Visiting Medellín is an unforgettable experience, and for those of us who made the decision to move here, there is no better city. Always on our list of reasons to call Medellín home are the people.
Kind, welcoming, optimistic, and joyful, Paisas are the best. Well, most are.
Like any popular desination, tourists can sometimes be targeted by scams. One of the most common tricks involves tipping — a subtle but frustrating way travelers end up paying more than they should.
Understanding how tipping works in Colombia and knowing what to watch out for can save you money and stress. In this guide, I’ll break down the Medellín tourist scam you’re most likely to encounter, explain how it happens, and share practical tips to avoid it so you can enjoy the city with confidence.
Understanding Tipping in Colombia
I love tipping in Medellín for two reasons. First, it's a way to show gratitude and thanks, and I have a lot of gratitude and thanks. Second, it's so easy. Unlike in the United States, where mental gymnastics are required each time you pay the bill, and the default seems to creep higher and higher, the standard tip in Colombia is 10%. It's even stated on the bill in most restaurants and cafés that the 10% tip is optional and you can decline it.
Places are required to ask if you want to include it, and most will. Some add it by default, and in select cases where I do not leave a tip, like simple takeout, I will decline it and it is removed without question. And since tax is already included in the prices you see on menus (another win for simplicity), having a clear and consistent expectation is a minor but very much appreciated frictionless perk of living here, when managing a life abroad can already be complex enough.
The Medellín Tourist Scam Explained
So with such an established cultural norm, it's extremely disappointing when people try to take advantage of someone who might not be in the know.
I was at a café today, one that shall remain nameless. Overall it was not worth it and I wouldn't go back or recommend it.
When it came time to pay my bill of 23.900 COP the server asked if I wanted to include the tip, and I said yes. The total should have been a little over about 26.000, which is a slightly less than 10% as most places will calculate the tip based on the pre-tax (IVA and IPC) amount which you don't see on menus but you often see on the bill.
So why did they charge me 30.000 COP?
The original bill on the left and my credit card receipt on the right
Because I look like a tourist who doesn't know any better.
Does the difference of about 4.000 COP really matter? Not really, it's a small amount, though it all adds up, especially if this were to occur at a more expensive restaurant. But does how others treat and respect you have a value higher than anything you might be overcharged? Absolutely.
I approached the server and in my best Spanish (which is always better when I am annoyed) told him that I've lived here for over seven years, I know the standard tip is 10%, and I did not appreciate being charged close to 30%.
And I wanted the entire 6.000 COP back, both the authorized tip portion and otherwise.
This will be saved for someone who actually deserves an extra tip
How to Protect Yourself from Overcharging
While far from widespread, with Medellín becoming a popular tourist destination, this unfortunately has been happening with more frequency. As in any city, visitors who don't speak the language and don't know the cultural norms are always targets.
So what can you do to avoid this?
First, always ask for a menu with prices. This is what you'll get almost everywhere, but there are exceptions where the information is given verbally. You'll want something physical or digital that you can reference if there is a problem, especially if you aren't fluent in Spanish.
Second, know that tipping is 10%. If you want to give more, give more. If you want to give less, give less. But no one should automatically add anything to your bill, let alone more than 10%.
Third, review both your bill and your credit card receipt if you pay with one. Make sure the prices for what you ordered matches what you saw on the menu, and that the tip, if you decide to give one, is 10%. Break out Google Translate if you need to dispute a charge. Don't be afraid to challenge someone when they are trying to take advantage of you.
Fourth, hire me.
Authentic Travel Advice from The Paisa Plan
Seriously, hire me. This is what The Paisa Plan was designed to do, which is connect you with all of the wonderful people and places that Medellín has to offer while also telling you what to avoid.
Do you think this café is a recommendation on my The Magic of Medellín Map? Absolutely not. In fact, it gets the "avoid" symbol and the notes mention that an excessive tip was charged.
When it comes to trip planning, there are lots of resources available, not all of them good. But with The Paisa Plan, I promise you'll have an authentic and unforgettable experience that will save you time and money. Plus you'll always get the truth about every aspect of visiting or moving here. The awesome, the good, and yes, sometimes the ugly. For the latter, you'll get tips on how to avoid it.
Get started by downloading my FREE 16-page The Insider's Guide to Visiting Medellín. It's filled with essential info such as where to stay, what to bring, ways to get around, and how to spend the perfect day. As you might expect, the aforemented café is not included.
Thank you for reading, enter your email address below to be notified of future blogs, and I hope you enjoy the (almost always awesome) magic of Medellín!
- Jason ✨🇨🇴