Drinking Water in Colombia: is it safe?
Have you ever thought about what the drinking water in Colombia is like?
Most travelers heading to Colombia often worry about crime when thinking about how they can stay safe, however they don’t really think about how they can drink water safely which is just as big of a risk.
Given much of Latin America has issues with water infections, it’s really important to first know if you can drink from public sources before coming here.
In this guide we’ll explore whether it’s safe to drink tap water in Colombia. We’ll also look at other things such as brushing your teeth with tap water, and why using a water filter bottle is the very best way of staying healthy from possible waterborne illnesses.
Can You Drink the Water in Colombia?
Quick Answer: Much of Colombia still remains off-limits when it comes to drinking tap water. This is especially true along the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, as well as further in-land around the jungle.
There are however some cities like Medellín and Bogotá which are reportedly safe in areas, so if heading to these then be sure to do extra research before drinking up.
Do people from Colombia drink tap water?
Like with other South American countries such as Peru, you’ll find that some locals here in Colombia do drink tap water (boiled or not boiled).
This is definitely the case in the big cities where it’s safer, but on the coasts it’s generally avoided since there’s a bigger risk of infection. There are of course other factors at play too, such as the particular area within the city as well as socio-economic status.
What happens if you accidentally drink tap water in Colombia?
It really depends where you drink it. In the more developed cities like Bogotá and Medellín you may actually be fine. This is because the water systems are treated in many areas, although you may notice the taste is a bit different.
If you accidentally drink tap water anywhere else (such as Santa Marta and Cartagena which are located on the coast), then it’s vital to go straight to a pharmacy if you feel ill so you can begin any necessary treatments.
Can you brush your teeth with tap water in Colombia?
Regardless of where you are this is fine, however only if you follow the following two tips. The first is that you never gargle or swallow tap water, and instead use it sparingly to rinse out your mouth after brushing or flossing.
The second is that you follow this with a rinse using bottled water just to be extra safe. We’d still recommend following this above practice even in more developed areas or hotels, as you never really know what they’re using at the end of the day.
Our suggestion for drinking water in Colombia
Here are some of our top water tips for those who are heading to Colombia soon:
Preferably stick to bottled water throughout your trip. If you will drink tap water, it’s best to boil it before just to be extra safe.
You can brush your teeth with tap water, however we recommend having an extra rinse after with bottled water.
Avoid getting ice in your drink, and especially so along the coasts (it’s harder we know as it’s really hot – but the risks are higher here).
Be careful with ordering salads or unpeeled vegetables, as they may have been washed with tap water.
We highly recommend using the Grayl UltraPress Water Filter and Purifier Bottle, which will be a lifesaver when traveling through Colombia (especially within the coast and jungle regions, and also on longer multi-day treks)
Got Travel Insurance for Colombia?
Drinking Water in Colombia: Is It Safe?
And that’s all for this guide on drinking water in Colombia.
This spicy nation remains one of the most popular for a visit in Latin America, where we can dive into the local culture, enjoy unique landscapes and also relax on some world-class beaches.
Drinking water in Colombia is actually safer than you might think, and especially so in big cities like Bogotá and Medellín. However you’ll still need to be careful and follow our tips shared in this article in order to stay healthy when traveling around.
In this guide we’ve also looked at what to do if you accidentally drink tap water in the more remote areas, as well as whether you can brush your teeth with tap water in Colombia.
Be sure to read our Backpacking Colombia Itinerary for more ideas on what to see and do when traveling in this epic South American nation.
👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.
“Dear traveler! Some links in this post contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, book a hostel or sign up for a tour, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support means a lot and helps us to carry on traveling and maintaining the quality of this site for you.”
