Tips & Etiquette
Tips (Propina)
In Colombia, a “propina voluntaria" of 10% is automatically suggested at the end of the bill — the waiter asks: “¿Desea incluir el servicio?" (Would you like to include the service?). Saying “Sí" is the norm. Additionally:
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Restaurant (propina voluntaria) | 10% (directly added to the bill) |
| Café / Fast Food | Not expected, rounding up is nice |
| Hotel (Bellboy) | 3,000–5,000 COP per piece of luggage |
| Room Cleaning | 3,000–5,000 COP per day |
| Uber/Taxi | Not expected, rounding up is nice |
| Walking Tour Guide | 20,000–50,000 COP (5–12€) depending on satisfaction |
| Tour Guide (Full Day) | 30,000–60,000 COP |
| Ciudad Perdida Trek (Guide) | 50,000–100,000 COP for the entire trek |
No-Go Zones & Taboos
- Drug Tourism: Colombia suffers from the image of a “party land for drug use". The consumption of cocaine and other drugs is illegal, socially frowned upon, and finances armed groups. Respect the country and its history.
- Escobar Glorification: Never say “Cool, Pablo Escobar!" to a Colombian. For most, he is a mass murderer, not a hero.
- Colombia ≠ Columbia: The country is called COLOMBIA, not Columbia (that's a district in Washington D.C.). Colombians are sensitive to this confusion.
- “Dangerous" Comments: Don't start with “Isn't it dangerous?" — Colombians are tired of being reduced to the conflict. Instead, ask for recommendations and favorite places.
💡 Tipp
Colombians are extremely warm and talkative. “Hola, ¿cómo estás?" with a smile opens every door. And if someone invites you to eat, dance, or drink Aguardiente — say yes! The best experiences come from spontaneous encounters.
