Tipping Guide for Colombia

Although tipping is common and well received, tipping culture in Colombia is not as strong as in other countries like the US. Tipping is common in hospitality and tourism, but not as much in transportation services like taxis, Ubers, and buses.

• Restaurants & Bars: At restaurants and bars, a 10% tip is included in the bill. They usually ask if it is okay to include it. Unless there was an issue with service, consumers are expected to pay tips.
• Hotels: It is common to tip porters in cash after using their help. Cleaning staff is not usually tipped. If you order room service, they will include a 10% tip on your bill. Also, most hotels have a tipping box at the lobby that gets distributed among the team. Suggested Tipping in COP:
  - Help with bags: 10,000 COP
• Taxis: It is not expected to tip, but if you pay cash, it is customary to round up to the nearest thousand (e.g., if the ride was COP 15,000 ($4), you usually pay 20,000 ($5)).

Private tours (Guides)

Expect to collect tips.

Private tours (Drivers)

Tips are not as expected as in the case of guides, but very appreciated if you consider they delivered a great service.

• Important note: Our recommendation is to tip guides and drivers separately, but if you find it easier to give them a shared tip, please give it to the guide and be clear how you want it split. If you give a tip to the guide only and are not clear whether it is a shared tip or how it should be split, our internal guidelines establish that it should be shared by halves.
• Small group tours: If you are coming with a group, you would normally have a tour leader or tour conductor. In some cases, this person will be with the group through the whole trip in Colombia, or in some cases, there will be one tour leader on each destination. It is important to ask if this person will be with you throughout the trip or destination-based, because tips will be collected at the end of their service. In such cases, our suggestion is to tip CO$30,000 (US$7.5) per person per day.

You may also have other local guides for local excursions at every destination. Our suggestion is to tip them CO$15,000 per person.

Local projects and special enterprises
Some of our tours include collaboration with local projects and social enterprises. Most travelers are touched by the work they do and want to support them. We recommend the following:

• If they have goods for sale, the best way to support them is by buying what they offer. This generally creates an economic ripple effect in local communities.
• If they don’t have goods for sale or if on top of that you want to tip local guides, we recommend following the same table as the guides for private tours.
• In some cases you might be interested in supporting their projects with a donation. If you feel like doing so, please take the following into consideration.
• If you say it on the spot, please mean it. We have had people who feel touched by the local project support or a donation. Then they leave, continue their trip in Colombia and seem to forget about it. This is very problematic because local communities believe their guide or Impulse Travel received the donation and did not pass it on to them, creating a lot of trust issues.
• If you really want to get involved and support them, we don’t recommend just handing out cash on the spot. This can create problems within the community. Our advice in such a case would be to contact us on info@impulsetravel.co and we will make sure the contribution creates a positive impact. We take 0% commission or management fees.

Gifts
If you want to bring gifts for local hosts, guides, or communities. While this is a kind gesture, it’s important to do so thoughtfully. Instead of giving cash or random items, consider asking us beforehand or your guide in destination about meaningful ways to contribute. Locally sourced gifts, educational materials, or supporting community projects can have a lasting impact. Always respect cultural sensitivities and avoid creating dependence. Also please avoid handling gifts directly to kids and even worse taking pictures doing it. Local guides, drivers and translators are always very happy to receive small gifts from your country, such as sweets.

Local Cuisine & Drink

Colombia is diverse in its landscapes, music, climate and of course its food! With lush forests and fertile lands, it is an ideal place to grow fresh fruits and vegetables all year round. The food culture in Colombia is influenced by the country’s indigenous communities, Latin and Spanish cuisines and African flavors.

• Bandeja Paisa: Colombia's unofficial national dish, though most popular in the Antioquia region (Medellín, Santa Fe, Jardin). This meat-heavy, mega-calorie meal was originally devised to provide farmers with enough energy to keep working throughout the day. A bandeja paisa typically comes with rice, plantain, arepa, avocado, minced meat, chorizo, black sausage, fried pork rind and a fried egg.
• Arepas: Another staple in Colombia! Thick and flat corn cakes made with either yellow or white flour. Often eaten at breakfast with eggs and hogao (sautéed tomato, onions and garlic). There are many different types of arepas - arepas con queso (arepas with cheese) - arepas de huevo (arepas with egg) - arepas de chocolo.
• Empanadas: Deep fried stuffed pastries with meat, chicken or cheese.
• Sancocho: A traditional stew/soup made with chicken, pork or beef and yuca, corn, potatoes and plantains. You can often find people cooking sancocho out on the streets to enjoy with their families on the weekend.
• Chicharron: Fried pork belly, a hearty dish covered in onions, bay leaves and seasoning.

• Bunelos: A popular street food and absolute staple - a bunelo is a fried dough ball that is sweet and savory.
• Pan de Bono: A small, round bread-like bite made with yuca flour and sweet cheese.
• Coconut Rice: Mainly prepared on the coast, rice with fresh coconut and coconut milk is served with a traditional coast meal of fish, plantains and salad.
• Pescado Frito: Most common on the coast, the whole fish is fried and served with its skin and head intact. In Colombia, the fish is usually mojarra or red snapper.
• Cazuela de Mariscos: Another seafood dish most common in the coastal regions.
• Fresh Fruit: The fruits found in Colombia are some of the best in the world! To name a few - maracuya (passion fruit), lulo (sour, "little orange" often found in cocktails and fresh juices), and of course delicious tropical fruits - papaya, mango, pineapple.
• Chocolate con queso: Hot chocolate, with good quality cacao in Colombia is another must-try! In many of the quaint towns, you may find it is served with cheese to melt inside.
• Tinto (Coffee): Colombians love coffee. If you are a coffee lover too, you’d better learn the word "tinto" which is the day-to-day black coffee, usually made on a fabric dripper and sometimes with sugar added.

General

Experiencing different cultures is one of the joys of traveling. Please take note of the information below to better understand and mix in well with the local culture.

• Greetings: Colombians love greeting, acknowledging people when entering a space and being acknowledged. Simply saying “hola” is considered too vague. Other greetings to use instead include “buenos días” (good morning), “buenas tardes” (good afternoon), and “buenas noches” (good evening), or just “buenas” for any occasion. Hand shakes are quite common, even between men and women. In some cases of more closeness or warmth, expect one kiss in the cheek (just one, on the right cheek) between men and women, or between women. Rarely between men unless it's family, like in other Latino countries like Argentina.
• Music: A very important part of Colombian culture, there are more than 1,000 music rhythms grouped in 158 genres in Colombia! Click here for 8 different Spotify playlists to start to get a feel for the sounds of Colombia before your trip. Talking about music will always be a great ice breaker. If you are at a bar with a dance floor, women can expect men to ask them for a dance. It is in most cases a friendly interaction with little or no talk. Saying no is ok.
• Pace of life: The pace of Colombian life is slower and more relaxed than most travelers are accustomed to. Punctuality is not strict. This requires some getting used to, and a willingness to adapt to a different lifestyle. Travel with an open mind and flexibility, and expect that things may start late.
• Slamming Doors: Avoid slamming car doors or doors to someone’s house unless it will not shut without force. Slamming doors is considered to be very rude in Colombia. If you want to show appreciation for a taxi or Uber driver, close your door as smoothly as possible.

• Noise: Colombia can be a country full of noise - the streets, especially in cities, are often filled with music and people. It is a country full of celebrations and social gatherings!
• Gender and diversity considerations: Colombian culture is still rather “macho,” and women are often treated differently than men. Catcalls towards women can happen, and it is advised that one should not engage and continue moving. We have had multiple women traveling solo, with very positive experiences. Still, we recommend having in consideration these guidelines we wrote for women solo travelers. Main cities are pretty gay-friendly. Actually, Bogota’s mayor is lesbian (2020-2024). Holding hands or public demonstrations of affection won’t scandalize people. However, we have heard reports from former LGBTQ+ travelers that they have felt some sort of discrimination or weird looks in small towns and rural areas, where people tend to be more conservative. Although Colombia is the third country with the largest black population outside of Africa (after US, Brazil, and France), the country is battling against a strong systemic racism. Since the abolishment of slavery in 1851, Colombia never had racial segregation laws like South Africa or the US. But still, most of the black population lives in underserved communities, and like other racial groups living in poverty, they have lower chances of having access to education, traveling abroad, and well-paid jobs. As a black traveler, you won’t face upfront discrimination, but you will hardly notice black Colombians in positions of power or well-paid jobs.
• Street Vendors and busking: There will be street vendors everywhere you go in Colombia, selling anything and everything! Even if you do not want to purchase anything, it is polite to greet them by saying “hola” or tell them “mañana” (tomorrow). It is very rude in Colombia to ignore people. It is also common to find people busking or making other kinds of performances for money. Especially in Cartagena, there is a boom of young rappers improvising lyrics as they walk along with you. If you feel like supporting them, it is all right! A note of 2,000 will be enough. However, you’ll get to a point of meeting too many of them. We just recommend acknowledging them, keep walking, and saying “no gracias” (no, thank you).
• Begging: As in many developing countries, begging is common in Colombia. See our Responsible Travel Tips section below for more information.

Language

The official language of Colombia is Spanish. Try brushing up on these useful terms and phrases before your trip!

Responsible Travel Tips

Impulse Travel takes pride in its leadership in the field of responsible travel. We take care in selecting our local partners that share our environmental and social values and are avid supporters of locals working in the tourism industry as they are both the most impacted and impactful players at the local level. All of your ground costs on this trip are carbon offset using Native Energy Carbon Calculator, and we encourage you to offset your international flights as well. Here are a few tips that can help enrich your experience as a responsible traveler:

• Keep an open mind: Try to observe local customs and respect traditional cultures and people.
• Language: Learn a few basic greetings and “thank you” in the local language.
• Local economy: Support locally owned businesses, restaurants, and other services. Shop from local artisans to promote traditional crafts and encourage contemporary arts.
• Pay a fair price: Bargaining is acceptable on this trip and a great way to engage with locals. Try to have fun and not be overly aggressive in bargaining for souvenirs.
• Respect: It is important to acknowledge the privacy and dignity of others and ask before photographing or filming people. Ask permission before entering sacred places, homes or private land, and take heed of local customs (i.e. remove shoes, hats, cover hair with shawl, etc). Please ask your guide if you are unsure; they are there to support your introduction to the culture!

• Community and environment: Contribute to organizations that support traditional cultures and protect the natural environment. Keep to designated trails, and do not disturb plants and animals or their natural habitats.
• Animal products: Avoid purchasing crafts, clothing, furniture or other products that are derived from members of protected or endangered animal species.
• Use alternatives to single-use plastics: Avoid using plastic bags and try to minimize the use of other disposables. When traveling in areas away from cities, make sure to take out what you take in. Try using a reusable water bottle and treating your own drinking water when possible – check out what our friends at Travelers Against Plastic are doing!
• Don’t feel pressured to give away money or material items: You will likely encounter instances of poverty and people asking for donations. We try to discourage giving away money or items as it can actually accentuate an unequal relationship between visitors and locals. Additionally, children that receive money, gifts, and sweets from you are encouraged to stick around for more, rather than to be in school. As difficult as it can be to turn down direct requests, sometimes giving your friendship and respect to locals can be the best gift of all. If you want to help, consider giving to a trustworthy charity, non-profit, or local school.