Tipping, Service & Price Negotiation
Restaurant Bill
In Costa Rica, every restaurant bill automatically includes 13% tax (IVA) and 10% service (Servicio) — a total of 23%! The 10% service goes to the staff. Additional tipping is not expected, but 5–10% extra for excellent service is gladly accepted.
Tipping Guide
| Situation | Usual |
|---|---|
| Restaurant | 10% automatically included; 5–10% extra for good service |
| Taxi | Not usual, but rounding up is appreciated |
| Tour Guide | 10–15 USD/day for a private guide, 5 USD/person for group tours |
| Hotel Staff (Cleaning) | 1–2 USD/day on the pillow |
| Parking Attendant (Guachimán) | 1,000–2,000 CRC (2–3 USD) |
| Baggage Handler | 1 USD/piece of luggage |
Price Negotiation
Costa Rica is not a haggling country. In shops, supermarkets, and most restaurants, prices are fixed. Negotiating is only common for:
- Souvenir Markets: 10–20% discount possible, but friendly and without pressure
- Tours: When booking on-site (not online), sometimes 10–15% discount for groups or when booking multiple tours
- Accommodations: For longer stays (3+ nights) or in the Green Season, inquire directly
- Taxi: Always insist on the taximeter! "María" (as Ticos call the taximeter) must be running. If not — take another taxi.