This is mainly a tipping guideline. Not a stone written word. However, it can be useful while traveling through Costa Rica.
At Restaurants: Tip is 10% and it is included in the bill; anything additional is a pleasant surprise.
At the airport: $1 per bag.
At Hotels: $ 0.50 cents per bag to the porter, $1 per bag on resorts and official bell boys; leave $1 a day for the housekeeper.
Guides and Drivers: Tip cabbies a small amount if you have luggage; drivers get $2–$4 for a long drive, $1–$2 for a trip from the airport; $5–$10 per person for a full-day guide and/or driver. On a day tour it is 10% of the price of the tour.
Who Else?: On an organized tour involving several guides, there’s usually a jar for tips to be divvied up among staff—leave $2–$3 for each person who’s helped. On a boat, $5–$10 per person for the captain will be distributed among the crew.
P.S. In some of the all inclusive hotels, all tips are covered by a resort charge. Please ask the travel consultant.
Costa Ricans generally get paid better than many other Central American guides.
Camino Travel Guides are all certified and experienced naturalists and/or bird watching tour guides. You will never see them standing for a tip, or pushing about it.
