Tipping In Colombia - A Complete Guide
Quick Guide
🍽️ Restaurant - Tip 10% If Satisfied
☕️ Café - Round Up To Next 1,000 Pesos
🍹 Bar - $0.50-$1 USD/Drink in Pesos
🚕 Taxi - No Tip Expected - Can Round Up
🛎️ Porter/Bellhop - $0.50-$2 USD Total in Pesos
🚪 Doorman - $0.50-$1 USD Total in Pesos
🛏️ Housekeeping - $0.50-$1 USD/Day in Pesos
📸 Tour Guide - 5-10% PP/Day
🚶♂️ Free Walking Tour - $5-$10 USD PP in Pesos
🍢 Street Vendor - No Tip Expected
🛍️ Bag Boy/Girl - $0.50-$1 USD Total in Pesos
Colombia doesn’t have a big tipping culture. Here, tips aren’t an obligation but a reward for good service. That being said, given typically low salaries, tips are usually appreciated.
Calculate a culturally appropriate tip for Colombia using the calculator below and read on for more detail on tipping in Restaurants, Taxis, Hotels etc.
Colombia Tip Calculator
Good Tip For Colombia
Tip
$0.00
Total With Tip
$0.00
Split Bill By
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Tipping in Restaurants & Cafés
Most restaurants in Colombia will add a 10% tip (“Propina” or “Servico”) on to your bill and it’s customary to pay it as long as you’re satisfied with the service.
It’s considered polite for the server to ask if you want this included (“servicio incluido?”) but some restaurants, especially ones in the more touristy areas, auto-include it. Check your bill to make sure you’re not double tipping.
In the rare case it’s not mentioned, tip around 10% anyway as long as you’re satisfied.
Sometimes, you may see “No Tips” written on the menu or on a sign. If that’s the case, respect the rule and skip the tip.
Eating in a smaller, more local restaurant or café? Tips are still appreciated for good service but they’re less expected. Tip 10% here too or just round up to the nearest COL$1,000.
Tipping Taxi Drivers
You’re not expected to tip taxi or Uber drivers in Colombia. If you’re really impressed with the service, they’re friendly, load/unload your luggage, you can always round up to the nearest 1,000-5,000 Pesos.
In any case, it’s always considered best practice to agree on your fare before you set off. Just give your driver your specific destination.
Tipping The Porter/Bellhop
Most porters/bellboys expect a total tip in the range of $0.50-$2 US Dollars in Colombian Pesos (at the current exchange rate).
Tipping Housekeeping
It’s customary to tip housekeepers around $0.50-$1 US Dollars in Pesos per day. Tip slightly more at the start of your trip and you might get better service throughout your stay.
Tipping Tour Guides
The standard tip for a tour guide is around 5-10% per person per day as long as you’re satisfied. Tip based on the length and quality of your tour.
If you’re on a ‘free’ walking tour, they work for tips so you’ll be expected to give them around $5-$10 USD per person in Pesos (at the current exchange rate).
Which Currency To Use
You’ll only have one option, the official currency, the Colombian Peso (COL$). US Dollars, British Pounds, Euros and other currencies aren’t accepted.
Whilst cards are becoming more widely accepted, especially in larger shops, hotels and restaurants in the major cities, Colombia is still largely a cash-based culture.
Don’t take a lot of money out with you for your own safety and security, store it in your hotel room safe if available. Also, stick to ATMs in enclosed, well-lit areas and don’t go alone.
Stick to smaller denomination notes if you can as some establishments might lack change or they may get annoyed if they have to give you all of theirs when you pay.
“Disfruta tu tiempo en Colombia!” - Enjoy your time in Colombia! 🇨🇴☕🌄
