Tipping Culture in Colombia 2026 — Restaurants, Porteros, and Service Workers

Tipping in Colombia is simpler and less stressful than in the US. There is no expectation of 15-20% tips. At restaurants, the server asks if you want to add a 10% propina voluntaria to the bill. You say yes or no. Beyond restaurants, tipping is modest and situational.

Overview

Restaurants

At most sit-down restaurants, the waiter will ask at the end of the meal: "Desea incluir la propina?" (Would you like to include the tip?). This is the propina voluntaria — a 10% service charge added to your bill.

• Standard practice: Say "si" (yes) to include 10%. This is what most Colombians do.
• Declining: Saying "no" is acceptable and not rude. Some people decline if service was poor or at fast-casual restaurants where they feel it is not warranted.
• On top of propina: Adding extra beyond the 10% propina is not expected but appreciated for exceptional service. Leave extra in cash on the table.
• Fast food and casual: Propina is not asked at fast food chains, street food vendors, or very casual restaurants. No tip expected.
• Coffee shops and cafes: A tip jar may be present but tipping is not expected. Round up your bill or leave spare change if you want to.

Service Workers

• Portero (building doorman/security): A Christmas tip (aguinaldo) of 50,000-200,000 COP at the end of the year is customary. Some buildings coordinate a collective tip from all residents. Monthly tips are not expected.
• Hair salon / barber: 5,000-10,000 COP tip is standard for a good cut. More at upscale salons.
• Parking attendant (cuidandero): 2,000-5,000 COP when you retrieve your car. These attendants watch street-parked cars and are a fixed part of Colombian urban life.
• Hotel housekeeping: 5,000-10,000 COP per day left on the nightstand. Not strictly expected at budget hotels.
• Tour guides: 10,000-30,000 COP per person for a half-day tour. More for exceptional full-day tours.
• Movers: 20,000-50,000 COP per person for a moving crew. Provide cold drinks during the move.
• Gas station attendant: 2,000-3,000 COP if they pump gas, check tires, or clean your windshield. Not required at self-service stations.

Delivery Drivers

• Rappi, iFood, Uber Eats: 2,000-5,000 COP in-app or cash at the door
• Rain or late night: 5,000-10,000 COP. Delivery in rain or very late is harder and a larger tip is a kind gesture.
• Large or heavy orders: Tip more for multiple bags, drinks, or items the driver had to carry up stairs

Transportation

• Taxi drivers: Tipping is not expected. Most Colombians do not tip taxi drivers. Rounding up the fare (e.g., paying 15,000 COP on a 13,000 COP fare) is a kind gesture but not expected.
• Uber/InDrive: No tip expected. In-app tipping available on Uber. Cash tip on InDrive if the driver helped with luggage or went above and beyond.
• Airport shuttle/transfer: 5,000-10,000 COP if the driver handles luggage.

When Not to Tip

• Fast food restaurants and chain cafes
• Supermarket cashiers and baggers (baggers are sometimes tipped 1,000-2,000 COP but it is not expected)
• Government office workers (never)
• Medical professionals and pharmacists (never)
• Bus drivers
• Bank tellers