As a former waitress of 10 years in the USA, I am very sensitive to tipping and tipping culture since my salary basically relied on tips. Tipping culture is SO different from country to country, so I always like to know what the proper tipping etiquette is for each of the places that I travel. If you are interested in knowing what tipping in Colombia is like, you are in luck! I have put together a mini-guide to tipping in Colombia so you know what is appropriate depending on the situation.
TIPPING IN COLOMBIA
1. Restaurants
When you ask for the bill in Colombia (la cuenta por favor) the server will ask you “servicio incluido?” Meaning, service included. You should always say yes to this! They will add 10% service to the bill which will likely show up as “propina” or “Incluido el servico” on your bill. You know how in the USA when you get the bill there is an empty line for you to add a tip? That does not exist in Colombia! If you are at a small family-owned restaurant it is likely that no tip is included in your bill so make sure to leave a couple thousand pesos behind.
2. Street Food
You will see tons of street vendors in Colombia selling things like fresh-squeezed juice, arepas, empanadas, tinto (coffee), obleas (wafter-waffle things with arequipe in the middle pictured here) and so much more. It is not customary to tip the food vendor, but I usually will round up to the nearest peso. Usually, these items cost under 5,000 COP, so we are literally talking change.
3. Taxis
Tipping your taxi driver isn’t customary in Colombia. However, I usually round up to the closest peso or throw in an extra 1,000 COP if the driver was especially friendly. Any extra is always appreciated and we’re talking 30-50 cents here, as cab rides are usually under 10,000 COP if you’re not going too far within the city. (I often use taxi rides as opportunities to practice Spanish, so if the driver is interested in having a conversation with me I will always tip haha!)
4. Nails, Massage, Spa
I have friends who say it’s not customary to tip your nail lady here in Colombia, but I always leave a 2,000-5,000 COP tip – especially if I am getting gels, which take longer than a normal mani/pedi. For an hour to 1.5-hour massage or facial, I will usually tip 10% which usually works out to about 10,000-15,000 pesos.
5. Hotel Staff
If someone helps you with your bags, I recommend giving a 2,000 COP tip. Maybe more like 5,000 if you have a lot of luggage and someone is being very helpful. If you’re staying at a major hotel chain, it is likely that the bellhop is expecting a tip. However, if you’re staying at a smaller boutique hotel or b&b, that might not be the case. As for cleaning, I recommend leaving about 2,000-3,000 pesos per day as a tip for the maid.
The main takeaway is this: tipping in Colombia isn’t really a thing other than in places like restaurants and hotels where it is expected. But even then, it’s usually only 10%. This might seem strange coming from somewhere like the USA where tipping high percentages is common, but that’s just the way it is here. However, as a foreigner knowing that the average salary here in Colombia is very low, it never hurts to tip a few thousand pesos when in doubt. Don’t forget that $1 USD = 3,500 COP so your money goes a long way here!
Planning your trip to Colombia? Don’t forget to check out my Colombia Travel resources to help you plan!
Wander On,
Wanderluluu xx
8 comments
Alan BERACIERTO
I absolutely love the way Lauren has put together all the information regarding travel in Colombia Specially. She is also cute and I have great presence and poise. I would love to meet her and be her travel partner.
Well done Lauren.
Alan
Ver
Lauren Mae Pelkey
Thanks Alan! So glad you like my articles about Colombia!!
Sartaj Aziz
Thanks Lauren
Lauren Mae Pelkey
Of course! hope it was helpful!
Andrew Meyer
That was a really great way to explain a nuanced issue. Thanks!
Lauren Mae Pelkey
So glad it helped, Andrew!
Jim Woods
Hello Lauren, tell us a bit about banks and money-changing. At the airport my luggage helper (and I know I over-tipped him but I did not have enough small denominations of $dollars on my person, and of-course the helper did not offer me change for my $10 etc.). The helper showed me an airport room with four different ATM’s in a row, each from a different bank or credit-union. So:
1. Which one ATM to use? Which ATM to prefer? If an ATM issues an “UNSUCCESSFUL TRANSACTION” receipt what does it mean? Do we have to advise our U. S. bank that we are traveling in Colombia to get the ATM transactions authorized?
2. What selections of money to make (100000 COP, 200000 COP, etc.)?
3. Where to break big-bills into smaller denominations?
4. Is it wise to bring COPs from exchange at our bank in USA before we get to Colombia? . . . we get accosted by several competing luggage helpers at the airport with push-carts to help us roll, and a half-dozen helpers are at the curb to find us a cab and attend to the bags, etc.
Lauren Mae Pelkey
Hey, Jim sorry for the late reply!
1. I have a Charles Schwab bank account so I don’t get hit with ANY atm fees anywhere in the world (it’s kind of the best!!!) So I really can’t speak to that but usually, I use Bancolombia ATMs. This article looks helpful for you though: https://asocialnomad.com/colombia/atms-fees-in-colombia/
2. 100,000 cop is like $25 USD – I’d say take out 1 million pesos to start (that’s $252 USD)
3. 50,000 cop notes are accepted anywhere so you can break those at any restaurant or store usually
4. I would not exchange in the USA only because it’s a hassle and I think the exchange rate is bad – it’s pretty easy to just take out $$ from the ATM when you land at the airport here in Colombia (assuming you are flying/flew into BOG?)
Lastly – yes I always have many people trying to take my bags/help me etc but I say no gracias and only give my bags to the taxi driver to put in the trunk. However, those guys trying to help with bags are just trying to make a living so a 2,000 cop tip is nice – if you only have 50,000 I would just apologize that you don’t have change – obviously up to you though (I don’t know if you speak Spanish?)
Anyways good luck and have fun on your trip!