Do you tip in Costa Rica? A guide to tipping in Costa Rica

You're at an open-air soda in San José, halfway through a plate of gallo pinto and a café con leche, when the bill arrives. Your stomach drops: there's a line for servicio, another for impuestos, and a total steeper than the menu promised. Do you add 20% on top, like back home? Leave nothing and risk being that tourist?

If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. Tipping in Costa Rica confuses US travelers more than almost anywhere in the region — not because the rules are strict, but because the bill quietly does some of the work for you. Here's how to read it, what to add, and what to skip.

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Do I tip in Costa Rica?

Short answer: not the way you do at home. Tips are appreciated but rarely expected. Costa Rican service workers — known as Ticos — earn a set wage rather than living off gratuities, and most sit-down restaurants already build a service charge into your bill. So, only tip when you want to reward genuinely good service.

That said, in tourist-heavy spots like beach towns, national park gateways, and busy hotel zones, staff have grown used to North American generosity and a small extra tip is welcomed. In a quiet neighborhood eatery, the same gesture can catch a server off guard.

Is it customary to tip in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica's tipping culture is relaxed because the labor model is different. In the US, tipped workers often earn a sub-minimum wage and depend on gratuities to close the gap. In Costa Rica, service staff are paid a standard wage, and the law requires restaurants to add a 10% service charge on top of menu prices. The tip is, in effect, partly built in — so you can choose if you want to add a little extra when something genuinely stood out.

Tourist zones complicate this. Around La Fortuna, Tamarindo, and Manuel Antonio, servers see American travelers daily and expect a little more. In local neighborhoods, the custom remains: the included charge is enough, and any extra is a pleasant surprise rather than an obligation.

What's the Costa Rica restaurant service tax?

As we mentioned above, all sit-down restaurants add a 10% service charge to your bill. This money is a gratuity equivalent that's divided between the staff, so you're under no obligation to add a tip on top of that. If the service was exceptional — your server steered you to the catch of the day, handled a big group smoothly, or made the meal memorable — an extra 5–10% in cash is a kind gesture that goes straight to your server. But it isn't mandatory.

At a soda — a small, family-run eatery — there's often no service charge and no expectation. Rounding up to the nearest 1,000 colones, or leaving a dollar or 2, is more than enough.

How much to tip in Costa Rica

Here's the breakdown:

• Restaurants: The 10% service charge is included in your bill. Add 5–10% extra in cash only for standout service.
• Bars & cafés: Round up or leave ₡1,000–2,000 ($1–2). At a casual counter, nothing is required.
• Taxis: Round up the fare or, for a long, helpful ride, add ₡600–3,000 ($1–5).
• Hotels: Tip bellhops ₡600–900 ($1–1.50) per bag and housekeeping ₡1,000–2,000 ($2–4) per day, left daily.
• Tour guides: ₡3,000–6,000 ($5–10) per person for a group tour. You can tip more for a private guide.
• Spas and beauty: 10% if a service charge isn't already on the bill.
• Shuttle and transfer drivers: $2–5 for a long transfer.

Cash vs card spending in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is becoming more accepting of cards. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in cities, hotels, and established restaurants. But the further off the grid you go — mountain lodges, beachside sodas, and rural toll roads — the more you'll need cash, preferably colones in small bills.

When you do use your card, keep in mind that many US cards charge a 2–3% foreign transaction fee on every purchase made abroad, on top of an exchange rate that's rarely in your favor. A dedicated travel card like ours handles your colone spending at competitive rates.

Should you tip in cash or by card in Costa Rica?

Cash, whenever you can. Many card machines in Costa Rica don't have a tip line, and where they do, card tips often go into a pooled house total rather than directly to your server. Cash is the surest way to make sure your gesture actually reaches the person who earned it.

A Revolut travel money card makes this easy — you can withdraw colones from ATMs across Costa Rica at competitive exchange rates with no fees from us during market hours and within your plan limits,¹ so you always have the right cash for tips, toll roads, and local spots that don't take cards.

Best travel card for spending in colones

There's no single payment method that fits every vacationer, but competitive exchange rates, low foreign transaction fees, and strong in-app account security are essential when spending abroad.

We have a range of features designed to help you manage your vacation spending seamlessly. With a Revolut account, you can hold, exchange, and spend in colones directly from your account, so you're not converting on the fly. We offer competitive exchange rates, and we're upfront about any fees.

How to get started with Revolut

Signing up and getting your travel money card is easy. Here's how it works:

1. Download the Revolut app on iOS or Android.
2. Create and verify your account with your email and a valid ID.
3. Add money in US dollars and convert to colones when the rate suits you.
4. Order your physical Revolut card. Or, start spending right away by downloading a virtual card and adding it to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet.
5. You're ready. Start spending in colones, withdraw cash, and manage everything in-app in real-time.

¹No ATM withdrawal fees within plan limits on a monthly basis. Out-of-network ATM withdrawals are subject to a 2% fee for Standard customers, and a 2% fee for Premium and Metal customers once their plan limits are exceeded. Third-party providers may charge a withdrawal fee. Currency and ATM fair-usage fees apply. Weekend markups on currency exchange will apply. Foreign exchange market hours begin at 6pm ET on Sunday and end at 5pm ET on Friday.