Tipping in Medellín is simpler than in North America and more codified than in Europe, because Colombia wrote it into law. Restaurants may suggest 10%; they must ask; you decide. Everything else — taxis, tours, hotels, deliveries — runs on local habit rather than rules. This is the whole picture, with the law and the amounts.
Restaurants and bars: the 10% “propina voluntaria”
Under Ley 1935 of 2018 a restaurant or bar may suggest a tip of up to 10% of the pre-tax bill, and staff must ask whether you accept it, change it or decline it before it goes on the check — it cannot be added silently. The tip belongs to the employees, is pooled among everyone who served you and paid out within a month, and the establishment must post its policy where you can see it. In practice the waiter says “¿Desea incluir el servicio?” or the bill shows “propina voluntaria 10%”; saying yes is what locals do when service was fine, 15% is generous, and declining is legal but noticed. If a bill arrives with the tip already included and nobody asked, you are entitled to have it removed.
Everything else
| Situation | Local norm | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Taxis and ride apps | No tip expected; round up to the nearest 1,000–2,000 COP | The airport flat fare (132,000 COP in 2026) needs no tip |
| Free walking tours (Comuna 13, Centro) | 20,000–40,000 COP per person | The guide’s only income; pay in cash at the end |
| Paid group tours | Optional, 10,000–20,000 COP per person for a good guide; a bit for the driver | Most Viator listings state “gratuities not included” |
| Private guides and drivers | 10% of the tour price if it was excellent | Not expected, appreciated |
| Hotel porters and housekeeping | 5,000–10,000 COP per bag; 5,000–10,000 per night for housekeeping in upscale hotels | Most mid-range stays: nothing expected |
| Coffee bars, bakeries, street food | None; a tip jar may exist | Coins are rare — small bills |
| Rappi and deliveries | Optional in-app tip; 2,000–5,000 COP is normal | Couriers are paid per delivery |
| Hairdressers, spas, massages | 10% if you were happy | Often paid in cash to the person |
| Gas-station attendants, car washers, bag packers | 1,000–2,000 COP | Customary, not obligatory |
Cash, cards and the words
- Card terminals in restaurants prompt for the propina before you tap; the waiter keys in “sí” or “no” according to what you said.
- Carry 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000-peso notes for guides and porters; nobody can break a 100,000.
- “¿Le incluyo el servicio?” — shall I include the service? “Sí, claro” / “No, gracias”. “Quédese con el cambio” — keep the change.
What it costs across a trip
Ten percent at three restaurant meals a day on a mid-range budget is roughly 15,000–25,000 COP daily — a few dollars. Our trip-cost guide builds it into the daily budgets; the paisa food guide tells you what to eat once the tip is sorted.
FAQ
Do you tip in Medellín? Yes at restaurants and bars — the suggested 10% that staff must ask you about. Elsewhere it is small and optional.
Is the 10% mandatory? No. Ley 1935 makes it voluntary and requires the staff to ask.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Colombia? No; rounding up is plenty.
How much do you tip a Comuna 13 guide? 20,000–40,000 COP per person on a free tour; 10,000–20,000 on a paid group tour if the guide was good.
Sources: Ley 1935 de 2018 (SUIN-Juriscol), Siigo legal summary, Rappi merchant guidance; tour norms from Viator listings; checked August 2026.
