Name: Can You Drink the Water in Mexico? (2023 Update)
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Can You Drink the Water in Mexico? (2023 Update)

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Skip to contentIf you’re traveling to Mexico, you’ve likely been wondering — Can you drink the water in Mexico? The answer is NO! Mexico tap water isn’t safe for human consumption: not for locals and not for visitors.In fact, I have lived in Mexico since 2018, and I still don’t drink the water! So what can you do?OUR TOP PICKThe Water-To-Go Bottle helps keeps you hydrated, and filters your drinking water so you don’t get sick in Mexico!Besides using the Water-To-Go Bottle, you can to boil your water, or drink bottled water (though we all know single-use plastics are horrible for the planet ♻️).But don’t worry — this article covers everything you need to know about drinking Mexico tap water.Besides the general “Don’t drink the water in Mexico” rule, many want to know if ice is safe to consume, what to do about showing in Mexico water, and why the water in Mexico makes you sick.By the end of this article, you’ll know everything you need to so you don’t get sick in Mexico from the water, and you avoid Montezuma’s Revenge. Let’s get to it!Table of ContentsCan you drink the water in mexico?No — Mexican tap water isn’t considered safe for human consumption.Know that this does mean “all humans,” including Mexico locals, Mexico visitors, and even Mexico expats like me (I have lived in Mexico since 2018, and don’t drink unfiltered Mexico tap water).No — Mexico Locals drink bottled water.Tap water in Mexico is not safe to drink for anyone, so no one drinks straight tap water in Mexico.Since locals don’t want to get sick just as much as you don’t want to get sick, there will be no instance when someone will serve or offer you tap water.To make Mexico water safe to drink, you’d have to boil it or use a filterable water bottle like the Water-To-Go.Many locals buy a garrafón (five gallon water jug), and keep those in their homes for use. While an in-home water delivery service isn’t practical for visitors, a Water-To-Go Bottle certainly is!Can you drink the water in mexico?Now that you know to avoid tap water in Mexico, just what do you drink?! The answer is bottled water, which is readily available everywhere.Taste-wise and reputation-wise, many say the best water in Mexico is from the Epura brand. Though it has a good reputation overall, that’s in no way a guarantee.Regardless of brand, there are two things to consider about bottled water in Mexico:1) Even with the best brand, they can’t ensure each individual bottle is of exceptional quality.2) Single-use plastics from disposable water bottles are horrible for the environment.🇲🇽 Mexico Travel Tips: You don’t have to order bottled water in restaurants! You can ask for the FREE filtered water from the garrafón (five-gallon water cooler jug). As not all filtered water is created equal, you’ll then pour that cup of water into your Water-To-Go Bottle.Use code SOLO15 for 15% OFF all Water-To-Go Bottles ▶︎ Shop now!To give you the best chance on how to NOT get sick in Mexico on your vacation, I recommend boiling the tap water, and then going one step further and running it through your Water-To-Go Refillable Water Bottle before you drink it.You can also buy a large bottle of water from a Mexico convenience or grocery store, keep it in your hotel or Airbnb, and refill your Water-To-Go bottle as needed.You might be wondering, Is it overkill to filter bottled water? No — This is the closest thing to a guarantee you’ll drink clean water in Mexico.Use code SOLO15 for 15% OFF all Water-To-Go Bottles ▶︎ Shop now!With BPA-free Water-To-Go bottles, you have access to safe water anywhere in Mexico without having to buy environmentally damaging, single-use plastic water bottles.The bottles filter out 99.9999% of water-borne contaminants including viruses, bacteria, chemicals, parasites and microplastics.The 3-in-1 filter acts like a net within a net within a net, making it nearly-impossible for illness-causing contaminants to get through.If you’re wondering what happens to the water filter when you have to replace it — great question! The filter membrane is biodegradable, and the shrouds are recyclable ♻️Can you drink the water in mexico?Many want to know, Why is the water in Mexico not safe to drink?First off, waterborne illness isn’t exclusive to Mexico. You can get sick from water anywhere in the world, as water is a great carrier for things like bacteria, protozoa, viruses, toxins and parasites — which can all make you sick.The reason tap water is “safer” in some places versus others comes down to one thing: filtration.In recent years, water filter standards have improved, but Mexico water is still not safe enough. For this reason, I always recommend Mexico travelers pick up a Water-To-Go Bottle.According to the Water-To-Go website, the 3-in-1 filter membrane removes 99.9999% of all water-borne contaminants.Just like in the U.S., tap water in Mexico has&nbsp;tiny microscopic organisms invisible to the naked eye.The important thing here is these are often different microorganisms than you’re used to in the U.S. Your body can tolerate the ones it’s used to, but unfamiliar ones can lead to Montezuma’s Revenge.Unless your water is tested right before you drink it, there’s really no way to know for sure what’s in that particular cup or bottle of water.In short, there’s no one type of bacteria exclusive to Mexico water. Some types of microorganisms in Mexico water can include giardia, e. coli and cryptosporidium.Can you drink the water in mexico?Known as Montezuma’s Revenge in Mexico, the medical name for this sickness is Traveler’s Diarrhea, or TD for short.Not exclusive to Mexico, TD can happen to any traveler in any country. 🇮🇳 In India, TD is called Delhi Belly — a play on words using the Indian city of Delhi (pronounced “deli”).In short, be cautious in Mexico, but know waterborne illnesses occur to anyone, anywhere in the world.TD happens because your personal microbiome (natural gut bacteria) isn’t able to handle whatever’s in the food and water in the country you’ve traveled to.I’m no doctor, so take this with a grain of salt, but one pre-travel suggestion is to strengthen your gut bacteria with probiotic supplements.It will vary from person to person, so there’s no real answer. Some people are lucky and have it for 12 hours, but for others, it can last several days.👩‍⚕️ If you want to know what to do if you get sick in Mexico, head here.The treatment will depend on the severity of each individual TD case. For many, an over the counter medication, like Imodium, works just fine.In fact, I always recommend traveling to Mexico with Imodium and keeping it in your purse — This way you have it the moment you need it.Can you drink the water in mexico?For the vast majority of travelers, absolutely nothing happens! For some, they will get sick.About 30 millions visitors come to Mexico each year, and only a very small percentage of people get sick from the water. While it’s great to be vigilant, most travelers come to Mexico and have a great trip.The important thing to know is no one drinks the tap water, so you really don’t need to stress about it.I live in Mexico, and run three Mexico travel websites. The #1 and #2 questions I get are Is Mexico safe?, and Can you drink the water in Mexico?What I’ve observed is that both topics have been sensationalized and over-dramatized by the media.Can you drink the water in mexico?Yes — This is 100% safe if you’re boiling the water.If you’re making something like a delicious Mexican soup or pasta, you’re completely fine to cook with Mexico tap water, since you will be killing the microorganisms off in the boiling process.🧊 Ice in Mexico, however, is a different story — as you’ll see below.You may have come across info saying Don’t eat salads in Mexico. However, this is untrue.Many assume that since raw veggies are only run under tap water to clean them in the U.S., this is done the same way in Mexico — and since Mexico tap water is not safe to consume, it makes the produce unsafe to eat.However, in Mexico, produce isn’t just cleaned with tap water, because you can’t actually clean anything in water that isn’t, well, clean.Rather, many use a vinegar-water mixture, warm soapy water, and store-bought produce wash to clean fresh fruits and veggies.Yes — If you’re staying in a home and need to wash any dishes, it’s the same process as in the U.S. Just use plenty of dish soap and warm water, and you’re good to go with clean dishes 🍽Can you drink the water in mexico?Wondering, Is ice safe in Mexico? Yes — You can safely drink ice in Mexico. As mentioned, locals don’t drink the tap water, and they don’t make ice cubes with it either.While boiling water does kill off bacteria, freezing it does not. Though I have seen plenty of other articles online saying to avoid ice in your drink, there’s no reason to think anyone’s making ice with tap water.Now, if you want to avoid ice for your own peace of mind, then go ahead.If you really want peace of mind, try to chill out a bit! Keep reminding yourself that locals would also get sick from that ice, so it’s more likely that no one’s making unsafe ice, and your ice is totally fine.Yes — Coffee is made with purified water, like all other drinks in Mexico.For those drinking hot coffee, there’s even less chance the microorganisms in the water haven’t been killed off.☕️ As Mexico has some of the best coffee-growing regions of the world, don’t skip the delicious Mexican coffees.Can you drink the water in mexico?If you’re planning to visit Mexico City soon, you’re likely wondering, Is the water safe to drink in Mexico City? The answer is no!💁‍♀️ Side Note: As someone who used to live in Mexico City, the most common type of sickness was actually altitude sickness in Mexico City, as Mexico City is 1.5 miles above sea level (2.4 km).Some travelers think visiting a big city in Mexico versus a small town means the drinking water quality goes up. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.The Mexico City tap water, like the tap water in the rest of Mexico, isn’t considered safe for human consumption.Whether you’re in a huge city like Mexico City, big city like Guadalajara or Monterrey, or even a small pueblo magico (magic town) like Valladolid or Valle de Bravo — just don’t drink the water in Mexico!.Can you drink the water in mexico?Drinking water in Mexico hotels is also unsafe — unless the staff explicitly tell you it’s OK.Some of the most upscale 5 Star Mexico resorts have elaborate filtration systems, but this is far from the norm. They might, however, provide guests with bottled drinking water in rooms and throughout the property.Use code SOLO15 for 15% OFF all Water-To-Go Bottles ▶︎ Shop now!Keep in mind Mexico is on the hotter side — especially the beaches of Mexico. Combine the hot sun with the open bar drinks at your Mexico all inclusive resort, and you have a recipe for dehydration.You will want to keep drinking water all day, but make sure it’s purified with your Water-To-Go Bottle.Can you drink the water in mexico?Some people will use bottled or purified water to brush their teeth.While this may or may not prevent getting sick in Mexico, you can always just avoid wetting the toothbrush before you brush your teeth, which should be enough of a preventative measure.Now, to rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth, you’ll want to use bottled or filtered water.Yes — The water is absolutely safe to shower in. In fact, I’ve had a shower in Mexico everyday since moving to the country in 2018, and I’m 100% fine!This question just might come from an episode of Sex &amp; the City where Charlotte opens her mouth in the shower by accident, swallows a mouthful of water, and gets really sick in Mexico.While you should not drink water from the shower or tap, if some splashes on your mouth, you’ll likely be fine.Can you drink the water in mexico?If you’re very sick, go to the nearest hospital immediately. However, if it’s not a medical emergency, you’ll still want to go see a doctor asap — especially if you’re vomiting or have diarrhea, which can both lead to dehydration.🇲🇽 Mexico Travel Tips: If your Spanish isn’t great, download the Google Translate app. With this app, you and the doctor can speak into your phone, and the translation is spoken back to you both.Unlike in the U.S., going to the doctor in Mexico is an inexpensive and quick process. If you find yourself sick in Mexico, open Google Maps, find one of the big chain pharmacies near you, and go straight there.These best Mexico farmacias include Farmacia Similares, Farmacia Yza and Farmacia Guadalajara.Once there, you’ll want to head to their walk-in clinics — which are sometimes called consultorios. Not all farmacias have these clinics, but most do.Usually within 15 minutes or so, a doctor will see you, assess your symptoms, and since you’re already at a pharmacy, you can get any meds you need right then and there.If you require further medical assistance, the doctor will let you know after the exam.I was bit by a spider while traveling to Bacalar, Mexico, and while it wasn’t terrible, I knew I needed antibiotics.I want to the walk-in clinic, saw a doctor in less than five minutes, and my exam, antibiotic pills and a cream for the bite cost $8USD 😳Can you drink the water in mexico?When most travelers think about getting sick in Mexico, they think it’s only the Mexico drinking water itself that will do it. Wrong!In reality, many Mexico travel horror stories often end up being about all the other types of sickness no one prepared for — namely, dehydration.Keep in mind Mexico is on the hot side year-round. It’s much closer to the Equator than anywhere in the U.S., so the sun’s rays are stronger.For me, when I have a water bottle on me, I remember to keep drinking water throughout the day.I know this strategy has saved me in Mexico’s heat many times, so if you didn’t already add a Water-To-Go Bottle to your cart, preventing dehydration is just reason to purchase one. (🤑 Use code SOLO15 for 15% off.)These refillable bottles not only filter your drinking water so you don’t get sick, they also help keep you hydrated.Bonus: You won’t have to keep buying bottled water in Mexico, and Mother Earth (and your wallet) will thank you.Can you drink the water in mexico?In an article focused around the question, Can I drink the water in Mexico?, I’d be remiss not to talk about travel insurance in Mexico.Travel insurance for Mexico is a no brainer — as it can mean the difference between a $2,000 hospital bill and a $2 hospital bill if you need medical attention for a severe stomach bug in Mexico.Just as you insure your car, home and body, you can also insure your luggage, belongings and health while traveling.If Mexico travel safety is on your mind, get your FREE quote below from World Nomads and Safety Wing, two of the biggest names in travel insurance.As you now know, no one drinks tap water in Mexico because tap water in Mexico isn’t safe to drink.I do recommend using a Water-To-Go Bottle, which filters 99.999999% of bacteria, viruses, toxins and microplastics. 🤑 Remember to use code SOLO15 for 15% off.It not only covers your Mexico water safety, but also helps prevent dehydration — one of the Mexico sicknesses most travelers don’t plan for. With the bottle on you all day, you’ll drink more water.💁‍♀️ Aside from that, here’s my best advice about drinking in Mexico: Don’t spend your whole vacation worried about the drinking water in Mexico.Getting sick in Mexico from the water is a bit of a crap shoot, and you kind of just have to hope you don’t.It will happen whether or not you’re obsessing over it, so there’s really no point to doing so at the expense of enjoying your trip.You now have several tips on how NOT to get sick in Mexico, so make good choices, but also enjoy your Mexico trip to the fullest.YES — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Travel Insurance Master, one of the biggest names in travel insurance. (Read more)No — You’ll want to buy a Water-To-Go Bottle, which filters your drinking water so you don’t get sick from drinking water in Mexico. Also, it helps keep you hydrated while traveling Mexico. (Read more)Yes — Renting a car in Mexico is one of the best ways to see the country! I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks both international companies and local Mexican companies, so you get the best rates. (Read more)Maybe — It depends on your company, so check with your provider. If you don’t have free Mexico service, buy a Telcel SIM Card. As Mexico’s largest carrier, Telcel has the best coverage of any Mexico SIM Cards. (Read more)For Mexico hotels, Booking.com is the best site, but for hostels, use Hostel World. If you’re considering a Mexico Airbnb, don’t forget to check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb.Head to the Ultimate Mexico Packing List + FREE Checklist Download to get all the info you need on packing for Mexico.For finding cheap Mexico flights, I recommend using Skyscanner.Likely Not — U.S., Canadian and most European Passport holders don’t need a visa for Mexico; but check here to see if you do need a Mexico travel visa. The majority of travelers will receive a 180-Day FMM Tourist Visa passport stamp upon arrival.Hi, I'm Shelley 👋 I've been living in Mexico since 2018, traveling from coast to coast. To date, I've been to 19 Mexican states — and now, I help travelers just like you plan your bucket list Mexico trip.

Skip to contentIf you’re traveling to Mexico, you’ve likely been wondering — Can you drink the water in Mexico? The answer is NO! Mexico tap water isn’t safe for human consumption: not for locals and not for visitors.In fact, I have lived in Mexico since 2018, and I still don’t drink the water! So what can you do?OUR TOP PICKThe Water-To-Go Bottle helps keeps you hydrated, and filters your drinking water so you don’t get sick in Mexico!Besides using the Water-To-Go Bottle, you can to boil your water, or drink bottled water (though we all know single-use plastics are horrible for the planet...

Can You Drink the Water in Mexico? (2023 Update)

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