We recommend tipping a Costa Rica taxi driver 5–10% of the fare. On a short ride, rounding the fare up to the next 100 colones can be the whole tip.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Costa Rica?
Yes. We recommend 5–10% of the taxi fare, in colones. On a short ride, round up to the next 100 colones instead of also adding 5–10%. One tip.
This page is taxis. It does not set a restaurant tip or a tour-guide tip. The country page is Tipping in Costa Rica.
How much to tip a taxi driver in Costa Rica
For a longer ride, take 5–10% of the fare. For a short ride, pay the next multiple of 100 colones and let the difference be the tip.
The fares below are examples for the math only. They are not Costa Rican tariffs.
| Example fare | Tip at 5% | Tip at 10% | Short-ride round-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₡3,240 | ₡162 | ₡324 | pay ₡3,300 if you are only rounding |
| ₡8,000 | ₡400 | ₡800 | use 5–10% |
| ₡15,000 | ₡750 | ₡1,500 | use 5–10% |
A ₡3,240 fare rounded to ₡3,300 is a ₡60 tip. That is the short-ride version. A ₡8,000 fare at 5–10% is ₡400 to ₡800.
Cash
Hand colones to the driver. If you pay by card and a tip cannot be added, pay the fare on the card and the tip in cash. If you are holding dollars instead, ask the driver which colones amount they will take for the tip you already worked out, and pay that.
When to use 5% or 10%
Use 10% when the driver loads bags or waits at a stop you asked for. Use 5%, or the short-ride round-up, for a direct hop. We do not recommend a tip when the driver is rude or takes a route you did not agree to.
Start the rest of the country at Tipping in Costa Rica.