The Villa Mariana

The number one question that we are asked is "How much should we tip the staff?" While tipping is not mandatory, it is customary in Costa Rica and is very much appreciated by the staff. Tipping is a cherished tradition in Costa Rica, and our dedicated staff greatly appreciates your generosity. The number one question that guests ask, “How much should we tip?” To help, we’ve provided some guidelines below, but please feel free to adjust based on the service you experience. Typical Tip Ranges (per stay): Lenin (Concierge / Experience Manager): From $350 up to $600+ Chef Jose Mario (together with chef's assistant if applicable): From $350 up to $600+ Housekeeping & Groundskeeping Team (4 staff members): From $450 up to $650+ (total, to be distributed to all 4 of them) These ranges vary by group size: Groups of 8 or fewer: Start near the lower end of the range. Groups of 9–10 (without guest house): Aim for the middle. Groups of 11+ and/or with guest house: Consider the higher end or more. These are starting points—feel free to tip more for outstanding service that makes your stay unforgettable! How to Give Tips: We have placed envelopes in the front of the guest binder for your tips. Hand Chef Jose Mario’s envelope directly to him. If he has a chef's assistant, he will share their portion of the tip with them. Hand Lenin’s envelope directly to him. Give the Housekeeping & Groundskeeping Team envelope to Lenin at check-out. Pro Tip: Collect tips from your group early in your stay to avoid last-minute hassles. Use the in-house safes to securely store envelopes. Note that local ATMs can sometimes be unreliable. Our team pours their heart into making your Villa Mariana experience magical. Your tips are a meaningful way to show your appreciation!

Yes, typically a 10% gratuity is included. As always, if you had excellent service, feel free to add a bit extra to your bill, however, it is not expected.

We suggest adding $10 per guest to the tip jar at the end of an excursion. For example, if you are a couple, you would add $20 to the guide's tip jar.

It is customary to tip approximately 10% of the cost of your ride. Round up if you are in doubt. For example, if the cost of your ride is $6.00, round up by tipping $1.00 instead of $.60.

It is customary to tip about 10% of the ride to the driver. For example, if your shuttle was $180-$225, you could tip $20 total. If your shuttle was $250-$300, you could tip $30 total.