Can you drink the tap water?
Tap water in Mexico: stick to the bottle
Don't drink tap water in Mexico. It's treated at source but often contaminated by old pipes and storage tanks. Resorts usually use purified water for ice and cooking, and supply bottles in your room.
- Tap water safe
- Safe in cities
- Drink bottled
Locals buy big 20-litre jugs (garrafones) of purified water, and so do hotels and restaurants. TravelHealthPro also warns of cyclospora, a parasite spread by fresh produce, so be choosy about salads and berries.
Where it differs
- All-inclusive resortsSafe in cities
Purified water for ice and drinks. Still avoid drinking from the bathroom tap.
- Mexico City and townsDrink bottled
Bottled or garrafón water only.
- Street foodDrink bottled
Popular, busy stalls are usually fine. Skip the agua fresca with ice.
What to drink in Mexico
- Bottled or garrafón water. Hotels often have a big jug of purified water in the room or corridor.
- Ice in resorts and established restaurants, which is almost always made from purified water.
- Bottled soft drinks and beer. Wipe the rim before drinking from it.
- Coffee and tea, made with boiled water.
Street food without the stomach ache
Tacos al pastor and tamales from busy stalls are one of the joys of Mexico, and the hot food is generally fine. The risks are the extras: salsas, chopped coriander, salads and fruit cups that may have been washed in tap water. Choose stalls with a queue of locals and food cooked in front of you.
Before you go
- Ask for 'agua purificada' if unsure.
- Pack rehydration sachets.
Official advice: FCDO health advice for Mexico
Stay and do
Ready to book Mexico? Compare places to stay and things to do.
We may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our ratings.