Drinking Water in Peru: is it safe?
Have you ever considered what the drinking water in Peru is like?
When it comes to planning a trip around Peru, we mostly think about things like staying safe and how to get between destinations.
However it’s important to consider the smaller day-to-day things too such as drinking from safe water sources, given Peru is a third world country which doesn’t properly treat their public water systems.
In this guide we’ll explore whether it’s safe to drink tap water in Peru. We’ll also look at factors such as whether you can brush your teeth with tap water in Peru, and why using a water filter bottle is the best way of staying healthy from possible waterborne illnesses.
Drinking Water in Peru: Is it Safe?
Quick Answer: It’s important to only drink from sealed bottles of water that you buy in a shop or supermarket (or restaurants and hostels that boil water before use). This is because tap water can contain various bacteria or parasites which can make you very ill.
What happens if you drink tap water in Peru?
If you drink tap water in Peru then you run many risks. The lightest consequence that could happen is that you have some nausea which passes quickly.
However in other cases you may catch a bacterial or parasitic infection that you can get really ill from. This can result in either diarrhea or being sick, and can be even worse in some scenarios (requiring a trip to the local hospital).
Also remember that ice served in local restaurants can sometimes be made by tap water too (given they’ll want to save money), so take it easy on the ice!
We highly recommend using this Grayl UltraPress Water Filter and Purifier Bottle, which keeps your water safe for consumption.
Even better is that if you do need to drink from a less than ideal source for whatever reason (for example a camping trip), then the micro-mesh filter will drain out all potential bacteria.
Do Peruvians drink tap water?
Although Peruvians (and South Americans in general) have a better stomach for local foods and drinks, they still don’t drink it straight from the tap. Getting ill is still unavoidable, so they also buy sealed bottles of water.
Locals in poorer parts such as around Cusco or in the Amazon tend to boil local water sources before consumption, but again the general consensus among locals here is to not drink straight from the tap.
Can I brush my teeth with tap water in Peru?
I (George) have lived and traveled around all parts of Peru for over a year, and not once have I got ill from brushing my teeth with tap water. So it’s absolutely fine from my experience, as long as you are not swallowing any of the water.
If you tend to brush your teeth for a long time, or like to gargle then you’ll definitely want to use bottled water to prevent the risk of getting ill.
Is it OK to drink tap water in Peru?
Overall we highly recommend you not to do it. Bottled water is cheap in Peru, and trust us when we say that it’ll be more expensive to sort any health problems you get from getting ill, instead of having spent just a little bit more daily on a healthy water source.
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Drinking Water in Peru
And that’s all for this guide on drinking water in Peru.
This beautiful country is a must visit in South America, however it’s important to understand the smaller daily risks when traveling around.
Drinking tap water is definitely one of these, however there’s plenty of alternatives that we’ve mentioned to make sure you avoid catching any illnesses when on the road.
In this guide we’ve also looked at where your risks can be highest (for example in restaurants that you may otherwise not think about), and whether you can brush your teeth using tap water.
Are you planning on heading to Peru soon? Be sure to check out our detailed guide on backpacking Peru Itinerary for more ideas on which destinations to add to your trip.
👉🏽 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.
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