www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Just a quick question because I can't remember from last visit. When staying at the SL and putting drinks or food on your room tab to they add a tip on the bill when you check out.

Well, there's that 10% "service tax" but maybe you meant an actual tip? Can't answer that but if you do tip, I'd say subtract that tax and just tip on the actual goods received. But that's just me...

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

I still get restaurants that overcharge me. They would have the service on the bill and then they would write in a tip and then give me the bill.

I may not be remembering this correctly, but I believe there are two separate line items added on to the end of the restaurant tab. One is something like 8% for VAT and the other is 10% for service. The 10% is the tip that is automatically added to the bill. I'll add another 5% to the tip if the service was good (rare), or nothing at all if it was mediocre.

There are two charges added to restaurant bills. One is a service charge (tip) which is 10% the other is the sales tax which is 13%. Both are required by law. Some restaurant have the sales tax included in the cost of the menu item and the price is noted IVI to show that the price includes the tax. In that case only the 10% service should be added.

Should you add something to the 10%? Not going to reopen that can of worms other then to say Ticos (and most gringo residents) do not and restaurant employees do not expect it. Just do what you are comfortable with.

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Pura Vida
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Alex Levine

So still not quite clear but it sounds like yes there is a 10% tip added to the bill which in fact a tip, good to know. In four visits to CR I have been given mixed stories on yes that a tip and no it not it a fee the house charges that gets split up by every employee (which would amount to nothing for the sever/bartender) . Glad this did not open a whole debate on tipping or not that gets old fast. I just wanted to know for my own calculations, spending much of my life in the sevice industry I go heaver than most (which is personal choice)but if there is one included I like to make sure any extra goes straight to the person who takes care of me the most. Thanks for the responses.

As mentioned, the 10% service (tip) is already added to your tab. If you want to leave a propina above that, there is a tip jar at the bar. I usually drop my loose change in there or just tell my server to keep the change when I pay my bill if it is just coins. Many gringos stuff paper money in there.

In all actuality, no tip above the usual 10% is required or expected. We gringos are habitual over-tippers compared to the rest of the citizens of the world. I see guys leaving another 20% constantly; pretending they are big wheeler-dealers. Most of locals consider them to be fools!

No law against leaving an additional tip, though. Especially if you feel that the service warrants it.

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Women are like beers. I've never had one that I didn't like. Just some that I like more than others! --Western

No I'm aware of the two taxes that are added on. There are a few places that cater to gullible tourists alright, where the bill is machine generated with the two taxes. Then they would write in tip on the bill so there would be 3 additional charges. 1 is the VAT, 1 is the service(really tip), 3rd that uses the specific words tip.

I see this comment on a lot of post. Not just in this forum but elsewhere as well where posters say that the locals see those who tip and tip large as fools. This comment always strikes me as very strange. If someone was willing to give me extra cash for good service, I would see them as a nice guy that I want to keep around. The last thing on my mind would be boy this guy is a sucker and I definitely would not tell that to anyone.

But then again I don't travel much out of the country maybe they do think and say that about people that are giving them free cash for good service if they do that probably isn't too smart to let that get around. I'm sure it wont be the only social shock I'll have to get used to. Just always struck me as a very weird thing to say.