Can You Drink The Tap Water In Mexico?

Do you want to know if you can drink the water in Mexico?

Traveling to Mexico is convenient and affordable, making it an excellent destination for a getaway. Pristine white sand beaches as well as world-class snorkeling and diving are two of the many draws of Mexican resorts. The museums and scenery of Mexico’s major cities, such as Monterrey and Mexico City, are also well-known worldwide.

Besides checking every item in your itinerary, however, a few simple health precautions should be taken when visiting Mexico, most of them revolve around water. Let’s start with tap water safety: Can you drink tap water in Mexico?

Can You Drink The Tap Water In Mexico?

The answer is No, Mexican tap water is not safe for consumption – whether by tourists or locals.

Mexicans only drink bottled water and yes, no one in Mexico ever consumes tap water. For your safety and that of the people, tap water will not be given or offered in any way.

Water in Mexico must be treated to be fit for human consumption either through boiling or filtering. Usually, people buy a garrafón (a 5-gallon water jug) and keep it in their homes for future use.

If you are a tourist, however, having this large amount of water may not be practical. You should instead invest in a reusable filtering water bottle when traveling.

That said, it is not recommended that you drink the water from the tap while in Mexico. Water purification and treatment in Mexico have made significant progress, but drinking conventional tap water while on vacation is still not recommended.

You may experience a “traveler’s tummy” as a result of the varied hygiene standards in any country. Waterborne pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites can cause gastrointestinal pain and other unpleasant symptoms, which can be severe enough to ruin a trip.

More people are affected by unsafe drinking water than you think, and many experience gastrointestinal discomfort. Bottled water is the best method for avoiding contamination. The seal should be broken by only you as well. To avoid spilling, keep the water in its original container when drinking.

Drinking Water in Hotels and Resorts

Most hotels include bottled water or large jugs of filtered water to refill your bottle. In many resorts, the water is disinfected on-site, and if this is the case, a sign at the tap indicates that the water is safe to drink (“agua potable”).

Some hotels may provide you with a complimentary bottle of water, but charge you for any extra bottles you consume. If this is the case, you may be better off buying water from a convenience shop rather than at your resort or hotel which tends to be overpriced.

Bottled Water in Mexico

Since tap water in Mexico is unsafe, what do you drink instead? Bottled water, which is commonly available and often inexpensive, is the answer. Ask for “un bote de agua pura” or “one pure water bottle” when you’re out and about, and you’ll be taken care of.

500ml, 1ltr, and 2ltr bottles are available. To prevent being overcharged, stick to locally owned and operated brands (imported water can be very expensive).

Some Safety Reminders When Drinking Water in Mexico

Related Read:

• Best Mexican Drinks To Try In Mexico
• Interesting Facts About Tequila
• Drinking Age In Mexico: Rules And Laws

1. Always get bottled water at restaurants.

UNESCO recognizes Mexican food as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Mexican cuisine is delicious, and you’ll want to try freshly prepared tacos, tortas, and more while you’re exploring or at cantinas that your concierge or guide recommends.

Bottled water should always be requested instead of tap water while dining out. For your off-resort escapades, it’s a good idea to have a few extra bottles of water with you.

2. Watch Out For The Seal

To ensure that you’re getting the safest water in Mexico, look for restaurants and eateries that have Distintivo H accreditation. This award is granted to restaurants that have hired a food safety consultant to teach their staff food and water quality best practices.

For a Mexican restaurant, this is the highest honor bestowed upon them because it requires a strong dedication to customer safety.

For the most part, exclusive hotels and resorts have received this seal of approval. It’s okay to drink the water, consume the ice, or even eat the greens they serve if you stumble across an establishment with this seal.

3. Boil Water When Making Coffee or Tea

If you don’t have any bottled water on hand, you can use boiled tap water in the coffee maker. Make sure the water has been boiling for 5 minutes before adding your beans or tea bag.

4. Consider your options carefully before swimming

You should also make sure that the swimming pool, hot tub, or spa you use is clean and well-maintained. That shouldn’t be a problem at your resort.

However, it is a little more complicated if you want to go swimming off-site. Water that has not been treated to keep it harmless can appear safe to swimmers. Microorganisms could be present, making it unsafe to ingest. This is why the beach or your hotel’s pool is the best place to go splashing and swimming.

5. Don’t open your mouth in the shower.

Avoid opening your mouth when taking a shower. Your hotel’s water may not even be safe for drinking, even if it offers filtered water. Therefore, ingesting even a small, unintended amount can result in major issues while you’re on vacation. Keep your mouth shut when you’re taking a shower or bath.

6. Brush your teeth with bottled water instead of tap water.

The water from your hotel sink may be contaminated, so don’t use it for cleaning your teeth! When traveling to Mexico or any other country, it’s a good idea to keep a water bottle by the sink. This is an easy-to-remember reminder that shows you exactly what steps you need to take. This will also help you have a more enjoyable vacation.

What To Do If You Drink Tap Water

Pepto-Bismol or Imodium is usually all that’s needed to alleviate symptoms in most cases of stomach pain due to contamination. You may also want to pack an antibiotic prescription in case you end up drinking tap water. Taking it as directed—usually at the first sign of stomach upset—should save you from getting too sick and even save your trip.

It is always best to check in with your doctor once you’ve returned home to make sure no further testing or treatment is needed.