Can You Drink The Water In Oaxaca? 2023 Updates

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In the following post, I explain whether or not you can drink the water in Oaxaca, as well as the rest of Mexico, to help you on your backpacking trip.

This post covers everything you need to know about drinking water in Oaxaca and throughout Mexico.

When backpacking, you’ll find different countries have different rules for drinking water, and it’s important to know how safe it is in each country.

So, can you drink tap water in Oaxaca? Or in Mexico at all? Is it safe to brush your teeth in the water, drink ice, or coffee in Oaxaca?

Let’s get started!

Other backpacking Oaxaca posts:

• What To Wear in Oaxaca (That Isn’t Ugly) 2023 Guide
• Oaxaca Day of the Dead: Insider Guide + Tips For 2023!
• How To Get From Oaxaca To Mexico City (2023 Guide)
• How To Get From Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido (2023 Guide)

Can you drink the water in Oaxaca?

No. You cannot drink the water in Oaxaca. There is no tap water in Oaxaca that is safe to drink. Tap water throughout Mexico is not safe for human consumption, due to the filter systems. This means even the locals do not drink the tap water in Oaxaca.

When drinking water in Oaxaca, you need to either use a water filter bottle, buy bottles of filtered water or water tanks (garrafón de agua) in your accommodation. Some apartments and hostels have their own water coolers which are suitable for drinking.

In general, drinking tap water in Mexico will make you sick. As a backpacker or tourist, it is important to not drink the water in Oaxaca, or throughout Mexico.

Always ensure you carry a water filter bottle, so you can drink whenever needed (and not spend all of your money on water from the shop!)

Can locals drink the water in Oaxaca?

No, the locals cannot drink the water in Oaxaca, so you don’t have to worry about them giving you unfiltered water. The water in Mexico is not safe to drink for anyone, so there’s little to no chance of them offering you tap water in a bar or restaurant.

Even if the water you’ve ordered comes in a glass, it has been filtered. This happened a few times when we first arrived in Oaxaca, and I’ll be honest, I was reluctant to drink it! But I did, and it was fine, as all water served is filtered and safe to drink.

Locals will often have large water coolers (garrafón de agua) in their houses to drink from. This is filtered and safe to drink, and is similar to what restaurants and bars use.

However, as backpackers, carrying a huge 5-litre water tank around isn’t practical, so a water filter bottle is perfect!

Always, always carry a water filter bottle to ensure you lower your risk of getting sick to as little as possible.

Can I brush my teeth with the water in Oaxaca?

Yes. During our time living in Oaxaca, we used tap water to brush our teeth. However, we made sure not to swallow any or rinse in our mouths for too long.

Some backpackers and tourists choose to brush their teeth with filtered water, and that’s fine. Especially if you have a water filter bottle, it’s instant and you can filter your water just as quickly as running the tap.

We found it was not necessary to use filtered water to brush our teeth, and were never sick from this. But this is a personal preference, and down to you to decide.

TOP TIP: Instead of paying for a bottle of water in a restaurant, ask for filtered water in a glass. This will be free!

Can you drink the ice in Oaxaca?

Yes. The ice in Oaxaca and Mexico is safe to drink. This is because it has been filtered. As the locals themselves don’t drink unfiltered tap water, they also don’t make ice with it!

You can drink the ice in your cocktails or smoothies without any worry of getting sick.

If in doubt, look at what the locals are drinking. They don’t want to get sick either! Most will be drinking with ice in their drinks. This is safe, and will not make you sick.

Can you drink coffee or tea in Oaxaca?

Yes. Although tap water isn’t safe to consume in Oaxaca, boiled water is safe to drink. This means you can drink coffee, tea and other hot drinks without fear of getting sick.

However, one tip we used was to wait a minute or two before drinking any boiled water. When your water has boiled, leave it for 60-90 seconds, and then add it to your coffee or tea. Apparently, it helps with the taste (but as soon as the water is boiled, it’s safe, so this step isn’t necessary!)

Can I use tap water for cooking in Oaxaca?

Yes, as the water is boiled as you cook. Whilst staying in an Airbnb in Oaxaca, we frequently used tap water to cook pasta, rice and potatoes, without any issues or becoming sick.

Can I use tap water for washing up in Oaxaca?

Yes, just make sure it is hot and use washing-up liquid. Always make sure you have dried your plates and cutlery well before using them again, to eliminate any risk of consuming water residue.

What to do if you get sick from the water in Mexico

If you do accidentally drink tap water in Mexico and find yourself sick, don’t panic! It’s not going to kill you, but here are some steps to ensure you don’t get any worse.

NOTE: I am not a medical expert, so please seek further advice if you are worried!

If you experience diarrhoea or vomiting, make sure you stay topped up on regular filtered water and rest. If this persists, see a doctor. Doctors in Mexico are inexpensive, and some even have walk-in clinics to see someone straight away.

The biggest worry is becoming dehydrated, so make sure even if you feel unwell, you are drinking safe filtered water. Your doctor will let you know if you need any further tests.

Whilst living in Puerto Escondido, I did get the dreaded ‘Mexico belly’. We’re unsure what this was from (food, water, bacteria on hands). I was poorly for around 48 hours, and it was extremely uncomfortable!

I gave myself 48 hours before I would give in and see a doctor, but luckily after this time it seemed to disappear and I felt ok again. You know your own body and limits, so do whatever feels right for you!

Always, always carry a water filter bottle to ensure you lower your risk of getting sick to as little as possible.

Where to stay as a backpacker in Oaxaca

HEADS UP! If you want an in-depth guide about the best hostels in Oaxaca, check out my post: BEST Hostels in Oaxaca for Backpackers! (2023 Guide).

If you’re going to be in the city for the event, I recommend the following places to stay:

• El Cielo Oaxaca: backpackers and couples who want to be in the centre of Oaxaca, with a low-key socialising option as well as party vibes.
• Casa Angel Hostel: young backpackers who want to socialise, party and meet new people to explore with.
• Hostal Central: digital nomads in Oaxaca.

Oaxaca is one of the cheapest locations in Mexico for backpackers. Dorm rooms start at just £3 ($5) a night, and average at around £11 ($13).

Even private rooms are affordable in Oaxaca for budget backpackers, with some as low as £30 per night (depending on the time of year).

Best travel insurance for backpackers in Mexico

If you’re visiting Mexico as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.

Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.

I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.

If you need medical help at any point whilst in Mexico, you need travel insurance.

With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)

Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Mexico. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!

If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!

Where is Oaxaca? (+ Map)

Oaxaca is a state in southwestern Mexico. It is around a 6-7 hour ADO bus journey from Mexico City. It is bordered by Guerrero on the west, and Chiapas on the east.

Most backpackers visit Oaxaca for authentic Mexican cuisine, local traditions and late-night parties (it is the home of Mezcal after all – which, if you’re wondering, is incredibly strong in Oaxaca!). We were in Oaxaca City for the Day of the Dead festival, and it was one of the craziest and most fun festivals we’ve ever been to!

Can You Drink The Water In Oaxaca: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about drinking water in Oaxaca.

When you’re planning a trip to Oaxaca, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t come across my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently backpacking Mexico with my boyfriend (read more here!), whilst creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more Mexico content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x

Other Oaxaca posts:

• What To Wear in Oaxaca (That Isn’t Ugly) 2023 Guide
• Oaxaca Day of the Dead: Insider Guide + Tips For 2023!
• How To Get From Oaxaca To Mexico City (2023 Guide)
• BEST Hostels in Oaxaca for Backpackers! (2023 Guide)