Everything You Need to Know About Drinking Water in Mexico

Whether or not it’s safe to drink the water is always a concern when traveling. Getting sick from drinking tap water can ruin any trip, so it’s important to know what you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to drinking water in any new destination.

Along with “is Puebla safe” and “Mexico sim card”, I bet that “can you drink the water in Mexico” is one of the most searched queries for first-time visitors to Puebla. Personally, it was one of the first things I wanted to know before visiting Mexico.

We traveled throughout Mexico before settling in Puebla and I’m happy to report that we’ve never gotten sick from drinking water or eating street food anywhere in Mexico. With that said, we’re always careful so I’m happy to offer tips and share our experiences with you.

In this article, I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked traveler’s questions about the drinking water in Mexico.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) ABOUT THE DRINKING WATER IN MEXICO

Can You Drink Tap Water in Mexico?

No, you can’t drink unfiltered tap water in Mexico. The local water isn’t safe for consumption so everyone, including locals, usually drinks bottled or filtered water.

We’ve stayed at many Airbnbs throughout Mexico and it’s always a plus when we find a water dispenser or water purifier. We used to live in an apartment in Puebla’s Azcarate neighborhood and our hosts provided a garrafon – 5 gallon (19L) water jug – to all guests.

From what I understand, many locals use these same water dispensers at home. Most people probably get their garrafones delivered but you’ll find these large water jugs sold at grocery stores and convenience stores like Oxxo throughout Mexico.

What is Montezuma’s Revenge?

Montezuma’s Revenge is the colloquial name for traveler’s diarrhea in Mexico. It’s basically the Mexican equivalent of Delhi Belly.

Traveler’s diarrhea is typically contracted from contaminated food or water. When your gut isn’t accustomed to these water- or food-borne pathogens, you can develop symptoms like loose bowels, abdominal cramping, fever, and malaise for several days. Locals are often unaffected by these pathogens after developing an immunity over time.

Luckily, I’ve never experienced traveler’s diarrhea in Mexico but I did get it in Mumbai, despite my efforts to stay safe. It was extremely unpleasant.

You don’t want Montezuma’s Revenge confining you to your hotel in Mexico so it’s best to avoid any potentially contaminated food or water.

Do Locals Drink Tap Water in Mexico?

As far as I know, most locals refrain from drinking tap water in Mexico.

My Airbnb host in Merida told me that it isn’t just the water-borne bacteria that you have to worry about. You also have to be concerned about the hard minerals in the tap water that can potentially damage your kidneys and liver.

For that reason, he told me that no one drinks straight tap water in Mexico, even after it’s been boiled. It’s always best to drink bottled or purified water.

Is it Safe to Drink Boiled Water in Mexico?

No, it isn’t safe to drink boiled water in Mexico.

We were doing this at another Airbnb in Puebla. We’d boil tap water in an electric kettle thinking that boiling water would kill all bacteria and make it safe for consumption, but we were wrong. While boiling tap water does kill off the bacteria, it doesn’t get rid of the hard minerals in the water.

After boiling several kettles worth of tap water, we’d notice that a thin white film would collect on the inner surfaces of the pot. We didn’t know what that was and didn’t think anything of it until my Airbnb host in Merida explained it to me.

As described in the previous FAQ, that white film is made up of hard mineral deposits that can potentially damage your kidneys and liver over time. It’s for this reason why it still isn’t safe to drink unfiltered tap water in Mexico, even after it’s been boiled.

RELATED ARTICLE: Discover 20 Awesome Things to Do in Puebla, Mexico

Is it Safe to Drink Filtered/Purified Water in Mexico?

In our experience, consuming filtered water or purified drinking water is safe in Mexico.

We once stayed at an Aribnb in Queretaro that provided a water purifier to its guests. You’d fill it up with regular tap water and it would produce safe-to-consume filtered drinking water. We drank bottled or purified water at that Airbnb for two weeks and we never got sick.

Purifying tap water with a good filtration system is safer than simply boiling it. Not only does it trap harmful contaminants and sediments, but the activated carbon in the water filtration system acts like a magnet for compounds like lead. Chemical processes inside the filter also reduce chemicals like chlorine upon contact.

We knew about the drinking water situation in Mexico so we bought these SurviMate water bottles before our trip. It’s a portable water bottle that courses tap water through a filter each time you take a sip. We’ve used it throughout Mexico and have never gotten sick.

You can purchase these SurviMate water bottles through Amazon (affiliate link).

We’ve never had any issues from drinking purified water in Mexico but in my opinion, bottled water is still best. Water bottles with filtration systems are handy and cost-effective in the long run but given the choice, we’d still prefer to drink bottled water over purified water.

Which Bottled Water is Best in Mexico?

I don’t think it really matters which brand of bottled drinking water you buy. As long as it’s sealed and sold from reputable grocery stores or convenience store chains like Oxxo, then any brand should be fine.

The most common brands sold at any Oxxo are Epura, Bonafont, and Ciel. As you can see in the picture below, prices between brands are comparable.

Is it Safe to Drink Tap Water at a Hotel or Resort in Mexico?

No, I wouldn’t drink tap water at Mexico hotels or resorts. I read that some of the most expensive Mexico resorts can have water filtration systems, but unless they explicitly tell you that it’s safe to drink the tap water, then I wouldn’t do it.

I prefer booking Airbnbs but I’ve stayed at a few hotels in Mexico. Every hotel I’ve stayed at so far has provided bottled water, so take this as confirmation that it definitely isn’t safe to drink unfiltered tap water at hotels in Mexico.

Is Ice Safe in Mexico?

In some countries like India, people advise you to avoid all forms of unfiltered water. This includes ice cubes, sauces, and fresh fruits and vegetables washed with tap water. In Mexico, this doesn’t seem to be as much of a concern.

The reason for this is that locals avoid drinking tap water, so they wouldn’t make ice cubes out of it either. We’ve had ice in aguas frescas and cocktails and we’ve never gotten sick from it.

You should be able to safely drink ice water and other iced drinks at restaurants in Mexico, but if you’re truly concerned, then you can ask them to hold the ice. In our experience, some restaurants will ask if you want your drink with or without ice.

Is Coffee Safe in Mexico?

Coffee is safe to drink in Mexico for the same reason why ice is safe – it’s typically made with purified water. I drink coffee every day several times a day in Mexico – whether from Oxxo or cafes – and I’ve never gotten sick.

If you’re a coffeeholic like me, then drinking hot coffee shouldn’t be a concern in Mexico.

Are Aguas Frescas Safe in Mexico?

At almost every Mexican restaurant’s menu, you’ll find aguas frescas (or aguas de sabores) in the drinks section. These refer to non-alcoholic beverages made from fruits, flowers, seeds, or cereals mixed with water and sugar.

Like coffee or any other water-based beverage in Mexico, aguas frescas are safe to drink because they’re made with purified water.

Pictured below are tamarindo (tamarind) and maracuya (passionfruit) aguas frescas with ice from Comal, one of our favorite restaurants in Puebla.

Can you Brush Your Teeth with Tap Water in Mexico?

Yes, you can. Unless you’re drinking the foamy toothpaste water instead of spitting it out, then it’s perfectly safe to brush your teeth with tap water in Mexico.

Can you Shower with Tap Water in Mexico?

Yes, you can. Unless you’re drinking the shower water, then it’s perfectly safe to shower with tap water in Mexico. If you’re truly concerned, then you can shower with your mouth shut.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON DRINKING WATER IN MEXICO

I’ve tried thinking of every scenario where you have to ask yourself if it’s safe to drink the water in Mexico. There may be a few others that slipped my mind but the ones discussed in this article are the most common.

Based on my experience, the safety of drinking water is less of a concern in Mexico as it is in other countries like India. The fact that locals in Mexico don’t drink unfiltered tap water themselves definitely helps. Whenever we go to a restaurant, bar, or cafe, we’re personally never concerned about it.

The only time we’re ever truly conscious of it is when we’re back home at our Airbnb or hotel. We’ve learned that tap water, even after boiling, is unsafe to drink so we usually stock up on bottled water from our neighborhood Oxxo.

As long as you have a handy supply of bottled or filtered water, then you can drink water worry-free in Mexico.

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