Can You Drink The Water In Puerto Escondido? 2023 Updates

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In the following post, I explain whether or not you can drink the water in Puerto Escondido, 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 Puerto Escondido 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 Puerto Escondido? Or in Mexico at all? Is it safe to brush your teeth in the water, drink ice, or coffee in Puerto Escondido?

Let’s get started!

Psst! I have lots more videos and photos of Puerto Escondido over on my Instagram. If you want to check them out, they’re all saved in my highlights! You can follow me here!

Other Puerto Escondido posts:

• Getting Around Puerto Escondido in 2022: A Complete Guide
• Turtle Release Puerto Escondido, Playa Bacocho (2022)

Can you drink the water in Puerto Escondido?

No. You cannot drink the water in Puerto Escondido. There is no tap water in Puerto Escondido 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 Puerto Escondido.

When drinking water in Puerto Escondido, 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 Puerto Escondido, 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!)

Buy your water filter bottle here!

Can locals drink the water in Puerto Escondido?

No, the locals cannot drink the water in Puerto Escondido, 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 Puerto Escondido, 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!

Booking buses in Mexico? I highly recommend the ADO bus when moving from place to place. It’s safe, clean, modern and has toilets! You can compare prices and book tickets here.

Can I brush my teeth with the water in Puerto Escondido?

Yes. During our time living in Puerto Escondido, 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 Puerto Escondido?

Yes. The ice in Puerto Escondido 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.

Backpacking Mexico? Make sure you check out my travel resources for everything you will need on your trip (and some great ways to save money!)

Can you drink coffee or tea in Puerto Escondido?

Yes. Although tap water isn’t safe to consume, 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!)

The tap water in Puerto Escondido and Mexico is not safe to drink. Make sure you carry a water filter bottle with you wherever you go, to avoid dehydration and getting sick. It filters instantly, so you can drink from any water source across the country!

Can I use tap water for cooking in Puerto Escondido?

Yes, as the water is boiled as you cook. Whilst living in Puerto Escondido, we frequently used tap water to cook pasta, rice and potatoes, without any issues or becoming sick.

Looking to hire a car in Mexico? We’ve driven all over Quintana Roo, and recommend it as one of the safest ways to travel. Use this company for the best prices!

Can I use tap water for washing up in Puerto Escondido?

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.

The tap water in Puerto Escondido and Mexico is not safe to drink. Make sure you carry a water filter bottle with you wherever you go, to avoid dehydration and getting sick. It filters instantly, so you can drink from any water source across the country!

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.

Buy your water filter bottle here!

Where to stay in Puerto Escondido

🛏️ Best hostel in Puerto Escondido for backpackers: Book here

If you’re a solo traveller and looking to party in Puerto Escondido, I recommend this hostel in La Punta. It’s known for its wild events and activities, has its own pool and isn’t far from the beach.

If you’re not a solo traveller in Puerto Escondido, I actually recommend staying out of La Punta. It depends on the vibe you’re looking for, but we found La Punta to be centred around backpackers and partying. If you need a bit of a calmer vibe (still with a good atmosphere of course!) I recommend either Rinconada, Centro or Zicatela.

Getting around Puerto Escondido is easy, and if you prefer one area to another, taxis are cheap and widely available.

Best apartment in Rinconada, Puerto Escondido: Book here

Bungalow in Centro, Puerto Escondido: Book here

Apartment in Zicatela, Puerto Escondido: Book here

Can You Drink The Water In Puerto Escondido: In a Nutshell

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

When you’re planning a trip to Puerto Escondido, 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 Puerto Escondido posts:

• Turtle Release Puerto Escondido, Playa Bacocho (2022)
• Getting Around Puerto Escondido in 2022: A Complete Guide