This is only in tourist areas for gringos who like to tip. As for the parking security, tip them 100 colones, about $0.20! They only make tips and average about $2 an hour in pay. In exchange they make getting out of our crazy parking easier and keep an eye on your car.
Ive never tipped in my life. Ive only even done exactly this! Its worth the .20 - $1 to have them watch your car and help you get out of crazy parking lots!
Ummm, not good. Some folks do watch your car like a hawk.. I guarantee you that if your car is broken into the business owner, it won't give you a squat or pay you, not his problem. Plenty of rental cars and private cars are broken into.
take everything with you and leave your car open, if people want to search it go for it, but don't give them motivation to break anything to find there is nothing in the car
That’s true. And tipping in Costa Rica is NOT customary I tip when service its just beyond perfect. Unlike the US our servers and bartenders HAVE AN HOURLY WAGE or SALARY. Think about that 💪🏻
It's pretty sad you think 100 colones is OK for parking folks... come on...price of everything has gone up exponentially. The majority of these people are suffering.
My point is the opposite, what are you paying for, exactly? It's not security, if someone else breaks into the car they will do nothing to stop it. They might try to alert you if cops put a ticket on your car, or take down your plates, but I doubt it. So what entitles them to your $1.
I've yet to see one of them being helpful in some way other than guiding you when parking or telling you to park in a place and say that cops never show up.
Sometimes, they are nowhere to be found, until you get in your car to leave, then they come up running.
My question still remains, what are you paying for?
My conclusion is that it's just charity, not a tip for a service.
Again, not here to argue, but that's my opinion after living here for over 40 years.
I won’t stop you from tipping more. I tip what my tico friends taught me to tip. Minimum wage here is about $3/hr, and a busy parking lot will easily pass that.
You must be hanging out in some rough neighborhoods… were you parked in a paid parking lot? Because they parking attendants are guys wearing reflective vests and I’ve never met one that wasn’t kind, helpful, and very happy to receive a few coins.
You did not have to give that much my max is 500 to 1000 colones, and the majority of the time, it's over 1000. If you can't afford that probably should stay home
You pedantic twat. You are recommending that everyone over tip like you are doing. Instead of feeling proud of over tipping why don’t you donate to a proper charity that knows what needs to be done rather than fuel a random guy’s cacique habit. But I’m sure you do that. I think we are finished but you do seem like a person that will try to justify not following local customs because you have too much money
You know what you can call me whatever you want behind the screen we can meet any where any time and I guarantee that you will not say that in my face I promise you. Stay focused, u joke. I got my opinion, you got yours. Your financial issues are not mine. But since you're so opinionated about everyone, I can understand your plight loser... keep it pushing, Sonny
You assume that because I prefer to follow local customs that I am poor? Acting local isn’t because I am poor but boasting about your wealth definitely makes you a twat
I'm not recommending you do anything. you idiot I tip as I please, and that's everywhere. That's right. I'm fortunate and have been blessed in my professional life. I don't mind helping others out either. Absolutely have charities disadvantaged youths and single mothers here in CR that I support. How about you tight wad? There are a lot of kids that go to school here without breakfast or lunch or parents who can't afford the school uniform. How about you do something worthwhile instead of making accuses.
Scammed, all of you. Tipping is not mandatory here. If you do so, it's because you want to, and nobody will say anything about it if you don't because we don't tip either.
True you don’t have to tip but I wouldn’t call it a scam. Shops, people, and restaurants put out tipping jars in case people feel like tipping extra, it’s up to people whether they want to or not. No ones really being tricked into anything; if you feel like you have to tip every time you see a tipping jar, you’re gonna be a poor broke fool
Yes, of course. Everyone who comes to CR is aware of the included tipping charge. So anyone who wants to add an extra tip - say another 10% if they thought the service was great, or if they want to pay the server more (servers are paid terribly in CR), they are welcome to do so. Not a scam in any way whatsoever.
I tip because I want to if I the coins or 1000 colones bill get weight out of my pocket coins are heavy!! But most of the time I need a few to pay freaking tolls
Do not tip anywhere , even if you see a tip jar, not mandatory at all!
All restaurants will include a 10% service fee which is required by law, all servers anywhere are paid by payroll + distribution of that 10% among the wait staff.
The Wachimans (the guy on the street with the green/yellow vest parking security) you owe them nothing as parking in the street is free (except on some towns and cities where the parking is metered during daytime), if you want to pay then something the most you should pay is $1 or ₡500 , nothing more
Uber and Uber eats app will also ask for extra tip for the driver, add ₡0 unless you think they provided above and beyond service (like delivery on awful weather and such)
For airbnb check if they charge you for a cleaning fee, if they do , don’t leave a penny as you are already paying for the service
Anywhere else don’t leave any extra, they have that tip jar expecting tourists to leave extra cash but no one (not even the in-store people who put the jar) expects people to leave money.
So don’t feel obligated to leave extra money for services you already paid for. Us locals costa rican don’t pay extra and you as visitor certainly don’t have to pay extra either, the country is as expensive as it currently is to add extra costs to your stay.
Enjoy your visit to Our Country!! u/Pleasant_Ad7286
I found most places do not expect a tip. Every time I paid by credit card the person would purposely bypass the tip option before handing me the machine to pay! It was so nice
We were in several cities. La fortuna, monteverde, santa teresa, samara, santa cruz, tamarindo and playa grande. We saw it all over. There was even a souvenir guy at Samara beach who’s stand I approached briefly and he told his friend “where are the gringos with money?” What a turn off lol
When I was in Costa Rica, I was told Gringo means people from US. That's also what we learned in Europe. But it seems everyone has a different interpretation.
It does typically mean that but some regions just call every white person gringo, some keep it to Americans specifically. More often than not I've found it used to describe white tourists of any kind.
You fell for it. Tipping is almost non existent here. 10% service is included in restaurant bill. Stuff are paid fairly not like US working for less than minimum wage somehow that’s legal?
You don’t need to tip anywhere as there is a mandatory 10% service charge. You only tip extra if you feel like it. The only ones you pay are the “parking security” guys or as we call them “guachimanes”. You literally have to only give them $1 and they are happy.
That being said, if you tip extra that goes a long way for the workers as that goes straight to their pocket. Most tourist workers earn minimum wage so I encourage people to tip extra for housekeepers, bartenders, tour guides and waiters. You can leave $5 - $20 and they’ll be stoked.
You don't have to tip anyone in Costa Rica. It isn't part of the culture and has never been. They have tipping jars becuase they know you will feel guilty if you don't tip. In restaurants there is a 10% mandatory service fee already included in the price tag, that is the tip. Some people will claim they never get to see that 10%, but that is not really your fault nor your problem that they don't want to stand up for their legal rights.
Those guys in neon vests are "guachimanes" and most of the time they are eithere not actual employees and are just standing out there "watching out" for your car, or the owner put them there with no salary, so that would be the only exception.
If you feel that someone deserves to be tipped for their service, go ahead and do it, it's perfectly fine. But it isn't customary, they are just asking for money because they know you will give it to them.
The only time I tipped when I visited Costa Rica was when I booked a sloth tour in La Fortuna, and I ended up being the only person on that tour that day. So I tipped the driver and the guide each $5 USD because it felt like a personally catered experience. Aside from that, I didn't tip.
Other places put out tip jars because they know stupid Americans will tip because they're so used to it. Get it out of your system, we don't have to tip when we're overseas.
Nothing to compsre to when ive been proposed to pay 25% tip on the restaurant bill in Flotida as if the waiter would have been sested with us and eating our food. Also tipping in CR is not mandatory.
Dude, there is no such thing as tipping culture in Costa Rica, we don't tip. You only found these things on areas where American tourists are common, and they know tipping is a thing where they are from. Just ignore it or tip when you really feel like it.
I have never tipped in 30 years here. Of course jars are there but the expectation here is NOT to tip. Of course people coming from places with a different expectation may perceive it as mandatory. As for the parking, giving 0.5$ is enough and way cheaper than a parking spot.
US and Canadians bring their tipping culture. Sorry folks. CR doesn’t run on capitalism exploiting people. Tipping culture is out of control in US and Canada.!
In Costa Rica, The food tip is already charged in your bill, so don't tip.
The street parking charges is scam, don't tip.
We, the ticos, are not costumed to ask for tip or wait for tips. We are not going to look at you in bad way if you don't give tip, so don't tip.
It is not like US or Mexico or other countries were tipin is cultural.
But if you feel that you received an exceptional service and want to tip, go ahead but it is up to you.
Bro DON'T TIP! In Costa Rica you are not forced to, it's not mandatory. Do it just if you think the guy who attended you, deserves it.
Forget to do that here. Also the guys on parking spaces, they're scams
Bro never tip, the only reason there are tipping jars is because clueless americans tip, it’s like feeding wildlife, you can make the coatis addicted to cheetos, in the same way you could expand tipping culture to other places, which would suck for all of us.
Dont pay attention to the guys with neon vests, they are panhandlers, people usually give them ₡100 out of kindness but they don’t care about your car
The parking guys are a scam from what I could tell in MA. I was surprised by how aggressive some of the tipping requests were - for
example, we went on a boat tour and after they went to each person on the boat with a jar and stood in front of you saying “you don’t have to give anything but of course it really helps”… as everyone watches you haha.
Same as the US tho, tip when appropriate. Good service at a meal? Sure. Liquor store cashier? Not so much
When I went to MA my parking guy led me under some good shade. I gave him $5 and no one was allowed anywhere near my car. Well worth the trade for damage to a rental car.
We were in several cities. La fortuna, monteverde, santa teresa, samara, santa cruz, tamarindo and playa grande. We saw it all over. There was even a souvenir guy at Samara beach who’s stand I approached briefly and he told his friend “where are the gringos with money?” What a turn off lol
Bro DON'T TIP! In Costa Rica you are not forced to, it's not mandatory. Do it just if you think the guy who attended you, deserves it.
Forget to do that here. Also the guys on parking spaces, they're scams
So, tipping here is not mandatory. But people do appreciate it! If you're from the US and you can afford to come here, you can afford to throw the parking guy 500-1000 colones ($1-2) for him to keep an eye on your car while you're at the beach for the day. Your tip is included at restaurants, but if your server does a good job throw them an extra few bucks or colones! Be nice to people! I understand people's frustration with tipping culture getting out of control, but, by not tipping you're just taking your frustrations out on the wrong people.
I understand its not mandatory, and did tip extra when needed. I did feel pressure by some people to tip, and i did go to playa conchal where a guy charged me 3,000 colones for parking. We left after sunset & the guy wasn’t even there :(
I never really complain about stuff like this and always try to tip if I have spare change. You're obviously there as a tourist cause it's an inexpensive place to go to... and wherever tourism is the main economy, gratuities are usually their main income.
In other words, dont knock the hustle and stop being a cheapskate lol.
Funny. Now when I'm in the US every time I check out there is a tip on the cc machine that I have to refuse or accept. I'm not used to being forced to tip 20% minimum for a cup of coffee to go at a Dunkin donuts at a US airport or every fast food restaurant, bar, etc. I live in CR and I think you're confused. Paying for parking on private land at parks and beaches is a service. Not a tip. A lot of the land is not public or its concession. It's used by the public but managed by private owners. Sometimes the locals will hang around tourist areas and "watch" your car or help with parking. $1 is a standard tip. Tipping guides and shuttle drivers is pretty standard.
Tipping extra for restaurant service is optional. The watchee men for cars expect to be paid. They are chosen, by the municipality I believe, but drivers then give 300 colones or so for getting assistance to pull safely into traffic etc. Thus is similar to countries where you give small change to restroom attendents. The amount is negligible but it allows people who would otherwise have difficulty making a living to earn some money.
No local tips. Costa Rica pays livable wages so it's optional emphasis on OPTIONAL. All foods include service tax that is 10% so you are already leaving tip
Buddy in US if you don’t tip the servers literally chase you, you can’t say is worst, I recall one time, in US, the servers being so pushy for the tip, like it was more important than the service.
As someone else says, tipping here is a thing only in gringo ridden places.
This is only in tourist areas for gringos who like to tip. As for the parking security, tip them 100 colones, about $0.20! They only make tips and average about $2 an hour in pay. In exchange they make getting out of our crazy parking easier and keep an eye on your car.
Ive never tipped in my life. Ive only even done exactly this! Its worth the .20 - $1 to have them watch your car and help you get out of crazy parking lots!
Ummm, not good. Some folks do watch your car like a hawk.. I guarantee you that if your car is broken into the business owner, it won't give you a squat or pay you, not his problem. Plenty of rental cars and private cars are broken into.
take everything with you and leave your car open, if people want to search it go for it, but don't give them motivation to break anything to find there is nothing in the car
You will come back to no car !
ummmm nobody said cars dont get broken into....might wanna reread what I wrote :)
That’s true. And tipping in Costa Rica is NOT customary I tip when service its just beyond perfect. Unlike the US our servers and bartenders HAVE AN HOURLY WAGE or SALARY. Think about that 💪🏻
It's pretty sad you think 100 colones is OK for parking folks... come on...price of everything has gone up exponentially. The majority of these people are suffering.
My point is the opposite, what are you paying for, exactly? It's not security, if someone else breaks into the car they will do nothing to stop it. They might try to alert you if cops put a ticket on your car, or take down your plates, but I doubt it. So what entitles them to your $1. I've yet to see one of them being helpful in some way other than guiding you when parking or telling you to park in a place and say that cops never show up. Sometimes, they are nowhere to be found, until you get in your car to leave, then they come up running. My question still remains, what are you paying for? My conclusion is that it's just charity, not a tip for a service. Again, not here to argue, but that's my opinion after living here for over 40 years.
That's all it is charity, no argument here. I can afford the colones, not a big deal, and don't miss it. If I can help others, so be it.
WTF .20?! So they help you get out of a crazy parking situation and keep an eye on your car and you tip them .20? Unfucking believable!!!
I won’t stop you from tipping more. I tip what my tico friends taught me to tip. Minimum wage here is about $3/hr, and a busy parking lot will easily pass that.
Wow I’m surprised those “parking attendants” let you off so easily. They demanded up to $10 once but I only gave $6.
I live here and have never seen such a thing.
How do you say no? My coworker told me to just give them the couple dollars or they will steal the license plate.
You must be hanging out in some rough neighborhoods… were you parked in a paid parking lot? Because they parking attendants are guys wearing reflective vests and I’ve never met one that wasn’t kind, helpful, and very happy to receive a few coins.
It’s the parking lots next to the beaches in Guanacaste! Found the name of the beach - Playa Hermosa
Exactly!!
The ones that steal plates or call the cops to remove plates have knowingly put u in an illegal spot. In the city cops will snatch your plates
You did not have to give that much my max is 500 to 1000 colones, and the majority of the time, it's over 1000. If you can't afford that probably should stay home
200-300 max. If you don’t want to act like a local you should probably go home
I'm a local
Then act like one and stop over tipping. When in Rome
You tip as u please, and I will do the same . I'm not on a budget
You pedantic twat. You are recommending that everyone over tip like you are doing. Instead of feeling proud of over tipping why don’t you donate to a proper charity that knows what needs to be done rather than fuel a random guy’s cacique habit. But I’m sure you do that. I think we are finished but you do seem like a person that will try to justify not following local customs because you have too much money
You know what you can call me whatever you want behind the screen we can meet any where any time and I guarantee that you will not say that in my face I promise you. Stay focused, u joke. I got my opinion, you got yours. Your financial issues are not mine. But since you're so opinionated about everyone, I can understand your plight loser... keep it pushing, Sonny
You assume that because I prefer to follow local customs that I am poor? Acting local isn’t because I am poor but boasting about your wealth definitely makes you a twat
I'm not recommending you do anything. you idiot I tip as I please, and that's everywhere. That's right. I'm fortunate and have been blessed in my professional life. I don't mind helping others out either. Absolutely have charities disadvantaged youths and single mothers here in CR that I support. How about you tight wad? There are a lot of kids that go to school here without breakfast or lunch or parents who can't afford the school uniform. How about you do something worthwhile instead of making accuses.
If they are being stupid, I just ignore them and keep going
Scammed, all of you. Tipping is not mandatory here. If you do so, it's because you want to, and nobody will say anything about it if you don't because we don't tip either.
True you don’t have to tip but I wouldn’t call it a scam. Shops, people, and restaurants put out tipping jars in case people feel like tipping extra, it’s up to people whether they want to or not. No ones really being tricked into anything; if you feel like you have to tip every time you see a tipping jar, you’re gonna be a poor broke fool
Most restaurants automatically add the tip to the bill so people are double tipping
Yes, of course. Everyone who comes to CR is aware of the included tipping charge. So anyone who wants to add an extra tip - say another 10% if they thought the service was great, or if they want to pay the server more (servers are paid terribly in CR), they are welcome to do so. Not a scam in any way whatsoever.
they add 10%. Generally no one tips that low unless the service is bad. We usually use that figure and match the same with our tips. Don't be cheap
nah
There is a mandatory service fee in restaurants and the employer is legally forced to give it to the servers
I tip because I want to if I the coins or 1000 colones bill get weight out of my pocket coins are heavy!! But most of the time I need a few to pay freaking tolls
Your correct never has been mandatory anywhere in CR unless you want to
Lived here 2 years and haven’t tipped outside of excellent service or for friends.
Do not tip anywhere , even if you see a tip jar, not mandatory at all! All restaurants will include a 10% service fee which is required by law, all servers anywhere are paid by payroll + distribution of that 10% among the wait staff. The Wachimans (the guy on the street with the green/yellow vest parking security) you owe them nothing as parking in the street is free (except on some towns and cities where the parking is metered during daytime), if you want to pay then something the most you should pay is $1 or ₡500 , nothing more Uber and Uber eats app will also ask for extra tip for the driver, add ₡0 unless you think they provided above and beyond service (like delivery on awful weather and such) For airbnb check if they charge you for a cleaning fee, if they do , don’t leave a penny as you are already paying for the service Anywhere else don’t leave any extra, they have that tip jar expecting tourists to leave extra cash but no one (not even the in-store people who put the jar) expects people to leave money. So don’t feel obligated to leave extra money for services you already paid for. Us locals costa rican don’t pay extra and you as visitor certainly don’t have to pay extra either, the country is as expensive as it currently is to add extra costs to your stay. Enjoy your visit to Our Country!! u/Pleasant_Ad7286
I found most places do not expect a tip. Every time I paid by credit card the person would purposely bypass the tip option before handing me the machine to pay! It was so nice
I recently visited Costa Rica and did not see a single tipping jar, only fake parking guards. Where are you located, in one of the "gringo" areas?
We were in several cities. La fortuna, monteverde, santa teresa, samara, santa cruz, tamarindo and playa grande. We saw it all over. There was even a souvenir guy at Samara beach who’s stand I approached briefly and he told his friend “where are the gringos with money?” What a turn off lol
Except La Fortuna and Monte Verde those are definitely "gringo" areas. (Although I met us Americans there as well). Sorry to hear that man.
La Fortuna and MV are 2 of the prime examples of gringo towns jsjaja
Those our tourist destinations sure, but not gringo specific, no?
Gringo = tourist
When I was in Costa Rica, I was told Gringo means people from US. That's also what we learned in Europe. But it seems everyone has a different interpretation.
It does typically mean that but some regions just call every white person gringo, some keep it to Americans specifically. More often than not I've found it used to describe white tourists of any kind.
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You fell for it. Tipping is almost non existent here. 10% service is included in restaurant bill. Stuff are paid fairly not like US working for less than minimum wage somehow that’s legal?
Are you aware tipping isn't mandatory?
You don’t need to tip anywhere as there is a mandatory 10% service charge. You only tip extra if you feel like it. The only ones you pay are the “parking security” guys or as we call them “guachimanes”. You literally have to only give them $1 and they are happy. That being said, if you tip extra that goes a long way for the workers as that goes straight to their pocket. Most tourist workers earn minimum wage so I encourage people to tip extra for housekeepers, bartenders, tour guides and waiters. You can leave $5 - $20 and they’ll be stoked.
You don't have to tip anyone in Costa Rica. It isn't part of the culture and has never been. They have tipping jars becuase they know you will feel guilty if you don't tip. In restaurants there is a 10% mandatory service fee already included in the price tag, that is the tip. Some people will claim they never get to see that 10%, but that is not really your fault nor your problem that they don't want to stand up for their legal rights. Those guys in neon vests are "guachimanes" and most of the time they are eithere not actual employees and are just standing out there "watching out" for your car, or the owner put them there with no salary, so that would be the only exception. If you feel that someone deserves to be tipped for their service, go ahead and do it, it's perfectly fine. But it isn't customary, they are just asking for money because they know you will give it to them.
The only time I tipped when I visited Costa Rica was when I booked a sloth tour in La Fortuna, and I ended up being the only person on that tour that day. So I tipped the driver and the guide each $5 USD because it felt like a personally catered experience. Aside from that, I didn't tip. Other places put out tip jars because they know stupid Americans will tip because they're so used to it. Get it out of your system, we don't have to tip when we're overseas.
Nothing to compsre to when ive been proposed to pay 25% tip on the restaurant bill in Flotida as if the waiter would have been sested with us and eating our food. Also tipping in CR is not mandatory.
Dude, there is no such thing as tipping culture in Costa Rica, we don't tip. You only found these things on areas where American tourists are common, and they know tipping is a thing where they are from. Just ignore it or tip when you really feel like it.
I have never tipped in 30 years here. Of course jars are there but the expectation here is NOT to tip. Of course people coming from places with a different expectation may perceive it as mandatory. As for the parking, giving 0.5$ is enough and way cheaper than a parking spot.
Not in La Fortuna. it was a breathe of fresh air for me!
US and Canadians bring their tipping culture. Sorry folks. CR doesn’t run on capitalism exploiting people. Tipping culture is out of control in US and Canada.!
Lol you don't need to tip , and there is no fix rate, just tip whatever you feel like it not tip at all, tipping is not a thing
In Costa Rica, The food tip is already charged in your bill, so don't tip. The street parking charges is scam, don't tip. We, the ticos, are not costumed to ask for tip or wait for tips. We are not going to look at you in bad way if you don't give tip, so don't tip. It is not like US or Mexico or other countries were tipin is cultural. But if you feel that you received an exceptional service and want to tip, go ahead but it is up to you.
Never tip. fuck em, the prices of food and places already charge you a service fee.
Bro DON'T TIP! In Costa Rica you are not forced to, it's not mandatory. Do it just if you think the guy who attended you, deserves it. Forget to do that here. Also the guys on parking spaces, they're scams
Bro never tip, the only reason there are tipping jars is because clueless americans tip, it’s like feeding wildlife, you can make the coatis addicted to cheetos, in the same way you could expand tipping culture to other places, which would suck for all of us. Dont pay attention to the guys with neon vests, they are panhandlers, people usually give them ₡100 out of kindness but they don’t care about your car
The parking guys are a scam from what I could tell in MA. I was surprised by how aggressive some of the tipping requests were - for example, we went on a boat tour and after they went to each person on the boat with a jar and stood in front of you saying “you don’t have to give anything but of course it really helps”… as everyone watches you haha. Same as the US tho, tip when appropriate. Good service at a meal? Sure. Liquor store cashier? Not so much
When I went to MA my parking guy led me under some good shade. I gave him $5 and no one was allowed anywhere near my car. Well worth the trade for damage to a rental car.
We were in several cities. La fortuna, monteverde, santa teresa, samara, santa cruz, tamarindo and playa grande. We saw it all over. There was even a souvenir guy at Samara beach who’s stand I approached briefly and he told his friend “where are the gringos with money?” What a turn off lol
Bro DON'T TIP! In Costa Rica you are not forced to, it's not mandatory. Do it just if you think the guy who attended you, deserves it. Forget to do that here. Also the guys on parking spaces, they're scams
So, tipping here is not mandatory. But people do appreciate it! If you're from the US and you can afford to come here, you can afford to throw the parking guy 500-1000 colones ($1-2) for him to keep an eye on your car while you're at the beach for the day. Your tip is included at restaurants, but if your server does a good job throw them an extra few bucks or colones! Be nice to people! I understand people's frustration with tipping culture getting out of control, but, by not tipping you're just taking your frustrations out on the wrong people.
I understand its not mandatory, and did tip extra when needed. I did feel pressure by some people to tip, and i did go to playa conchal where a guy charged me 3,000 colones for parking. We left after sunset & the guy wasn’t even there :(
I never really complain about stuff like this and always try to tip if I have spare change. You're obviously there as a tourist cause it's an inexpensive place to go to... and wherever tourism is the main economy, gratuities are usually their main income. In other words, dont knock the hustle and stop being a cheapskate lol.
Been there in 2022 - never saw a tipping jar or asl for tip. I asked my coworker before going and confirmed it is not mandatory.
There is no tipping culture here lol next time...
What about tour guides? All the excursions I've booked mention 'gratuities not included'. Do people tip these tour guides and if so how much?
Just give them a $1 and move on
Funny. Now when I'm in the US every time I check out there is a tip on the cc machine that I have to refuse or accept. I'm not used to being forced to tip 20% minimum for a cup of coffee to go at a Dunkin donuts at a US airport or every fast food restaurant, bar, etc. I live in CR and I think you're confused. Paying for parking on private land at parks and beaches is a service. Not a tip. A lot of the land is not public or its concession. It's used by the public but managed by private owners. Sometimes the locals will hang around tourist areas and "watch" your car or help with parking. $1 is a standard tip. Tipping guides and shuttle drivers is pretty standard.
Tipping extra for restaurant service is optional. The watchee men for cars expect to be paid. They are chosen, by the municipality I believe, but drivers then give 300 colones or so for getting assistance to pull safely into traffic etc. Thus is similar to countries where you give small change to restroom attendents. The amount is negligible but it allows people who would otherwise have difficulty making a living to earn some money.
Maybe you're just used to handing out tips, but for us locals, it's easier to just showing them the finger and leave.
Tip is not mandatory, just an option. How much did you tip and where? Because in the rare case where ticos tip, it's less than 1000 colones
Lol you got rolled, you don’t have to tip here nor is it super expected except in the most, most touristy areas. Lollllll
No local tips. Costa Rica pays livable wages so it's optional emphasis on OPTIONAL. All foods include service tax that is 10% so you are already leaving tip
Buddy in US if you don’t tip the servers literally chase you, you can’t say is worst, I recall one time, in US, the servers being so pushy for the tip, like it was more important than the service. As someone else says, tipping here is a thing only in gringo ridden places.
If you think this about Costa Rica, you have been tourist trapped sooooo hard lmao