Tour guides · Colombia
How much should you tip a tour guide in Colombia?
Short answer
COP 40,000–80,000 per person, per day
40,000–80,000 pesos per person for a full day.
CommonCash preferred
Colombia sits above the South American norm here. Lonely Planet groups it with the US and Canada rather than its neighbours, putting guides at the local equivalent of ten to twenty dollars per day, with the driver tipped separately. Guides on Cartagena walking tours, coffee farm visits and Tayrona day trips all expect it.
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 €153.9
MedellínComuna 4 Walking Tour Medellin5.0·315 reviews·from €31.87
BogotáRent a Local Friend: Bogota Private Custom Tour (4, 6 or 8 hrs)5.0·142 reviews·from €81.96
Santa Marta2-Day Coastal Motorcycle Tour5.0·109 reviews·from €410.71Some links may earn WhatTheTip a commission at no extra cost to you.
Common questions
- How much should you tip tour guides in Colombia?
- COP 40,000–80,000 per person, per day. 40,000–80,000 pesos per person for a full day.
- 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.
More on tipping in Colombia
Tipping tour guides elsewhere
Full tipping guide for Colombia
Reviewed by Greg Kockott on 5 September 2026.
Figures checked against the sources below on 5 September 2026.
Sources
- Rough Guides, “Colombia travel tips for first-timers” (consulted 2026-09-05)
- Lonely Planet, “Everything You Need to Know About Tipping in North and South America” (consulted 2026-09-05)
- Ley 1935 de 2018, regulating the voluntary propina (Función Pública, Gestor Normativo) (consulted 2026-09-05)