fast food places and ice cream shops. Should we have ripped? Best Hummingbird Garden A good tour guide passionate about their work should definitely be tipped. We write only what we believe or choose to believe in, and not a word more. Tips are equally welcome whether youre taking a private, multi-day, or walking tour. Best View Of The Arenal Volcano Do you tip gas station attendants who fill your car with fuel, clean the windshield, etc? I use it and it is nice. Tipping at restaurants, bars and coffee shops is optional. We strive for quality, not quantity, and we never stuff our blog with general information about Costa Rica that is widely available elsewhere. Spa Service Provider: A tip of up to 15 percent for exceptional service is appreciated. Best Swimming Lagoon, Most Common Dining Expression So, while tips are not expected, they are welcomed with much gratitude. Like in the United States, restaurants are the most likely place you'll encounter a situation where you could be left scratching your head over the tip. 160 Reviews . Best Night Tour In other states, the program is sponsored by Community Federal Savings Bank, to which were a service provider. Costa Ricans are typically satisfied with less, around 10% to 15%. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a7913a9b542a68e58c3cc3eeb8a67bb6" );document.getElementById("f247f85416").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. (Continued use of the website implies that you agree with the policy.) I read women there are period products deprived(luxury tax and expensive) as with many others countries including the USA. ~Christa, I will be vacationing Costa Rica early 2024. This Costa Rica tipping guide will help you navigate when/where you can leave a little extra for great service. Best Accessible Tour I will try to get Colons so she or he wont have to make their way to an exchange office. Concierge:A tip is not expected, but 500CRC to 1,000CRC (or $1US to $2US) is a nice way to show appreciation for a special recommendation or a hard-to-get reservation. It is considerate to tip on arrival and departure if assisted with luggage both times. The meter begins at around 550 colones and climbs based on kilometers traveled and time spent in waiting. Thanks for your help. Tipping is a mysterious World, and when you are abroad and with a different currency, you simply never know when you are giving too much or too little! You can save on currency conversion fees when traveling with Wise travel money card. It can quite tricky, especially in restaurants. As a young boy, Ricky en, Hike a cloud forest reserve! If youre traveling as part of a group of 5 or more people, consider tipping the driver a flat rate (not a percentage of the shuttle service cost) of $5-10. Taxis in Costa Rica: Everything You Need to Know - MytanFeet Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about Costa Rica accommodations, including recommendations for where to stay in Costa Rica. However, its kind to show your appreciation for the ride by rounding up the total shown on the maria (meter). Tipping is a sign of respect and a big "thank you." The majority of Costa Rican's that eat out never leave anything extra, so it is simply not expected. Should you tip in Costa Rican colons in Costa Rica? Best Item To Rent For A Day Itll be a relatively small amount of money to you, but a big deal to them since incomes are much lower in Costa Rica. Best Cultural Tour It's been a while, and I can t, Today's the day! View Hotel. Get the Wise debit card! Please let me know your thoughts on this plan of mine. To Tip or Not to Tip in Costa Rica, That's the Question Would you feel comfortable reporting back with the cost and of the fishing trip and its inclusions? Arenal from San Jose or Liberia - Costa Rica Forum - Tripadvisor Ready for the trip of a lifetime? Well also cover how to save on currency exchange with Wise, so you can tip generously and still have more to spend on yourself! If a porter helps to carry your bag (s) to your room the customary tip about 550 or 1100 colones per bag, usually no more than 1100 colones total. If you feel the 10% service fee is not enough because your waiter was outstanding, you can leave cash on the table or give it to the waiter, but you will generally not have the option to add a tip to your credit card bill in a restaurant. Unlike the U.S., all Costa Rican restaurants will automatically add a, Although some Americans might feel that 10 percent is a little low for a tip, Ticos generally don't add any extra onto the existing rate because prices usually include a tax for their salary. If you're traveling as a group of 3 or 4 people, consider tipping your tour guide around 10% of the tour cost. The people who keep watch over cars are usually members of the community, and the attendant job is their only source of income. Recreo. Tour Guides. Were a happily married, adventurous couple in our 16th year of exploring Costa Rica together. Taxis in the City or Countryside - Costa Rica The sales tax is 13%, while the service tax (tip) is 10%. Bellhop:It is considerate to tip 500CRC (or $1US) per bag, depending on size and distance carried. READ THIS FIRST! We even encountered this on the road near public parking so we opted not to tip and our car was fine. Thank you for the great resource. anyone have any idea what it's appropriate to tip these people for a week? We love this photogeni, Swim at the base of a waterfall! With a minimum wage around $US2 an hour but the cost of groceries the same as up north and things like electricity, gas, vehicles and appliances twice as expensive, tips are not only not offensive, they are greatly appreciated. If you find our content valuable, and you'd like to thank us for making the trip-planning process easier and your Costa Rica vacation more enjoyable, please consider making a small donation ($1, $2, $3, or an amount of your choosing) to our blog. Best View Overlooking Arenal Lake The landmark based system of addresses and maze of streets through the Barios can be baffling to the uninitiated. A Guide to Taxi Etiquette and Tipping in Costa Rica - TripSavvy Best Mascot Best Late Night Restaurant That will give me a better idea of a ballpark for tipping. Fuel all stations are full service and before credit cards it was traditional for the attendant to wash your windows, check your oil etc. Thanks for this really useful article; were heading to Costa Rica tomorrow and had no idea whether we could tip our driver in USD. , How much should my husband and I tip the Captain and First mate on a charter fishing trip for 2 days? Lets break it down: Costa Ricans dont tip. eh? This recommendation might sound obvious, but you may participate in tours where you interact with several tour guides and youre not sure who to tip. These drivers operate under their own rules and with their own pricing. However, if. If you get exceptionally good service, say thank you with a tip closer to 15-20%. Hotel Bartender: Its standard to leave about 500CRC (or $1US) per drink. This is why you will not generally see ticos tipping other ticos. Hundreds of articles on Costa Rica trip planning, travel in Costa Rica, and saving money, plus free discounts. 2,000 beer One attraction th, Tour a #coffeeplantation! If youre traveling as a group of 3 or 4 people, consider tipping your tour guide around 10% of the tour cost. Most Underrated Hotel Amenities, Best Shortcut For short journeys the easiest option is to round up the bill to the nearest significant amount in Costa Rican colons. Theres certain, Snap photos from incredible viewpoints! Report inappropriate content 1-7 of 7 replies Sorted by 1 roadadvisor San Jose, Costa Rica Level Contributor 78,024 posts If you are to tip the guide for any particular service he/she provided, my suggestion is to wait and call him/her separately. The idea is that they watch your car for you while you are not in it, and at the end you pay them. Watch out for my feature on tipping culture in the Philippines! Costa Rica Travel Guide | Places to Visit in Costa Rica You do NOT need to tip in restaurants as the tip is added onto your bill automatically at the end of the meal as a service charge. Perez Zeledon, Province of San Jose . Best View Overlooking The Town Of La Fortuna She is not a adventurous or willing to taxi to a near-by high school or community outreach office. Unlike the U.S., all Costa Rican restaurants will automatically add a 10 percent gratuity to your bill before it's given to you, in addition to the 13 percent tax. I like Grecia for a place to live solo. Best Museum $2 per day; it's helpful to leave your biggest tip on the first day to ensure excellent service. Costa Rica Guide - Maps & Travel Information Great recent post on stuff to remember in budget hotels. Costa Rica backpackers could benefit from reading that article of yours. If so, watch Nikki Solano on the Costa Rica-themed Rick Steves Monday Night Travel Show! I always tip daily because I dont always get the same person. Small group $5-$7 per person per day. A PayPal account is not required to make a donation; credit and debit cards are also accepted. Hold and spend 40+ currencies with the same card, make ATM withdrawals and manage your account on the go using the Wise app. If there is a place on the menu that says I.V.I. View Hotel. Best Place For Black Sand It isn't necessary, and the Costa Rican culture doesn't expect it since this is their job, but if someone goes out of the way and you feel the need to, we encourage it. Conversely, if youre visiting Costa Rica from a country where tipping is generally practiced, know that leaving a tip is a kind and customary offering thats sure to be appreciated. Although in restaurants, bars and hotels 10% Service charge is compulsory. If youre just setting out on this journey, review our introductory Costa Rica trip-planning resources first. The best way Ive found to deal with it is simply decide ahead of time what to do (based roughly on the list above) and not give it any further thought unless someone goes out of their way and deserves even more. Taxis between the airport and San Jos generally cost $25, and drivers do accept United States currency. Drivers of water taxis usually get around $2 per journey. Though the article below covers our tipping recommendations in greater detail, if youre short on time, review our quick Costa Rica tipping chart: If you decide to tip your tour guide(s), the general rule of thumb is to tip the specific tour guide you have. Our website uses cookies. If the charge does not appear on your bill, leave 15-20% of the total meal cost. The Costa Rica airport has a separate fleet of taxis, which are painted orange, and typically only take passengers back and forth to the airport. What To Know About Tipping In Costa Rica - The Official Costa Rica Taxis between the airport and San Jos generally cost $25, anddrivers doaccept United States currency. Tipping in Costa Rica: The Costa Rica Tipping Guide - SmarterTravel Be aware that authorized taxi drivers are not fans of these services, and have often gone on strike to protest their existence. Home Spending Money In Costa Rica What To Know About Tipping In Costa Rica, Last updated on February 9th, 2023 at 05:30 pm EST, Nikki is the CEO ofPura Vida! Best Street Vendor Purchase Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica - Oyster.com Best Safari Float Often there will also be a space for propina or an extra tip on the receipt as well if you plan to pay by credit card. Its customary to give a small tip to porters so dont forget to have some small change when checking in! Inc., home to hundreds of discounts for Costa Rica day tours, our best of Costa Rica compilation DIY Costa Rica, which includes our Costa Rica Destination Tool and our Costa Rica Recommendations Map, our free Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course, and our awesome Costa Rica travel guidebooksMoon Best of Costa Rica, 2022 edition (a selective best of guide; available now), Moon Costa Rica, 2023 edition (a full-country guide; out September 2023 but currently available to pre-order), Moon Costa Rica, 2021 edition (a full-country guide; available now), and Moon Costa Rica, 2019 edition (a full-country guide; available now)published by the prestigious Moon Travel Guides. Hey, Costa Rica Travel Blog reader, thank you for visiting and reading our blog! $10-20 for individual or couple, $5-10 per guest in a group. Tipping taxi drivers isnt as common a practice as tipping other drivers in Costa Rica. NEW! 5 colon note is worth about a penny and wouldn't be a great tip except that they are so pretty they sell for $US 10 as souvenirs. You can also let the driver keep the change for shorter distances. Costa Rica Money: Handling Currency & US Dollars in Costa Rica - MytanFeet Whats the procedure? ~Pura vida! 38 reviews 47 helpful votes Tipping in Costa Rica 9 years ago Save We are staying at a Villa in Costa Rica in July. If two or more tour guides share your tours guiding responsibilities, feel free to divide your tip across each tour guide. Perez Zeledon, Province of San Jose . Thats my story and Im sticking with. You get to decide what works for you, given the cultural background outlined above. What we can do is offer general recommendations for tipping in Costa Rica based on what we give, on average, for deserving services. In general, the taxis in Costa Rica's capital city are red and use a meter system. Tipping in Costa Rica is a very interesting phenomenon. Best Place To Hear Howler Monkeys For longer hauls, $1-$5 extra depending on the length of the trip. We feel you should tip what you think is fair and what they did for you. And, if you are going scuba diving $10 can do. Con mucho gusto (youre welcome), donoghuemc! Then, exchange about $100 USD to Costa Rican colones when you first arrive at the bank or supermarket. 19 - Is Costa Rica safe for solo female travelers? It's normal to tip for good service in restaurants, bars and cafes in Costa Rica - especially in touristy or business areas. Its not a thing culturally. Inc.), Our Costa Rica trip planning 101 e-course, Itinerary / Trip Planning: Getting Started. Best View Of The Central Valley Open an account online to spend and send money around the world at the real exchange rate, with no hidden fees. Your tour guide can make or break your experience when travelling - so when you find a great guide in Costa Rica do tip them the standard 10%. In tourist areas, US dollars are widely used, but in the non-tourist areas where most Costa Rican guides, drivers and other workers live, dollars arent accepted. Some restaurants will have a footnote on their menus stating that tips or taxes are not included, pay attention to that so as not to be surprised at the end of your meal. Mirador de Quetzales. All of the opinions, recommendations, and advice expressed on Costa Rica Travel Blog are our own. Your Trip to Costa Rica: The Complete Guide, How to Travel From San Jos to Bocas del Toro by Bus, Plane, and Car, Getting Around Ho Chi Minh City: Guide to Public Transportation, Getting Around Prague: Guide to Public Transportation, Getting Around Bangkok: Guide to Public Transportation, Getting Around Nashville: Guide to Public Transportation, Getting Around Buenos Aires: Guide to Public Transportation, 20 Tips for Traveling in Peru on a Budget. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox, Chrissie Long is a freelance travel writer who has lived in Costa Rica. If you're taking a cab a short distance, a large tip isn't necessary, but rounding the fare up to the nearest dollar is usually the norm. There may be a tip jar or box in tourist areas, and this would not be an insult. Though a little extra money is always welcome, tips arent expected among taxi drivers in Costa Rica, but you can make someones day by throwing in an extra 1,000 colones. This doesnt mean you shouldnt tip, though. Best View Of The Guanacaste Plains The to tip of not to tip question I have is for two events we encountered: 1: parking at any beach (we encountered this at three separate beaches): a public parking area where men wander around asking for tips to keep your vehicle safe. Both San Jose and Liberia Airports now have an official taxi stand which is right outside the exit. Many travelers forget to tip the hotel staff who are responsible for cleaning your room upon check-out. If yes how much? We tend not to tip in this case. As we mention in our related blog post Spending Money In Costa Rica: What To Know About USD, Colones, Credit Cards, And More!, tips can be provided in US dollars or local Costa Rican colones. Bellhops $2-5 unless you have a ton of luggage then increase accordingly. 525 Reviews . With the Wise Costa Rican colon travel money card its easy to top up in your local currency, and switch to Costa Rican colon whenever you need to pay for your day to day expenses in Costa Rica. When heading out on a sports fishing trip, it's customary to tip the crew! These drivers are generally responsible for transporting you between cities, resulting in multi-hour drives. Restaurants are an interesting case in Costa Rica as far as tipping. In smaller local, family-run restaurants the service charge might not be added, so be sure to ask. Instructors (surf, SUP, kayak, horseback etc.) Thank you for thinking of the locals as you travel. This one is tough to estimate. The most commonly tipped employees are the porters and housekeeping. Best Place For White Sand Costa Rica has a very different approach to tipping than the U.S. Plan to tip around 10-15% in Costa Rican restaurants. Weve had everything from no extras (obviously no tip) to a couple of guy with sponges, hoses and squeegees basically doing a quickie car wash on a mud encrusted Land Cruiser in under five minutes ($5).
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