Costa Rica’s Water: Safe to Drink or Buy Bottled?

This series of posts answers common questions for travelers visiting Costa Rica. Today, we’ll cover the safety of local tap water. This is a common concern and for good reason. In this post, we’ll explore whether Costa Rica’s tap water is safe to drink, which areas to avoid it, and smart alternatives for clean drinking water.

Is Costa Rica’s Tap Water Generally Safe?

The short answer: Yes, in most areas, but it depends on where you are.

Costa Rica has some of the highest quality tap water in Central America. Costa Rica’s water and sewer authority (Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados – AyA) conducts regular testing to ensure water quality meets safety standards throughout most of the country.

Many water sources in Costa Rica originate from pristine mountain springs, which are naturally filtered and then further treated by the AyA or smaller local water associations (ASADAs). This results in water that is generally safe for drinking in many popular tourist destinations.

Where Is Tap Water Safe in Costa Rica?

The following major tourist destinations typically have safe drinking water:

• La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano area)
• Monteverde (cloud forest region)
• Uvita and Dominical (south Pacific coast)
• Jaco (central Pacific coast)
• Manuel Antonio (central Pacific)
• Samara (southern Guanacaste)
• Towns on the Osa Peninsula (though properties deep in the jungle may vary)
• Bijagua/Rio Celeste area (Northern Zone)
• San Gerardo de Dota or Rivas (southern mountains)

In these locations, most visitors can drink tap water without concerns. Most local residents drink it daily without issues.

Where to Avoid Drinking Tap Water in Costa Rica

Despite the overall good quality, some regions have water systems that may not be as reliable:

Northern Guanacaste

Popular beach towns like Tamarindo, Flamingo, Brasilito, Potrero, Playa Hermosa, and Playas del Coco face seasonal water shortages, especially during parts of the dry season (December to April). During these periods, water is often trucked in from other parts of the country, and quality control may be less stringent.

We generally recommend drinking bottled or filtered water along most of the Guanacaste coast.

Caribbean Coast

Towns on the Caribbean coastline often rely on wells, which usually contain high levels of minerals and silt. While not necessarily harmful, they can cause stomach problems for visitors. We always drink filtered water when visiting the Caribbean coast.

Central Pacific Coast

Some towns south of Jaco from Esterillos Oeste to Bejuco have experienced ongoing water quality issues for several years. We have lived in this area and definitely do not recommend drinking tap water.

Greater Metropolitan Area (San Jose)

Parts of the San Jose metropolitan area experienced a significant contamination issue in early 2024, when xylenes (hydrocarbons) were detected in the water supply of five cantons: Tibás, Moravia, Goicoechea, San José, and Montes de Oca. This affected over 100,000 residents for about 10 days.

While this issue has been resolved, it shows that even urban areas can experience unexpected water quality problems.

Overall, the water in and around San Jose is very chlorinated and not pleasant to drink, so we prefer bottled anyway.

Other Places for Bottled  

A few other places where we would likely go with bottled water because we are unsure of the quality include:

• Montezuma (Nicoya Peninsula)
• Santa Teresa (Nicoya Peninsula)
• Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui (Caribbean lowlands)

Note: If you have information on any of the areas we mention in this post, feel free to leave a comment below with your local knowledge.

Remote Properties

If you’re staying in a secluded jungle lodge, eco-retreat, or rural property, the water may come from private wells or springs and could be stored in tanks. These sources are supposed to be regulated but might not be up to date with testing requirements.

It’s best to ask the property management about water safety in these places or use extra precautions.

What About Hotels and Vacation Rentals?

Many hotels and private rentals in Costa Rica have taken additional steps to ensure clean drinking water for guests:

• Filtration Systems: Higher-end accommodations often install elaborate water filtration systems to provide clean drinking water directly from the tap.
• Bottled Water Service: Many hotels provide complimentary bottled water or have refill stations available for guests.
• Water Dispensers: Some vacation rentals offer water dispensers with 5-gallon jugs for guest use.

If you’re uncertain about the tap water at your accommodation, don’t hesitate to ask the staff or property manager about water safety. If they give you a laidback answer (“sure, don’t worry”), you may want to drink bottled or use a water filter, just in case.

Signs of Unsafe Tap Water

When determining whether to drink the local tap water, look out for these warning signs:

• Cloudy appearance or visible particles
• Unusual odor or taste
• Discoloration (yellow, brown, or reddish tints)
• Local residents who are themselves drinking bottled water

If you notice any of these, it’s better to err on the side of caution and opt for bottled or filtered water.

Sustainable Alternatives to Bottled Water

With hundreds of thousands of tourists visiting Costa Rica annually, plastic water bottle usage puts a big strain on the country’s waste management systems, which currently don’t have adequate recycling facilites.

Costa Rica is also trying to move away from single-use plastics – many types have been banned since 2024.

We see tourists at the grocery store buying large cases of plastic bottles all the time. Since we live here, we know those are going right into the landfill. 

Here are some more sustainable options.

Refillable Water Bottles

Bring your own reusable water bottle from home and refill it from safe sources throughout your trip. Many lodges, restaurants, and tour operators offer filtered water refill stations.

Large Water Jugs

Instead of purchasing dozens of small bottles, buy larger containers from local grocery stores:

• 5-gallon jugs: Also called a bidón de agua in Spanish, this is the most economical option for longer stays. You’ll pay a deposit for the container (approximately $10), which is refundable when you return it to the same store with your receipt. The water itself costs around $8-10. If you don’t see the bottles in the front of the store, just ask. They are often stored in the back.
• Multi-liter bottles: For shorter stays, 4- to 6-liter bottles offer a good middle ground between convenience and reducing plastic waste.

Water Filtration Options

For practical travelers or those visiting remote areas:

• Filtering Water Bottles: Bottles with built-in filtration systems (such as LifeStraw) allow you to drink from almost any water source safely. They remove bacteria, parasites, and even chlorine.
• Portable Water Filters: Products like Sawyer gravity filters can turn bad tap water into safe drinking water. These systems are a bit bulky but might be worth packing for a longer stay.
• Water Purification Tablets: These are more for emergency situations or camping but are cheap, lightweight, and nice to have in a pinch.

Frequently Asked Questions About Costa Rica’s Water