Tap water in Costa Rica

Generally safe to drink

The WHO and UNICEF put safely managed drinking water within reach of 94% of people in Costa Rica. National figures describe a country, not the tap in front of you.

What the sources say

WHO / UNICEF JMP

94% of the population has safely managed drinking water, meaning it is free from contamination at the point of use.

Coverage splits by where you are: 96% in urban areas against 84% in rural ones.

US CDC Travelers' Health

Advises travellers that tap water is generally safe to drink in Costa Rica.

Numbeo

81.02/100 on the water drinkability and accessibility index, which Numbeo reads as “Very high”. This one is crowdsourced from residents rather than measured.

Lonely Planet

It’s generally safe to drink tap water in Costa Rica, except in the most rural and undeveloped parts of the country. However, if you prefer to be cautious, buying bottled water is your...

It’s generally safe to drink tap water in Costa Rica, except in the most rural and undeveloped parts of the country. However, if you prefer to be cautious, buying bottled water is your best bet. If you have the means, vigorous boiling for one minute is the most effective means of water purification. At altitudes greater than 2000m, boil for three minutes. Another option is to disinfect water with iodine pills: add 2% tincture of iodine to 1L of water (five drops to clear water, 10 drops to cloudy water) and let stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cold, longer times may be required. Alternatively, carry a SteriPen that destroys most bacteria, viruses and protozoa with UV light.

Safe nationally still means ask locally. Older buildings can carry lead or copper pipework, and a single street can differ from the network feeding it. If you are staying somewhere old, ask your host.

What bottled water costs you here

Drinking tap water instead of bottled would save one adult about 1679$ a year in Costa Rica, and keep several hundred plastic bottles out of circulation.

Work out your own saving

Places in Costa Rica

Water quality is local. These places have their own readings.

Elsewhere in North America