Money & Payments in Cartagena (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

At sit-down restaurants, the server will ask 'Desea incluir el servicio?' (Do you want to include service?). You can say yes, no, or adjust the percentage—it's entirely voluntary.
Tipping in Cartagena is not obligatory in most contexts; it is most expected at mid-range and upscale restaurants, and always appreciated rather than required.
Always carry small COP bills (1,000–5,000 denominations) for tips, taxis, and vendors, as making change can be difficult in tourist areas.
Tipping with coins is considered impolite in Colombia; use paper bills only.
For reliable card payments, use major credit cards at established restaurants, hotels, and shops; cash is safer for taxis and street vendors.
Tour guides in Cartagena specifically expect tips due to the volume of tourism; budget COP 40,000–50,000 per person for multi-hour tours if satisfied.

Tipping Norms

Taxis

Expectation: Taxis in Colombian cities operate on metered fares regulated by local transport authorities, and tipping is simply not expected or necessary
Optional Gesture: In smaller cafes and restaurants, and for taxi journeys, it's good practice to round up to the nearest thousand pesos.

Hotels

Housekeeping: No one on staff expects a tip, but the practice of leaving something for housekeeping or a porter is familiar in international properties; if you choose to tip, COP 2,000 to 5,000 per day for housekeeping and a similar amount per trip for a porter who carries luggage reflect a reasonable gesture without obligation.
Bellhops Porters: If someone helps you with your bags, it is recommended to give a 2,000 COP tip. Maybe more like 5,000 if you have a lot of luggage and someone is being very helpful.

Bars And Cafes

Expectation: At bars and cafés, tipping is optional but encouraged, usually by rounding up the bill or leaving some small change.

Payment Method

Rule: Always tip in paper bills and always use Colombian pesos instead of foreign currency, except in international hotel settings where USD and euros occasionally circulate without friction.
Avoid: Across Colombia, people consider tipping with coins impolite, because they associate coin tips with charity rather than gratitude for a service.

Tours And Guides

Due To A Large Number Of Tourists, There Is An Expectation That You Tip For Other Things Such As Tour Guides In Cartagena Too.: 10–15% of tour price or COP 40,000–50,000 per person for multi-hour tours is considered good

Beauty And Wellness

Expectation: Beauty and wellness services, including nail salons, hair salons, spas, and massage studios, carry no expected fee beyond the listed price, and leaving nothing at all is entirely normal; if the service genuinely stood out and you want to acknowledge it, a discretionary COP 5,000 (roughly US$1.40) works well for nail or hair work, while for massages or more involved treatments, between 5% and 10% of the total cost feels proportionate without creating any expectation for the next client.

Restaurants Sit Down

Overview: At casual family-owned restaurants, corner eateries, and street food stands throughout cities like Cartagena, Medellín, or Cali, no service charge appears on the bill at all and no tip is expected in its place, whereas at high-end establishments in upscale neighborhoods... accepting the charge aligns more closely with what regular patrons do.
Guideline: For high-end restaurants, expect 10% to be suggested; for casual spots, no tip is standard unless service was exceptional
How It Works: When you ask for the bill they must ask you "¿Desea incluir el Servicio?", meaning "Would you like to include the tip?", here you can say Yes, or No. You can also say "yes, make it 15%" or "yes, make it 5%", it's a voluntary contribution, so it is up to you.
Service Charge: It is common for restaurants to include by default in the bill a voluntary service charge of 10% known as "propina voluntaria" for the service.

Street Food And Vendors

Practice: Rounding up the price or offering polite thanks is more common and well received.
Expectation: At street food stalls, empanada stands, and bakeries, no tip is expected.

Card Acceptance

Overview: ATMs are widely available in Bogota and Cartagena, and credit cards are accepted in most large shops, hotels and restaurants.
Note: In tourist areas and established businesses, cards are generally accepted. Keep cash (COP) for smaller vendors and tips.

Cash Recommended For

Small family-owned restaurants and street food vendors
Taxis and informal transport
Markets and informal vendors
Smaller shops in less touristy areas

ATM And Withdrawals

Availability: Widely available in central Cartagena and main neighborhoods
Note: Specific ATM fee rates for foreign cards in Cartagena were not confirmed in current sources; contact your bank directly for current withdrawal fees

Banking

Overview: Banking system is modern and well-regulated. Opening a personal account requires legal residency status (visa + Cédula de Extranjería) for standard accounts; alternative options exist for non-residents via broker accounts.
Digital Banking: Modern infrastructure with online platforms, mobile apps, and digital payment systems well-established

Process

Processing Time: 1-3 business days with correct documentation
Advisor Interaction: Ask for account manager (asesor comercial), not teller; allow 30-60 minutes wait
Location Requirement: In-person visit to bank branch required; full account opening cannot be done remotely for foreigners

Major Banks

Bancolombia
Type
Largest bank in Colombia
Note
Branches throughout Cartagena; foreign-friendly but can be slow and bureaucratic
Davivienda
Type
Major bank
Note
Good option for foreigners
BBVA
Type
International bank
Note
Often smoother for foreigners than domestic banks due to international experience with non-standard documents
Banco De Bogotá
Type
Major bank

International Transfers

Outgoing Fee: $15
Plus exchange-rate spread

Requirements For Residents

Passport: Valid with at least 6 months remaining validity
Visa Status: Active M or R visa (or other residency visa granting 180+ days)
Initial Deposit: $50
Proof Of Income: Employment letter, pay stubs, pension certification, or business documentation
Proof Of Address: Rental contract or utility bill in your name (hotel addresses not accepted)
Cedula De Extranjeria: Essential - the main gateway for opening standard personal accounts

Alternative For Non Residents

Broker Account: Available with passport only; no cédula required; used primarily for property purchases or large fund transfers; conversion fee typically 0.6%-0.8% on TRM rate

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Cartagena

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Cartagena