Can You Drink the Water in Mexico? (The Answer Might Shock You)

If you’re traveling to Mexico soon, 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 either. So what can you do?

👉 As someone who’s lived in Mexico since 2018, I own, use and recommend Water-To-Go Bottles. I’ve also partnered with them, so make sure to use code SOLO15 for 15% OFF your purchase.

They not only filter your drinking water so you don’t get sick in Mexico, but also keep you hydrated. It’s a win-win!

Besides using this Water-To-Go Bottle, you can to boil your water, or drink bottled water — though single-use plastics are horrible for the planet ♻️

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, why the water in Mexico makes you sick, and if drinking Mexico tap water is safe.

Don’t worry — 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.

Know that this does mean “all humans,” including Mexico locals, Mexico visitors, and even Mexico expats like me.

On a personal note, I have lived in Mexico since 2018, and don’t drink unfiltered Mexico tap water. My Mexican husband also does not drink Mexican tap 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 have to boil it or use a filterable water bottle, like this Water-To-Go Bottle — and make sure to use code SOLO15 for 15% off your purchase 💸

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.

Some, but very few, hotels and homes in Mexico have water filters installed, but you can always check with your accommodations to see what they offer.

Taste-wise and reputation-wise, many say the best water in Mexico is from one of these three companies: Epura, Bonafont or Ciel.

Though these three companies have a good reputation overall, that’s in no way a guarantee that you won’t get sick.

Regardless of brand you choose, 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.

The Real BEST Water in Mexico

For the best chance on how to NOT get sick in Mexico on your vacation, consider boiling the tap water.

Then, go one step further and run 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 — IMO, this is the closest thing to a guarantee you’ll drink clean water in Mexico.

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 ♻️, according to the Water-To-Go website.

One of these crucial areas within that national infrastructure is the tap water system purification.

This leads many to want to know, Why is the water in Mexico not safe to drink?

First off, waterborne illness isn’t exclusive to Mexico, and you can get sick from water anywhere in the world.

This is because water is a really 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 to consume straight from the tap.

👍 For this reason, I always recommend Mexico travelers pick up this Water-To-Go Bottle with a built-in filter, which I use myself.

What is in the water in Mexico that makes you sick?

Just like in the U.S., tap water in Mexico has 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. or home country (*not necessarily worse; just different).

Your body can tolerate the ones it’s used to, but unfamiliar ones can lead to getting sick in Mexico with Montezuma’s Revenge or other ailments.

What bacteria is in Mexico water?

In short, there’s no one type of bacteria exclusive to Mexico water.

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.

Some types of microorganisms in Mexico water can include giardia, E. coli, shigella, cryptosporidium, norovirus and salmonella, though there are others.

According to the Water-To-Go website, their 3-in-1 filter membrane removes 99.9999% of all water-borne contaminants (including the ones listed above) which is why I use this bottle myself.

🇲🇽 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 to properly filter it.

TD, for short, is not exclusive to Mexico, and can happen to any traveler in any country — no matter their water filtration standards.

🇮🇳 In India, TD is often called Delhi Belly; in 🇮🇩 Bali, Indonesia, it’s called Bali Belly; and in 🇪🇬 Egypt, it’s called Pharaoh’s Revenge.

In short, be cautious in Mexico, but know waterborne illnesses occur to anyone, anywhere in the world.

What causes Traveler’s Diarrhea (TD)?

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 these probiotic supplements (or similar ones).

Some people are lucky and have it for 12 hours, but for others, it can last several days.

My Personal Take on Drinking Mexico’s Water

I live in Mexico, and run four 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.

However, if you’re one of the unlucky ones that gets sick in Mexico, there are few worse things that can happen on your vacation.

For this reason, I highly recommend travelers get this Water-To-Go Bottle before you visit Mexico.

If you’re making a delicious Mexican soup or pasta, you’re completely fine to cook with Mexico tap water, since you kill the microorganisms off in the boiling process.

Ice in Mexico, however, is a different story — as you’ll see below.

Are salads safe in Mexico? (And is fresh produce safe to consume?)

You may have come across info saying Don’t eat salads in Mexico. However, this is untrue; or at least not universally true.

Many assume that since raw veggies are only run under tap water to clean them in the U.S. and other countries, 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 food in water that isn’t, well, clean.

Rather, many use a vinegar-water mixture, warm soapy water, and/or this store-bought produce wash to clean fresh fruits and veggies.

Just use plenty of dish soap and warm water, and you’re good to go with clean dishes using Mexico tap water.

As mentioned, locals don’t drink the tap water — and they don’t make ice cubes with it either.

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.

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.

Some of the most upscale 5 Star Mexico resorts and expensive Mexico Airbnbs 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.

• Can you drink the water in Cancun Mexico? No!
• Can you drink the water in Tulum Mexico? No!
• Can you drink the water in Cabo San Lucas Mexico? No!
• Can you drink the water in Riviera Maya Mexico? No!
• Can you drink the water in Playa del Carmen Mexico? No!

⚠️ Note: Beware of Dehydration on Mexico Beaches

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.

To go the extra mile, some people 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.

This question just might come from an episode of Sex & the City where Charlotte opens her mouth in the shower by accident, swallows a mouthful of water, and gets really sick in Mexico.

As this scene was dramatized for a comedic show, it likely wouldn’t play out like that in real life.

Still, don’t take chances, and avoid drinking drink shower water in Mexico — but also, don’t panic if some splashes into your mouth when you do.

What to Do if You Get Sick From Water in Mexico

If you’re very sick, go to the nearest hospital immediately. For an ambulance, call 9-1-1 from any phone.

However, if it’s not a medical emergency, you still may want to go see a doctor ASAP — especially if you’re vomiting or have diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration.

Below, I’ll explain how to do see a doctor in Mexico without an appointment and without insurance (though I recommend getting Mexico travel insurance).

How to See a Doctor in Mexico

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 (or a maps app), find one of the big chain pharmacies near you, and go straight there.

These best Mexico farmacias include these:

Once there, you’ll head to their walk-in clinics, which are called consultorios. Not all farmacias have these clinics, but most do.

Usually within 15 minutes or so, a doctor will see you, and assess your symptoms.

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.

One of My Personal Experiences Seeing a Doctor in Mexico at a Consultorio

I was bit by a spider while traveling to Bacalar, Mexico — and while it wasn’t too terrible, I knew I needed antibiotics because it wasn’t healing on its own.

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 $8 USD 😳

🇲🇽 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.

• 📲 Google Translate in the App Store
• 📲 Google Translate in the Google Play Store

Drinking Water in Mexico to Avoid Dehydration

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 to combat Mexico’s heat.

So if you didn’t already add this reusable Water-To-Go Bottle to your cart, preventing dehydration is one more great reason to purchase yours now (and don’t forget to use my special discount 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, which means Mother Earth (and your wallet) will thank you.

My Final Thoughts on Drinking Water in Mexico

As you now know, no one drinks tap water in Mexico because tap water in Mexico isn’t safe to drink.

I recommend using this Water-To-Go Bottle, which filters 99.999999% of bacteria, viruses, toxins and microplastics. 🤑 Remember to use code SOLO15 for 15% off your entire purchase.

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 throughout the day.

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.