Can You Drink Tap Water in Medellin? What You Need to Know!

When traveling, it’s important to know whether the local tap water is safe to drink, as this affects your health and overall travel experience. In this blog, we will dive deeper into tap water quality in Medellin and offer tips on staying hydrated while enjoying the vibrant culture and breathtaking scenery of this once most dangerous city in the world! Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first trip to Medellin, this guide will equip you with all the necessary information to make an informed decision. Join me in this post to delve deep into the question: Can you drink tap water in Medellin?

Medellin

Medellin, Colombia

Medellin, once notorious for its turbulent drug past, has transformed in recent years into one of the most innovative and vibrant cities in South America. Located in the Aburra Valley of Colombia’s Antioquia region, it offers a great mix of urban hangouts and natural beauty.

Medellin is known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” because of its mild climate that offers year-round enjoyment of its many parks, like the wonderful Jardin Botanico, and other outdoor activities.

One of the highlights of visiting Medellin is taking a tour of Comuna 13, one of the areas in Medellin that was especially affected by the drug war in the 1990s. If you visit, be sure to do it with a local tour company so your travel money will benefit the local community. I recommend Zippy Tour.

Furthermore, there’s a lovely local vegan food scene in Medellin that you definitely need to check out!

→ Also read: Is Medellin Safe to Visit? What You Need to Know!

CAn you drink tap water in Medellin

Yes, you can drink the tap water in Medellin. The city is known for its high-quality tap water, which is safe to drink for both locals and tourists.

Medellin’s public utility company, EPM (Empresas Púublicas de Medellín), makes sure that the water meets strict safety standards before it reaches the tap.

This makes it unnecessary to buy bottled water, allowing you, as a conscious traveler, to enjoy the convenience of getting water straight from the tap into your eco-friendly water bottle.

Is Medellin tap water safe to drink

Plaza Botero, La Candelaria, Medellin, Colombia

Yes, it is generally safe to drink tap water in Medellin. The city’s water supply is treated and is considered to meet international quality standards.

However, it’s important to note that, while the water is technically safe to drink, you may still experience mild stomach discomfort due to differences in water composition. This is a common occurrence when traveling to different regions and is not necessarily indicative of water quality issues.

If you have a sensitive stomach, like I have, or prefer to be extra cautious, using bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth is a good alternative.

Additionally, it’s always a good idea to check with locals or at your place of accommodation upon arrival for the most current advice on water consumption.

Also, do note that the tap water in Colombia is generally not potable! Aside from bigger cities, like Bogota, Medellin, and Cali, do not risk drinking tap water unless it has been filtered and purified.

The tap water in Guatape, however, is of decent quality and is potable.

→ Also read: Cocora Valley, Colombia: All You Need to Know

Is water free at restaurants in Colombia

soup with seaweed and mushrooms, a vegan dish in Colombia

In Colombia, including in restaurants, water is not customarily provided for free as it is in some other countries like the US and France. Typically, if you ask for water in a restaurant, they will provide bottled water as a service, which is not free.

While tap water in many Colombian cities, including Medellin, is considered safe to drink, it’s not a common practice for restaurants to serve tap water to guests. This is partly due to cultural preferences and the fact that locals often prefer bottled water, especially when dining out.

If you are looking to save money on water while dining out in Colombia, you could consider carrying a reusable water bottle and filling it with tap water if you’re comfortable with its quality. However, do check with locals or your accommodation about the safety of tap water in the area you’re visiting.

That said, local restaurants may not serve free tap water but a free drink is most of the time included in the price if you order a cheap menu del dia. A menu del dia includes soup, a main course, dessert and a drink and costs range from 10 000 to 20 000 COP.

The drink is often a fresh fruit juice (mixed with water), agua panela (water with lime and unrefined whole cane sugar) or a cold aromatic (herbal tea).

Adantages of drinking tap water in Medellin

Comuna 13 grafitti, Medellin, Colombia

Drinking tap water in Medellin, where it is considered safe for consumption, offers several advantages:

Costs: Tap water is much more affordable than constantly buying bottled water. This can lead to substantial savings over time, especially if you are staying in Medellin for an extended period as an expat or digital nomad.
It benefits the environment: Choosing tap water reduces the demand for bottled water, which in turn lowers plastic waste and the environmental impact associated with plastic bottle production, transportation, and disposal.
Convenience: Having access to safe drinking water directly from the tap means you can easily stay hydrated without the need to look for and purchase bottled water. This is handy when you arrive in a city after all the stores have closed and it might be hard to get your hands on bottled water.
Safe quality water: Medellin’s tap water is known for its high quality. The local water utility, EPM, uses advanced treatment processes to make sure the water meets or exceeds health and safety standards. This makes it safe for consumption without the need for additional filtration.

Just a gentle reminder again that the tap water can cause mild stomach cramps when drinking it for the first time. It’s nothing to worry about but it can happen if you have a sensitive stomach.

→ Also read: Silvia, Colombia: The Guambiano Market & More Travel Tips

Awesome sustainable water bottles

When you want to buy a water bottle for your trip, ensure you buy one that is eco-friendly and/or recyclable. Here are some sustainable water bottle brands that are doing their bit for the environment.

Klean Kanteen: Klean Kanteen offers a wide range of stainless steel bottles, cups, and containers. They prioritize sustainability and have a commitment to using eco-friendly materials.
Dopper: Dopper bottles are made out of ocean plastic and can be recycled if you would ever decide not to use them anymore. They invest an amount of their profit in drinking water projects across the globe.
Tree Tribe: Tree Tribe offers stainless steel and bamboo water bottles. They have a strong commitment to reforestation and environmental conservation.

If you’re still not sure whether you should drink the tap water in Medellin, you can always buy a Lifestraw bottle to filter out the water even more.

THE BEST TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR COLOMBIA SOUTH AMERICA

Here are the websites I use when I travel to Colombia:

ACCOMMODATION

Booking.com: For the best guesthouses, homestays, or small hotels

Hostelworld: To find the best hostels located in the cities

Homestay: For a unique immersive homestay experience in the big cities or the countryside

TRANSPORT

Busbud and Redbus: The best transport websites for long-distance buses in Colombia. Note that 12Go also works in Colombia but the tickets they will buy for you are open-seat tickets and don’t guarantee a seat on the bus you book online.

Uber: Uber is a convenient and cheap ride-hailing app that can be used in the bigger cities of Colombia. Other apps are Cabify or Didi.

Skyscanner: For affordable flights to Bogota and intercity flights in the country.

ACTIVITIES

Viator and Get Your Guide: book all kinds of activities from the Ciudad Perdida trek to a guided private tour of Comuna 13 in Medellin.

VISA

Citizens of many countries, including the United States, Canada, the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand, do not require a visa for short tourist stays (typically up to 90 days). However, this can vary, so it’s always best to check iVisa for the specific requirements for your nationality.

INSURANCE

If you’re looking for travel insurance, the one with the best benefits online is undoubtedly Heymondo! It’s very easy to ask for a quote on the website and, if you book with this link you’ll get 5% off!

SIM-card

Access mobile data immediately when entering the country with a Colombian E-sim or a Latamlink E-sim when traveling through multiple countries. If you are already in Colombia, the best local prepaid sim card is Claro.

Bottled water in Medellin

Museum of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia

In Bogota, several bottled water brands are popular and widely available. If you prefer bottled water over tap water, here are some notable brands to consider:

Cristal: A well-known brand in Colombia, Cristal is often praised for its purity and taste. It’s widely available in various sizes.
Manantial: This brand is also quite popular and offers both still and sparkling water options. Manantial is known for its high-quality water.
Brisa: A product of the Coca-Cola Company, Brissa is another popular choice in Colombia, known for its refreshing taste and quality.

There are more water brands for sale in stores in Medellin like Frescampo and big supermarkets like Exito also have their own branded water. I have also seen a brand called Agua Serrania in the Ara supermarket.

When trying bottled water in Medellin or anywhere else, it’s important to consider the environmental impact. Excessive use of bottled water contributes to plastic waste and environmental degradation.

If you are consuming bottled water for reasons other than safety (such as taste preference), you might want to explore more sustainable options like using a reusable travel water filter.

This way, you can enjoy the quality of water you prefer while minimizing your environmental footprint.

→ Also read: Dibulla, Colombia: A Hidden Gem on The Carribean Coast

Tap water in Medellin: Final thoughts

There you go! We are at the end of this post about whether or not you can drink tap water in Medellin. As you can see, it is perfectly safe to drink tap water in Medellin although it’s always good practice to ask your accommodation to confirm the current situation.

Also, bear in mind that your stomach might be a bit sensitive at first since it needs adjusting to the difference in water composition.

Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or drop me a message through my contact page.

Also, don’t forget to check out my resources page with my favorite booking platforms and tips to start planning your trip. Additionally, have a look at my favorite travel gear if you want to pack more consciously!

ENJOY!

Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Fancy more Colombia Travel advice?

February 18, 2024

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Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!

On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!