Save Money in Costa Rica Restaurants

In many Costa Rica restaurants, the first challenge is reading the menu, particularly if you want to try Costa Rica cuisine.

I solved this by always taking a Tica with me and asking her to translate.

Sometimes, she has no more idea how to tell me what something means in English than I have trying to figure out the Spanish words.

When this happens, I simply order the same thing she does. . . and hope she’s not a vegan. Fact is, I’m not going to talk about food here because I don’t care what you order, what you like, or what you’re allergic to.

Think of your meal as a culinary adventure.

But, don’t worry.

Ticos (and Ticas!) like beef, chicken, pork, and fish as much as you do.

Travel Cost Rica but Save Money in Restaurants

I want to save you some money when you go to a Costa Rica restaurant.

Gallo Pinto

But, being a good sport—and more importantly, not wanting to look like a dork who can’t read a bill in front of my feminine companion-I routinely paid the bill and left a decent tip.

It took me months to realize I was paying TWO TIPS.

So, let me give you a little information on Costa Rica that can save you some money.

The first thing you need to know is that there’s a 13% sales tax on every meal—and for that matter, every hotel room–throughout the country. Every Costa Rica restaurant and hotel is supposed to tell you the final price, including tax, on the menu or when you rent a room to avoid an unpleasant surprise when you pay the bill.

Unfortunately, Costa Rica’s Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Comercio warns that 80% of all restaurants and 97% of hotels simply disregard the law. Hey, how about a little enforcement here!

The second thing you need to know is that most of the time, a 10% tip is already built-in to your bill.

The third thing you need to remember is that the prices on many menus are in colons but your bill could print out in dollars.

Why? Think of it as a little extra profit for the restaurant or hotel—at your expense. This is an easy way for a Costa Rica restaurant to make a bit more profit using the exchange rate as an excuse.

Don't Pay Two Tips in Costa Rica Restaurants

The "IVI" is the sales tax or “impuesta”. If you don’t see those three letters on the menu or price quoted for the hotel room, ask if the final price includes the “ivi” (use the word “impuesta” if you want to sound like you know what you're talking about). If not, expect to see it on your bill or think about ordering a cheaper dish.

The second is “Servicio.” THIS IS THE SERVICE TIP.

Read Your Bill. You might save 15%(no, not by changing to Geico!)

Save 15% Without Changing to Geico

Look for two things on your trip to Costa Rica.

First, below the “ivi” charge look for another charge called “Servicio” or some other word (restaurants can be tricky) you don’t understand. If so, this is a built-in tip and you don’t need to leave another.

Second, if the menu price or hotel room rate is in colons but your bill is in dollars, question the bill and say you want to pay the price owed in colons.

Do these two things in a restaurant and you could save 15%. Bon Provece, fellow traveler!

To return from Costa Rica Restaurants to Travel to Costa Rica click here

To return to Costa Rica Vacations Homepage click here