Tap Water Safety in Guatemala

Last UpdateApril 8, 2021 12:53 pm

How do People In Guatemala Rate The Tap Water?

Travellers and residents of Guatemala have rated the water quality and pollution as follows, according to subjective survey data. A score of 100% is considered very high, and a score of 0% is very low. Please be cautious that "moderate to very high" water pollution is bad and the higher the rate of water quality the better.

Tap water ratings

  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 57% Moderate
  • Water Pollution 65% High
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 43% Moderate
  • Water Quality 35% Low

Can you drink the tap water in Guatemala?

The US Center for Disease Control's travel advisory recommends avoiding tap water and drinking bottled or disinfected water in Guatemala (source). Like all countries though, water accessibility, sanitation, and treatment vary widely from location to location, so we encourage looking for specific city information.

What do people in Guatemala think about the tap water?

While many Guatemalans drink the tap water (often through necessity rather than choice), it is not recommended that foreigners do so.

  • Tap water needs to be boiled thoroughly or disinfected.
  • Purified water is cheap and readily available in tourist areas and many back-country regions as well.
  • Ice in more expensive restaurants is made from purified water, but order drinks without it if you want to be really cautious.

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

Check tap water safety for other popular destinations

Check tap water safety for other countries in North America

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