Depending on your destination country in Latin America, it can be hard to determine whether tap water is safe to drink. To avoid any issues, many international travelers simply drink bottled water during their stay. Aside from the mounting cost of purchasing water for the whole party, it also can generate a large amount of plastic waste each day.
We spoke to our dedicated concierge, Gerardo, about where the water comes from in Costa Rica, if it’s safe to drink and what to do if you don’t feel comfortable drinking the water here.
Can you drink the water in Costa Rica?
Yes. It’s completely safe to drink the tap water over the majority of the country. That includes your luxury vacation rentals in Guanacaste! Costa Rica is quite notable in Latin America as 92.5% of the population has access to drinking water. The local government here has worked closely with the National Water Institution “Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados” (AyA) to create an extensive piped water infrastructure that reaches both cities and rural areas of the country. They have done this by maximizing their natural resources, raising up community-based operators, as well as implementing new projects that improve the reach of the program. As a result, the water here is incredibly pure – and the local authorities are constantly seeking out new technologies to continue to build on their high standards. If you run the water from the tap here, you’ll find that it runs clear as it’s been filtered multiple times.
What about Peninsula Papagayo?
Peninsula Papagayo has four wells that collect local freshwater, as well as a direct water supply from the National Water Institution, AyA. The region also has its own dedicated water purification plant onsite, where water is disinfected by chlorination and purified using a reverse osmosis process. It’s then pumped to distribute around the peninsula. There is a dedicated sustainability team that runs thousands of tests on potable water throughout the year, as well as daily monitoring of resources via smart meters – so you can rest assured that you’re in safe hands.
It’s worth noting that the water contains a higher concentration of minerals and chlorine in the water than in neighboring countries, so some people notice that it tastes slightly different to the water they’re used to drinking at home. The water is hard, as opposed to soft, and fluoride is not added as standard.
Is it safe to drink tap water in Guanacaste resorts?
Absolutely. As drinking water is sourced from the purified and filtered resources on Peninsula Papagayo, the drinking water is also safe to consume in local resorts. So you can also safely enjoy eating raw fruits and vegetables, as well as freshly pressed fruit juices. Many properties here also have their own individual filters to further enhance water purity, and all fridges filter water as standard too.
As part of your welcome package at the villa, you’ll also be gifted a stylish and reusable aluminum bottle designed by RainForest Water as a sustainable alternative to single use plastic bottles. So you can easily fill it up with tap water at home – or at one of the refilling stations across the Peninsula resorts – before venturing out to explore all that the area has to offer. The bottles are yours to keep, so the beautiful flora designs are bound to bring back memories of Pura Vida when you’ve returned back home, too.
Is bottled water widely available?
If you prefer to drink bottled water during your stay, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s available widely – even in the most rural areas of the country. It’s also relatively low cost compared to other countries around the world. It’s also possible to purchase water by the gallon, which will reduce the amount of plastic bottles that you will go through. When using bottled water, we encourage you to recycle any plastic waste. The good news is that the majority of local venues offer recycling points on their premises. Of course, you’ll also find recycling points within your luxury vacation rental too.
Have a specific question about your upcoming trip to Peninsula Papagayo? Our dedicated concierge team is always on hand to answer your queries and handle all the little details of your vacation – so you can focus on being present in the moment with the people that matter most to you.
It's completely safe to drink the tap water over the majority of the country. That includes your luxury vacation rentals in Guanacaste! Costa Rica is quite notable in Latin America as 92.5% of the population has access to drinking water.
The water used for bathing and brushing one's teeth is not safe to drink, and most of the time it's fine — but on that rare occasion it's not. The water is known to be good in most parts of Costa Rica, but regardless, it's always good to check with locals to make sure the water is okay to drink.
Exploring Costa Rica can be thirsty work and while it's generally considered safe to drink the country's water, it's still recommended you pack your own reusable drink bottle and fill it up with filtered water throughout your travels.
Although drinking water in Costa Rica is in adequate supply, sanitation management, particularly in rural areas, is highly lacking. Rivers carry high levels of pollutants and could be a significant source of disease.
Yes, the water in Costa Rica, especially in Jaco and Los Suenos is perfectly safe to drink. As well as the ice served in restaurants. It is made from filtered, purified water.
Additionally, Costa Rica's rich culinary heritage is embedded in its food safety practices. Traditional culinary techniques and recipes that have been passed down through generations contribute to the overall safety and quality of the cuisine.
Unlike the USA, all Costa Rican restaurants automatically add a 10% gratuity to your bill before it's given to you, in addition to the 13% tax. In Costa Rican eateries, tipping is optional. However, offering an additional sum is polite if you feel your server exceeded expectations or went the extra mile with your meal.
10 Ways to not get sick from Montezuma's revenge, traveler's diarrhea, and other related ailments while traveling. Contaminated food and drink are most common ways to get an infection. Remember: This is IF the tap water is not safe to drink in the area you are visiting.
Fashion or designer clothing unless you have planned a special event or arranged for a formal dinner. Flashy jewelry - and also, do not ever leave jewelry out in a hotel or Airbnb. Always be sure to use your room safe if you are not wearing your jewelry.
Credit cards are accepted nearly everywhere in Costa Rica so you don't have to bring a ton of cash. However, you do need to have some cash with you. This is because there are many businesses that don't accept credit cards.
Tap water is safe to drink in most areas of Costa Rica. However, we recommend bottled water if you have a sensitive stomach. Bottled water is available at all small stores for around 500 colones ($1 USD) for a 20 ounce bottle.
While sipping a cerveza on the beach sounds tempting, consuming alcohol in public places is not allowed; the police on the beach will hardly notice you, but if you are on the street with a beer in your hands and do not behave properly, you will get into trouble.
Population with access to clean drinking water in Latin America 2022, by country. In Chile, almost all the population had access to safely managed drinking water, the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean together with Martinique and Puerto Rico.
Introduction: My name is Trent Wehner, I am a talented, brainy, zealous, light, funny, gleaming, attractive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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