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Tipping in Colombia

Tipping commonCOP ($)Tips: card or cash

Here's the tip.

Ten percent, and by law they have to ask you first.

Colombia is the one country where the rule is written down. The propina is voluntary, capped at 10%, and the restaurant is legally required to ask whether you want to pay it before the final bill is printed. Say yes and you have covered the whole convention.

At a glance

Card tipping. Once you have agreed to the propina it goes on the bill and onto the card. Carry cash for taxis, porters and street vendors.

  • Law 1935 of 2018 governs the propina: it is voluntary, the suggested amount cannot exceed 10% of the service, and staff must ask whether you wish to pay it and whether it can go on the invoice.
  • You may decline the propina or change the amount at any point, even after the invoice has been issued. Saying no is not a faux pas, it is a right the law spells out.
  • Look for 'servicio incluido' on the bill before adding anything, as Rough Guides advises.

Tip calculator

10%
—

COLOMBIA

The tipping cheat sheet

  • Restaurants10%
  • CafésRound up
  • Bars10% if it's added
  • TaxisNo tip
  • Hotel portersCOP 5,000–10,000 per bag
  • HousekeepingCOP 5,000–10,000 per day

WhatTheTipwhatthetip.com/colombia

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Things to do in Colombia

Where are you actually going? These are the best rated in each place.

CartagenaThe Howling Trail Hike5.0·201 reviews·from €153.9MedellínComuna 4 Walking Tour Medellin5.0·315 reviews·from €31.87BogotáRent a Local Friend: Bogota Private Custom Tour (4, 6 or 8 hrs)5.0·142 reviews·from €81.96Santa Marta2-Day Coastal Motorcycle Tour5.0·109 reviews·from €410.71

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Travelling in Colombia?

Stay connectedGet an eSIM before you land so you can check fares, maps and this guide without roaming charges.View eSIM plansAirport transfersBook a fixed-price transfer in advance and skip the taxi-rank negotiation.Book a transfer

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Common questions

Do you tip in Colombia?
Ten percent, and by law they have to ask you first. Colombia is the one country where the rule is written down. The propina is voluntary, capped at 10%, and the restaurant is legally required to ask whether you want to pay it before the final bill is printed. Say yes and you have covered the whole convention.
How much do you tip at a restaurant in Colombia?
10%, and staff must ask before adding it.
Can you tip by card in Colombia?
Once you have agreed to the propina it goes on the bill and onto the card. Carry cash for taxis, porters and street vendors.

Reviewed by Greg Kockott on 5 September 2026.

Figures checked against the sources below on 5 September 2026.

Sources