Paying with Card vs Cash

Asking about payment methods and navigating tipping at the end of your meal.

You
La cuenta, por favor. ¿Aceptan tarjeta de crédito?
lah KWEHN-tah, pohr fah-BOHR. ah-SEHP-tahn tahr-HEH-tah deh KREH-dee-toh?
The check, please. Do you accept credit cards?
Always ask before assuming. Many smaller restaurants in Latin America are cash-only, especially outside major cities.
Waiter
Sí, aceptamos tarjeta y efectivo. Pero la propina solo se puede dejar en efectivo.
see, ah-sehp-TAH-mohs tahr-HEH-tah ee eh-fehk-TEE-boh. PEH-roh lah proh-PEE-nah SOH-loh seh PWEH-deh deh-HAHR ehn eh-fehk-TEE-boh.
Yes, we accept card and cash. But the tip can only be left in cash.
'Efectivo' means cash. Tipping in cash is preferred in most of Latin America since staff may not receive card tips directly.
You
Perfecto. Pago la comida con tarjeta y dejo la propina en efectivo.
pehr-FEHK-toh. PAH-goh lah koh-MEE-dah kohn tahr-HEH-tah ee DEH-hoh lah proh-PEE-nah ehn eh-fehk-TEE-boh.
Perfect. I'll pay for the meal with a card and leave the tip in cash.
A 10-15% tip is standard in most Latin American countries. In Colombia and Chile, a 10% tip may appear on the bill — you can accept or decline it.
Waiter
Aquí tiene su comprobante. ¿Necesita factura?
ah-KEE TYEH-neh soo kohm-proh-BAHN-teh. neh-seh-SEE-tah fahk-TOO-rah?
Here is your receipt. Do you need an invoice?
'Factura' is a formal tax invoice, different from a regular receipt ('comprobante'). You usually only need a factura for business expenses.
You
No, con el comprobante está bien. Muchas gracias, todo estuvo excelente.
noh, kohn ehl kohm-proh-BAHN-teh ehs-TAH byehn. MOO-chahs GRAH-syahs, TOH-doh ehs-TOO-boh ehk-seh-LEHN-teh.
No, the receipt is fine. Thank you very much, everything was excellent.
Ending the meal with a warm thank-you and compliment is the Latin American way. It is always appreciated.