Tipping in Colombia

At a glance

• Restaurants●●○Common10%
• Cafés●○○OptionalRound up
• Bars●○○Optional10% if it's added
• Taxis●○○OptionalNo tip
• Hotel porters●●○CommonCOP 5,000–10,000 per bag
• Housekeeping●○○OptionalCOP 5,000–10,000 per day
• Tour guides●●○CommonCOP 40,000–80,000 per person, per day
• Private drivers●○○OptionalCOP 20,000–40,000 per day

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.

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%. 10%, and staff must ask before adding it. Rough Guides gives 10% as standard when it is not already included. What makes Colombia unusual is that the figure is regulated: Law 1935 of 2018 caps the suggested propina at 10% and requires the restaurant to ask whether you want to pay it before printing the final invoice. Most people say yes. You are entitled to decline or change it, even afterwards.

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.

Other destinations

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Peru
• Australia