Tipping, cash, and paying in Costa Rica: the money basics

Money questions come up constantly on a first Costa Rica trip, mostly because the restaurant bill looks different from what US or European visitors expect. Here is what is actually on that bill, and how cash and cards work day to day.

Reading a restaurant check

Costa Rican law requires restaurants and bars to add a mandatory 10 percent service charge to every bill, which by law goes to staff. On top of that, the standard 13 percent sales tax (IVA) applies to most goods and services. So a printed check typically shows the subtotal, then the 10 percent service charge, then 13 percent tax, both as separate line items. Because the service charge already functions as the tip, additional tipping on top is not expected, though rounding up or leaving a little extra for genuinely great service is a nice gesture, not an obligation.

Tipping outside restaurants

A handful of other services fall outside that 10 percent and follow their own informal norms. Tour guides are commonly tipped $5 to $10 per person for a half-day tour and $10 to $20 per person for a full day, more for a small private group or a specialized guide. Private drivers or shuttle drivers typically get $2 to $5 per person on a shared shuttle, or $10 to $20 for a full day with a private driver. Hotel housekeeping is usually tipped $1 to $3 per day, left daily rather than saved for checkout since staff can rotate. Bellhops typically get $1 to $2 per bag. Taxi drivers are not customarily tipped, though rounding up the fare is common.

Colones, dollars, and getting change

The colón (CRC) is the official currency, but US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, hotels, and most restaurants. Change is usually given back in colones even when you pay in USD, and businesses tend to be picky about the condition of dollar bills, torn or heavily marked bills are often refused. Exchange rates fluctuate, but recent rates have run in the range of roughly 450 to 520 colones per dollar; check a live rate before you travel rather than relying on a number from an old blog post.

Cards versus cash

Credit cards, especially Visa and Mastercard, are widely accepted at hotels, larger restaurants, tour operators, and supermarkets in tourist areas. You will still want cash for small local sodas, informal shops, public buses, parking attendants, and rural areas where card machines are less common. At an ATM or card terminal, if you are offered a choice between being charged in USD or in colones, choose colones, since the USD conversion option usually carries a worse built-in exchange rate.

Using ATMs safely

State-affiliated banks like Banco Nacional and Banco de Costa Rica generally do not add their own fee for foreign cards, which makes them a better default than standalone or other-bank machines that commonly charge $3 to $9 per withdrawal on top of whatever your home bank charges. Use ATMs inside a bank branch or a mall when possible, avoid isolated street machines, especially after dark, and cover the keypad when entering your PIN.

Check the current exchange rate any time on the exchange rate tool, and browse the verified listings on the Playas del Coco area guide.