Can You Drink the Water in Cancun?
Can you drink the water in Cancun? Can you drink ice in Cancun?
I recently returned from spending several days in Cancun and I tested the “waters”, so to speak, on whether or not it was safe to drink from the tap.
I brushed my teeth with it, drank from it, and even enjoyed my drinks with ice. Coming from the U.S. where we’re known for having sensitive digestive systems, I was pleased to find that I didn’t get sick in any manner!
Now, that doesn’t mean you should go drinking out of the tap all over Mexico, which is why I’ve curated this complete guide on what this means for you and how the water could affect you differently, tips for staying healthy during your Cancun vacation, and everything you need to know about potable water in Cancun, Mexico.
Can You Drink the Water in Cancun?
Technically, the water in Cancun does meet drinking water standards set by Mexico’s National Water Commission (CONAGUA), but if you aren’t used to drinking less-filtered water, then it could still have a negative impact on your health.
Tap water in Cancun is not recommended for consumption by tourists, and it’s always better to err on the side of caution.
Additionally, the issue with drinking tap water in Cancun is not always about the quality of the water itself, but rather the infrastructure and maintenance of the pipes. Older buildings and hotels may have outdated plumbing systems that could potentially contaminate the water.
The safest option is to stick to bottled water for drinking, brushing your teeth, and washing fruits and vegetables.
Tips for Staying Healthy During Your Vacation in Cancun
- Opt for Bottled Water: Opting for bottled water is often the safest method for ensuring your health while traveling around Cancun. It’s recommended for drinking, cooking, and brushing your teeth. Just make sure the seal is intact before purchasing!
- Avoid Ice in Drinks: Unless you’re certain the ice was made with purified water, it’s best to avoid it to reduce the risk of waterborne illnesses.
- Wash Fruits and Vegetables: Use bottled water to rinse fruits and vegetables before consumption, especially those you’re eating raw (i.e. apples, lettuce, etc.)
- Be Cautious with Street Food: Enjoying local cuisine is a major part of traveling for me, but I always prioritize eateries that have good reviews, have long lines, and are clearly keeping their hot food hot and their cold food cold.
It can be hard to tell if they’re using bottled or filtered water in their food preparation, so it’s best practice to avoid raw fruits and vegetables at street food stands. Do your research online ahead of time instead of just popping into random street food eateries (as tempting as they may be). - Listen to Your Body: If you start to feel unwell after consuming certain foods or drinks, stay hydrated with strictly bottled water and seek medical help if necessary.
We always make note of the nearby medical facility that accepts our travel insurance (SafetyWing) so we know exactly where to go in case something like this happens during our travels. - Use Water Filters or Purifiers: If you’re staying for an extended period, consider using water bottles fitted with special filters (LifeStraw is my favorite and came to Mexico with me) or water purification tablets specifically designed for travel.
- Consult Locals or Hotel Staff: If you’re unsure about whether or not the water is safe to drink where you are in Cancun, you can always seek advice from locals or hotel staff regarding the safest drinking options available in the area.
However, keep in mind that just because a local says the water is safe to drink for them does not mean the water is safe to drink for you!
If you want more information on how to ensure you’re following best safety practices regarding food and beverage consumption, consult the CDC’s Travelers’ Health Page.
What To Do if You Get Sick from Water in Cancun or Elsewhere in Mexico
If you do end up getting sick while in Cancun’s hotel zone, here’s what you should do:
- Dial your resort’s front desk number and ask them to send up some medication right away
- If they don’t have any, they’ll see if someone from the staff can pick some up, but expect this to be added to your room bill
- If they don’t have any, they’ll see if someone from the staff can pick some up, but expect this to be added to your room bill
- If your symptoms are very serious (i.e. extreme dehydration, fever, etc.), then you can ask the front desk to order you either an ambulance or a ride to the local hospital.
- If you’re in relatively bad condition but can still walk, the hospital I linked to can also technically be accessed on foot since it’s right along the peninsula. The distance may vary, however, so be sure to look at Google Maps before you depart!
If you end up getting sick while in another part of Mexico, here’s what you should do:
- Assess your symptoms and immediately look up the nearest hospital if you’re experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, and a fever since this can quickly cause severe dehydration.
- If your symptoms are less severe but you know you’ll still need medication, you can instead look up a major local pharmacy chain (Farmacia Guadalajara is often the most popular).
The local pharmacies often have their own walk-in clinics which allow you to be seen by a doctor and provided with your medication in an efficient and affordable manner!
- If your symptoms are less severe but you know you’ll still need medication, you can instead look up a major local pharmacy chain (Farmacia Guadalajara is often the most popular).
FAQ: Drinking Water in Cancun Mexico
In this section, we’ve answered some popular questions regarding water safety in Cancun including whether or not you should have ice in your drinks, if the water is safe to drink on the all-inclusive resorts, and more!
Can I Brush My Teeth with Tap Water in Cancun?
While many tourists have no issues brushing their teeth with the tap water in Cancun, it’s not generally recommended. However, it also depends on where you’ll be staying!
The hotel zone in Cancun generally provides filtered running water to all of the hotel rooms, whereas some hotels in downtown Cancun may not.
We stayed in an all-inclusive resort in Cancun’s hotel zone and used the tap water to brush my teeth with no ill effects.
Can You Have Ice in Cancun?
It’s generally not recommended to consume ice in Cancun unless you are certain it was made with purified water. I drank almost all of my beverages in my Cancun resort with ice with no ill effects, however, this doesn’t mean that you’ll be as lucky.
Unfortunately, everyone’s body may react differently to varying levels of bacteria and microorganisms in the water.
If you’ve done a lot of traveling and introduced your body to heightened levels of bacteria with numerous positive experiences, then you may have a similar experience to me, however, it’s generally recommended to play it safe and order your beverages without ice.
Is It Safe to Drink the Water at Cancun Resorts?
It’s generally safe to drink the water at all-inclusive resorts in Cancun as they typically have their own filtration systems in place. However, it’s always best to check with your resort specifically before consuming tap water.
If you’re still unsure, opt for bottled water instead!
What is in the Water in Mexico That Makes You Sick?
The water in Mexico typically has heightened levels of bacteria, parasites, and viruses due to the lack of proper filtration systems and unhygienic piping that carries the water around the country.
While everything we consume has some level of potentially illness-producing bacteria, when these levels pass a particular threshold they can cause unfortunate symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fevers, cold sweats, and full-body weakening.
Needless to say that these symptoms would like ruin your Mexico vacation, so it’s best to play it safe when deciding whether or not to consume something made with local tap water.
What Should I Not to Eat or Drink in Cancun, Mexico?
While there are many delicious and safe food options in Cancun, it’s best to avoid raw fruits and vegetables from street vendors or markets.
It’s also recommended to avoid drinks with ice, as mentioned previously. Stick to bottled or purified water and thoroughly cooked meals to reduce the risk of getting sick.
Is Coffee Safe to Drink in Cancun Mexico?
The coffee is not always safe to drink in Cancun, since it depends on whether or not the business uses clean, filtered water to prepare their beverages. As a coffee lover myself, I couldn’t resist indulging in some coffee while in Cancun on the all-inclusive resort.
However, I did refrain from purchasing coffee from local cafes (despite how much it pained me) since I couldn’t be certain of the water used in their preparations.
If you’re unsure or have a sensitive stomach but still need your daily fix, you can use bottled water when making your own instant coffee!
Is the Water in Most Restaurants Safe in Cancun?
Similar to the coffee situation, it’s best to use caution and avoid drinking tap water in local restaurants outside of your resort (assuming you’re staying in one).
While many restaurants and establishments do have their own filtration systems in place, many also don’t, so you’ll want to do some research on the individual restaurant and see if they’ve had any issues in the past with water-born illnesses.
If you’re unsure but still want to eat at a specific restaurant, order a beer (no ice) or bottled water and cooked foods instead of raw fruits and vegetables.
Should I Stick to Bottled Water in Cancun?
If you want to be nearly absolutely certain that you won’t fall ill from any water-born illnesses while visiting Cancun, it’s safest to stick to bottled water for everything outside of showering.
Keep in mind that this also means you wouldn’t be able to indulge in most prepared cocktails or any beverages (like locally-made fruit juices) that are prepared using a local water source, so you’ll be limiting your beverage intake to ice-less beer, wine, and bottled waters.
Can You Drink Boiled Tap Water in Mexico?
Unfortunately, boiling tap water in Mexico does not typically make it safe to drink since the bacteria levels are far too high to make safe for consumption, even by boiling.
If you’re completely out of bottled water, then you can boil tap water for at least five minutes, let it coo, then also use purification tablets to treat it.
This will give you the best chances of not getting sick, but there’s still no guarantee since even locals don’t typically drink the tap water is most parts of Mexico.
Other Helpful Mexico Resources
27+ Stylish Mexico Vacation Outfits for Men & Women
Is Cancun Expensive? The Ultimate Tourist Guide 2026
Souvenirs from Cancun: 36 Authentic Products & Gifts
While you can often drink the water in the Cancun hotel zone thanks to their filtration systems, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and avoid consuming tap water outside of your resort.
Stick to bottled water or drinks that don’t require ice to reduce the risk of getting sick during your Cancun vacation!
