Tipping in Costa Rica
Tipping expectedService Breakdown
Notes by Service
A 10% service charge is often included (propina); confirm before adding more.
$1–2 per night for housekeeping; $1 per bag for bellhops.
Round up or add 10%.
10–15% is appreciated.
10% or a couple hundred colones per drink.
10% is a polite gesture.
$5–10 USD per person for eco-tours.
A small tip is appreciated.
About Tipping in Costa Rica
Costa Rican law requires most restaurants to include a 10% service charge in the bill ("cargo por servicio") — always check before adding more. In tourist areas like Arenal, Manuel Antonio, and Guanacaste, eco-lodge and resort staff rely meaningfully on gratuities beyond this charge.
After confirming the service charge isn't already included, tip at restaurants, with eco-tour guides, hotel porters, and taxi drivers (by rounding up). USD is widely accepted alongside colones and is preferred at many tourist-facing businesses.
Look for "servicio incluido" on the bill. If present, additional tipping is optional. For guides on zip-line, canopy, or wildlife tours, $5–10 USD per person is standard; hand it directly to the guide at the end of the experience rather than through the tour operator.
Costa Rica's "pura vida" philosophy creates a relaxed service culture where staff are warm and engaged without being tip-hungry. The obligatory service charge removes the anxiety about whether to tip — but eco-tourism depends on well-trained naturalist guides whose knowledge is genuinely exceptional, and these specialists value acknowledgement for what are often multi-year specialised careers.