Tipping in Costa Rica
Tipping is appreciated in Costa Rica, but not obligatory.
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Tipping quick reference
| Service | Recommended | Range | Payment | Service charge? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant A 10% service charge is included by law; an extra 5–10% in cash for great service | 5% | 0–10% | Card or cash | Often included |
| Taxi Not expected; rounding up the fare is a common courtesy | 5% | 0–10% | Card or cash | No |
| Hotel housekeeping Not expected; a small note per night is a kind gesture | ₡500 per night | ₡0–₡1000 | Cash only | No |
| Hotel porter Not expected; a small tip per bag is appreciated | ₡500 per bag | ₡0–₡1000 | Cash only | No |
| Hairdresser Not expected; around 5% or rounding up for good service | 5% | 0–10% | Cash only | No |
| Tour guide Guides appreciate a per-person tip after a good tour | ₡1500 per person | ₡500–₡2500 | Cash only | No |
| Spa & massage Not expected; around 5% for good service is appreciated | 5% | 0–10% | Cash only | No |
Tipping Culture in Costa Rica
Costa Rica takes the guesswork out of restaurant tipping by law: a 10% service charge (“servicio”) is mandatory on sit-down restaurant bills, separate from the 13% sales tax (IVA). Since it’s baked into the price by default, an extra tip is genuinely optional — reserved for service that went beyond what the mandatory charge already covers, not a routine add-on.
Look for the line items on your bill: “Servicio 10%” and “IVA 13%” are usually listed separately. If a menu states “impuestos incluidos” or “precios incluyen impuestos,” both are already folded into the price you see; if it says “impuestos no incluidos,” expect roughly 23% added at the end. Either way, that percentage is a legal charge, not a discretionary tip — so don’t feel obligated to add another 10% on top for ordinary service.
The exception is Costa Rica’s “sodas” — small, informal, family-run local diners — which often skip the service charge entirely to keep prices low for locals. There, and at street food stalls generally, tipping simply isn’t part of the transaction.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The 10% servicio is required by law, not a tip you’re choosing to leave. Reserve any extra for service that was genuinely excellent.
- Servicio and IVA are two different charges. Don’t confuse the 13% sales tax with the service charge — check your bill for both line items.
- Sodas usually don’t add the service charge. These casual local eateries are the exception where tipping generally isn’t expected at all.
- Cash is the way to leave anything extra. Costa Rican restaurants typically don’t offer a tip line on card payments, so keep colones on hand if you want to reward outstanding service.
Tipping FAQ for Costa Rica
Is the 10% service charge in Costa Rica a tip? Yes, functionally — it’s a legally mandated charge that serves as the baseline gratuity, already included in your bill.
Do I need to tip extra on top of the 10% servicio? Not for ordinary service. An additional 5–10% in cash is a nice gesture reserved for service that was genuinely exceptional.
Do “sodas” (local diners) include the service charge? Often not — these informal, family-run spots frequently skip it to keep prices low, and tipping there isn’t expected.
Can I add a tip when paying by card? Usually not — Costa Rican card terminals typically don’t offer a tip line, so cash is the way to leave anything beyond the mandatory servicio.