Tipping guide

Tipping in Costa Rica

Costa Rican bills come with a 10% service charge and 13% tax already added by law. The tip is genuinely built in, so anything extra is a bonus rather than an obligation.

This calculator needs JavaScript. The country guidance below works without it.

What are you paying for?
How was the service?
Split between
1 person
Enter a bill amount to see your tip

Tipping in Costa Rica at a glance

10-15% in restaurants, small tips elsewhere

  • Restaurant (sit-down)
    10-15%
  • Cafe / Bar
    Round up
  • Taxi / Rideshare
    Round up
  • Food delivery
    5-10%
  • Tour guide / Driver
    10-15%
  • Spa / Salon / Barber
    10-15%
  • Hotel housekeeping
    ₡1,000 per night
  • Hotel porter / Bellhop
    ₡700 per bag
  • Valet parking
    ₡700 per car
  • Hotel concierge
    ₡2,500 per request

Check the bill for 'propina' or 'servicio' before adding anything — some places include it, and a few add it twice if you're not looking.

Rates shown are typical amounts, converted to local currency at approximately 27 Aug 2026. Tipping customs evolve and vary from region to region, so treat this as your best starting point rather than a hard rule. Where a bill already shows a service charge, that is usually the tip.

Common questions

Do you tip in Costa Rica?

The mandatory 10% servicio is already on your bill. Adding 5% more for genuinely good service is common but not expected.

Is the 10% service charge mandatory in Costa Rica?

Yes — it is legally required on restaurant bills, along with 13% sales tax. That is why the total is noticeably above the menu price.

How much do you tip a tour guide in Costa Rica?

$10-15 per person per day for a naturalist guide, and $5-10 for a driver. Guiding is a skilled, certified profession here and tips are a normal part of it.

International tipping guides by country

Open the free online tipping calculator — or read the guidance for another destination.